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

Trail Guide - Section 10 (AL 3)

Trail Data
Trail Club ~ Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama
Hike Direction ~ Northbound
Hike Distance ~ 16.3 miles
Southern Terminus ~ 85.5 ~ Pine Glen Campground
Northern Terminus ~ 101.8 ~ Burns Trailhead
ECT Mile Point ~ 1331.2 ~ 1347.5
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.
    88.7, 96.1, 96.4, 96.5
LC ~ Large Campsite / At least three tent sites.
    88.1, 88.4, 90.1, 92.7, 93.4, 96.3, 100.3, 100.4
TS ~ Trail Shelter / Three sided, open front.
    90.1, 100.4
SW ~ Seasonal Water / Needs rain in the past week.
    85.6, 87.8, 90.7, 90.8, 91.0, 91.6, 92.4, 92.8, 100.8
RW ~ Reliable Water / Always available.
    85.5, 88.1, 88.4, 88.7, 90.1, 90.6, 92.7, 93.1, 93.4, 96.0, 96.1, 96.3,
    96.4, 96.5, 97.3, 97.6, 98.0, 100.3, 100.4, 101.8

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.

85.5 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND
    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 to the stop sign at AL 281. Go straight across onto USFS 500.
    Go 2.1 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 on the right, just past Shoal Creek Bridge.
    The south trail is just before the campground on the left.

88.5 ~ SWEETWATER LAKE PARKING AREA
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 2.4 miles to Sweetwater Lake Road. Turn right.
    Go 0.3 miles to the parking area.
    The north trail is on the left, behind the Info Board.
    The south trail is on the right by the boat ramp.

91.5 ~ USFS 553 CROSSING
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Continue past
    this left turn on what is now USFS 553.
    Go 1.1 miles to the crossing.
    The north trail is on the left.
    The south trail is on the right.

91.9 ~ SHOAL CREEK CHURCH ROAD CROSSING
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Continue past
    this left turn on what is now USFS 553.
    Go 0.7 miles to a dirt road on the left. Turn left.
    Go 0.4 miles to the trail crossing. There is a dirt driveway here on the right
    leading to the Shoal Creek Church.
    The north trail is on the left.
    The south trail is on the right.

93.4 ~ COLEMAN LAKE TRAILHEAD
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Turn left.
    Go 0.3 miles to where USFS 500 turns right. Turn right.
    Go 1.1 miles to the trailhead parking area, on the right.
    The north trail is on the left, just past the trailhead.
    The south trail is on the right, just past the trailhead.
    Coleman Lake Campground is 0.6 miles past the trailhead, on the right.

95.2 ~ USFS 540 CROSSING
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Turn left.
    Go 0.5 miles to USFS 540. Turn right.
    Go 0.8 miles to the trail crossing.
    The north trail is on the left.
    The south trail is on the right.

101.8 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD / CR 55
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Turn left.
    Go 0.3 miles to where USFS 500 turns right. Turn right.
    Go 2.0 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Turn left.
    Go 5.3 miles to the paved road, CR 55. Turn left.
    Go 4.6 miles to the trailhead parking area at Mr. Burns old log cabin, on the
    right.
    The north trail is at the back of the parking area by the Wilderness
    Dedication Marker.
    The south trail is on CR 55, 100 yards before you reach the parking area, on
    the left.

Trail Guide
85.5 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND / USFS 500 ~ 950' ~ LC, RW (Photo by TC)
    From the campground, turn left on USFS 500 and cross the Shoal Creek
    Bridge and then enter the woods on the right.
    The trail will follow Shoal Creek for about a mile. This area is rich in
    history, which includes the annual spring migration of the Rainbow Family - 1,
    - 2.
    LC, RW ~ This is a great campground on Shoal Creek with a lot of primitive
    campsites and a new 3 seater SST Outhouse (Sweet Smelling Toilets).
    Typical government oxymoron, huh ? ! This Federal Campground cost 3$ a
    night (2003) and is open year round.
    NEXT RW ~ 2.6 miles.

    Hiking Alabama Guest Book entry by Tim Lewis: In 1973, I worked as a
    junior in high school for the Youth Conservation Corps and part of our job was
    building the Pinhoti Trail in Sweetwater Lake, Coleman Lake, Pine Glen area.
    Its gratifying to know that people use it.

