PTA Site Map / www.pinhotitrailalliance.org
Pinhoti Trail Alliance
Connecting Alabama and Georgia to the Appalachian Trail
The Pinhoti Trail / Section 4
34.3 ~ Bull Gap Trailhead to
52.3 ~ Porter's Gap Trailhead
Trail Club
Horn Mountain Trail Club
www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/hmtc
Hike Direction
Northbound
Hike Distance
18.0 Miles
Trail Blazes
Light Blue Vertical Rectangles
Trail Description
Difficult ~ Dry Rocky Ridges, Long Climbs
Time vs Distance
Consider 2mph as the average hiking pace:
15 minutes = 1/2 mile
30 minutes = 1 mile
60 minutes = 2 miles
Abbreviations
CS ~ Convenience Stores ~ 52.3
TT ~ Trail Towns ~ 34.3, 52.3
SC ~ Small Campsites ~ 41.8, 41.9, 48.8
LC ~ Large Campsites ~ 42.7, 44.1, 46.1, 48.8
TS ~ Trail Shelters ~ X
SW ~ Seasonal Water ~ 34.7, 43.5, 46.1, 46.9, 49.4, 49.6, 49.8, 50.4, 51.5
RW ~ Reliable Water ~ 48.7, 48.8
HS ~ Hot Showers ~ X
Driving Directions
For a weekend section hike, you may want to bring two vehicles to the trail so that you can shuttle
yourselves from one end of your chosen section to the other.
First, you will need to park your “finish hike vehicle” at your section’s northern terminus and then drive
your “start hike vehicle” down to your section’s southern terminus.
The driving directions begin by guiding you from a nearby town to the northern terminus, followed by
directions from there down to the southern terminus, where you’ll start your hike.
Be aware that out on the road you’ll find very few signs pointing the way. Your odometer / trip meter
is going to become your best friend. Please use it.
Also be aware that most of the section trailheads are in pretty isolated areas. Any valuables you plan
to leave in your vehicle should be hidden from view.
52.3 ~ PORTER'S GAP TRAILHEAD ~ NORTHERN TERMINUS
PARK FINISH HIKE VEHICLE FIRST
Begin at the east side of downtown Talladega on AL 77, in front of Wal Mart.
Go south on AL 77 appx. 1.0 miles to the stop sign. Turn left (you are still on AL 77).
Go 8.9 miles to the Porter's Gap Trailhead parking area, on the left just past the 55 mile marker.
34.3 ~ BULL GAP TRAILHEAD ~ SOUTHERN TERMINUS
PARK START HIKE VEHICLE
From the Porter's Gap Trailhead parking area, turn left on AL 77.
Go 2.2 miles to the flashing yellow light at CR 7. Turn right.
Go 2.3 miles to a concrete bridge. Turn right just past the bridge (you are still on CR 7).
Go 5.2 miles to the stop sign at AL 148. Turn right.
Go 0.8 miles to the top of the ridge. There are 2 dirt roads on the right about 50' apart. Turn
right on the second dirt road, Old Rocky Mountain Road - FS 607.
Go about 50 yards to a pull-off on the left, this is the temporary trailhead parking area.
The north trail is about 20 yards past the parking area, on the right.
Trail Guide
Southern Terminus / Start Hike
34.3 ~ BULL GAP TRAILHEAD / AL 148 ~ 1180' ~ TT ~ (Photo)
The trail begins on the north side of USFS 607 and gently winds it's way up through a 100 acre
plantation of young Long Leaf Pines until it reaches the top of the ridge at Bull Bluff. The first
1.1 miles of the trail is actually 3 long switchbacks that climb to the top of the ridge. Watch for
the sharp right turn at mile 0.1 and the sharp left turn at mile 0.6.
You are inside the 29,400 (?) acre Hollins Wildlife Management Area and will be until mile 7.0.
Hunting season dates / info for the HWMA are posted here.
WILDFLOWER ~ Huckleberry, Spring, White (fruit-late May)
TT, HS ~ Go west on AL 148 10.5 miles to Sylacauga. Map
NEXT RW ~ 14.4 miles.
UPDATE ~ Money has been appropriated for the new trailhead parking area. Look for
construction to begin soon.
UPDATE ~ The parking area will be completed as a National Trails Day project by June 7, 2008.
34.7 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
Even as big as this spring looks, it dries up a day or two after a good rain.
34.8 ~ LONG LEAF PINE PLANTATION ~ (Photo)
From here up to Bull Bluff you will be passing through a large Long Leaf Pine Tree plantation.
This is a small part of the Forest Service's effort to restore the southern forest to its original
state: Long Leaf Pines, Hickory Oak and grasses.
35.4 ~ BULL BLUFF ~ 1600' ~ (Photo)
The trail goes a short distance above the top of this bluff. Be prepared to see one of the 5 best
views on the Pinhoti, from the trail.
