Cheaha TH to Hwy 431

[stargazer]

We may be doing Section 7 (Cheaha TH to Hwy 431) in the next few weeks.  When reading about this section I noticed that there are 3 creek crossings and several small creek crossings.  My question is crossing Hillabee Creek, Morgan Cascade and Horseblock Flats...Are there bridges, rocks to hop across or just walk on through the water??  I'm not sure if I'll need to change shoes before crossing....don't want to get boots and socks soaking wet and try to hike several more miles. 

Any information/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! :-)

[dogwood]

Unless you go during or right after a lot of rain, you should be able to cross all those areas by rock-hopping and keeping dry boots.   You might want to bring some sandels, flip-flops, or water shoes just in case...

[blisterbob]

Stargazer;
We did this section from CR 24 to Cheaha on the 21 st. of this month
and the only creek to be concerned with is Hillabee and if you look
upstream about 50' from where the trail comes in you will see stepping
stones and a log to cross without getting your feet wet.

[ciphoto]

Stargazer, instead of loading up on extra shoes, weight, just take an extra pair of socks, flip flops, and make sure you wear shoes/boots that dry pretty quick.  If your feet happen to get wet change socks, use thin ones, they dry quicker. 

When you stop to set up camp swap to the flops, let the feet and boots air out.

[stargazer]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.  We hope to do this next weekend.  Looking forward to a section of the Pinhoti I haven't walked yet.   

[Rigormortis]

I have made this trip several times over the years, do not remember a bridge at any of the crossings, had to take off shoes and wade so carry a towel.

Rigormortis

[Cuffs]

As a general rule, I never suggest flip flop type footwear for camp shoes. It's too easy to stub a toe, get a thorn or otherwise hurt the foot. You can do without alot of things if they get broken, but your feet are just too damn important. They are what is going to get you out of the woods.

[milkman]

As a general rule, I never suggest flip flop type footwear for camp shoes. It's too easy to stub a toe, get a thorn or otherwise hurt the foot. You can do without alot of things if they get broken, but your feet are just too damn important. They are what is going to get you out of the woods.

Ditto on this. I just use crocs attached to the outside of the pack. Easy to get to at stream crossings, airy and protective in camp.

[Ewker]

Ditto on this. I just use crocs attached to the outside of the pack. Easy to get to at stream crossings, airy and protective in camp.

there are times i won't even bother to change shoes (depends on what you are wearing).  I put them on wet the next morning and walk them dry

[blisterbob]

there are times i won't even bother to change shoes (depends on what you are wearing).  I put them on wet the next morning and walk them dry

I lost a toenail once doing that.

[southmark]

I'm with Ewker on this one. I remove my socks and insoles, wade across, put the insoles back in and socks back on, and then just walk my shoes dry.

[Cuffs]

I did that in Maine. Too many crossings to shoe off/shoe on all day long.

[angrysparrow]

Ditto Ewker, Southmark, and Cuffs.  I just walk them dry.  I never wear anything but light trail runners though.  It would probably be different with clod-footed boots.

Back to the original post - You'll not get your feet wet on the hike from Cheaha to 431, unless you fall in Hillabee Creek.  It is the only crossing of note, and it's pretty easy.

[stargazer]

Thanks everyone!!!  I appreciate all the suggestions.

[stargazer]

Well, we made our trip this weekend.  Here's a report...

We started at the Cheaha TH arch around 9:30 Saturday morning.  There were 11 people in our group.  It was a beautiful morning with a breeze but it didn't take us long to shed our jackets.  We hiked to Blue Mt. Shelter and enjoyed our lunch.  The trail was nice.  There are some places that are growing up quickly.  We had a few hills to pull but not too bad.  We got to Hillabee Creek and set up camp.  It was a nice camping spot.  I got to use my MSR water filter for the first time.  Loved it.  :-)  We enjoyed supper around the fire and settled into our tents around 8 pm.  
Around 10:30 we heard the roar of many trucks and four wheelers.  Obviously, the power line road is a favorite Saturday night hangout.  I believe they had fun riding down to the creek and back up again. :-)
We got up around daylight the next morning, ate breakfast and broke camp.  We didn't cross the creek where the trail crosses it...a tree was across the trail and we couldn't rock hop there.  We went upstream and rock hopped across and got back on the trail.  We hiked on ahead and enjoyed the scenery.  The mountain laurel was in full bloom..beautiful .  We stopped on one of the dirt road crossings and took a break and ate a snack.  We got to HWY 24 around 12 and started making our way to Able Mall store where our van was parked.  We were tired and hot but enjoyed hiking another section of the Pinhoti.  :-)

[ciphoto]

Sounds like a nice weekend, thanks for report.

[JBen]

How was the poison ivy/oak on or near the trail?  Trying to get a feel on wearing shorts or wearing pant while doing a solo from Bull Gap to Adams Gap @ the end of the month.
Thx

[stargazer]

Yes there was poison oak/ivy on and around the trail along with other plants that are quickly growing.  There are some parts of the trail that are very clear and other parts where the plants are growing up on the trail. I wore shorts but I'm not sensitive to poison oak.  My husband has a couple of places around his ankles and arm.   

[Cermichael]

Both New Balance and Columbia are making shoes that are light and drain water very quickly.  One of my sons bought me the New Balance Trail Runners for Father's Day.  They are made to wear with or without socks.  I have been wearing them almost every day since I got them.  They are very comfortable.  I am going to try them out on a 6 mile day hike tomorrow.  I will keep you posted.

[Cermichael]

Well, here is the update on the New Balance Minimus trail shoes.  I have wore them about six time on Pinhoti hikes.  They are very light with Vibram soles.  I would say the pros are that these shoes are very light, shed water very quickly and grip the trail.  Also, they are so comfortable, I have slept in them.  The only negative is that the soles are not stiff enough for walking on pavement.  They do okay if your pavement section of your hike is less than a mile.