Thru hiking the Pinhoti (majority)

[NoGoodNolan]

I have dont parts of sections of the Pinhoti, (Flagg, Adams Gap, Cheaha, Bulls Gap). I have decided its about time I thru hike the Alabama section. I have no interest in doing the road walk section between Flagg mt. and the 603A Trailhead. A part of me says "do it anyways". Another part says "Aint no body got time for road walkin".Only time i could get enough days off is late November from work, so it looks like i will be heading Northbound from the 603A TrailHead on November 22nd in the afternoon. I will have to come off the trail on December 4th. and go back to work on the 5th.My goal is to the Georgia state line, but if i get there sooner I will continue on. I plan on putting some water stashed away at Bulls Gap, Porters Gap, and Adams Gap, the weekend before.I know November is a pretty dry month for Alabama. Being that ive never done any sections north of Cheaha. Are there reliable water sources?Also, I will have to have a food resupply around half way, or even around Cheaha, and another around Pink E Burns Trailhead. Any ideas? ThanksAlso, any tips or any helpful suggestions on anything are welcome

[Matt65]

Good luck on your thru! I hope to be able to do this one day. Let is know if you need anything. Several forum members are near the trail.

There are several RW Reliable water sources just North of Cheaha. I will list a few below:

85.3 ~ ZULU CANYON ~ RW
87.3 ~ HILLABEE CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
87.8 ~ 88.5 ~ 6 SPRINGS / 2 CREEKS ~ SW, RW
88.5 ~ CAMPSITE ~ RW
90.8 ~ FRIENDSHIP CAMPSITE ~ LC, RW
91.5 ~ CR 24 CROSSING ~ RW

Complete list@
http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/...-sources..html

SW Seasonal Water
Springs are dependent on very regular rain cycles.
High elevation springs ~ Will usually flow 1 or 2 days after rain.
Low elevation springs ~ Will usually flow maybe a week or more after rain.

RW Reliable Water
Creeks are dependent on semi regular rain cycles.
Will usually flow continually, except maybe extreme drought conditions during hot months.

Rivers will always have water
Lakes will always have water
I've read that because of the quanity and quality and also the multitude of different sources that form rivers and lakes, filtering doesn't work as well as it does with smaller bodies of water and the possibility of ingesting bacteria and pollutants is greater. I've done it and you probably have too. Just saying...

Planning Strategy
So let me just say that anytime you use seasonal springs in your planning strategy, you are
taking a risk. If your house is sitting right on the trail, then you know when it rained on this
spot the last time, but if your house isn't on...

Reliable creeks are the way to go. So maybe you will need to carry 2 litres or more, sometimes or maybe regularly. Water is only 2 lbs. per litre, so Just leave the ax and BBQ grill at home. You'll be fine

Use the list below to determine the distances between reliable water sources on the sections you plan to hike. Then figure in things like how far you can go on a litre of water. how many meals before the next water source, and weather you will set up camp before the next source.


