Talladega National Forest Trip Tips

**Sierra03** · 01-20-2017, 09:34

I am planning a trip with my son for the end of February. I am looking at two loops trying to decide which one to do. one would be an overnight, the other 2 nights three days. Cave creek, Odom Scout, Pinhoti loop starting at the Cave Creek Trail head, or Skyway loop, Chinnabee Silent Trail, Pinhoti starting at Adams Gap. I have read a lot about water sources being scarce on both loops, and also the Chinnabee being a good climb. We did a day hike last year into Macdill and back and I came across one small water source (I packed plenty of water).

My son is 12 and this will be his first time out so I want to make it as enjoyable as possible for him. Any suggestions you guys have, or info about these trails would be much appreciated.

**TrailSlug** · 01-20-2017, 12:04

Hey Sierra there's a member here (souperman63 ) that just posted two videos over the last month or so of some of these trails so you may want to check them out.
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...-overlook-camp
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...Lake-Overnight

Let us know what you decide to do as I want to get down there sometime in the next few weeks.

**Sierra03** · 01-20-2017, 14:36

Thanks Trailslug. I will watch those this evening.

**Barefoot Friar** · 01-20-2017, 21:08

Hi. My brother and I were in the area during Thanksgiving week, and yes, water was scarce. I have three recommendations. First, if you end up using the Chinnabee Silent Trail, either take water purification or stash water for yourself at the campground. There was a stagnating stream there, but I had foolishly left my water treatment behind and ended up having to cut my hike short. This was during the worst of the drought; after a few days rain I imagine you will have a lot more water than we did.

Second, join the Pinhoti Trail Alliance or Pinhoti Trail Hikers Facebook groups; they are full of information and very friendly.

Third, check the Pinhoti Trail Alliance site (www.pinhotitrailalliance.org) for the Pin-Chin-Sky and Cave-Chin-Pin loops. There is a trail guide, though I cannot remember how detailed it is. But some info is better than none.

PM me if you want, though the FB group will have more info than I do.

It is a beautiful place. We're going to be back there in a week or three as part of a long Pinhoti section hike.

**Jaxx** · 01-24-2017, 18:55

If it's your first time I would do the Skyway loop, Chinnabee Silent Trail, Pinhoti starting at Adams Gap portion. I've never had a problem running short on water on those setcions. The place the might be questionable is from Heaven back to Adams Gap. Water up just before you get to Heaven it's roughly 1/4 mile before you get to Heaven. This is if you are going clockwise from Adams Gap.

FYI .. Your worst climb will be (Stairway to Heaven)

**tundracamper** · 01-24-2017, 21:53

With all the rain in the area lately, I really doubt water will be a problem.

**TrailSlug** · 01-24-2017, 21:59

Originally Posted by tundracamper

With all the rain in the area lately, I really doubt water will be a problem.

True. We've had just shy of 6" in the last 5 days so water should be plentiful.

**MrsKD** · 01-26-2017, 11:07

My husband and I have done the loop and it is nice. We did it in the middle of July and the tree cover kept us comfortably cool. Hammock paradise around many of the established sites.