Alabama trails

“I am going to take my 13 year old son and his best friend for their first backpacking trip after the hollidays. He lives in Elmore, just north of Montgomery, and I am willing to do a little driving. I have read the trail reviews but just don't know where to take them. It needs to be fun for them but not too difficult, I don't want to turn them off on their first trip. Well thanks for your input.”

“Sipsey or Walls of Jericho both have parts that fit your needs - for Sipsey I would suggest coming in at Thompson TH and heading toward Eye of the Needle / Shiprock and camp there - for Walls just hike in and camp at the main campsite near the cemetery - either case is about a 3 mile hike in to a base camp and then day hike around the area”

“What kind of mileage do you have in mind? Sipsey would be really pretty that time of year and it offers lots of loops. It would be about a 3 hour drive for you. Another option would be the southern part of the Pinhoti trail which starts around Sylacauga. It would likely be an out and back since there aren't many loop options. A portion of it around Cheah has either an 8, 13, or 18 mile loop option. The 18 offers the most variety of scenery.”

“I'm going to have to start looking up some trails down there. I'm moving back to Huntsville in a few months.”

“There are several long time posters here from Huntsville.

Check this out for info specific to Alabama: http://alabamatrail.org/forum/”

“dayhiker - when's the next hike in the Sipsey - are you going to have your usual early spring hike?”

“I don't know yet. Having to bail last year really bummed me out. That's about the third one I've had troubles getting to and it really made me second guess leading big trips considering my work schedule. OTOH, I'm really itching to get out there. Quillen was really my last big exploration trip since Braziel wasn't much to look at.”

“PS, If I put it together it will likely be the first weekend in March.”

“I'm not sure if I will be going over Christmas or return at the end of Jan. or begining of Feb. but if anyone wants to hook up that would be cool. I plan on out Saturday am. and back Sunday noonish if the kidos are in school but if it's over the break it will be a little longer.”

“If you want a "traditional" type of backpacking trip then the Pinhoti would be good. With boys that age a basecamp at Sipsey might be nice. You could hike to wear HOI described, setup camp, and then just explore. The Big Tree is close by as well as off trail exploration at West Bee.

Another option would be to take the back way into the Big Tree and camp at the intersection of East and West Bee branches. Explore the area and then hike out by way of Eye/Rapids on Sun. There is lots to do and see up there. There are enough folks here familiar with the area that we could give good directions.

The link in my profile has photos of most all that has been discussed here.”

“PS, depending on when you're over this way I might be able to meet and bring my son. He's almost 7, so if that's a problem with the older boys I understand. I've been hoping to get him out again.”

“No problem at all. My son has two adopted brothers (6 and 9 yrs.) and a half brother 11 yrs. old and a half sister 9 yrs. old. It will be just him and his friend though, I'll post the details when I know more.”

“My email is in my profile if you need any more info about the areas mentioned.”

“Talladega NF, ie, Cheaha SP, Cheaha Wilderness.

Pinhoti, Chinnabee Silent, Cross Country(?) trails form one loop. Many other options available offering easy to moderate hikes. Maps available at the general store adjacent to the Cheaha State Park entrance.”