PTA Site Map
Pinhoti Trail Alliance
Connecting Alabama and Georgia to the Appalachian Trail

Snail Trail Guide
Section 9 (Previously Alabama Section 4)

Trail Data
Trail Club ~ Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama
Hike Direction ~ Northbound
Hike Distance ~ 13.6 miles
Southern Terminus ~ 71.9 ~ USFS 500 Trailhead
Northern Terminus ~ 85.5 ~ Pine Glen Campground
ECT Mile Point ~ 1317.6 ~ 1331.2
Trail Description ~ Moderate ~ Foothills, Watersheds, Short Climbs

Abbreviations
CS ~ Convenience Store / Nice Mom and Pop stores.
    x
TT ~ Trail Town / Large enough for McDonald's.
    x
SC ~ Small Campsite / At least one tent site.
    73.9
LC ~ Large Campsite / At least three tent sites.
    71.9, 73.9, 79.7, 81.5, 83.4, 85.5
TS ~ Trail Shelter / Three sided, open front.
    79.7
SW ~ Seasonal Water / Needs rain in the past week.
    71.9, 73.3, 73.7, 74.1, 74.6, 76.0, 78.1, 81.7, 82.0, 82.6, 82.9, 83.0, 83.3, 84.9, 85.0
RW ~ Reliable Water / Always available
    79.6, 79.7, 81.5, 82.4, 83.2, 83.4, 85.5

Trail Marking
The new standard blazes for marking the Pinhoti are light blue vertical rectangles. The standard distance
between blazes is around 0.1 miles. Most of these are painted on trees at about eye level and are about
the size of a dollar bill. Until this new changeover is complete, you will also see some white blazes, silver
metal diamonds and white plastic diamonds with a turkey track on them and some white painted turkey
tracks. All of these will guide you in the right direction.

Time vs Distance
To help you judge the time needed to travel from point A to point B, consider that the average hiking
pace is 2 mph:

60 minutes = 2 miles
30 minutes = 1 mile
15 minutes = 1/2 mile

Driving Directions
Be aware that most of these trailheads and road crossings are in pretty isolated areas and also be aware
that you’ll find very few signs pointing the way. Your odometer is going to become your best friend.
Although various cars and trucks tend to measure distances a little differently, these mileages should be
fairly close.

71.9 ~ SOUTH USFS 500 TRAILHEAD
    Exit I ~ 20 at US 431, east of Oxford.
    Go north 0.3 miles to US 78. Turn right.
    Go 5.3 miles to just before the overhead bridge. Turn left.
    Go 0.1 miles to the stop sign at AL 281. Go straight across onto USFS 500.
    Go 0.1 miles to the trailhead parking area on the right, just past the RR tracks.
    The north trail goes in the woods behind the Info Board.
    The south trail is back across the US 78 bridge, on the right.

72.2 ~ USFS 500 CROSSING
    Follow the South USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
    Go past the parking area 0.2 miles to the crossing.
    The north trail is on the left.
    The south trail is on the right.

75.3 ~ USFS 523 CROSSING
    Follow the South USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
    Go past the parking area 1.7 miles to USFS 523. Turn left.
    Go 0.2 miles to the crossing.
    The north trail is on the right.
    The south trail is on the left.

78.5 ~ USFS 531 CROSSING
    Follow the South USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
    Go past the parking area 2.0 miles to USFS 531. Turn left.
    Go 0.8 miles to the crossing.
    The north trail is on the right.
    The south trail is on the left.

82.9 ~ USFS 531 CROSSING
    Follow the South USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
    Go past the parking area 2.0 miles to USFS 531. Turn left.
    Go 3.5 miles to the crossing, 50 yards past the concrete bridge.
    The north trail is on the left.
    The south trail is on the right.

85.5 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND
    Follow the South USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
    Go past the parking area 2.0 miles to USFS 531. Turn left.
    Go 5.0 miles to USFS 500. Turn left.
    Go 0.5 miles to the campground, on the left.
    The north trail is just past Shoal Creek Bridge on the right.
    The south trail is just before the campground on the left.

Trail Guide
71.9 ~ USFS 500 TRAILHEAD ~ 936' ~ LC, SW ~ (Photo)
    The north trail goes in the woods behind the Info Board at the trailhead parking area. USFS 500
    was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930's.
    WILDFLOWER ~ Umbrella Magnolia / Late Spring / White (flowers are similar to the Southern
    Magnolia)
    WILDFLOWER ~ Kudzu / Summer / Blue
    LC, SW ~ The spring crossing is 100 yards north of the Info Board. Go about 30' past the spring
    crossing to a small trail on the right that takes you up to a couple of fire rings. The train
    whistles will keep you hopping all night, so if you have another camp option, you should take it.
    NEXT RW ~ 7.8 miles.

72.2 ~ USFS 500 CROSSING ~ 1050'
    The trail goes straight across the road.

73.3 ~ 73.7 ~ 3 SPRING CROSSINGS ~ SW

73.9 ~ BIRDS IN THE PINES CAMPSITE ~ SC, LC ~ (Photo - Grey Eagle)
    The Pinhoti goes straight through the camp.
    SC ~ The small campsite is on the right, by the trail. There is a trail on the left, at the small
    campsite, that goes downhill 0.3 miles to an old road that looks like it goes down the mountain.
    There are no campsites, water or views down this overgrown trail.
    LC ~ The large campsite is 0.1 miles up the old road on the right, just past the small campsite.
    This is just a flat spot in the middle of the road with a fire ring.

