The main purpose of this document is to help hikers have a more enjoyable time in the woods along the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. Hopefully, the comments and suggestions listed below will prevent hikers from getting confused, lost, or angry and encourage others to come and enjoy our magnificent trail in Alabama. I also welcome any comments or suggestions from any others who have perused the new map.
John N Calhoun July 21, 2016
I will address general comments first, then make specific ones on each section.
I like that the map is printed on waterproof plastic and that it can be cut in half. What is wrong, though, is that the northern end and the southern end are on the same page, back to back. In other words, a hiker who wants to hike from US 78 Hwy and do the northern part would still need to carry both halves! So, a better idea is to put sections 7-9 (Cheaha St Park to Pine Glen) on the back of sections 10-12 (Pine Glen to US Hwy 278), then put sections 3 & 4 (Trammell TH to Porter Gap) on the back of sections 5 & 6 (Porter Gap to Cheaha St Park). This way a hiker could have the south half on one sheet and the north half on the other.
At the top of the general information column on the left side of Section 12 in the “Welcome to the Pinhoti NRT” section, it says the Pinhoti is 145 miles long in the National Forest. From the information as described below it is about 138.6 miles long (and about 3.7 miles of that is on the Cheaha St. Pk. Property). It would be nice to also mention that more trail construction is in progress south of the USFS to Flagg Mt. (near Weogufka, AL.) and that when completed the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama will be about 171 miles long. This includes the 12.8 miles of trail north of US 278 east of Piedmont, AL.
At the bottom of this info. column is the “Volunteer Opportunities” section. It would be nice to mention the existing trail clubs (and their contact information). Several members in these clubs donate many hours to help maintain the Pinhoti and other trails.
The currently active clubs are listed below:
AOA or Anniston Outdoor Association, 256-453-9527, E-mail: anniston.outdoor.assn@gmail.com,
VTA or Vulcan Trail Association, http://www.vulcantrailassociation.ws/
ATA or Alabama Trails Association, c/o http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/,
AHTS or Alabama Hiking Trail Society, http://hikealabama.org/
It would be nice, also, if this information was posted on each trailhead kiosk along with the new map section.
SECTION 12 DESCRIPTION BLOCK (Highpoint TH US Hwy 278 to FS 500 east of Dugger Wilderness)
The description should mention that the non-USFS Pinhoti Trail (Alabama Trails Association / Forever Wild lands) does continue northward from US Hwy 278 for about 12.8 miles and connects to the Georgia Pinhoti Trail.
The words “abandoned railroad bed” should read “Chief Ladiga Trail” as is shown on the map.
The words “at the top of Oakey Mountain” should say “on the broad crest of the northeast ridge of Oakey Mountain”. As the map clearly shows, the shelter is not on top of Oakey Mt. and the trail doesn’t even come close to the top as it finally crosses a shoulder northeast of the top.
In the 2nd paragraph, the words “Terrapin Creek...” should read “the south fork of Terrapin Creek...”
Section 12 mileage corrections: (These are based on “Solo’s” two measure wheel trips and Mr. Parkay’s GPS trips, both of which seem to be very accurate and agree with each other.)
Hwy 278 6.1 miles Co Rd 70 1.6 miles Co Rd 94 2.1 miles Oakey Mt. Shelter 4.0 miles Terrapin Dam 2.1 n.
Dugger Shelter 0.3 mile FS 500. total = 16.2 miles.
Section 12 Map Corrections: None that I can see.
SECTION 11 DESCRIPTION BLOCK (Dugger Mountain Wilderness)
In the 2nd paragraph, “east of FS road 500” should be followed by “(outside the wilderness area)”.
Section 11 mileage suggestions:
FS Road 500 2.4 miles Dugger Fire Tower Site 2.1 miles Dugger Gap 1.6 miles Jones Branch Gap 2.7 miles Co Rd 55. Total= 8.8 miles
Section 11 Map Corrections:
The Burns Trailhead is actually about a quarter mile southwest of the symbol on the map and a side trail should also be shown.
SECTION 10 DESCRIPTION BLOCK (Co Rd 55 to Pine Glen camp ground)
In the 1st paragraph, “Highrock Lake” should read “Pine Glen”.
The text could also mention that Coleman Lake Camp Ground has showers and RV hookups and that Pine Glen has toilets but no showers or RV hookups.
Section 10 Mileage corrections:
Co Rd 55 1.4 miles Choccolocco Shelter 7.0 miles Coleman Lake TH 1.9 miles FS Rd 553 1.4 miles Laurel Shelter 4.6 Pine Glen. total = 16.3 miles.
Section 10 map corrections:
Choccolocco Shelter is actually a half mile southwest of where the map shows it and is located below the dam on the north side of the creek.
This is trivial, but Laurel Shelter is shown on the west side of the trail but is actually on the east side.
SECTION 9 DESCRIPTION BLOCK (Pine Glen to FS 500 RR T.H.)
No comments.
Section 9 mileage corrections:
Very minor changes only: 2.6 miles between Pine Glen & FS 531 and 3.2 miles between FS 531 & FS 523. Total = 13.6 miles
Section 9 Map comments:
Lower Shoal Shelter is actually about ¼ mile northeast of the symbol and is near the junction of the two creeks.
The RR Trailhead is on the north side of the Railroad. The map symbol shows it on the south side.
