section 10 / snailtrail

northbound.​

coleman lake campground / heflin.

​

hike info.
TRAILHEADS
S ~ 0.0 ~ USFS PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND TRAILHEAD
N ~ 16.3 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD / CR 55
GUTHOOK
S ~ 125.7 ~ USFS PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND TRAILHEAD
N ~ 142.1 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD / CR 55
ELEVATION ~ L 700’ ~ H 1325’
WOODS TRAIL ~ 0.0 ~ 16.3
ROAD WALK ~ 0.0
LANDMARK ~ USFS COLEMAN LAKE CAMPGROUND
LOCAL TOWN ~ HEFLIN

hike services.
CS ~ CONVEINENCE STORE ~
TT ~ TRAIL TOWN ~
PO ~ POST OFFICE ~
SC ~ SMALL CAMP ~ 3.2, 10.6, 10.9, 11.0
LC ~ LARGE CAMP ~ 2.6, 3.0, 4.6, 7,2, 7.9, 10.8, 14.8, 14.9
TS ~ TRAIL SHELTER ~ 4.6, 14.9
SW ~ SEASONAL WATER ~ 0.1, 2.3, 5.2, 5.5, 6.1, 6.9, 15.3
RW ~ RELIABLE WATER ~ 2.6, 3.0, 3.2, 4.6, 5.1,
7.2, 7.6, 7.9, 10.6, 10.8, 10.9, 11.0, 11.8, 12.1, 12.5, 14.8, 14.9

driving directions.
USE ODOMETER OR TRIP METER (NO REALLY!)
NORTHERN TERMINUS / FINISH HIKE
PARK FINISH HIKE VEHICLE FIRST
16.3 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD
Exit I-20 at US 431, east of Oxford, AL
Go north 0.3 miles to US 78. Turn right.
Go 3.9 miles to AL 9. Turn left.
Go 10.9 miles to CR 55, at the yellow flashing light. Turn right.
Go 4.2 miles to the Burns Trailhead parking area, on the left.

SOUTHERN TERMINUS / START HIKE
PARK START HIKE VEHICLE
0.0 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND TRAILHEAD
From the Burns Trailhead parking area, turn left on CR 55.
Go 4.6 miles to a dirt road, FS 500. Turn right. There's a black
mailbox on the right at this turn ~ address- 20346.
Go 5.3 miles to the right turn where FS 500 becomes a paved road.
Turn right.
Go 2.0 miles to the stop sign. Turn left on FS 500.
Go 0.3 miles to the stop sign. Turn right on FS 500.
Go 4.4 miles to the Pine Glen Campground.

trail guide.
SOUTHERN TERMINUS ~ START HIKE
CONTINUE CHOCCOLOCCO HIGHLANDS
CONTINUE RATTLESNAKE MOUNTAIN
0.0 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND TRAILHEAD / FS 500 ~
LC, RW ~ 950'
The north trail goes left from the parking area and goes back in
the woods on the right, just past the Shoal Creek bridge.
LC, RW ~ This is a great campground on Shoal Creek with a lot of
primitive campsites and a new (2003) 3-seater SST Outhouse
(Sweet Smelling Toilets). Typical government oxymoron-huh ?
This Federal Campground cost $3 a night (2003) and is open year
round.
NEXT RW ~ 2.6 miles.
HISTORY ~ Hiking Alabama Guest Book entry by Tim Lewis-
"In 1973, I worked as a junior in high school for the Youth
Conservation Corps and part of our job was building the Pinhoti
Trail in Sweetwater Lake, Coleman Lake, and Pine Glen area. It’s
gratifying to know that people use it."

This area is rich in history, which included for several years the

annual spring migration of the Rainbow Family.
0.1 ~ DOUBLE BRIDGES ~ SW
2.3 ~ BRIDGE ~ SW
FLOWERING TREE ~ Tulip Poplar ~ Yellow
HISTORY ~ This nice bridge was furnished by the Appalachian
Trail Club of Alabama. Thanks!
2.6 ~ SWEETWATER LAKE DAM ~ LC, RW ~ 1000'

