Pinhoti - Cave Creek Loop
The hiker gets to choose in which direction he/she does the loop. The easiest direction is to take the Cave Creek Trail first and then the Cave Creek/Pinhoti connector to finish with the Pinhoti. The harder option is the reverse of this scenario. Most hikers choose the harder option due to its proximity to one of the greatest camping spots in the SE U.S. -- McDill Point.
As the hiker leaves the large paved parking area (usually overflowing with vehicles), he/she is first confronted with the large rock and steel entrance gates infused with reliefs of local flora and fauna, as well as animal tracks molded in the walkways. This came from funding that grew out of a part of the Pinhoti's designation as a National Millenium Legacy Trail by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Lori Siegelman back in the mid-90's. Just beyond this entrance way is the message board for the trail. About 50 yards beyond this point, the hiker is confronted with a split in the trail. To the left is the Cave Creek Trail, and to the right and up the hill is the Pinhoti. If you are looking for the Pinhoti part of this loop, go to the right and to the top of the hill and hang a left.
For the Cave Creek Trail, the footpath is very easy to follow and new signage makes getting lost very hard. About 2 miles into the hike, the hiker will see a large rock and long-distance view to the east. Although it has no technical name, I have 2 friends who were married on this rock -- so I call it "marriage rock." Marriage rock is right in the middle of a tunnel of mountain laurel that blooms in early to mid June. At this point the trail turns hard right and up the hill. About 1/2 mile past this point is the trail's namesake -- Cave Creek. I have never seen this creek not running. Just before the creek by 100 yards or so is an excellent campsite. Another mile or so past this point, the trail begins to ascend sharply. It intersects the Cave Creek/Pinhoti connector trail at the crest of the hill and turns hard to the right. The connector trail is less than 1/4 mile long. Good campsites exist right at the crest.
After the crest, the connector descends to the connection with the Pinhoti, where the hiker will turn right. Not long after, a large jumble of rocks appears. Fun, fun, fun! The rocks soon disappear and the tread becomes quick again. Soon, on your left, you will see a large rock face that you will want to get to. Give it time, for you soon will be! The trail takes the long way around (literally a big U-turn) in getting to McDill Point. After what seems like an eternity, you finally begin the turn towards McDill. It is at this point that there are more campsites, although I have never seen water nearby. Soon after, the hiker sees the McDill Point side trail on his/her left. This trail is 1/4 mile long and is a dead-end trail. However, it is a view you cannot miss!!! There are tons of campsites here, and even an old plane wreckage to look through on the way. Once you reach the end of the side trail, you'll see why people make such a big deal about McDill Point. You are looking out over the Cheaha Wilderness -- and you have to look really hard to see ANY traces of man. Turkey vultures hover above waiting for you to run out of water! Allow plenty of time to linger here, for you will not want to leave.
Back on the trail, the path begins an uphill climb past several good lookouts towards Cheaha State Park, Lake Cheaha, and the city of Anniston. After a false leveling out of the trail, the big climb to the 2nd highest point in the state park -- Hernandez Peak, begins. At the top of Hernandez Peak there is a marker dedicating the Cheaha Wilderness (which most of this hike has been in) in 1983. A bit further on, the descent off Hernandez Peak begins and brings the hiker to the newest monument on the trail -- the "rock" commemorating the Pinhoti's official connection to the Appalachian Trail. Many good campsites exist along this area, but no water. Another 1/2 mile or so brings the hiker to the connector trail to the parking lot (right turn, down the hill to the right) which completes our loop back to the Cave Creek loop. Proceed out of the entrance gates into the parking lot.
