On September 28, 2012 I heard that the HMTC (Horn Mt. Trail Club) was closing and later in December, I was informed that the ATCA (Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama) was dissolving too. These two hiking clubs had claimed responsibility for maintaining over 82 miles of the Pinhoti trail (the Horn Mt. section and from US Hwy 431 to US Hwy 278). There are 5 other organizations (ATA, AOA, VTA, AHTS, & Wilderness Rangers) who claim the rest of the trail (The Alabama Pinhoti is currently about 171 miles from Flagg Mt. near Weogufka, AL. to Old Jackson Chapel Rd. near Cave Springs, GA). Some do a good bit of maintenance but others do very little as a group. There are also some lone individuals who do a lot of work and do not report it. I wish to thank all those who have helped build and maintain our trails here in Alabama.
During the past 15 years, I’ve become addicted to trail maintenance (one of my few healthy addictions). Soon after I quit working for money on April 4th, 2001, I started hiking America’s Long Trails. Since then I’ve spent over 7,500 hours hiking over 15,000 miles of our scenic trails. When I was not hiking, I was volunteering, either with disaster relief organizations or helping to maintain trails in a few local parks near Birmingham but mainly on the Pinhoti. I did not keep records during my early work trips but later I was told I should. Since then I’ve spent over 7,700 hours trying to keep our Pinhoti Trail in good shape (Over 25% of this time was spent driving over 117,225 miles to and from the trail access points. What is not included is my time spent typing similar reports, buying & maintaining my own trail tools, maintaining my car, and attending meetings). Even with detailed records it is difficult to calculate just how many hours it takes to keep the trail in great condition. For example, in 1996, just after I’d completed section hiking the Pinhoti, I decided to go back to an overgrown part north of FS 500 on the east side of Dugger Mt. I spent 6 hours cutting brush with my loppers. It took me 6 minutes to walk back to my truck! Later, I had adopted the 2 mile section of the switchbacks going down Horn Mt. toward Scott Lake. I made two trips each year, one in late spring and one in early fall. Soon, I was able to do the whole 2 mile section in just one day’s work trip. Regular maintenance pays off.
Why do trail maintenance? During my long hikes, I was helped by so many folks, we call them Trail Angels. They gave me rides into towns for resupplies, carried me to their homes, washed my filthy clothes, let me use their phone to call home, drove me back to the trail, etc. Many would not take any money but simply said, “Just pass it on”. So, I feel obligated to make sure that other hikers have a good hike.
So, why am I writing this? There have been many discussions, emails, meetings, and arguments not just lately but for several years about all kinds of things involving trails. To name a few: Making the Pinhoti the Official southern end of the Appalachian Trail, building more shelters and bridges, installing better quality signs, building a parallel trail – The Alabama Trail, making the connection to the GET and Florida Trail, etc. There have been very few conversations concerning the importance of regular and thorough trail maintenance done by volunteers.
The Pinhoti is the crown jewel of trails in Alabama.
We need to stay focused on keeping it that way. We should call it “Alabama’s Appalachian Trail” or the “Appalachian Trail of Alabama”, after all, it is a mountain trail on the southern end of the Appalachians! We should not have to get the ATC’s permission or an act of congress to change the name. More shelters would be nice but that will take a lot more time and donations. Building another trail throughout the length of Alabama would also be a long expensive process. Why not focus on connecting our existing long trail to the Florida NST at the AL/FL border. We could also help to eliminate the long road walks in GA and the short one between the Trammell Trailhead (near Sylacauga) and Stewartville, AL. And, why not become a chapter member of the International Appalachian Trail too.
My main point is this: It takes a lot of hard and regular VOLUNTEER work to keep the trail in good condition for the hikers. We need more passionate and dedicated volunteers. There’s an old saying, ”If you build it, they will come”. True, yes, but mine is “If you don’t keep the trail in good condition, well blazed, and easy to follow, many hikers won’t come and the few that do will complain (probably on the internet) and never come back.”
