Hey all,

Has anyone done much hiking in Alabama? I have noticed that we dont really do a whole lot there as a club and I was wondering what the reason is if any. Is there any interest in exploring the Talladega National Forest area or other parts of Alabama? I have found what look like some pretty cool trips and since I love hiking by the water most include waterfalls. Looking for some good feedback.

Thanks,

Nick

My very first AOC hike was actually in Alabama. It was a great hike and would definitely do it again. I think it was called Cheaha. Richard Zalik might be a good source of info for that area. I think he used to do a lot of trips over there.

You should definitely talk to Richard. I know he had a backpacking trip in AL posted back in January or February.

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I'd be up for hiking/backpacking there.

I have considered doing some AL hiking before, but honestly, I just usually find something in NC that is just about as far away, but much more attractive. So I never make it to AL.

I have researched it ....here are some related sites that I had saved in my Favorites:

this sounds fun:
""Further down the road is the Rock Garden and Lake Trail, the most difficult trail in the park. The lake trail is responsible for more than a 1,000-foot elevation change in the first 1/2 mile of the trail.""
http://www.alapark.com/parks/feature.cfm?parkid=7&featureid=15

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/location/ga/atlanta_stars10.htm

http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.asp?DispType=0&ActiveHike=3&GetHikesStateID=1&ID=5117

So I'm sure there are some good hikes over there, and I bet there would be some interest in more AL events, especially for those who live on the west side of town.

I mtn bike Cheaha all the time, it is the tallest point in AL. I worked in B'ham for 22 months and drove by that place weekly. I know that area well.

I'd suggest bringing lots of water as you won't find many water sources.

Buck's Pocket is where I'd like to explore next. Huntsville is also very nice.
I've also lead a trip to Ft. Payne for the Little River Canyon hiking.

I'm planning a Fall backpack/hike to Sipsey, north of B'ham. Really remote and it has some nice caves in the area that I might partner with Tony/Tom if we can agree on a weekend.

Not sure if this Sipsey will be AOC public or private.

How many days were you planning?

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Patrick
Trip Leader
AOC member number 4

I was thinking of normal weekend trips. Get there on Saturday morning, hike in, spend the night, hike back out on Sunday.

Was considering some trips to the Huntsville area probably in July or later. I used to live 20 minutes from Cheaha and know the area quite well. There's also great canoeing on the Coosa river system.

I just finished hiking the Alabama Pinhoti Trail, which goes through Cheaha State Park, that most here seem familiar with. This trail begins perhaps 40 miles south of Cheaha and extends another 100 miles north, to the GA/AL stateline, outside Cave Spring, GA.
A person hiking this trail should pay close attention to water sources. This is a ridge top trail, it follows the ridge tops within 100ft, and rarely goes down into the valley's where water is available.
There are sections of this trail that are totally walks through rocky areas. I'd not recommend a beginner hiker walking these sections in tennis shoes, or you can expect sore feet and ankles.
One more thing, if you like solitude on the trail, I saw only three other packbackers in the entire 140 mile hike. The Cheaha area has lots of weekenders, and the Coleman Lake area, but the rest of trail nobody seems to hike.
You can read about my hike, along with some pictures on the TrailJournals site. Just search for MoBill122... and read the journal.
I'm a newbee to Atlanta Outdoors, hopefully I'll get myself out with a group of hikers soon.

MoBill

Thanks for the post and welcome to the AOC. I've heard a lot of hikers/backpackers comment that AL trails are vacant compared to N.GA, upstate S.C. and the Blue Ridge/SMokies.

Just don't reveal all those secrets

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Patrick
Trip Leader
AOC member number 4