36.5 ~ POWER LINE CROSSING ~ 1780' ~ (Photo)
Here is a fair view of Rebecca Mountain on the left through the right of way. You can see one of
her skinny signal towers (1523') up on a peak.
37.5 ~ USFS 600 CROSSING ~ 1627'
The trail goes diagonally, to the left, across the road to the east side of the ridge.
USFS 600 (-1) was a Civilian Conservation Corps project in the 1930's.
38.0 ~ USFS 600 CROSSING ~ (Photo)
The trail goes straight across the road back to the west side of the ridge.
40.8 ~ FARKLEBERRY ROCK
At the top of the switchbacks there is a head high rock overhang that's surrounded by several
ancient Farkleberry bushes.
40.9 ~ HIGH TENSION POWER LINE CROSSING ~ 1474’ ~ (Photo)
The trail crosses under these lines on the peak of this rocky ridge, so there are large east and
west views.
41.3 ~ NORTH HOLLINS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA BOUNDARY
You are now leaving the 30,640 (?) acre managed hunting area.
41.8 ~ HEATH CLIFFS ~ 1660’ ~ SC ~ (Photo)
A large wooden cross has been placed out by the rocks as a memorial to Mr. Heath. Some of the
local guys that I work with told me that Mr. Heath fell to his death here. In Section 7, up at
Mt. Cheaha, there is at least 1 fatality per year out on the rocks. Please take a minute to think
about those you will leave behind to carry on without you before doing anything that will put
your life on the line.
Ashes to Ashes
Randall D. Heath
41.9 ~ SHERMAN CLIFFS ~ 1700’ ~ SC ~ (Photo)
There is a great southern view of the Rebecca Mountain Ridge from here as she makes her way
west toward Sylacauga and also views west toward Birmingham and Talladega.
42.6 ~ ROAD BED
The trail turns left on this big, grassy old road and goes up the hill for about 800 yards.
42.7 ~ ROAD BED TURN OFF ~ LC ~ (Photo)
The trail turns off the road to the right just before it makes a sharp left turn.
LC ~ The road continues on for another 0.1 miles to the top of the mountain. There is a large,
level food plot for Deer on top and even an old fire ring on the far side at the tree line.
43.0 ~ ROCK BLUFF ~ (Photo)
43.5 ~ ROCK HOUSE ~ SW ~ (Photo)
Look for a 10' high overhanging rock on the right that's hanging out over the trail. It's a good
place to take a break but a bad place to camp if it's raining because the floor is so low.
SW ~ Climb up on top of the rock and then go up the hill 20 yards to USFS 600. Turn right on
600 and go to the end of the straightaway. Just before the road starts curving uphill to the left
there is an old fire road on the left. The fire road is hard to spot because there are a few old
logs blocking it. Climb down the bank and go about 50 yards to the spring crossing. In dry
weather you will need to follow the spring bed downhill to find water.
43.6 ~ SOUTH HORN GAP ~ 1620’ ~ (Photo)
The trail goes straight through the gap.
44.1 ~ POWER LINE RIGHT-OF-WAY
When the Pinhoti comes to the power line right-of-way for the Horn Mountain Fire Tower, turn
left and go downhill 100 feet, then the trail goes back in the woods on the right.
44.2 ~ HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER (standing) ~ 1912’ ~ (Photo)
Once you leave the power line right-of-way and re-enter the woods, go 50 yards to the Tower
side trail, on the right. The side trail is marked with white blazes and goes uphill 0.1 miles to the
tower. In the late 1930's, when the tower site was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps
this was a beautiful park area. There are 2 rock observation decks and 5 picnic tables still
intact. Two of the tables are under a covered shelter that is in pretty bad shape but still
standing. There is also a large grove of Oriental Bamboo and a stand of old Spruce or White
Pine trees just below the Tower.
UPDATE 2006 ~ The picnic shelter has undergone a full, original CCC spec. restoration by the
USFS, Chris Koehn from the CCC Association , Preacher Collett from the USFS Seniors
Volunteer Program, the Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama, the Alabama Trails Association and
the Horn Mountain Trail Club. Yes, you are allowed to camp anywhere in the National Forest. No
the USFS is not encouraging this area to be used as a designated campsite. This is a very
important CCC historic site and the USFS and the CCCA would like to restore and preserve it in
its original, pristine state. If you do choose to stay here, I'm sure some serious stealth camping
would be greatly appreciated by all. Thanks!
SITE PHOTOS ~ 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10
44.2 ~ NORTH HORN GAP ~ 1650'
The trail goes straight through the gap.
44.3 ~ 10 MILE MARKER ~ 1680' ~ (Photo)
44.8 ~ SWITCHBACKS / DOWN ~ (Photo)
45.4 ~ WORMY'S PULPIT ~ 1640' ~ (Photo)
The trail goes straight across the backside of the bluff.
