ssection 13 / snailtrail

northbound.

​​indian mountain / piedmont.

hike info.
TRAILHEADS
S ~ 0.0 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD
N ~ 12.8 ~ JACKSON CHAPEL TRAILHEAD
GUTHOOK
S ~ 167.1 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD
N ~ 180.0 ~ JACKSON CHAPEL TRAILHEAD
ELEVATION ~ L 800’ ~ H 1968’
WOODS TRAIL ~ 0.0 ~ 12.8
ROAD WALK ~ 0.0
LANDMARK ~ INDIAN MOUNTAIN, HURRICANE CREEK
LOCAL TOWN ~ PIEDMONT

hike services.
CS ~ CONVEINENCE STORE ~ 12.8
TT ~ TRAIL TOWN ~ 0.0, 12.8
PO ~ POST OFFICE ~ 0.0
SC ~ SMALL CAMP ~
LC ~ LARGE CAMP ~ 2.0, 4.9, 6.7, 8.0, 9.1, 10.9, 12.5
TS ~ TRAIL SHELTER ~ 2.0, 5.6, 10.9
SW ~ SEASONAL WATER ~ 10.8, 10.9, 11.0, 12.2
RW ~ RELIABLE WATER ~ 0.0, 1.6, 4.9, 5,4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7

driving directions.
USE ODOMETER OR TRIP METER
(NO REALLY!)
NORTHERN TERMINUS / FINISH HIKE
PARK FINISH HIKE VEHICLE FIRST
12.8 ~ JACKSON CHAPEL TRAILHEAD
From downtown Cave Spring, GA, go west on US 411 for 2.3
miles to Jackson Chapel Road (look for a large Mountain Springs
Baptist Church sign on the left). Go left.
Go 3.6 miles to the Jackson Chapel Trailhead parking area, on the
right.
The turn in is gravel and has enough room for 4 vehicles.
Please don’t block the gate.

SOUTHERN TERMINUS / START HIKE
PARK START HIKE VEHICLE
0.0 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD
Go 5.1 miles to Rock Run Road (look for a Beauty Shop and
Self-Storage on the left). Turn left.
Go 5.4 miles to CR 45, just past downtown Rock Run. Turn left.
Go 2.7 miles to US 278. Turn left.
Go 0.1 miles to the High Point Trailhead parking area, on the
right.

trail town.
PIEDMONT / CEDARTOWN, GA
0.0 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD ~ US 278
TT ~ Go left on US 278 for 7.5 miles to Piedmont.
TT ~ Go right on US 278 for 14.3 miles to Cedartown, GA.

