PTA Site Map / www.pinhotitrailalliance.org
The Pinhoti Trail
A Southeast Region Appalachian Trail Connector
Pinhoti FAQ's ~ Alabama Sections
2006 (with updates thru 2009)
Excerpt from Backpacker Magazine Online Interview
1) If you had to summarize in a few lines what the best
"reasons" are for hiking this trail, what would you say they
were? In other words, how would you convince someone who has never
been on the trail before that it's worth exploring? What are some of
the highlights?
The 174 mile Alabama section of the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail / Millennium Legacy
Trail is a point to point hiking trail that travels through nearly equal measures of high
rocky ridges and stream filled gorges and hollows along the final southern reaches of the
Appalachians from east central to north east Alabama.
The Alabama Pinhoti’s oldest sections date back to the early 1970’s and were centered
around the Pine Glen - Coleman Lake area and the Mt. Cheaha area, Alabama’s highest point
at 2407‘. The major trail expansions began in the late 1970’s, both north and south, and
continued through the 80’s and 90’s and are still going on today at a fast pace. There are
also 8 trail shelters on the Pinhoti with 5 more in the planning stages.
From the southern terminus, the first third of the trail follows the Appalachian ridgeline
north with miles of rocky overlooks, the 30,640 acre Hollins Wildlife Management Area,
the 7490 acre Cheaha Wilderness, Cheaha State Park, and Mt Cheaha.
There is a 50 mile break in the ridge on the middle sections of the trail where it travels
through foothills and canyons with hundreds of spring and creek crossings, 2 USDA
Watershed Lakes, 2 federal campgrounds, the 46,550 acre Choccolocco Wildlife
Management Area and the Red Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Restoration Project Area.
The northern third of the trail goes back up to the ridgeline and is the most untamed,
remote section of the Pinhoti. Here you’ll encounter many of the states highest peaks,
the 9220 acre Dugger Mountain Wilderness, another USDA Watershed Lake, the Chief
Ladiga Rail Trail and some of the old Iron Ore mines near the northern terminus which
fueled the steel industry in Birmingham.
2) What's the total (or at least, approximate) mileage of the AL side?
The GA side? (I've gotten conflicting reports)
The Alabama Pinhoti section now stands at 173.9 miles.
The trail was measured by me twice, in 2000 and 2001, with a measuring wheel and both
times I came up with 118.9 miles.
In 2005, another 18.0 miles of trail was completed on the southern end, which brought
the total up to 136.9 miles of continuous, completed trail (no road walks).
Since then, the Pinhoti southern terminus has been extended south to Flagg Mountain, in
the Weogufka State Forest, that added another 34.3 miles, which is a road walk.
In the near future (2009), Section 3 will be moved off the roads onto Rebecca Mountain,
which will shorten the 34.3 mile road walk by 12 or 15 miles.
The total of the Georgia Pinhoti section is 161.0 miles.
3) Are there troublesome spots that people should avoid or be warned
about?
There are no chronic trouble spots, just the usual reports of random vandalism at the
trailheads, mostly around Cheaha State Park, where most of our weekend RV visitors hang
out. The park staff does a great job of patrolling these areas though.
4) What's the best direction to hike the Pinhoti? (Assuming we're
going to thru-hike it)
I’m a displaced Appalachian Trail brat, so I have a northbounder's mind set : ). The Pinhoti
Trail Pocket Guide and the online trail guides are set up in a northbound format mainly
because the Pinhoti community's long term trail goal has always been to connect the
Pinhoti to the AT, which we were able to finally achieve on March 16, 2008.
I’ve heard that the elevation gains are a little less if you go southbound, but there is only
1 climb on the Pinhoti that is longer than 30 minutes, so it’s not really an issue. The most
convenient re-supply is in Heflin, which is located at the mid point of the trail, so that’s
not an issue either. I’ve not heard of a community consensus on which way is best or most
popular, mostly it will be just personal choice.
5) Are there any unique pit stops? Particularly in the towns near each
of the trailheads — are there any interesting places to eat/grab a
drink? Any regional 'specialties' that out-of-towners would be foolish
to miss?