Pinhoti Southern Terminus
section 1.
0.0 ~ FLAGG MOUNTAIN TRAILHEAD
0.4 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW? (RW doubtful)
1.0 ~ CREEK REED PATCH ~ SW
1.8 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
2.1 ~ WEOGUFKA CREEK SHELTER ~ RW
2.3 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW? (RW maybe)
4.7 ~ FOOTBRIDGE ~ RW
6.0 ~ WEOGUFKA, AL ~ RW
12.6 ~ AL 21 TRAILHEAD ~ RW
section 2.
12.6 ~ AL 21 TRAILHEAD ~ RW
22.9 ~ TRAMMEL TRAILHEAD
section 3.
22.9 ~ TRAMMEL TRAILHEAD
23.3 ~ BOGG AREA ~ SW
24.0 ~ SPRING ~ SW
34.2 ~ AL 148 CROSSING (1 mile off trail) ~ RW, SW
34.3 ~ BULLS GAP TRAILHEAD
section 4.
34.3 ~ BULLS GAP TRAILHEAD
34.7 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
48.7 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
48.7 ~ SCOTT’S CASCADE / DRY CREEK ~ RW
50.4 ~ 52.3 ~ 13 SPRING CROSSINGS ~ SW
52.3 ~ PORTER'S GAP TRAILHEAD
section 5.
52.3 ~ PORTER'S GAP TRAILHEAD
55.7 ~ TALLADEGA CREEK BRIDGE ~ RW
57.5 ~ CAMPSITE ~ SW
58.9 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
66.1 ~ CAMPSITE ~ SW
66.2 ~ DOUBLE SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
67.6 ~ SKYWAY LOOP TRAIL ( 0.8 mile off trail) ~ SW, RW
67.8 ~ ADAMS GAP TRAILHEAD
section 6.
67.8 ~ ADAMS GAP TRAILHEAD
69.0 ~ 70.3 ~ 6 SPRING CROSSINGS ~ SW
71.0 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
73.3 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
73.7 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
73.8 ~ LITTLE CANEY HEAD ~ SW
78.0 ~ HERNANDEZ PEAK ~ SW
79.1 ~ CHEAHA TRAILHEAD (0.5 miles off trail)
section 7.
79.1 ~ CHEAHA TRAILHEAD
79.3 ~ AL 281 CROSSING / CHEAHA STATE PARK (0.4 miles off trail) ~ RW
81.1 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
83.1 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
83.3 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
83.9 ~ CAMPSITE ~ SC
84.3 ~ CCC ROAD / CHEAHA ROAD ~ SW
85.3 ~ ZULU CANYON ~ RW
87.3 ~ HILLABEE CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
87.8 ~ 88.5 ~ 6 SPRINGS / 2 CREEKS ~ SW, RW
88.5 ~ CAMPSITE ~ RW
90.8 ~ FRIENDSHIP CAMPSITE ~ LC, RW
91.5 ~ CR 24 CROSSING ~ RW
91.7 ~ MORGAN LAKE SWITCHBACK ~ SW
92.3 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
92.4 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
93.9 ~ SMALL CASCADE ~ SW
94.0 ~ LARGE CASCADE ~ RW
96.7 ~ US 431 TRAILHEAD
section 8.
96.7 ~ US 431 TRAILHEAD
96.9 ~ SPRING / BOG CROSSING ~ SW
99.0 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
100.5 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
100.9 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
102.0 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
102.3 ~ RIO GRANDE CROSSING ~ RW
103.7 ~ INDIAN CAVE ~ SW
105.0 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
105.1 ~ SHOAL CREEK RANGER STATION (100 yards off trail) ~ RW
There are 2 spigots outside the office and Ranger Lesley said we were welcome to use them!
106.2 ~ SOUTH FS 500 TRAILHEAD ~ 935’ ~ SW
section 9.
106.2 ~ SOUTH FS 500 TRAILHEAD ~ SW
107.6 ~ 108.0 ~ 3 SPRING CROSSINGS ~ SW
108.4 ~ 108.9 ~ 2 SPRING CROSSINGS ~ SW
110.3 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
112.4 ~ HOLLY SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
113.9 ~ LOWER SHOAL CANYON ~ RW
115.6 ~ SHOAL FLATS ~ RW
115.8 ~ CAMPSITE ~ RW
116.0 ~ 116.3 ~ 2 SPRING CROSSINGS ~ SW
116.7 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
116.9 ~ EAGLE BRIDGE ~ SW
117.2 ~ FS 531 CROSSING ~ RW
117.3 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
117.5 ~ HIGHROCK LAKE ~ RW
117.6 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
117.7 ~ CAMPSITE ~ RW
119.2 ~ 119.3 ~ 2 SPRING CROSSINGS ~ SW
119.8 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND ~ RW
section 10.
119.8 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND ~ RW
119.9 ~ DOUBLE BRIDGES ~ SW
122.1 ~ BRIDGE ~ SW
122.4 ~ SWEETWATER LAKE ~ RW
124.4 ~ LAUREL SHELTER ~ RW
124.9 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
127.4 ~ ALUMINUM BRIDGE ~ RW
127.7 ~ COLEMAN LAKE TRAILHEAD ~ RW
130.3 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
130.4 ~ 131.9 ~ CHIPMUNK CANYON ~ RW
130.6 ~ CHIP'S CAMPSITE ~ RW
130.7 ~ DALE'S CAMPSITE / CASCADE ~ RW
130.8 ~ SON OF BILLY GOAT CAMPSITE ~ RW
131.6 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
131.9 ~ ROCK ISLAND CROSSING ~ RW
134.6 ~ CHOCCOLOCCO CREEK WATERSHED ~ RW
134.7 ~ CHOCCOLOCCO CREEK SHELTER ~ RW
136.1 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD ~ RW
section 11.
136.1 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD ~ RW
138.8 ~ JONES BRANCH ROAD ~ SW