trail guide.
SOUTHERN TERMINUS ~ START HIKE
BEGIN THE GREAT NORTH WILDLANDS
0.0 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD ~ US 278 ~ TT, RW ~ 800'
From the trailhead parking area, the north trail turns right on
US 278. Go 0.3 miles, almost to the end of the long straightaway,
then enter the woods on the left at a large piece of broken
concrete drain pipe. Look for the blue blaze and sign.
ROADKILL WARNING ~ You'll probably want to scurry right
on across this busy highway!!
RW ~ Go right 0.1 miles to a difficult access creek running along
the right side of the road.
NEXT RW ~ 1.6 miles
HISTORY 1985 ~ The formal effort to link Alabama to the
Appalachian Trail began in February, 1985 with the incorporation
of the Alabama Trails Association, whose membership began
construction of Section 13 at the High Point Trailhead ~ US 278
and going north to the Georgia state line.
HISTORY 2002 ~ By Bob Williams ~ The Alabama Trails
Association completed the trail (Section 13) this year (2002) when
volunteers brought the trail to the (GA) state line near Piedmont,
capping an effort that began in 1985.
HISTORY 2008 ~ A 10,000-pound limestone and granite boulder
with a dedication plaque was placed on the Pinhoti at Cheaha
State Park (Section 6) on the north end of Hernandez Peak
commemorating the connection of the Pinhoti Trail to the
Appalachian Trail after the completion of Section 13.
0.3 ~ ATA SECTION DEDICATION MARKER ~ 900'
There is a dedication marker for the completion of the ATA
Section here at the beginning of the trail on the right.
HISTORY ~ The Gerald Willis family owns all of the land
surrounding the trail from here to a point up past Hurricane
Creek and have always been good friends of the hiking
community. They have also granted a land easement for the trail
corridor to pass through their property. The marker also
recognizes the Forever Wild Land Trust, who purchased a
594-acre trail corridor from mile 168.9 up to the 171.2 ~ Georgia
State Line. These two actions are a big part of what allowed the
ATA Section to become a reality. Thank you.
BEGIN DAVIS MOUNTAIN
0.5 ~ THE PITTS 1
Keep a sharp eye on the blazes through these winding open pit
iron ore mines. It's kinda like the old Scream Machine at Six Flags!
MINERAL ~ Hematite (red iron ore) is the Alabama state mineral.
1.6 ~ DAVIS MOUNTAIN SWITCHBACKS ~ RW
Follow the switchbacks downhill 0.2 miles to the spring. Once you
cross the spring turn left and go 25 yards on the woods road, then
go back in the woods on the right for the 0.2-mile switchbacks up
to the shelter.
RW ~ This is the water source for the Davis Mountain Shelter.
NEXT RW ~ 3.3 miles
2.0 ~ DAVIS MOUNTAIN SHELTER ~ ROCKY TOP 9 ~ LC,
TS ~ 1200'
The trail goes straight for 10 yards past the shelter on a 4-wheeler
road, which then turns left and the trail goes straight. Winter
views from the shelter are mostly southern with Augusta Mine
Ridge as the centerpiece.
WILDFLOWER ~ Blazing Star ~ Purple ~ September
LC, TS ~ The shelter is on the right just off trail and plenty of
campsites are nearby. There is a metal fire ring with a grill top at
the shelter.
HISTORY ~ The Alabama Trails Association built their first trail
shelter up here on this classic Rocky Top (9) in June of 2004. The
major funding for this project was provided through a generous
grant from the Alabama Power Foundation and additional
funding by Alabama Outdoors and the ATA. Over 2 years of
serious leg work was done before construction even began on the
site. The building of this shelter was the joint effort of four
Alabama and Georgia trail clubs and some pretty dedicated
hikers! A big thanks go out to everyone involved!
2.1 ~ WOODS ROAD
This is the first of 6 old woods roads that the trail will go straight
across in the next 0.4 miles.
INDIAN TRAIL TREE (not authentic) ~ Look for this tree just
past the crossing. It's on the left about 15' off trail.
2.7 ~ INDIAN TOP SWITCHBACKS
There is a distant northeast winter view of just the top of Indian
Mountain here at the beginning of the switchbacks. The part of
the mountain that you can see is around 4.4 trail miles away at
the 7.1 ~ 1500 Foot Overlook.
FLOWERING TREE ~ Service Berry ~ White ~ March
2.9 ~ WOODS ROAD
When you reach the bottom of the switchbacks the trail goes
straight across this dirt road.
3.0 ~ WOODS ROAD
The trail turns right on this dirt road. There is a Pinhoti trail sign
across the road pointing to the right for north bounders and
another one pointing left for south bounders. Go 0.2 miles down
the road and look closely for another trail sign on the right
pointing NB-ers to the left back into the woods and SB 'ers back
up the road.
3.7 ~ HAWK'S REST
This rocky spot is a great place to lay back and watch Hawks
floating the thermals above the lake at eye level. The ATA Section
has several of the best overlooks on the Pinhoti.
4.5 ~ DANTE'S SWITCHBACKS !!