At northbound mile 136.1 ~ Burns Trailhead, the Rabbittown Café and Fiddlers Hall is 3
miles west of the trail. They are open on weekends with good food, live music, dancing and
lots of atmosphere.
6) What kind of unique vegetation/wildflowers/wildlife can we expect
to encounter?
Trees
Southern Long Leaf Pine (AL state tree)
Shagg Bark Hickory
Chestnut Oak
Flowers
Oak Leaf Hydrangea (AL state wildflower)
Indian Pinks
Butterfly Bush
Beauty Berry
Creamy Indigo
Animals
Black Bear (AL state mammal. I've never seen one near the trail but they are migrating
from Tenn and NC and settling in south AL near Mobile : )
Armadillos
Possums
Fox
White Tail Deer
Coyote
Red Cockaded Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red Tail Hawks
Turkeys
Turkey Buzzards
Black Buzzards
Screech Owls
Hoot Owls
Barred Owls
Great Horned Owls
7) Can you talk a little about what kind of trail conditions we can
expect to find around Nov/Dec? As well as what the best season to
hike the trail is and why?
There are 7 trail clubs that maintain the trail and this seasons work will begin in
September. We keep the trail in good condition all year - with the exception of heavy
brush during the summer. The Alabama section was re-blazed just last year and all
blowdowns were removed last year as well. The trail bed remains in good shape from
year to year with very little effort.
Winter is my favorite time of year to be on the trail. The leaves will be down for
spectacular views, the springs and creeks will be running good, temps will be mild
during the day and 30’s and 40’s at night. Our rainy seasons are spring and early fall
so you’ll miss all of that, although the spring flowers are a sight to behold on the trail.
8) If you're thru-hiking the Pinhoti Trail, where would be the best
places for resupply? Is the common method to resupply in town or do a
maildrop? Combination of both?
The most common method is resupplying in towns. A northbound hiker on the Alabama
Pinhoti has these choices:
34.3 ~ Sylacauga
52.3 ~ Talladega
79.3 ~ Cheaha State Park
91.5 ~ Oxford
106.0 ~ Heflin
161.1 ~ Piedmont
173.9 ~ Cave Spring, GA
9) What's the camping situation like? Are there huts or should we tent
off trail? If off trail, are there regulations we need to follow? And
where are the best sites located?
Camping is not regulated on the AL Pinhoti sections, but of course we prefer hikers to
find a spot at least 50’ off trail. There are 8 shelters on the trail now and at least 5
more are on the drawing board. Generally, the shelters are or will be 10 miles apart. All
but one of the shelters are located on the northern half of the trail. The shelters are
popular places to stop and will accommodate 8 to 10 folks and there are also some popular
campsites:
Northbound
41.9 ~ Sherman Cliffs
48.8 ~ Scott Lake
67.6 ~ Skyway Loop Trail
73.8 ~ Little Caney Head
76.9 ~ McDill Overlook
79.3 ~ Cheaha State Park (State)
81.2 ~ Blue Mountain Shelter
87.3 ~ Hillabee Creek
102.3 ~ Rio Grande
108.2 ~ Birds in the Pines
114.0 ~ Lower Shoal Shelter
117.5 ~ Highrock Lake
119.8 ~ Pine Glen Campground (Fed)
122.4 ~ Sweetwater Lake
124.4 ~ Laurel Shelter
127.0 ~ Coleman Lake Campground (Fed)
134.7 ~ Choccolocco Creek Shelter
140.4 ~ Dugger Gap
145.0 ~ North Dugger Mountain Shelter
147.3 ~ Terrapin Creek Watershed
151.3 ~ Oakey Mountain Shelter
160.3 ~ Laney Creek
163.1 ~ Davis Mountain Shelter
166.7 ~ Hawkins Hollow Tent Platform
169.1 ~ 1700 Foot Overlook
172.0 ~ Spring Creek Shelter
10) Are there any particularly dry stretches we need to know about
where someone should bring extra water?
With the exception of the 14 mile stretch from mile 34.3 to mile to mile 48.7, you are
always within at least a day’s walk of year round water sources. In the fall, winter and
spring you will cross seasonal springs constantly.