What follows is a summary of the current trail conditions that I have composed with my limited knowledge and a few reports from others:
ATA section from Old Jackson Chapel Rd., GA south to Salem Church Rd. (Cherokee Co Rd 8) 7.5 miles of trail.
All but the 2 miles of trail south of the GA/AL border were cleared by me in the spring & summer of 2015. It’s been recently reported that there are perhaps a dozen easy to step over blowdowns south of the crest of Flag Pole Mt. and a few more troublesome ones east of it. The first 0.3 mile of trail north of Salem Church Rd. needs trimming 2 or 3 times each summer.
ATA section from Salem Church Rd south to US HWY. 278 4.7 miles of trail.
I cleared this section in the spring of 2015. The grassy area around Davis Mt. Shelter should be string cut a few times each summer. The face board on Davis Mt. shelter has been damaged by carpenter bees and could be replaced. The picnic table needs bracing too. Also, the ATV traffic has increased along with their trash near the shelter.
US Hwy 278 south to Cleburne Co 70 (Maxwell Gap) 6.1 miles of trail.
I cleared the 0.8 mile of trail on the north end and the 0.6 mile on the south end in April of 2017. The 4.7 miles in the middle was cleared by me in May of 2016. My hiker friend Dan Bedore did a walk through of this 6.1 miles in April of 2016. The sign near the Highpoint trailhead is missing. There are no USFS maps or information signs on the Kiosk. The trailhead wooded area between the parking lot and US 278 needs clearing at least twice during the summer to keep visibility good. The sign on the south end near Co Rd 70 is tied to a tree and needs re-posting.
Maxwell Gap south to Cleburne Co. Rd 94. 1.6 miles of trail
I cleared all of this section in late April and early May, 2017. The south facing slope of Wilson Ridge usually needs clearing at least once a year. The sign on the south end near Co Rd 94 was hit by a tree and knocked off the post.
Cleburne Co Rd 94 south to FS RD 500 north of Dugger Wilderness. 8.5 miles of trail
Dan & I brushed the first mile of trail south of the Chief Ladiga Rail Trail in the winter of 2017. Kenny, Tom, & Van cleared this part and also installed steps at the Oakey Mt Shelter. The picnic table still needs repairing and the rest of the trail down to Terrapin Dam needs brushing. I’d cleared the trail from FS 500 north to Terrapin Dam in December of 2015 so I know that 2.4 miles of trail needs brushing again. North Dugger shelter and picnic table are in good shape. The west slope of Oakey Mt has several places where the tread needs restoring, leaf raking and / or side hill digging.
There were 2 Wilderness Ranger trips that cleared about 6.3 miles of trail in the fall of 2016 and in Feb of 2017. They also cut the pine blowdowns south of Jones Gap. There is still about 1.5 miles of trail in the middle near the top of Dugger that really needs brushing. Several dead pines keep falling just north of Rabbittown Rd (Co Rd 55) where the trail crosses.
Calhoun Co. Rd 55 south to FS Rd 540. 6.6 miles of trail.
Most of this was cleared by Dan B and me in Feb – March of 2017. There is one large tree about 1.5 miles s. of Choccolocco Dam that needs clearing. The brush along the south facing slope of the lake usually needs clearing 2x a summer. There are still several places along the steep slopes south of the lake that need leaves raked out and/or side hill digging. A sign post needs placing on the south side of the dam as the trail enters the woods. The shelter is in good shape but it seems to attract a lot of trash. There are still 2 logging cable/barrel/tire dump sites south of the dam. One is on the east side of the south fork of Choccolocco creek crossing about 2.5 miles north of FS 540 (FS 534-B could be used to haul this stuff out). There are 2 barrels, 5 tires, and a lead battery there. The other is about 1.5 miles n. of FS 540. There is a logging cable and 2 barrels there. The sign on the n. side of FS 540 is tied to a tree and needs re-posting.
FS Rd 540 south to FS 500 / Coleman Lake Trailhead. 1.8 mile of trail.
I cleared this section in Dec. of 2016. The 1.4 mile part known as the “Woodpecker Farm” needs mowing and brushing 2 or 3 times each summer.