85.6 ~ DOUBLE BRIDGES ~ SW

87.8 ~ BRIDGE ~ SW ~ (Photo)

88.1 ~ SWEETWATER LAKE DAM ~ 1000' ~ LC, RW
    AKA Lake 13. This is the first of the three USDA Floodwater Retarding
    Dams you will come to on the Pinhoti. The trail crosses over the spillway
    section of the dam straight in front of you and then goes around the left side
    of the lake up to the parking area.
    Don't worry too much if you hear wild screaming in the middle of the night,
    it's just Bigfoot stepping on a briar or something : )
    LC ~ There is a campsite on the main section of the dam in those pines to
    the right.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.3 miles.

88.4 ~ CAMPSITE ~ LC, RW
    This campsite is on a peninsula that goes out in the lake and there is also a
    nice campsite on top of the hill on the peninsula.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.3 miles.

88.5 ~ SWEETWATER LAKE PARKING AREA ~ (Photo Grey Eagle)
    The trail goes back in the woods behind the Info Board and follows the left
    side of the lake for another 1.0 miles.

88.7 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ SC, RW
    NEXT RW ~ 1.4 miles.

90.1 ~ LAUREL SHELTER ~ 1100' ~ LC, TS, RW ~ (Photo)
    Once you ford the creek, the trail goes straight up to the shelter and then
    turns left.
    This is another great site on a creek and the shelter was constructed by the
    USFS in 1986.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.5 miles.
    UPDATE 2004 ~ Two new sets of steps and a sheet metal covered cooking
    shelf were added by the Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama.
    WILDFLOWER ~ Mountain Laurel / Late Spring / White

90.6 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
    NEXT RW ~ 2.1 miles.

90.7 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW

90.8 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW

91.0 ~ BRIDGE ~ SW
    16 of the 19 bridges on the AL section of the trail were paid for and built
    by trail clubs, SCOUTS, generous hikers or the USFS. I say a word of
    thanks every time I cross one. The Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama has
    plans to build 5 more. Thanks guys !

91.5 ~ USFS 553 CROSSING ~ 1220' ~ (Photo)
    The trail goes straight across the road.

91.6 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW

91.8 ~ SHOAL CREEK CHURCH ~ 1180' ~ (Photo)
    The Shoal Creek Church is one of the six remaining hewn log churches in
    Alabama and was built between 1885 and 1890. The oldest gravestone in the
    cemetery is dated 1811 ~ 1895.
    WILDFLOWER ~ Daffodil / Spring / Early Spring

91.9 ~ SHOAL CREEK CHURCH ROAD ~ (Photo)
    The trail goes straight across the road.

92.3 ~ COLEMAN LAKE VIEW ~ 1220' ~ (Photo)
    AKA Lake 8. It has a surface area of 21 acres.

92.4 ~ * ATA / AHS BRIDGE ~ SW ~ (Photo)
    The old bridge was damaged by an uprooted tree and was replaced as a
    National Trails Day project in June, 2004 by the Alabama Trails Association
    and an American Hiking Society Maintenance Vacation crew. Thanks Guys!

92.7 ~ COLEMAN LAKE FOOTBRIDGE ~ 1160' ~ LC, RW, HS ~ (Photo)
    At this point you will come within view of the Coleman Lake Easy Access Trail
    footbridge down on the right. The Pinhoti bypasses the bridge continues
    straight on through.
    LC, RW, HS ~ You can cross over the bridge here and go 0.5 miles to the
    newly renovated (2002?) Coleman Lake Campground. This is a Federal
    Campground that cost $12 a night and is open April 15 through November ?
    (changes). There are 2 new bath houses with HOT SHOWERS !! that you can
    use ($2), lots of campsites with full RV hook ups, primitive camping and also a
    beach with a bath house. Hmmm... Did I mention HOT SHOWERS !!?
    NEXT RW ~ 0.4 miles.

92.8 ~ BRIDGE ~ SW

93.1 ~ ALUMINUM BRIDGE ~ RW ~ (Photo) ~ (Photo)
    NEXT RW ~ 2.9 miles.

93.2 ~ * WOODPECKER FARM (next 1.6 miles) ~ (Photo)
    Thanks to Earl Stewart, Shoal Creek District Ranger, Talladega National
    Forest, Born Teacher, for this information. The best I can figure is that the
    Red Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Restoration is really just a small project
    inside of a big project. As for the Woodpeckers, they are doing really well.
    The USFS started off with 3 active nests and now (April 20, 2003) there
    are definitely 12, possibly 13 active nests. The Long Leaf Pines have to be
    at least 60 to 80 years old for the Woodpeckers to build their nests in
    them, something to do with Red Heart Disease. These trees are not quite
    that old, about 50 years, so the Rangers sped up the process a little by
    picking out trees that had a minimum 15" diameter, carved out a hole at a
    certain height and inserted wooden bird houses in them. Some of them are
    inhabited within hours and the rest within a day.
    Now, the bigger project is to restore the forest to its original state; before
    Pale Face came over and clear cut the entire North American continent 2 or
    3 times. The Woodpecker Farm is basically what 92,000,000 acres of the
    Southeast looked like before the invasion; completely dominated by very
    mature Long Leaf Pines up to 400 years old and Oak Hickory as the canopy,
    grasses on the ground, and very little in between. The Pinhoti passes through
    this project area from trail mile 93.2 to 94.8. So, if you are around 350
    years from now, stop by and see how the project turned out!