11) Do hikers in this area prefer to use filters or iodine tabs? What's
the preferred purification method?
Water filters are used by most folks, but water purifiers like iodine tabs, bleach and
Aqua Mira are becoming common also.
12) Is there a good set of maps available anywhere?
Here is a link to a complete set of GPS maps of the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama and Georgia
by Mr. Parkay ~ http://parkaymaps.110mb.com/PinhotiMaps/PinhotiMapsIndex.html
There are 5 USFS maps that cover most of the AL Pinhoti and they are very clear,
detailed, big 3'x3' maps. I've seen the USFS map prices range anywhere from 4 to 8
dollars each, depending on where you buy them.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/alabama/maps/forestorig_maps.shtml
You can also pick up the maps at:
Cheaha State Park ~ 256-488-5111
USFS office in Talladega ~ 256-362-2909
USFS office in Heflin ~ 256-463-2272
USFS HQ in Montgomery ~ 334-832-4470
Most times these locations have a full set on hand, but not always.
You can also order these maps online through Omni Maps.
Here is a map coverage guide for the USFS topos. The maps will have the old Section
numbers on them, which are listed here in parentheses.
Just ask for the map number you need - not the Section number.
Alabama Section Northern Terminus
Map 1: Sections 11, 12 (2, 1)
Map 2: Section 10 (3)
Map 3: Sections 7, 8, 9 (6, 5, 4)
Map 4: Section 6 (7)
Map 5: Section 5 (8)
Alabama Section Southern Terminus
USFS maps for Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and Section 13 are not available at this time.
13) Any reason there's such a variance in the type of blazes -- white
diamonds/silver metal diamonds/etc...?
The FS has been working on the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail Management Plan (for
Alabama) for years. This document includes what our blazing standard is and the plan was
finally completed earlier this year. It calls for painted blue rectangles for the Pinhoti and
painted white rectangles for all side trails. Almost the whole Alabama section was
reblazed with the blue rectangles over this past winter.
14) What's the highest Alabama peak along the route?
At northbound mile 78.0, the trail crosses over Hernandez Peak at 2344’, which is the
highest on trail elevation. At mile 79.3, you are 0.2 miles from Cheaha State Park, which
surrounds Alabama’s highest peak - Mt. Cheaha at 2407’. The trail does not go over the
peak, it goes around the east side about 400’ below the peak.
15) Know anything about the Civil War fortifications near Rocky Face
(GA)? What do they look like?
Nope, never been there or even heard a description. Sorry : )
16) Would it be fair to say this trail goes from eastern AL to north-
central GA?
Well… maybe east-central AL to north-west GA.
17) Kind of a silly question, but the deer we'll find on the trail, would
those be whitetail deer?
Yes.
18) One big question: Will the Pinhoti Trail one day link up with the AT
(and therefore become the new southern terminus?) How realistic is
that possibility? I've read some things on the web about organizations
making headway on that, and it seems like a great selling point to
mention if it's true/realistic.
(The Pinhoti has now been connected with the AT). The Pinhoti will probably never be
called the AT or be it’s southern terminus simply because the Appalachian Trail
Conservancy is and has always been against the idea (** see paragraph below). It’s possible
that one day this whole system of trails from Key West to Cape Gaspe may become the
Eastern Continental Trail, but each trail will retain their own identity / name. No one has
stepped up yet to build an ECT organization though.
** In Benton MacKaye’s famous document, “An Appalachian Trail”, he describes his vision
of an Appalachian Trail, and then he goes on to describe the network of trails that
connect the AT with all of the local communities and other parts of the Appalachian Range.
The International Appalachian Trail on the north end of the AT, and the Benton MacKaye
and Pinhoti Trail on the south end, are connector trails as described by Mr. MacKaye.
19) Could you give me a rough approximation of how many road walks
there currently are on the complete Pinhoti Trail and where they're
located?