Coleman Lake TH south to US FS 553 or Cleburne Co Rd 61. 1.9 miles of trail.
I cleared this part in Dec. of 2016. Someone has restored the aluminum bridge about 0.3 mile south of the trailhead. Thanks. The first 0.2 mile of trail south of FS 500 needs mowing and brushing at least twice each summer.
Cleburne Co Rd 553 south to Sweetwater Lake or FS 503-B (500M) 3.0 miles of trail.
Hayward & I cleared this section in Dec. of 2016. Tom, Van, & Kenny repaired the leaking roof of the Laurel Shelter and swept off the leaves too, April, 2016. Thanks. The recently thinned area north of the shelter will need brushing more frequently since it gets a lot more sunshine. A small flood prone area about a half mile north of the parking area at Sweetwater Lake needs re-routing.
Sweetwater Lake south to FS 500 at Pine Glen Camp Ground. 3.0 miles of trail.
Hayward & I cleared this section in late November and early December, 2016. The grassy area across the Sweetwater flood plain and on the east slope of FS 500 just north of Pine Glen Camp Ground need mowing a few times each summer.
Pine Glen CG south to High Rock lake area (north FS 531). 2.6 miles of trail.
I cleared this section in mid-Nov. 2016. There are 2 parts of this section near FS 531 that are flood prone and need to be rerouted.
North FS 531 crossing to south FS531 crossing. 4.4 miles of trail.
I cleared this part in late August and mid-Nov. 2016. About 0.6 mile south of N. 531 where the trail comes very close to Shoal Creek, the edge is caving into the creek and should be rerouted. About 1.3 miles of trail north of Lower Shoal Shelter are sunny and need clearing more than once a year. The picnic table needs some minor repairs and a dead oak tree in front of the shelter needs to be felled before it can damage the shelter. Access to the middle of this section is via gated FS 500-E.
South FS 531 crossing to FS 523 crossing. 3.2 miles of trail.
I cleared this part in mid- Nov., 2016. There are 2 standing dead trees at the FS 523 crossing on the north side that will block the trail when they fall.
FS 523 crossing to FS 500 crossing. 3.1 miles of trail.
I cleared this in Oct. 2016
FS 500 crossing to US 78/Railroad Trailhead at the north end of AL Hwy 281. 0.3 mile of trail.
I cleared this part in Oct. 2016.
US Hwy 78 south to AL Hwy 281 (Scenic Drive) crossing. 2.7 miles of trail.
I cleared this part in mid-Aug. and early Sept., 2016. The gas pipeline crossing and the trail south of the rock overhang need clearing more than once a year.
AL Hwy 281 crossing south to I 20 crossing. 2.3 miles of trail.
I cleared this section in September, 2016 (and mowed the 2008 Mother’s Day Tornado part too). This high growth area for about 0.4 mile south of the AL 281 crossing and the 2 pipeline crossings should be cleared more than once a year.
I 20 Crossing south to FS 518 crossing. 2.5 miles of trail.
I cleared this section in Sept. 2016. The sunny spots in the wind damaged area (about 0.8 mile of trail) south of I 20 needs clearing more than once a year. Both of the original signs on each side of I 20 either need saving as heirlooms or re-posting.
FS 518 south to US Hwy 431 crossing. 1.8 miles of trail.
I cleared this section in Sept. 2016. The damaged original sign on the north side of US 431 should be saved or repaired.
AOA sect. US 431 south to gated FS 513 (FS 515) crossing. 1.5 miles of trail
Cleared by AOA in Mid- Oct., 2016
AOA sect., FS 513 south to gated FS 515-D crossing. 1.9 miles of trail.
Cleared by AOA in Mid-Oct., 2016. A rusty drum about 0.1 mile north of the dirt road crossing, near the first waterfall/switchback could be hauled out. The narrow hollow was cleared by Phil Martin & me on May 8, 2017.
AOA Sect. FS 515-D crossing south to Cleburne Co Rd. 24 crossing. 1.8 miles of trail.