AKA Lake 13.
This is the first of the three USDA Floodwater Retarding Dams
you will come to on the Pinhoti. The trail crosses over the
spillway section of the dam straight in front of you and then goes
around the left side of the lake up to the parking area.
Big Foot sighting reported on bfro.net!
Don't worry too much if you hear wild screaming in the middle
of the night, it's just Bigfoot stepping on a briar or something :)
LC ~ You can camp on top of the dam. Because the FS
brings in bush hogs to mow the tall grass on the dam,
please refrain from building any type of fire rings.
(driver can’t see the rocks) Thanks!
NEXT RW ~ 0.3 miles
2.8 ~ PENINSULA ~ LC, RW
This campsite is on a peninsula that goes out in the lake and there
is also a nice campsite on top of the hill on the peninsula.
NEXT RW ~ 0.3 miles
3.0 ~ SWEETWATER LAKE PARKING AREA ~ RW
The trail goes back in the woods behind the Info Board and
follows the left side of the lake for another 1.0 miles.
3.2 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ SC, RW
NEXT RW ~ 1.4 miles
4.6 ~ LAUREL SHELTER ~ 1100' ~ LC, TS, RW ~ 1100'
Once you ford the creek, the trail goes straight up to the shelter
and then turns left.
NEXT RW ~ 0.5 miles
WILDFLOWER ~ Mountain Laurel ~ White ~ May
HISTORY ~ This is another great site on a creek and the shelter
was constructed by the FS.
UPDATE 2004 ~ Two new sets of steps and a sheet metal covered
cooking shelf were added by the Appalachian Trail Club of
Alabama.
5.1 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
NEXT RW ~ 2.1 miles
5.2 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
5.5 ~ BRIDGE ~ SW
HISTORY ~ 16 of the 20-foot bridges on the AL section of the
Pinhoti were paid for and built by trail clubs, Scouts, generous
hikers or the FS. I say a word of thanks every time I cross one.
The Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama has plans to build 5
more. Thanks guys!
6.0 ~ FS 553 CROSSING ~ 1220'
The trail goes straight across the road.
6.1 ~ SPRING CROSSING ~ SW
6.3 ~ SHOAL CREEK CHURCH ~ REGISTERED HISTORIC
LANDMARK ~ 1180’
WILDFLOWER ~ Daffodil ~ Yellow ~ January
HISTORY ~ The Shoal Creek Church is one of the six remaining
hewn log churches in Alabama and was built between 1885 and
1890. The oldest gravestone in the cemetery is dated 1811 ~ 1895.
6.4 ~ SHOAL CREEK CHURCH ROAD
The trail goes straight across the road.
6.8 ~ COLEMAN LAKE VIEW ~ 1220'
AKA Lake 8. It has a surface area of 21 acres.
6.9 ~ ATA ~ AHS BRIDGE ~ SW
HISTORY ~ The old bridge was damaged by an uprooted tree
and was replaced as a National Trails Day project in June, 2004 by
the Alabama Trails Association and an American Hiking Society
Maintenance Vacation crew. Thanks Guys!
7.2 ~ COLEMAN LAKE CAMPGROUND FOOTBRIDGE ~
LC, RW, HS ~ 1160'
At this point you will come within view of the Coleman Lake
Easy Access Trail footbridge down on the right. The Pinhoti
bypasses the bridge and continues straight on through.
LC, RW, HS ~ You can cross over the bridge here and go 0.5 miles
to the newly renovated (2002?) Coleman Lake Campground. This
is a Federal Campground that cost $12 (2004) a night and is open
from April 15 through November? (changes). There are 2 new bath
houses with HOT SHOWERS !!, that you can use for $2 if you
don’t plan on camping, lots of campsites with full RV hook ups,
primitive camping and also a beach with a bath house. Hmmm...
Did I mention HOT SHOWERS !!?
NEXT RW ~ 0.4 miles
7.3 ~ BRIDGE ~ SW
7.6 ~ ALUMINUM BRIDGE ~ RW
NEXT RW ~ 0.3 miles
7.7 ~ WOODPECKER FARM (next 1.6 miles)
HISTORY 2003 ~ Thanks to Earl Stewart, Shoal Creek District
Ranger, Talladega National Forest, Born Teacher, for this
information!
The following is my interpretation of all he said that day while he
waited for the humidity to get just right to begin a controlled burn.
The best I can figure is that the Red Cockaded Woodpecker
Habitat Restoration is really just a small project inside of a big
project. As for the Woodpeckers, they are doing really well. The
FS started off with 3 active nests and now (April 20, 2003) there
are definitely 12, possibly 13 active nests. The Long Leaf Pines
have to be at least 60 to 80 years old for the Woodpeckers to build
their nests in them, something to do with Red Heart Disease.
These trees are not quite that old, about 50 years, so the Rangers
sped up the process a little by picking out trees that had a