141.5 ~ ROCKY TOP 7
144.3 ~ NORTH DUGGER FLATS ~ RW
144.8 ~ NORTH DUGGER WILDERNESS BOUNDARY ~ RW
144.9 ~ NORTH FS 500 TRAILHEAD ~ RW
section 12.
144.9 ~ NORTH FS 500 TRAILHEAD ~ RW
147.3 ~ TERRAPIN CREEK WATERSHED ~ RW
148.0 ~ DOUBLE SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
148.2 ~ NORTH SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
150.0 ~ NORTH OAKEY CAMPSITE ~ SW
151.7 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
152.8 ~ CHIEF LADIGA RAIL TRAIL ~ RW
153.7 ~ 94 SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
158.5 ~ LANIE HOLLOW ~ SW
160.3 ~ LANIE CREEK CROSSING ~ LC, RW
161.1 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD
section 13.
161.1 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD
162.7 ~ DAVIS MOUNTAIN SWITCHBACKS ~ RW
166.0 ~ HURRICANE CREEK BRIDGE ~ LC, RW
166.5 ~ HAWKINS HOLLOW ~ RW
166.6 ~ HAWKINS HOLLOW SHELTER ~ RW
166.7 ~ HAWKINS HOLLOW TENT PLATFORM ~ RW
166.8 ~ INDIAN MOUNTAIN SWITCHBACKS ~ RW
172.0 ~ SPRING CREEK SHELTER ~ SW
173.9 ~ JACKSON CHAPEL TRAILHEAD ~ RW
section 14.
173.9 ~ JACKSON CHAPEL TRAILHEAD ~ RW
174.0 ~ HEMATITE BRANCH CROSSING ~ RW
177.8 ~ SPRING ~ SW
178.0 ~ SPRING ~ SW
181.3 ~ CAVE SPRING TRAILHEAD ~ RW
section 15.
181.3 ~ CAVE SPRING TRAILHEAD ~ RW
185.5 ~ BLACKS BLUFF ROAD (? miles off trail) ~ RW
192.4 ~ COOSA RIVER BRIDGE TRAILHEAD
section 16.
192.4 ~ COOSA RIVER BRIDGE TRAILHEAD
197.6 ~ GA 20 TRAILHEAD ~ RW
section 17.
197.6 ~ GA 20 TRAILHEAD ~ RW
202.1 ~ SIMMS MOUNTAIN TRAILHEAD
section 18.
202.1 ~ SIMMS MOUNTAIN TRAILHEAD
203.9 ~ CABIN CREEK TRESTLE CROSSING ~ RW
207.3 ~ GA 100 TRAILHEAD
section 19.
207.3 ~ GA 100 TRAILHEAD
213.7 ~ CLARK’S CREEK TRESTLE CROSSING ~ RW
214.5 ~ TALIAFERRO CREEK TRESTLE CROSSING ~ SW
214.8 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
215.5 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD
section 20.
215.5 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD
215.9 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
216.2 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
220.3 ~ SLOPPY FLOYD STATE PARK (0.5 miles off trail) ~ RW
224.6 ~ MACK WHITE GAP TRAILHEAD
section 21.
224.6 ~ MACK WHITE GAP TRAILHEAD
228.0 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
233.3 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
233.8 ~ THE NARROWS PICNIC AREA ~ SW
235.8 ~ WEST ARMUCHEE ROAD TRAILHEAD ~ RW
235.8 ~ WEST ARMUCHEE ROAD TRAILHEAD
section 22.
235.8 ~ WEST ARMUCHEE ROAD TRAILHEAD
241.8 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
242.7 ~ WOODS ROAD ~ RW
243.9 ~ EAST ARMUCHEE CREEK ~ RW
249.7 ~ KEOWN FALLS ~ RW
241.6 ~ EAST ARMUCHEE ROAD TRAILHEAD
section 23 / south route.
241.6 ~ EAST ARMUCHEE ROAD TRAILHEAD
241.8 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
242.7 ~ WOODS ROAD ~ RW
243.9 ~ EAST ARMUCHEE CREEK ~ RW
249.7 ~ KEOWN FALLS ~ RW
251.1 ~ PILCHER’S POND TRAILHEAD ~ RW
section 24 / south route.
251.1 ~ PILCHER’S POND TRAILHEAD ~ RW
257.3 ~ SNAKE CREEK GAP TRAILHEAD
section 25.
257.3 ~ SNAKE CREEK GAP TRAILHEAD
262.5 ~ SWAMP CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
273.1 ~ DUG GAP TRAILHEAD
section 26.
273.1 ~ DUG GAP TRAILHEAD
275.0 ~ INTERSTATE 75 / DALTON ~ RW
285.0 ~ TIBBS BRIDGE / CONASAUGA RIVER TRAILHEAD
section 27.
285.0 ~ TIBBS BRIDGE / CONASAUGA RIVER TRAILHEAD
290.2 ~ CHIEF VANN HOUSE (during business hours?) ~ RW
297.1 ~ RAMHURST TRAILHEAD ~ RW
section 28.
297.1 ~ RAMHURST TRAILHEAD ~ RW
299.1 ~ MILL CREEEK BRIDGE ~ RW
301.5 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
303.4 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
304.7 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
307.7 ~ ROCK CREEK BRIDGE ~ RW
308.3 ~ FORT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK (? miles off trail) ~ RW
308.8 ~ BEARPEN BRANCH ~ RW
309.3 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
309.8 ~ BEAR BRANCH FORD ~ RW
315.3 ~ COHUTTA OVERLOOK TRAILHEAD
section 29.
315.3 ~ COHUTTA OVERLOOK TRAILHEAD
316.8 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
324.9 ~ FS 90 TRAILHEAD
section 30.
324.9 ~ FS 90 TRAILHEAD
325.8 ~ BARNES CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
329.5 ~ BEAR CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
332.3 ~ HEDDY CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
332.4 ~ CRENSHAW BRANCH CROSSING ~ RW
332.6 ~ CRENSHAW BRANCH CROSSING ~ RW
334.1 ~ CRENSHAW BRANCH CROSSING ~ RW
335.9 ~ BUDDY COVE GAP TRAILHEAD
section 31.
335.9 ~ BUDDY COVE GAP TRAILHEAD
338.1 ~ STREAM CROSSING ~ SW
338.8 ~ JACKS RIVER ~ RW
339.0 ~ BENTON MACKAYE TRAIL
Pinhoti Northern Terminus