Alabama Road Walks
Sections 1 and 2
Alabama Woods Trail
Sections 3 thru 13
Georgia Road Walks
Sections 14 thru 17 and 26 thru 27
Georgia Woods Trail
Sections 18 thru 25 and 28 thru 31
20) What kind of views will we get from Hernandez Peak? What's the
general area we're looking over? Anything notable?
Nada, Hernandez is treed in.
0.5 miles south of there (northbound mile 76.9) is McDill Overlook at 1940', inside the
Cheaha Wilderness, and is arguably the best view on the entire AL Pinhoti. The view is
southwest and takes in the entire eastern third of the Cheaha Wilderness (ridge and
valley) and also an in your face view of the main Appalachian Ridge as it makes a 20 mile
curve to the southwest. Way cool!!
21) Any good restaurants/places to grab a beer near the north/south
terminus? Good to recommend these things, especially if there's some
kind of rare cuisine/food/etc that an out of towner could grab. Any
recommendations?
Alabama Northern Terminus
Cave Spring, GA (just over the state line).
Downtown family style restaurant on Cedar Creek, cool location. I'm not that familiar
with this town, so don't know if they serve beer anywhere?
Creekside Restaurant
23 Cedartown St.
706-777-0041
Mid Point
Heflin, AL
Near the interstate and only motel in town (Ho-Jo). They sell beer in stores but don't
know about restaurants.
Marie's Bar-B-Que House
1414 Almon St.
256-463-1616
Alabama Southern Terminus
Sylacauga, AL
Downtown at intersection of AL 21 and AL 148. Coronas and Margaritas!!
La Costa Mexican Restaurant
215 N. Broadway Ave.
256-249-3360
22) What is your own perception of the Pinhoti experience?
I am old school. My first long hike was on the Appalachian Trail in 1975. This was a time
when many hikers still considered long hikes a spiritual journey / quest and this mindset is
a major part of who I am, on or off the trail. There are signs of this mentality all over my
website and I actively promote the Pinhoti as such.
The Pinhoti is not a busy trail and there are not very many busy things going on around the
trail. The Pinhoti is a quiet place where solitude and reflection are the rule of the day,
much like the AT back in the day.
PTA Site Map / Top of Page ^-^
The Pinhoti Trail
A Southeast Region Appalachian Trail Connector
Pinhoti FAQ's ~ Alabama Sections
2006 (with updates thru 2009)
Excerpt from Backpacker Magazine Online Interview
1) If you had to summarize in a few lines what the best
"reasons" are for hiking this trail, what would you say they
were? In other words, how would you convince someone who has never
been on the trail before that it's worth exploring? What are some of
the highlights?
The 174 mile Alabama section of the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail / Millennium Legacy
Trail is a point to point hiking trail that travels through nearly equal measures of high
rocky ridges and stream filled gorges and hollows along the final southern reaches of the
Appalachians from east central to north east Alabama.
The Alabama Pinhoti’s oldest sections date back to the early 1970’s and were centered
around the Pine Glen - Coleman Lake area and the Mt. Cheaha area, Alabama’s highest point
at 2407‘. The major trail expansions began in the late 1970’s, both north and south, and
continued through the 80’s and 90’s and are still going on today at a fast pace. There are
also 8 trail shelters on the Pinhoti with 5 more in the planning stages.
From the southern terminus, the first third of the trail follows the Appalachian ridgeline
north with miles of rocky overlooks, the 30,640 acre Hollins Wildlife Management Area,
the 7490 acre Cheaha Wilderness, Cheaha State Park, and Mt Cheaha.
There is a 50 mile break in the ridge on the middle sections of the trail where it travels
through foothills and canyons with hundreds of spring and creek crossings, 2 USDA
Watershed Lakes, 2 federal campgrounds, the 46,550 acre Choccolocco Wildlife
Management Area and the Red Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Restoration Project Area.
The northern third of the trail goes back up to the ridgeline and is the most untamed,
remote section of the Pinhoti. Here you’ll encounter many of the states highest peaks,
the 9220 acre Dugger Mountain Wilderness, another USDA Watershed Lake, the Chief
Ladiga Rail Trail and some of the old Iron Ore mines near the northern terminus which
fueled the steel industry in Birmingham.