93.4 ~ COLEMAN LAKE TRAILHEAD ~ 1200' ~ (Photo)
    The Pinhoti bypasses the trailhead parking area and goes straight through.
    At the sign board you can go left 30 yards up the side trail to the trailhead.

93.4 ~ USFS 500 CROSSING ~ 1200' ~ LC, RW, HS
    The trail goes straight across the road.
    Once you're across, the trail begins the gradual climb up the Rattlesnake
    Mountain ridge. You will reach the peak at the 95.2 ~ USFS 540 Crossing.
    All along through here you will see new growth Long Leaf Pines. They look
    more like Pine bushes for the first few years while they grow their tap root.
    LC, RW, HS ~ You can go right on the road 0.6 miles to the Coleman Lake
    Campground. It is closed in the winter from November ? (changes) to April 15.

94.8 ~ TREE LINE / HORSE TRAIL CROSSING
    The trail goes straight across the horse trail and back into the unnatural
    woods.
    This is the end of the Woodpecker Farm. The Forest Service maintains an
    Equestrian campground and 35 miles of horse trails in this area.

95.2 ~ USFS 540 CROSSING / RATTLESNAKE MTN TOWER (missing) ~ 1325'
    The trail goes straight across the road.
    RATTLESNAKE MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER: The tower site is appx. 3.1 miles
    off trail from here. Turn left on USFS 540 and go 0.8 miles to the dead end
    / T intersection at USFS 532. Turn right. Go appx. 0.3 miles to the first
    dirt road on the left, USFS 536. Turn left. Go appx. 2.0 miles to the dead
    end / turnaround at the tower site.

96.0 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
    Keep an eye out through here for Partridge Berry. It resembles a small clump
    of 3 leaf Clover with tiny red berries. Just past the crossing there is a set
    of steps on the left that will take you closer to the creek and another to
    bring you back up.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.1 miles.

96.1 ~ 97.6 ~ * CHIPMUNK CANYON ~ SC, RW
    Yes, I saw a Chipmunk here last year when I was measuring this section the
    first time. This is one of many places along the Pinhoti that you would write
    home to Mom about. Take your time.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.2 miles.
    AUTHORS NOTE ~ For the last three years, this guide has listed all of the
    areas on the Pinhoti that resemble this one as Canyons. In January 2004 I
    went on a group hike in this section with the Little River Canyon Field School
    and the Anniston Outdoor Association. I took this opportunity to ask the group
    leader of the LRCFS, Renee Morrison, if Canyon People would be insulted if I
    called these places around here Canyons. She just smiled and said Gorge
    would probably be a better name. :) That was a smile wasn't it?? So, the
    authenticity of the 11 Canyons named in this guide are under (dubious) re-
    consideration. Sigh...

96.3 ~ * CHIP'S CAMPSITE ~ LC, RW
    The fire ring is on the left just past the creek crossing.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.1 miles.

96.4 ~ * DALE'S CAMPSITE / CASCADE ~ SC, RW ~ (Photo)
    There are 2 creek crossings here and the campsite is on the right just past
    the second crossing. There is a nice cascade just a few yards north of the
    camp.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.1 miles.

96.5 ~ * SON OF BILLY GOAT CAMPSITE ~ 840' ~ SC, RW
    Yes, I saw the son of a Billy Goat (Toby Woodward) here last year when I
    was measuring this section the first time. Actually, it was a hiker from New
    Hampshire whose trail name was Son of Billy Goat and his dad was called,
    duh!, Billy Goat. He was hiking solo from the original beginning of the
    Appalachian Trail at Mt. Oglethorpe, to Montgomery. We stopped and talked
    for a couple of hours before he hiked on down to the Coleman Lake Trailhead.
    One of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society members (Jay Hudson) was going to
    meet him there and take him out for a steak! At the time, I wondered if
    Goats were carnivores, but I didn't say anything. : )
    NEXT RW ~ 0.8 miles.

97.3 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
    There is another set of old rock steps here that take you down to the
    crossing and then back up.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.3 miles.