Cleared by AOA in Mid-Oct., 2016. The stolen sign on the north side of Co Rd 24 could be replaced but I’d recommend putting it on the south side back in the woods.
AHTS sect. Co Rd 24 to CCC rd. (gated FS 589) 7.2 miles of trail.
Cleared by a group of 12 from BAG or AHTS Metro lead by Hayward Warren in late Oct. 2016. The sign on the north side of the historic CCC rd. is damaged by bullets and needs replacing. Access to the middle of this section is via a closed dirt road near mile marker 486 on the Scenic Drive.
AHTS sect. from CCC Rd south to Bald Rock Trail Junction. 2.9 miles of trail.
Cleared by Hayward Warren, Scott Dixon, and me in mid-November, 2016.
AHTS sect. Bald Rock Trail Jct. south to AL281 crossing (at MM 478). 2.1 miles of trail.
Cleared by Marion & Emily Campbell and me in late July, 2016. The sign at the Bald Rock trail junction needs correcting or replacing and re-posting.
Section 6, AHTS sect. AL 281 crossing to north Cheaha Wilderness border. 3.0 miles of trail.
I cleared most of this in late March, 2016. The steps on the south side of the AL 281 crossing need repairing.
Section 6. Cheaha Wilderness Section, (north border 3 miles south of AL281 to Kiosk north of Adams Gap) 8.4 miles of trail.
In 2015, the BAG group had a work day. I have had no other information since then. I did clear the first tenth of a mile of trail north of Adams Gap in early April of 2017. It looked like the trail north of the kiosk needs brushing.
Section 5 north, Vulcan Trail Association (VTA) Adams Gap (s. end of AL281) to Clairmont Gap (Clay Co Rd 394/147, Guntertown Rd.) (6.6 miles)
VTA Section from Adams Gap south to Patterson Gap (FS 637-C) 2 miles of trail.
I cleared this section with the help of Rick Guhse’ in early April, 2017. About a mile south of Adams Gap the tread needs restoring along a steep slope. We need to place a sign at the Skyway/Pinhoti junction showing “0.2 mile to Adam’s Gap”. Also, the recent fire from Clairmont Gap north to Adams Gap will cause many dead trees to fall and will also encourage more summer growth, so the trail will need more work trips than just once a year.
VTA section from FS 637-C to the crossing of FS 600-2 north of Burgess Point. 1.4 miles of trail.
I cleared this section in early April, 2017.
VTA section from the north crossing of FS600-2 to the south crossing of FS600-2 (around Burgess Point) 0.7 mile of trail
I cleared this in late March, 2017.
VTA section from the south crossing of FS600-2 (s. of Burgess Point) to Clairmont Gap (Guntertown Rd. or Clay Co 147) 2.5 miles of trail.
I cleared this by mid-March, 2017. Someone else had already cleared most of the deadfall in this whole section from Clairmont Gap north to Adams Gap, thanks.
AHTS section. Clairmont Gap s. to FS600-2 crossing. 2.6 miles of trail.
I was told that Kent & Joe had blazed this all the way to Porter Gap (and it needed it, Thanks) in the spring of 2017. It looked like the first mile or so of this south of Clairmont Gap had also been brushed. There are a few parts that still need brushing. Dan B & I walked this on March 18, 2017.
AHTS section between the two FS 600-2 crossings north of Talladega Creek. 1.4 miles of trail.
Edwin M & Dan B cleared this on March 18, 2017
AHTS section from Talladega Creek north to FS600-2 crossing. 1.5 miles of trail.
Edwin Martin cleared this section with his Echo blade cutter on March 18, 2017. The south end of FS600-2 and lots of other small sections of this “road” are in very bad condition and require a high clearance and/or 4-wheel drive vehicle. Also, there are lots of garbage dumps on the south end.
AHTS section from Skyline Drive (near Chandler Springs) south to Porter Gap Trailhead on US Hwy 77. 3.2 miles of trail.
Cleared & Blazed by AHTS crew (Joe & Kent) March, 2017.