2) What's the total (or at least, approximate) mileage of the AL side?
The GA side? (I've gotten conflicting reports)
The Alabama Pinhoti section now stands at 173.9 miles.
The trail was measured by me twice, in 2000 and 2001, with a measuring wheel and both
times I came up with 118.9 miles.
In 2005, another 18.0 miles of trail was completed on the southern end, which brought
the total up to 136.9 miles of continuous, completed trail (no road walks).
Since then, the Pinhoti southern terminus has been extended south to Flagg Mountain, in
the Weogufka State Forest, that added another 34.3 miles, which is a road walk.
In the near future (2009), Section 3 will be moved off the roads onto Rebecca Mountain,
which will shorten the 34.3 mile road walk by 12 or 15 miles.
The total of the Georgia Pinhoti section is 161.0 miles.
3) Are there troublesome spots that people should avoid or be warned
about?
There are no chronic trouble spots, just the usual reports of random vandalism at the
trailheads, mostly around Cheaha State Park, where most of our weekend RV visitors hang
out. The park staff does a great job of patrolling these areas though.
4) What's the best direction to hike the Pinhoti? (Assuming we're
going to thru-hike it)
I’m a displaced Appalachian Trail brat, so I have a northbounder's mind set : ). The Pinhoti
Trail Pocket Guide and the online trail guides are set up in a northbound format mainly
because the Pinhoti community's long term trail goal has always been to connect the
Pinhoti to the AT, which we were able to finally achieve on March 16, 2008.
I’ve heard that the elevation gains are a little less if you go southbound, but there is only
1 climb on the Pinhoti that is longer than 30 minutes, so it’s not really an issue. The most
convenient re-supply is in Heflin, which is located at the mid point of the trail, so that’s
not an issue either. I’ve not heard of a community consensus on which way is best or most
popular, mostly it will be just personal choice.
5) Are there any unique pit stops? Particularly in the towns near each
of the trailheads — are there any interesting places to eat/grab a
drink? Any regional 'specialties' that out-of-towners would be foolish
to miss?
At northbound mile 136.1 ~ Burns Trailhead, the Rabbittown Café and Fiddlers Hall is 3
miles west of the trail. They are open on weekends with good food, live music, dancing and
lots of atmosphere.
6) What kind of unique vegetation/wildflowers/wildlife can we expect
to encounter?
Trees
Southern Long Leaf Pine (AL state tree)
Shagg Bark Hickory
Chestnut Oak
Flowers
Oak Leaf Hydrangea (AL state wildflower)
Indian Pinks
Butterfly Bush
Beauty Berry
Creamy Indigo
Animals
Black Bear (AL state mammal. I've never seen one near the trail but they are migrating
from Tenn and NC and settling in south AL near Mobile : )
Armadillos
Possums
Fox
White Tail Deer
Coyote
Red Cockaded Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red Tail Hawks
Turkeys
Turkey Buzzards
Black Buzzards
Screech Owls
Hoot Owls
Barred Owls
Great Horned Owls
7) Can you talk a little about what kind of trail conditions we can
expect to find around Nov/Dec? As well as what the best season to
hike the trail is and why?
There are 7 trail clubs that maintain the trail and this seasons work will begin in
September. We keep the trail in good condition all year - with the exception of heavy
brush during the summer. The Alabama section was re-blazed just last year and all
blowdowns were removed last year as well. The trail bed remains in good shape from
year to year with very little effort.
Winter is my favorite time of year to be on the trail. The leaves will be down for
spectacular views, the springs and creeks will be running good, temps will be mild
during the day and 30’s and 40’s at night. Our rainy seasons are spring and early fall
so you’ll miss all of that, although the spring flowers are a sight to behold on the trail.
8) If you're thru-hiking the Pinhoti Trail, where would be the best
places for resupply? Is the common method to resupply in town or do a
maildrop? Combination of both?
