Hike the Pinhoti Trail for 2017
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Sponsored by the JSU Little River Canyon Center
For every hiker, there are trails at the top of their bucket list.
For example, in Alabama everyone has the Big Tree in the Sipsey Wilderness or the iconic Walls of Jericho on their list. These trails, if you begin them early enough in the morning, can be hiked in a day.
For the longer hikes, the gold standard for our state is the Pinhoti Trail. The Alabama section is 171 miles. It’s our connector to the historic Appalachian Trail.
Most people are unable to add the Pinhoti Trail to their bucket list because they do not have the time to spend days and weeks hiking in the wilderness.
That’s going to change in 2017.
This year, the Jacksonville State University (JSU) Field Schools and Anniston Outdoors have teamed up to help folks cross the Pinhoti Trail off their bucket list. The groups are leading hikes every 2nd Saturday of each month throughout 2017 on a section of the Pinhoti Trail.
This is a great opportunity to hike one of Alabama’s most treasured trails.
The deadline to commit and signup for this month’s Pinhoti Trail hike is Thursday, January 12th. Detailed descriptions for this month’s hike and February’s are below.
Join JSU Field Schools and Anniston Outdoors on the Pinhoti Trail this Saturday, January 14th. Please signup today!
January
Take a Hike-Pinhoti Trail with Anniston Outdoors
The JSU Field Schools partner with Anniston Outdoors to offer diverse moderate-level hikes each second Saturday of the month. Throughout the year, we will be hiking different sections of the Pinhoti trail.
Continuing south, this hike will begin at the USFS Road 531 crossing just south of the Lower Shoal Shelter and will end at the USFS Road 500 Trailhead located by a train track adjacent to the Shoal Creek District Ranger Office near US Hwy 78 and AL Hwy 281 (the Scenic Byway). This section is 6.6 miles and crosses several springs, offers a view from Sister Ridge, and travels by areas such as Brymer Gorge and the “Birds in the Pines” campsite. Participants should pack a lunch with something to drink and dress appropriately for the forecasted weather conditions on the day of the hike. The departure time and location for this outing will be 8:00 am from the Publix parking lot located across from the Oxford Exchange adjacent to Exit 188 on I-20 and US Hwy 78. Those planning to participate in this hike, should contact Keith Hudson by phone at 256-453-9527 or by email at anniston.outdoor.assn@gmail.com by Thursday, January 12.
Date: Second Saturdays each month; January 14, 2017
Where: Locations vary; Pinhoti Trail
Time: 8:00 am CST (may vary depending upon length of hike)
Fee: $5 per person; pre-registration required by contacting Keith Hudson by phone at 256-453-9527 or by email at anniston.outdoor.assn@gmail.com byThursday, January 12.
February
Take a Hike-Pinhoti Trail with Anniston Outdoors
The JSU Field Schools partner with Anniston Outdoors to offer diverse moderate-level hikes each second Saturday of the month. Throughout the year, we will be hiking different sections of the Pinhoti trail. Contact Keith Hudson by phone at 256-453-9527 or by email at anniston.outdoor.assn@gmail.com for details.
Date: Second Saturdays each month; February 11, 2017
Where: Locations vary; Pinhoti Trail
Time: 8:00 am CST (may vary depending upon length of hike)
Fee: $5 per person; pre-registration required by contacting Keith Hudson by phone at 256-453-9527 or by email at anniston.outdoor.assn@gmail.com by 5 days prior.