Horn Mt. section US 77 s. to FS 600-1 crossing south of Scott Lake. 6 miles of trail.
I was told that Kent, Joe, & the Murchisons had blazed the trail from Porter Gap s. to Bull Gap spring of 2017 and had cleared all but the 2 miles or so in the middle near Sherman’s Cliffs. Hayward & I cleared the first mile south of Scott Lake on March 16, 2017 and Hayward cleared the switchbacks past Scott Lake up to FS 600-1 on March 16, 2017. I’m sure that Todd Henderson has done a lot of clearing in this section too.
Horn Mt. section between the 1st and 2nd crossing of FS 600-1 around the comm. tower north of Sunset Rock. 0.7 mile of trail.
Barbara told me this had been cleared in May, 2017.
Horn Mt. section from the 2nd crossing of FS600-1 south to the Power Transmission lines. 4.7 miles of trail.
Cleared by Murchisons & Campbells ? fall, 2016. The side trail up to Horn Mt Fire tower and picnic pavilion needs to be re-established or re-routed up the power line clearing.
Horn Mt. section from Power Transmission lines south to 3rd FS 600-1 crossing. 2.9 miles of trail.
Cleared by Murchisons & Campbells ? fall, 2016.
Horn Mt. Section from 3rd FS 600-1 crossing to 4th FS 600-1 crossing. 0.5 mile of trail
Cleared by Murchisons & Campbells ? fall, 2016.
Horn Mt. Section from 4th crossing of FS 600-1 south to Bull Gap (FS 607 & AL Hwy 148) 3.2 miles of trail.
Cleared by Murchisons & Campbells Oct.29 & Nov.1, 2016.
Rebecca Mt. section. Bull Gap to White Gap (FS680). 3.2 miles of trail
Blazed & cleared by the Murchisons & Campbells &Joe Jones Oct. 11, 2016
Rebecca Mt. section. White Gap to Sage Gap. 3.3 Miles of trail
Cleared and blazed by Murchisons & Campbells in the fall of 2016.
Rebecca Mt. section, Sage Gap to FS 675, 3.5 miles of trail.
Cleared & blazed by Murchisons & Campbells Oct. 4, 2016
Rebecca Mt. section, FS675 to FS603-C (Trammel Trailhead). 2.4 miles of trail
Cleared & blazed by Murchisons & Campbells Oct 4, 2016.
The road walk was blazed in the fall of 2016 by Murchisons and Joe Jones. The current road walk uses FS 603-a, FS603 or Trammell Motorway, Lakewood Cir., Azalea Rd., Red Bud Rd., Old Rockhouse Rd., Coosa Co Rd 150 & 41 & 56. A new trail section of about 7 miles was constructed in Nov. 2016 by the AHTS fall work group in Nov. 2016. The new road walk to the new trail out east of Weogufka has not been blazed but the trail has. From Weogufka, walk east on Co Rd 56, at mile 0.8 keep straight on Co 107 dirt rd., at mile 1.4 pass Loyd Caperton’s Ranch, at mile 3.6 the new trail leaves the road to the left and goes about 6 miles to US 231/21 about 3 miles south of the Dollar Store on Co 150/ US 231 Hwy where the existing road walk is. This mileage would be about 19 from where the trail hits Co 56 (0.8 mile west of Weogufka) to the Trammell Trailhead on FS 603-C. Many thanks to all those who built the trail and maintain it.
Section 1, AHTS section from Coosa Co Rd 56, 0.8 mile west of Weogufka to Flag Mt. CCC Rd. and Trailhead. 5.3 miles of trail
Cleared by AHTS work groups in fall of 2016.
The new AHTS president (Jeff Hayes) is currently doing an assessment of the whole Pinhoti Trail and will have GPS way points, pictures, and a lot of information. The trail is in pretty good shape on the whole but does need the blazes refreshed from Clairmont Gap north all the way to Georgia.
Your comments, corrections, etc. are welcome and please forward this to anyone else who might be interested. Thanks, John N Calhoun May 25, 2017