The most common method is resupplying in towns. A northbound hiker on the Alabama
Pinhoti has these choices:
34.3 ~ Sylacauga
52.3 ~ Talladega
79.3 ~ Cheaha State Park
91.5 ~ Oxford
106.0 ~ Heflin
161.1 ~ Piedmont
173.9 ~ Cave Spring, GA
9) What's the camping situation like? Are there huts or should we tent
off trail? If off trail, are there regulations we need to follow? And
where are the best sites located?
Camping is not regulated on the AL Pinhoti sections, but of course we prefer hikers to
find a spot at least 50’ off trail. There are 8 shelters on the trail now and at least 5
more are on the drawing board. Generally, the shelters are or will be 10 miles apart. All
but one of the shelters are located on the northern half of the trail. The shelters are
popular places to stop and will accommodate 8 to 10 folks and there are also some popular
campsites:
Northbound
41.9 ~ Sherman Cliffs
48.8 ~ Scott Lake
67.6 ~ Skyway Loop Trail
73.8 ~ Little Caney Head
76.9 ~ McDill Overlook
79.3 ~ Cheaha State Park (State)
81.2 ~ Blue Mountain Shelter
87.3 ~ Hillabee Creek
102.3 ~ Rio Grande
108.2 ~ Birds in the Pines
114.0 ~ Lower Shoal Shelter
117.5 ~ Highrock Lake
119.8 ~ Pine Glen Campground (Fed)
122.4 ~ Sweetwater Lake
124.4 ~ Laurel Shelter
127.0 ~ Coleman Lake Campground (Fed)
134.7 ~ Choccolocco Creek Shelter
140.4 ~ Dugger Gap
145.0 ~ North Dugger Mountain Shelter
147.3 ~ Terrapin Creek Watershed
151.3 ~ Oakey Mountain Shelter
160.3 ~ Laney Creek
163.1 ~ Davis Mountain Shelter
166.7 ~ Hawkins Hollow Tent Platform
169.1 ~ 1700 Foot Overlook
172.0 ~ Spring Creek Shelter
10) Are there any particularly dry stretches we need to know about
where someone should bring extra water?
With the exception of the 14 mile stretch from mile 34.3 to mile to mile 48.7, you are
always within at least a day’s walk of year round water sources. In the fall, winter and
spring you will cross seasonal springs constantly.
11) Do hikers in this area prefer to use filters or iodine tabs? What's
the preferred purification method?
Water filters are used by most folks, but water purifiers like iodine tabs, bleach and
Aqua Mira are becoming common also.
12) Is there a good set of maps available anywhere?
Here is a link to a complete set of GPS maps of the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama and Georgia
by Mr. Parkay ~ http://parkaymaps.110mb.com/PinhotiMaps/PinhotiMapsIndex.html
There are 5 USFS maps that cover most of the AL Pinhoti and they are very clear,
detailed, big 3'x3' maps. I've seen the USFS map prices range anywhere from 4 to 8
dollars each, depending on where you buy them.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/alabama/maps/forestorig_maps.shtml
You can also pick up the maps at:
Cheaha State Park ~ 256-488-5111
USFS office in Talladega ~ 256-362-2909
USFS office in Heflin ~ 256-463-2272
USFS HQ in Montgomery ~ 334-832-4470
Most times these locations have a full set on hand, but not always.
You can also order these maps online through Omni Maps.
Here is a map coverage guide for the USFS topos. The maps will have the old Section
numbers on them, which are listed here in parentheses.
Just ask for the map number you need - not the Section number.
Alabama Section Northern Terminus
Map 1: Sections 11, 12 (2, 1)
Map 2: Section 10 (3)
Map 3: Sections 7, 8, 9 (6, 5, 4)
Map 4: Section 6 (7)
Map 5: Section 5 (8)
Alabama Section Southern Terminus
USFS maps for Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and Section 13 are not available at this time.
13) Any reason there's such a variance in the type of blazes -- white
diamonds/silver metal diamonds/etc...?
The FS has been working on the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail Management Plan (for
Alabama) for years. This document includes what our blazing standard is and the plan was
finally completed earlier this year. It calls for painted blue rectangles for the Pinhoti and
painted white rectangles for all side trails. Almost the whole Alabama section was
reblazed with the blue rectangles over this past winter.