SECTION 8 DESCRIPTION BLOCK (RR trailhead /FS 500 to US Hwy 431)
The narrative should mention that parking is available on FS 585 south of US 431. The trail follows FS 585(516) for a short distance in section 7.
Section 8 mileage corrections:
Minor changes: 5.2, 2.5, 1.8, total miles = 9.5
Section 8 Map Changes: No Comments.
SECTION 7 DESCRIPTION BLOCK (US Hwy 431 to AL Hwy 281, Scenic Drive at Cheaha ST. Pk.)
The new Pinhoti Map (April 2014) and the USFS Motor Vehicle Use Map shows the old CCC Rd. as FS 508. The 1997 Pinhoti Map shows it as FS 589.
The words “just north of Cheaha State Park” should read “northeast…” (describes where Blue Mt. Shelter is located.)
For the sentence, “This section ends at the Talladega Scenic Drive (AL Hwy. 281)” please add “near milepost 478” and “Parking is at the Cheaha Trailhead just down the hill from the park entrance.”
Section 7 Mileage corrections:
Hwy 431 1.5 miles FS Rd 515 3.7 miles Co Rd 24 7.2 miles FS Rd 508 (CCC Rd) 3.1 miles Blue Mt. Shelter Trail 1.9 miles Al Hwy 281… Total = 17.4 miles.
Section 7 Map comments:
About 0.2 mile north of Co Rd 24 (Abel Gap Rd.), there is a very sharp switchback and side trail to Morgan Lake that should be shown on the new map.
The old historic Oxford Cheaha Road (CCC Rd. or FS 589 or 508) should be shown to continue southeast from where the Pinhoti Trail crosses it and continues on uphill to AL Hwy 281 near mile post 483. There is another stone bridge over Hillabee Creek in this section and this historic road attracts many hikers.
The Bald Rock connector trail is on the map but it should be labeled as such since it connects the Pinhoti to the Bald Rock Board Walk.
SECTION 6 DESCRIPTION BLOCK (al Hwy 281 to Adams Gap)
Revised 1st paragraph: “This section of the Pinhoti Trail begins at the Talladega Scenic Drive at milepost 478 and roughly follows the ridgeline of Talladega Mountain through Cheaha State Park and Cheaha Wilderness to the trailhead at Adams Gap (south end of AL Hwy 281).”
Section 6 mileage corrections:
AL Hwy 281 0.2 mile Upper Cave Ck. Connector 3.7 miles Lower Cave ck. Connector 1.6 miles Odum/Chinnabee/Pinhoti jct. 6.0 miles Adams Gap TH. , Total = 11.5 miles.
Section 6 Map suggestions:
The VERY POPULAR 0.3 mile side trail to McDill Overlook (southwest of McDill Point) needs to be shown on the new map.
SECTION 5 DESCRIPTION BLOCK (Adams Gap to Porter Gap)
A few minor corrections: The trail travels “southwestward “ from Adams Gap not “southward.” It doesn’t “end” at Hwy 77 but “crosses” the highway. Water is available at 5 to 7 places along this section but definitely not along the top or close to the top of the ridgeline.
Section 5 mileage corrections:
Adams Gap 6.6 miles Clairmont Gap 5.5 miles Talladega Creek & RR 3.4 miles Hwy 77. Total = 15.5 miles.
Section 5 Map comments: FS Rd 637-U should be shown on the map as the trail crosses it and it connects to 600-2 at Patterson Gap.
SECTION 4 DESCRIPTION BLOCK (AL Hwy 77 to AL Hwy 148)
One sentence needs revising, “The southern end of this section, Bulls Gap Trailhead, is located on FS Rd 607 just off AL Hwy 148 near milepost 11.3”.
Section 4 mileage corrections:
Porter’s Gap TH 3.6 miles Scott Lake 2.4 miles FS Rd 600-1 0.8 mile Sunset Rock viewpoint 3.7 miles Sherman Cliffs overlook 7.5 miles Bulls Gap TH. Total = 18.0 miles.
Section 4 Map corrections: Bulls Gap Trailhead parking lot is on the west side of FS607 just north of AL Hwy 148.
SECTION 3 DESCRIPTION BLOCK (AL Hwy 148 to Trammel TH, FS603-C)
I’d replace the first sentence with: ”The trail generally follows the ridgeline of Rebecca Mountain west, southwest until it drops down and joins FS Rd 675 (an old train railroad bed).”
Also, the Trailhead parking lot is over 6 miles east of Sylacauga (3.4 on 148, 2.5 on FS603, 0.5 on FS603A& 0.1 on 603C).
Section 3 mileage corrections:
AL Hwy 148 3.3 miles FS 680 White Gap 3.2miles Tower w. of Sage Gap 3.0 miles FS Rd 675 2.3 miles Trammel TH 603C total = 11.8 miles
Section 3 Map corrections:
The map should show FS Rd 680-B and also the paved west tower road up Sage Gap. The trail actually uses this concrete road for about a third of a mile. Displaying little or unused gated old roads on the maps could be valuable for hikers that need an emergency exit or just want to “stay found”.
What follows is a list of some of the FS Roads whose numbers have been changed in the field since we had put up new trail signs on the Shoal Creek district a few years ago:
553D = 553Q near Shoal Creek Church, 500M = 503B near Sweetwater Lake, 531E = 531I near Highrock Lake, 500E = 501L near Lower Shoal Shelter, 500Q = 519A n. of I 20, 515 = 513 Watts = Strickland Motorway, & 589 = 508 CCC Rd.