74.1 ~ 74.6 ~ 2 SPRING CROSSINGS ~ SW

74.8 ~ SISTER RIDGE VIEW
    This is another good view of our Sister Ridge on the left. What you see here is the backside of
    Ft. McClellan, between Anniston and Jacksonville. This section of the Choccolocco Mountains has
    just recently been designated as the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge. Funding has
    been approved for the purchase of a corridor to connect the Talladega National Forest and the
    MLNWR. Of course, what I make of all this new property is a really cool side trail off the
    Pinhoti someday!

75.3 ~ USFS 523 CROSSING / S W CWMA BOUNDARY ~ 1180' ~ (Photo)
    The trail angles across the road to the left. You have just crossed over the south west boundary
    into the Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area. You will be in the 46,550 acre CWMA until you
    reach the north west boundary at the 98.2 ~ Turnhill Road Switchbacks, up in Section 3. Hunting
    season dates and info are posted here.

76.0 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW

77.1 ~ BRYMER GORGE
    The trail travels along the upper side and sometimes you can hear the creek running way down
    below.

78.1 ~ * HOLLY SPRING CROSSING ~ SW

78.5 ~ USFS 531 CROSSING ~ 1260' / BANKHEAD FIRE TOWER (standing)
    The trail goes straight across the road.
    BANKHEAD FIRE TOWER (off trail) ~ Go right on USFS 531 0.8 miles to USFS 500. Turn left.
    Go 0.6 miles to the tower, on the left.

78.9 ~ BEECH GORGE
    During the winter months you can see where two forks come together to form the gorge, on your
    left. Again, you are on the upper portion listening to water below.

79.6 ~ * LOWER SHOAL CANYON / CASCADE ~ RW ~ (Photo by T. C.)
    This is one of the finer examples of the Pinhoti's subtle beauty. Stop and take a few slow, deep
    breaths...

79.7 ~ LOWER SHOAL SHELTER ~ LC, TS, RW ~ (Photo by T. C.)
    The trail goes around the back of the shelter, up along the side, then turns left and fords the
    creek. Once you cross, turn left and go 25 yards to the switchback that doubles back to the right,
    up the hill. This shelter is in great shape with a new roof, steps and a cooking shelf added in
    2003. Thanks go to the Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama and to Ranger Tim Slone and all the
    guys at the Shoal Creek Ranger District, USFS. The shelter was constructed by the USFS in 1984.
    NEXT RW ~ 1.8 miles.
    FORDING HAZARD ~ This creek is about 10' wide and 1' deep. Two creeks join together right
    above this crossing and can become over knee high after a heavy rain. Use extreme caution.

81.3 ~ * SHOAL FLATS
    All through this area there are many great views of Shoal Creek on the left.

81.5 ~ CAMPSITE ~ LC, RW
    Once you ford the creek that's just past the campsite, the trail turns to the right and goes
    uphill 30 yards to a switchback to the left.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.9 miles.
    FORDING HAZARD ~ This creek is about 10' wide, 1' deep and can get over knee high after a
    heavy rain. Use extreme caution.

81.7 ~ 82.0 ~ 2 SPRING CROSSINGS ~ SW

82.4 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
    NEXT RW ~ 0.8 miles.
    FORDING HAZARD ~ This creek is 20' wide, 1' deep and has room to spread out after a heavy
    rain. Use caution.

82.6 ~ * EAGLE BRIDGE ~ SW
    This nice bridge was done as an EAGLE SCOUT project with some planning and physical support
    from the Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama and financial support from Wal~Mart. Thanks guys !!
    Great job.

82.8 ~ * BEECH GAP
    The Beeches are distinctive for their leaves that turn a tan color in the fall and hang on all
    winter.

82.9 ~ USFS 531 CROSSING / DRAIN PIPE BRIDGE ~ 812' ~ SW
    The trail goes straight across the road.  The President of the ATCA calls this second USFS 531
    Crossing "Drain Pipe Bridge". I don't know if this is the common name or if she just likes to make
    up names like me.
    WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES!! There have been A LOT of 3 season sightings in this area.
    SW ~ The spring crossing is just before you get to USFS 531.

83.0 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW

83.2 ~ HIGHROCK LAKE ~ 880' ~ RW
    AKA Lake 10. This is an 8 acre finger lake that is about 50 yards wide all the way up the gorge.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.2 miles.

83.3 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
    There is an Indian Trail Tree on the south side of the crossing (well, maybe it is! : ). I read
    somewhere that there is a lady writing a book on Indian Trail Trees of the Appalachian Trail.
    Once upon a time it was common practice for the Native Americans to form trees into an "L"
    shape to show trail directions, camps, etc. I would imagine that authentic Indian Trail Trees
    would have to be at least 100 + years old.

83.4 ~ CAMPSITE ~ LC, RW
    There is a fire ring on the right with a lot of flat spots nearby.
    NEXT RW ~ 2.1 miles.

83.5 ~ * HIGHROCK LEAP
    There is a fair winter view of the lake on your left at this rocky point.

84.8 ~ WINTER FEED PLOT
    It's huge!! Like an all you can eat buffet for the Deer. Just imagine the size of the crowd after
    church on Sundays !!

84.9 ~ 85.0 ~ 2 SPRING CROSSINGS ~ SW

85.5 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND / USFS 500 ~ 950' ~ LC, RW (Photo by TC)
    The trail comes out on USFS 500. The campground entrance is 50 yards to the left.
    NEXT RW ~ 2.6 miles.

PTA Site Map
Millennium
Legacy Trail
Section 9 ~ Trail Condition

Northern Terminus

0.0 ~ Trailhead
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ x
Brush 200? ~ Blowdowns 200? ~ Blazes 200?
0.0 ~ Trailhead

Southern Terminus