Section 2
I did this section as an overnighter last Spring, camping
just north of Dugger Mountain. Dugger Mountain is Alabama's newest wilderness
area (designated by congress in 1999). There are as of yet no other trails
in the area. I find the Pinhoti in the wilderness to be frustratingly boring,
it isn't that the trail is very bad, but from the trail you can sense lots
of interesting things (rock outcroppings, the sound of streams, etc) that
the trail never brings you too. I would like to explore the wilderness
further and post a page on it at some point. This is a 10 mile section
of the trail from the Terrapin Creek Watershed to Rabbit Town Road (County
Road 55). There is a gravel forest service road 2.3 miles from the watershed
that should be accessible by car (I haven't driven this road but it isn't
far from a paved road and isn't gated so it shouldn't be a problem). This
is an isolated section of the forest.
Once could camp a number of places at the watershed which
is quite pretty. If so if you climb down the dam and hike a short distance
on the east side of the stream you will find a fresh stream for water.
From the watershed you make a steep climb up about 600 feet (elevation).
The trail then follows one of many ridges in the area and comes down through
many long leaf pines. You get some nice views from the ridge, and the section
where you climb up from the watershed also offers some neat views. You
might set up a dry campsite on top of this ridge, however I would continue
on till just south of FR 500. I rate this section as 3 stars, moderate,
and well maintained (if not marked), an enjoyable hike.
From FR 500 to Rabbit Town Rd the trail climbs up two
mountains. In dry season you might not be able to get water anywhere along
this trail, so fill up at the stream before climbing Dugger Mt. The short
section between FR 500 and the climb up Dugger Mt follows a stream and
is a great place to set up camp. After that you climb 1100 ft up Dugger
Mt over about a mile. This is a difficult climb. Dugger Mt itself is pretty
much a disappointment (although some disagree with this viewpoint, both
times I've been on the mountain I've been disappointed), there are few
views, there is no trail up to the fire tower. Once you get to the ridge
the trail follows the ridge or close to it for quite a ways. The trail
going down the other side of the mountain is very difficult to follow at
points. If you keep your eye out there is a place that is fairly cleared
where you can go a short distance off the trail and get a view of Piedmont.
Just keep on the ridgeline and you should find it. Also the trail here
goes through some large patches of poison. You pass some large rocks on
the way down Dugger Mt (You can climb these for a good view-see above),
and then go through a pretty section where you can see the mountains around
you and there are thick rhododendrons. Along here there are a few springs
where you can get water if it is not too dry.
At the bottom of Dugger Mt the trail crosses an old logging road before heading very slowly along the side of the mountain up to another ridge. You get some nice views going up this side and can see rock outcroppings across the valley. The trail then crosses the ridge in a saddle and winds down along the side of some more hills to Rabbit Town Rd. Dry camping would be nice in the saddle on the southern end of Dugger Mt and then in the saddle going up the ridge on the other side. You might also find a camping spot with water if you followed the logging trail south. Overall this section of the trial also gets 3 stars, and is difficult, the average grade is 10%. Just don't get your hopes up too much about Dugger Mt from the topo maps.
Trail Reports
Section 2
I did this section as an overnighter last Spring, camping
just north of Dugger Mountain. Dugger Mountain is Alabama's newest wilderness
area (designated by congress in 1999). There are as of yet no other trails
in the area. I find the Pinhoti in the wilderness to be frustratingly boring,
it isn't that the trail is very bad, but from the trail you can sense lots
of interesting things (rock outcroppings, the sound of streams, etc) that
the trail never brings you too. I would like to explore the wilderness
further and post a page on it at some point. This is a 10 mile section
of the trail from the Terrapin Creek Watershed to Rabbit Town Road (County
Road 55). There is a gravel forest service road 2.3 miles from the watershed
that should be accessible by car (I haven't driven this road but it isn't
far from a paved road and isn't gated so it shouldn't be a problem). This
is an isolated section of the forest.
Once could camp a number of places at the watershed which
is quite pretty. If so if you climb down the dam and hike a short distance
on the east side of the stream you will find a fresh stream for water.