Visions of Dante's H E double L! Just imagine what it was like to
build this downhill section of trail!! There are great views of
Indian Mountain across the Hurricane Creek valley for the next
0.4 miles. The trail reaches the top of the Indian Mountain ridge
straight out in front of you 1.6 miles away and travels east and
then northeast to the Georgia state line.
WILDFLOWER ~ Iris ~ Purple ~ March
FUNGUS ~ Rotting Stump
4.9 ~ HURRICANE CREEK BRIDGE ~ LC, RW ~ 818'
At the bottom of the switchbacks the trail comes to a road bed at
the creek. Turn left and go 15 yards to the bridge, on the right.
LC, RW ~ Continue on the roadbed 0.1 miles past the bridge to a
large, flat, grassy area by the creek.
NEXT RW ~ 0.5 miles
HISTORY ~ The old bridge was stolen and has now been replaced
with a nice suspension bridge. The materials for the new bridge
were furnished by the Alabama Power Foundation. Thanks guys!
HISTORY, 2005 ~ The bridge has been struck twice by big floating
trees this year. Repairs have been made and a plan to eliminate
the problem is underway.
HISTORY 2009 ~ A solid platform bridge was built, about seven
feet above the creek, to replace the suspension bridge.
END DAVIS MOUNTAIN
5.0 ~ SALEM CHURCH ROAD ~ CR 8 ~ 838'
The trail goes straight across the road. Your ascent of Indian
Mountain begins here. About 0.1 miles in, look for a huge Oak on
the right that is well over 100 years old.
WILDBERRY ~ Green Dragon ~ Red Berries ~ May
HISTORY ~ (Appx. 1 mile east of the Pinhoti on Salem Church
Road) “Bluffton, Iron Ore boomtown” Quote from the Anniston
Star - 1982 ~ “There are no schools, storefronts or passenger-train
depots in Bluffton anymore, and only a few scattered Victorian
homes remain. Barely a century after Yankee investors made this
hilly southeastern Cherokee County community an iron-ore boom
town, only spreading oak and sweet-gum trees remain from the
years of once-busy streets and Sunday afternoon family outings.”
5.3 ~ WOODS ROAD
When you get to the old road bed, turn right and go 0.1 miles to
Hawkins Hollow.
5.4 ~ HAWKINS HOLLOW ~ RW
The trail goes around the left side of the Pond.
NEXT RW ~ 0.1 miles
FLOWERING TREE ~ Mimosa ~ Pink / May
HISTORY 04 ~ A new ladder was installed for the climb down
the rock face beside the pond.
5.5 ~ CREEK BRIDGE ~ RW
HISTORY ~ This bridge was built by the ATA Trail Crew on
March 17, 2007.
NEXT RW ~ 0.1 miles.
5.6 ~ HAWKINS HOLLOW SHELTER ~ TS, RW
You will come to the shelter about 100 yards before you reach the
Tent Platform. This makes the third shelter that the Alabama
Trails Association has built on Section 13. Funding for this shelter
was provided through an ADECCA grant.
5.6 ~ HAWKINS HOLLOW TENT PLATFORM ~ SC, RW
The platform is about halfway through this rocky, steep sided
hollow.
There are some large rock formations on the ridge up behind the
camp.
NEXT RW ~ 0.1 miles
HISTORY 2005 ~ The ATA has built a raised 10' x 12' tent
platform and a picnic table at this site.
BEGIN INDIAN MOUNTAIN
5.7 ~ INDIAN MOUNTAIN SWITCHBACKS ~ RW
After the creek crossing, look for the first turn on the right.
NEXT RW ~ 1.0 miles
6.1 ~ THE PITTS 2
MINERAL ~ Hematite (red iron ore) is the Alabama State Mineral.
On the second road bed, turn left and go 20', then turn right
through the big Pine blowdown. This is a smaller version of The
Pitts / 1 (open pit iron ore mines).
6.7 ~ HUNT CLUB GAP ~ LC (future RW)
The trail goes straight across 2 more old road beds.
LC ~ On the second road bed you can turn left and go 50 yards to
some flat, leafy, grassy campsites with no fire rings.
RW ~ Turn right on the road bed and go downhill 100 yards to a
future side trail on the right that will carry you about 50 yards
through the woods to a year-round spring.
NEXT RW ~ 6.1 miles
WILDFLOWER ~ Aster ~ Purple / October
7.1 ~ 1500 FOOT OVERLOOK ~ 1500'
You can see into Georgia here on the left and if you look to the
right you can see Davis Mountain in the foreground 2.6 trail miles
away, Augusta Mine Ridge behind that 11.6 trail miles away,
Oakey Mountain behind that 18.7 trail miles away and Dugger
Mountain behind that, 25.7 trail miles away.
7.6 ~ SOUTH FACE SWITCHBACKS
Up near the top of the climb the trees thin out for good winter
views looking south.
UPDATE 04 ~ This view is only half of what it was 5 years ago
because of a mass of fast-growing Pines.
7.8 ~ FOREVER WILD SOUTHERN BOUNDARY
HISTORY ~ The State of Alabama's Forever Wild Land Trust has
purchased a 514-acre tract and 80-acre tract for the trail corridor
from here to the Georgia State Line.
8.0 ~ 1700 FOOT OVERLOOK ~ LC ~ 1700'
The trail goes through an open rocky area with a very broad view
of Georgia.
LC ~ Continue north on the trail about 100' to a few nice leafy flat
spots on the left complete with a new metal fire ring and grill top.
There is also a small view of Weiss Lake from the campsite.
9.1 ~ FLAG POLE MOUNTAIN ~ LC ~ 1968'