[AO2134]

I have dont parts of sections of the Pinhoti, (Flagg, Adams Gap, Cheaha, Bulls Gap). I have decided its about time I thru hike the Alabama section. I have no interest in doing the road walk section between Flagg mt. and the 603A Trailhead. A part of me says "do it anyways". Another part says "Aint no body got time for road walkin".Only time i could get enough days off is late November from work, so it looks like i will be heading Northbound from the 603A TrailHead on November 22nd in the afternoon. I will have to come off the trail on December 4th. and go back to work on the 5th.My goal is to the Georgia state line, but if i get there sooner I will continue on. I plan on putting some water stashed away at Bulls Gap, Porters Gap, and Adams Gap, the weekend before.I know November is a pretty dry month for Alabama. Being that ive never done any sections north of Cheaha. Are there reliable water sources?Also, I will have to have a food resupply around half way, or even around Cheaha, and another around Pink E Burns Trailhead. Any ideas? ThanksAlso, any tips or any helpful suggestions on anything are welcome

The road walk is pretty easy. I made it about 28 miles from Flagg Mountain to 4-5 miles short of Bull Gap on day 1. I'd do it, but I am a stupid purist.

I have a video series showing a virtual hike of the Pinhoti if you are interested. It is all about the trail. What you will see and where. I virtually am never in it. It has approximate mile markers too.

The series can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3Wn...51ptuijgrahm04

I am almost to the AL-GA line. I've done Flagg to Maxwell Gap, but november I will be well into GA and close to finishing up I hope.

[NoGoodNolan]

Matt.. let me first start off by saying thank you for the list of water sources from the pinhoti alliance website. i was going to compile a list myself to keep along with the map book ive made. but since you have already done it for me... Thank you!AO2134..I have done the Flagg mountain section twice now. but nothing is appealing about road walking and seeing cars pass by. once they get another section of trail build between Flagg and Bulls gap. i will do it. for the limited number of days i have i dont want to waste them on pavement stomping.What about food re-supply points? anyone have any suggestions. i was reading that i could possibly leave food at the country store at Cheaha, but the post was from 5 years ago. so i dont know if thats reliable or not. any stores not far from the trail north of cheaha?