I don't know much about Wormy (Jerry Sanderson, Lands and Wildlife Officer, TNF, Talladega
office) other than the fact that he is a USFS "Old Timer" who signed on when he was 18 and has
managed to hang on for 37 years. He seemed content (and patient!) one day as we stood before a
map and I plied him with question after question. Thanks. Anyone know a good Wormy story?
There is an unobstructed 50 mile view from the Pulpit. The Horn Mountain Fire Tower and
Rebecca Mountain can be seen on the left and Sleeping Giant Mountain, the long ridge that runs
behind Talladega, is out in front. The night time light show includes (from left to right)
Sylacauga, Birmingham, Childersburg, Pell City and Talladega.
45.6 ~ USFS 600 CROSSING / MICROWAVE TOWER ~ 1685' ~ (Photo)
The trail goes straight across the road onto the tower driveway for 50' and then goes back in
the woods on the right.
Now the trail will circle around the east side of this mountain top where the Microwave Tower
sits. There is a great view of the Tower here. It's big, no it's huge, it's, it's, well, it's big and
huge. :) This part of the mostly ignored east side of the ridge is home to the headwaters of the
West Fork of the regionally popular Hatchet Creek. From AL 77 south to about 5 miles below the
Microwave tower, where it joins the East Fork, there are 11 springs that come down off the
ridge and start flowing south in an area known as Horn Valley.
46.1 ~ KENNY'S CAMP ~ 1566' ~ LC, SW
The trail goes straight through the intersection.
LC ~ There is a side trail here on the right leading to a wide gap with plenty of level spots out
toward the end of this short finger ridge.
SW ~ There are small seasonal springs a little way down both sides of the gap. The spring on the
right side of the gap is about 100 yards down in a small patch of Mountain Laurel. If this spring
is dry, then follow the spring bed down another 200 yards to a good creek. Be prepared for a
tough uphill climb back to the campsite.
FLOWERING SHRUB ~ Mountain Laurel / Late Spring / White
46.3 ~ USFS 600 CROSSING ~ 12 MILE MARKER ~ 1583' ~ (Photo)
The trail goes straight across USFS 600 onto another road. Follow this road 0.1 miles to the
dead end and then the trail continues straight into the woods. The trail is now back on the west
side of the ridge.
46.4 ~ NORTH RIDGE SWITCHBACKS / DOWN ~ 1585' ~ (Photo)
Here you will begin your descent off the ridge with a series of 24 switchbacks.
46.8 ~ UPPER ROCK SLIDE
46.9 ~ LOWER ROCK SLIDE ~ SW
Sometimes there is water flowing out of the rocks and across the trail.
47.5 ~ WIND RIDGE
48.3 ~ WIND RIDGE ROAD ~ 14 MILE MARKER ~ 980’
The trail turns right onto the road.
48.5 ~ SCOTT LAKE VIEW ~ (turn right off road) ~ 760' ~ (Photo)
Here the trail veers to the right off Wind Ridge Road and then skirts around the south side of
the lake about 50' above the water.
48.6 ~ WIND RIDGE ROAD
The trail turns right on the road again. The trail / road turns right when it reaches the creek
and then follows it down to the crossing.
48.7 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ 720’ ~ RW ~ (Photo)
The trail / road crosses the creek and continues beside it down to the cascade.
FORDING HAZARD ~ This creek is about 20' wide and 6" deep. There is room for it to spread
out after a heavy rain so it will probably not be over knee high. Use caution.
48.7 ~ SCOTT’S CASCADE / DRY CREEK ~ 710’ ~ RW ~ (Photo)
When you reach the cascade, the trail turns right and crosses Dry Creek and then follows USFS
621A up the hill.
The cascade is a large, broad (as opposed to tall) natural rock formation which serves as the
spillway for the Scott Lake Dam. Be sure to check out the root base of the old Sycamore tree in
the middle of the creek at the cascade. Ever seen anything like that before?
FORDING HAZARD ~ Dry Creek is about 20' wide and 1' deep and can be easily forded most
times of the year, but after a heavy rain it will be over knee high and running very fast. The
creek is moving slower downstream but it's also much deeper. Use extreme caution.
48.8 ~ SCOTT LAKE (shelter proposed) ~ 730' ~ SC, LC, RW ~ (Photo)
After the trail crosses Dry Creek, you will follow USFS 621-A up the hill 0.1 miles to the first
driveway on the right. Turn here and go 5 yards. The trail then goes back in the woods on the left.
SC ~ On the way up 621-A there is a nice campsite on the left with a great view, through the
notch between the 2 mountains that form the sides of the lake, of the Horn Mountain Ridge just
north of the Microwave Tower. A little farther up the road is a large patch of mature Bamboo on
the right with several huge old Long Leaf Pines inside of the thicket. Years ago this area was
private property and there were 4 cabins on this side of the lake. You can still see some of the