97.6 ~ ROCK ISLAND CROSSING ~ RW ~  833'
    The trail crosses over the creek diagonally to the right.
    NEXT RW ~ 0.4 miles.
    FORDING HAZARD ~ This section of the creek is only about 6” deep and has
    room to spread out after a heavy rain. Use caution.

98.0 ~ * TWENTY FEET CREEK ~ RW ~ (Photo - Grey Eagle)
    Yes, the creek is Twenty Feet wide. No, you don't have to ford it. There is
    a nice clear entry to the water here. If you have noticed flowers wilting
    along the trail as you pass by, they may appreciate it if you took advantage
    of this great spot. Just before you reach the upcoming switchback, look for a
    large patch of Creeping Juniper, which resemble small dark green 3 inch
    umbrellas, on the left and right and ahead and behind and up the hill and
    down the hill...
    NEXT RW ~ 2.3 miles.

98.2 ~ TURNHILL ROAD SWITCHBACKS / NORTHWEST CHOCCOLOCCO
WILDLIFE
    MANAGEMENT AREA BOUNDARY
    The trail leaves the creek here and starts the switchback at a well marked
    left turn. You are leaving the CWMA here at the northwest boundary.

98.3 ~ 82.3 ~ * TEN TOES
    Here the trail weaves in and out of a series of points and coves. If you could
    see this 2 mile section from the air, it might resemble two big feet. I think
    there may be more than 10 points, but I ran out of, ah, well, never mind...

100.3 ~ CHOCCOLOCCO CREEK WATERSHED ~ 760' ~ LC, RW ~ (Photo)
    The trail goes across the top of the dam and then turns right on an old
    service road and goes around the left side of the lake for a while.
    The top of the dam is a great place to camp and there are no fire rings up
    here because it makes it hard on the mowers. The USDA calls this
    Floodwater Retarding Dam #2. It was built in 1968 and the lake has a
    surface area of 31 acres.
    INDIAN TRAIL TREE (not authenic) ~ Look for the tree on the left between
    here and Rattlesnake Point.
    NEXT RW ~ 1.5 miles.

100.4 ~ CHOCCOLOCCO CREEK SHELTER ~ 700' ~ LC, TS, RW ~ (Photo)
    Go across the top of the dam and then turn left on the old service road.
    Follow this road down about 100 yards to the shelter, on the right.
    LC ~ There is an old road bed about 50 yards in front of the shelter with
    plenty of soft flat spots.
    RW ~ The water trail is in front of the shelter and goes straight about 100
    yards to a sand bar on this 20' wide creek.
    POTTY TRAIL ~ Look for an old road bed behind the shelter, on the left.
    UPDATE ~This is one of the three shelters built by the USFS in 2006 with
    grant money received after the Pinhoti's designation as a Millennium Legacy
    Trail. Construction of the shelter was completed in March, 2006.

100.7 ~ * RATTLESNAKE POINT ~ 800'
    A noble and courteous friend lives here and will let you know if she / he is out
    for a morning slither. A Root Digger that Earl Shaffer met above Hot
    Springs, NC, while on The First Appalachian Trail Thru Hike, put it this way;
    "A Rattlesnake's a gentleman. He'll sing and let you know he's there, but a
    Copperhead just lays there and lashes out at ye."
    WILDFLOWER ~ Iris
    TREE ~ Wild Pine

100.8 ~ CHOCC HOLLOW ~ 780' ~ SW
    This quiet little hollow has a small spring running through it and lots of old
    trees including Pines and Shag Bark Hickory.

101.8 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD / CR 55 ~ 846' ~ RW ~ (Photo)
    The trail goes straight across CR 55 and enters the Dugger Mountain
    Wilderness.
    Continue for another 0.1 miles to the trailhead connector,on the left at the
    trail sign. Turn here and go 0.1 miles to the Burns Trailhead parking area.
    The log cabin and outbuildings here are the former home of Mr. Pink E.
    Burns. Mr. Burns died just a few years ago at the age of 87. He lived his
    whole life in this cabin and was able to survive through the bounty of the
    forest. He was also a great story teller and entertained many a hiker
    through the years on his front porch. He also didn't mind if you brought along
    Moon Pies and Cokie Colas when you came to sit a spell.
    RW ~ Go left on CR 55 0.1 miles to Jones Branch, running along the right
    side of the road.
    NEXT RW ~ 8.2 miles.
    WILDFLOWER ~ Creeping Juniper (just before CR 55 crossing)
    WILDFLOWER ~ Beauty Berry / Fall / Purple

PTA Site Map
Millennium
Legacy
Trail
Section 10 ~ 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