The trail goes through the campsite, then makes an immediate
right turn to circle around the hill crest for 40 yards, then turns left
off the 4wheeler road. This is the highest trail elevation on Indian
Mountain.
LC ~ The campsite is on the summit.
HISTORY ~ During WW 2 this area was used as a military
training site.
SUMMIT ~ Flag Pole Mountain ~ 1968'
#13 on the list of 100 highest named summits in Alabama.
9.6 ~ DR. TOM McGEHEE MEMORIAL
HISTORY ~ Dr. McGehee had an apparent heart attack and died
near here while on a trail construction trip with the Alabama
Trails Association on February 17, 2001. He was an active member
of several local, state and national outdoor groups and also taught
Wilderness First Aid across Alabama. The marker was furnished
by the Huntsville Sierra Club Chapter who, with help from the
ATA, carried it up the mountain on Sept. 15, 2001.
9.8 ~ WEISS LAKE OVERLOOK
On a clear winter day you can see Weiss Lake from the rocky
overlook on the left. Weiss Lake is just below Center, AL, which
is just below Little River Canyon, which is on the southernmost
tip of Lookout Mountain.
10.0 ~ FOREVER WILD NORTHERN BOUNDARY ~ LC
The trail continues past the welcome to Alabama sign along the
ridge line for about 50', then starts veering off to the right down
the east slope.
10.1 ~ ALABAMA / GEORGIA STATE LINE
Welcome to Georgia! The north trail continues straight past the
sign board / state flags.
HISTORY 2002 ~ The original set of State Flags were placed here
on October 19. 2002 during the ceremony celebrating the
Alabama Pinhoti Trail reaching the Georgia State line. Those in
attendance that day were Pete Conroy, Jim Austin, Rex Boner,
Michael Leonard and Marty Dominy. This day was the
culmination of many years of hard work and determination!
Thanks to everyone for this great gift to the hiking community.
HISTORY 2005 ~ In July 2005, the Conservation Fund purchased
a 650-acre, 2.7-mile trail corridor from the state line to the first
road crossing on the Georgia side, Jackson Chapel Road.
As of the fall of 2007, trail construction is still ongoing by
members of the Alabama Trails Association, Appalachian Trail
Club of Alabama, Horn Mountain Trail Club, Georgia Pinhoti
Trail Association, Alabama Hiking Trail Society and the North
Alabama Sierra Club.
HISTORY 2008 ~ All of the volunteers mentioned above
completed this 2.6 miles of new trail from the Georgia State Line
north to the first Georgia road crossing at the Jackson Chapel
Trailhead.
HISTORY 2016 ~ Flagg Keeper, Rick Cranford, has been
voluntarily replacing the Alabama and Georgia Flags at the State
Line for several years now. It is all of the personal efforts such as
this that have made the Pinhoti the great trail that it is today.
10.8 ~ SHAGBARK FLATS ~ SW
10.9 ~ SPRING CREEK SHELTER ~ 1065’ ~ LC, TS, SW
Look for the shelter side trail on the left. You will also find 7
Shagbark Hickory trees within 50' of the shelter site.
SW ~ Go north for 0.1 miles to a good spring.
HISTORY ~ On April 21st, 2007, a picnic table was constructed
here by the ATA, ATCA and the HMTC.
HISTORY ~ This shelter was completed in October 2008 by the
Alabama Trails Association and many friends.
11.0 ~ LEAD DOG BRIDGE ~ SW
HISTORY ~ A new footbridge was built across the creek in
March, 2007 and was named in recognition of ATA member Gene
Padgham, whose many years of tireless dedication to the Pinhoti
Trail are well known.
11.1 ~ WOODS ROAD CROSSING
The trail goes straight across the road.
11.6 ~ WOODS ROAD CROSSING / THE BRIAR PATCH
The trail crosses the road diagonally to the right. This road marks
the beginning of a recent clear cut that is just starting to grow
back.
12.0 ~ WOODS ROAD CROSSING
The trail goes straight across the road.
12.2 ~ DOUBLE SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
12.3 ~ CEMENT SPRING BOX ~ SW
Look for a short side trail on the right that will take you to an old
concrete spring box. The box is about 2 1/2 feet square and is a
good running water source that was put here many years ago,
possibly by the Augusta Mining Company.
12.5 ~ THE PITTS 3 ~ LC
Along through here you will see one of the old open pit iron ore
mines that are scattered throughout this part of Alabama and
Georgia.
LC ~ The trail follows an old road bed through some of this
section and you'll find level places for camping.
MINERAL ~ Hematite (red iron ore) is the Alabama State
Mineral.
12.8 ~ JACKSON CHAPEL TRAILHEAD ~ RW ~ 869'
The trail comes out at the trailhead parking area at the gated Jeep
road. This is the end of Section 13.
END OF INDIAN MOUNTAIN
END OF THE GREAT NORTH WILDLANDS
NORTHERN TERMINUS OF THE ALABAMA SECTION
OF THE PINHOTI TRAIL

ROAD WALK DIRECTIONS TO CAVE SPRING, GA
FROM THE JACKSON CHAPEL TRAILHEAD
Go left on the dirt road from the Jackson Chapel Trailhead for
3.6 miles to US 411.
Turn right on US 411 and go 2.3 miles to downtown Cave Spring.

​

^ climb up.