14) What's the highest Alabama peak along the route?
At northbound mile 78.0, the trail crosses over Hernandez Peak at 2344’, which is the
highest on trail elevation. At mile 79.3, you are 0.2 miles from Cheaha State Park, which
surrounds Alabama’s highest peak - Mt. Cheaha at 2407’. The trail does not go over the
peak, it goes around the east side about 400’ below the peak.
15) Know anything about the Civil War fortifications near Rocky Face
(GA)? What do they look like?
Nope, never been there or even heard a description. Sorry : )
16) Would it be fair to say this trail goes from eastern AL to north-
central GA?
Well… maybe east-central AL to north-west GA.
17) Kind of a silly question, but the deer we'll find on the trail, would
those be whitetail deer?
Yes.
18) One big question: Will the Pinhoti Trail one day link up with the AT
(and therefore become the new southern terminus?) How realistic is
that possibility? I've read some things on the web about organizations
making headway on that, and it seems like a great selling point to
mention if it's true/realistic.
(The Pinhoti has now been connected with the AT). The Pinhoti will probably never be
called the AT or be it’s southern terminus simply because the Appalachian Trail
Conservancy is and has always been against the idea (** see paragraph below). It’s possible
that one day this whole system of trails from Key West to Cape Gaspe may become the
Eastern Continental Trail, but each trail will retain their own identity / name. No one has
stepped up yet to build an ECT organization though.
** In Benton MacKaye’s famous document, “An Appalachian Trail”, he describes his vision
of an Appalachian Trail, and then he goes on to describe the network of trails that
connect the AT with all of the local communities and other parts of the Appalachian Range.
The International Appalachian Trail on the north end of the AT, and the Benton MacKaye
and Pinhoti Trail on the south end, are connector trails as described by Mr. MacKaye.
19) Could you give me a rough approximation of how many road walks
there currently are on the complete Pinhoti Trail and where they're
located?
Alabama Road Walks
Sections 1 and 2
Alabama Woods Trail
Sections 3 thru 13
Georgia Road Walks
Sections 14 thru 17 and 26 thru 27
Georgia Woods Trail
Sections 18 thru 25 and 28 thru 31
20) What kind of views will we get from Hernandez Peak? What's the
general area we're looking over? Anything notable?
Nada, Hernandez is treed in.
0.5 miles south of there (northbound mile 76.9) is McDill Overlook at 1940', inside the
Cheaha Wilderness, and is arguably the best view on the entire AL Pinhoti. The view is
southwest and takes in the entire eastern third of the Cheaha Wilderness (ridge and
valley) and also an in your face view of the main Appalachian Ridge as it makes a 20 mile
curve to the southwest. Way cool!!
21) Any good restaurants/places to grab a beer near the north/south
terminus? Good to recommend these things, especially if there's some
kind of rare cuisine/food/etc that an out of towner could grab. Any
recommendations?
Alabama Northern Terminus
Cave Spring, GA (just over the state line).
Downtown family style restaurant on Cedar Creek, cool location. I'm not that familiar
with this town, so don't know if they serve beer anywhere?
Creekside Restaurant
23 Cedartown St.
706-777-0041
Mid Point
Heflin, AL
Near the interstate and only motel in town (Ho-Jo). They sell beer in stores but don't
know about restaurants.
Marie's Bar-B-Que House
1414 Almon St.
256-463-1616
Alabama Southern Terminus
Sylacauga, AL
Downtown at intersection of AL 21 and AL 148. Coronas and Margaritas!!
La Costa Mexican Restaurant
215 N. Broadway Ave.
256-249-3360
22) What is your own perception of the Pinhoti experience?
I am old school. My first long hike was on the Appalachian Trail in 1975. This was a time
when many hikers still considered long hikes a spiritual journey / quest and this mindset is
a major part of who I am, on or off the trail. There are signs of this mentality all over my
website and I actively promote the Pinhoti as such.
The Pinhoti is not a busy trail and there are not very many busy things going on around the
trail. The Pinhoti is a quiet place where solitude and reflection are the rule of the day,
much like the AT back in the day.
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