From the watershed you make a steep climb up about 600 feet (elevation).
The trail then follows one of many ridges in the area and comes down through
many long leaf pines. You get some nice views from the ridge, and the section
where you climb up from the watershed also offers some neat views. You
might set up a dry campsite on top of this ridge, however I would continue
on till just south of FR 500. I rate this section as 3 stars, moderate,
and well maintained (if not marked), an enjoyable hike.
From FR 500 to Rabbit Town Rd the trail climbs up two
mountains. In dry season you might not be able to get water anywhere along
this trail, so fill up at the stream before climbing Dugger Mt. The short
section between FR 500 and the climb up Dugger Mt follows a stream and
is a great place to set up camp. After that you climb 1100 ft up Dugger
Mt over about a mile. This is a difficult climb. Dugger Mt itself is pretty
much a disappointment (although some disagree with this viewpoint, both
times I've been on the mountain I've been disappointed), there are few
views, there is no trail up to the fire tower. Once you get to the ridge
the trail follows the ridge or close to it for quite a ways. The trail
going down the other side of the mountain is very difficult to follow at
points. If you keep your eye out there is a place that is fairly cleared
where you can go a short distance off the trail and get a view of Piedmont.
Just keep on the ridgeline and you should find it. Also the trail here
goes through some large patches of poison. You pass some large rocks on
the way down Dugger Mt (You can climb these for a good view-see above),
and then go through a pretty section where you can see the mountains around
you and there are thick rhododendrons. Along here there are a few springs
where you can get water if it is not too dry.
At the bottom of Dugger Mt the trail crosses an old logging road before heading very slowly along the side of the mountain up to another ridge. You get some nice views going up this side and can see rock outcroppings across the valley. The trail then crosses the ridge in a saddle and winds down along the side of some more hills to Rabbit Town Rd. Dry camping would be nice in the saddle on the southern end of Dugger Mt and then in the saddle going up the ridge on the other side. You might also find a camping spot with water if you followed the logging trail south. Overall this section of the trial also gets 3 stars, and is difficult, the average grade is 10%. Just don't get your hopes up too much about Dugger Mt from the topo maps.
Trail Reports[Pinhoti/Reports/Reports/p2.htm]
Average grade for this section is 10%.
Last Hiked: March 2000.
This site is brought to you by the Alabama Hiking Trail Society, dedicated to completing the Eastern Continental Trail and increasing hiking opportunities in Alabama. We hope you find the information useful and will consider supporting the AHTS. Before you leave please visit the AHTS web page to learn more about us and the work we do.
Please help make this site interactive by providing your feedback and updates on the trails and signing the guestbook. The guestbook and discussion board can be found under "Trail Talk."
About Lee, webmaster and author of Hiking Alabama
Last Updated: April 2003
© 1999, 2000, 2001 M. Lee Van Horn. All text and photos on this site are the exclusive copyright of M. Lee Van Horn and the Alabama Hiking Trail Society unless otherwise noted. No text or photos may be reproduced without consent of the author. No page herein may be reproduced or contained within another page or window. Links to this site are greatly appreciated and should be directed to this page.
Average grade for this section is 10%.
Last Hiked: March 2000.
This site is brought to you by the Alabama Hiking Trail Society, dedicated to completing the Eastern Continental Trail and increasing hiking opportunities in Alabama. We hope you find the information useful and will consider supporting the AHTS. Before you leave please visit the AHTS web page to learn more about us and the work we do.
Please help make this site interactive by providing your feedback and updates on the trails and signing the guestbook. The guestbook and discussion board can be found under "Trail Talk."
About Lee, webmaster and author of Hiking Alabama
Last Updated: April 2003
© 1999, 2000, 2001 M. Lee Van Horn. All text and photos on this site are the exclusive copyright of M. Lee Van Horn and the Alabama Hiking Trail Society unless otherwise noted. No text or photos may be reproduced without consent of the author. No page herein may be reproduced or contained within another page or window. Links to this site are greatly appreciated and should be directed to this page.