minimum 15" diameter, carved out a hole at a certain height and
inserted wooden bird houses in them. Some of them are inhabited
within hours and the rest within a day.
Now, the bigger project is to restore the forest to its original state;
before Pale Face came over and clear cut the entire North
American continent 2 or 3 times. The Woodpecker Farm is
basically what 92,000,000 acres of the Southeast looked like before
the invasion; completely dominated by very mature Long Leaf
Pines up to 400 years old and Oak Hickory as the canopy, grasses
on the ground, and very little in between. The Pinhoti passes
through this project area from trail mile 127.5 to 129.1. So, if you
are around 350 years from now, stop by and see how the project
turned out!
WILDFLOWER ~ Butterfly Weed ~ Orange ~ May /
Iron Weed ~ Purple ~ August
7.9 ~ COLEMAN LAKE TRAILHEAD ~ 1200'
The Pinhoti bypasses the trailhead parking area side trail and
goes straight through. At the sign board you can go left 30 yards
up the side trail to the trailhead.
7.9 ~ FS 500 CROSSING ~ LC, RW, HS ~ 1200'
The trail goes straight across the road. Once you're across, the
trail begins the gradual climb up the Rattlesnake Mountain ridge.
You will reach the peak at the 9.7 ~ FS 540 Crossing. All along
through here you will see new growth Long Leaf Pines. They look
more like Pine bushes for the first few years while they grow
their tap root.
LC, RW, HS ~ You can go right on FS 500 for 0.6 miles to the
Coleman Lake Campground. It is closed in the winter from
November? (changes) to April 15.
NEXT RW ~ 2.6 miles
9.3 ~ TREE LINE ~ HORSE TRAIL CROSSING
The trail goes straight across the horse trail and back into the
"unnatural woods". This is the end of the Woodpecker Farm.
The Forest Service maintains an Equestrian campground and 35
miles of horse trails in this area.
9.7 ~ FS 540 CROSSING ~ 1325'
The trail goes straight across the road.
RATTLESNAKE MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER (MISSING) ~ The
tower site is app. 3.1 miles off trail from here. Turn left on FS 540
and go 0.8 miles to the dead end / T intersection at FS 532. Turn
right. Go app. 0.3 miles to the first dirt road on the left, FS 536.
Turn left. Go app. 2.0 miles to the dead end ~ turnaround at the
tower site.
SUMMIT ~ Rattlesnake Mountain ~ 1510' ~ #97 on the list of 100
highest named summits in Alabama. You are now crossing over
the ridge.
10.5 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
Keep an eye out through here for Partridge Berry. It resembles a
small clump of 3 leaf Clover with tiny red berries. Just past the
crossing there is a set of steps on the left that will take you closer
to the creek and another to bring you back up.
NEXT RW ~ 0.1 miles.
10.6 ~ CHIPMUNK CANYON ~ SC, RW
Yes, I saw a Chipmunk here last year when I was measuring this
section the first time. This is one of many places along the Pinhoti
that you would write home to Mom about. Take your time.
NEXT RW ~ 0.2 miles
AUTHORS NOTE ~ Since 2002 this guide has listed all of the
areas on the Pinhoti that resemble this one as Canyons. In January
2004 I went on a group hike in this section with the Little River
Canyon Field School and the Anniston Outdoor Association. I
took this opportunity to ask the group leader of the LRCFS, Renee
Morrison, if Canyon People would be insulted if I called these
places around here Canyons. She just smiled and said Gorge
would probably be a better name. :) That was a smile wasn't it??
So, the authenticity of the 11 Canyons named in this guide are
under (dubious) re-consideration. Sigh...
UPDATE 2018 ~ No disrespect Renee, but I’m still considering /
not considering calling these “canyons”.
10.8 ~ CHIP'S CAMPSITE ~ LC, RW
The fire ring is on the left just past the creek crossing.
FLOWERING SHRUB ~ Buckeye ~ Red ~ March
NEXT RW ~ 0.1 miles.
10.9 ~ DALE'S CAMPSITE ~ CASCADE ~ SC, RW
There are 2 creek crossings here and the campsite is on the right,
just past the second crossing. There is a nice cascade just a few
yards north of the camp.
NEXT RW ~ 0.1 miles.
11.0 ~ SON OF BILLY GOAT CAMPSITE ~ SC, RW ~ 840'
Yes, I saw the son of a Billy Goat (Toby Woodward) here last year
when I was measuring this section the first time. Actually, it was
a hiker from New Hampshire whose trail name was Son of Billy
Goat and his dad was called, duh!, Billy Goat. He was hiking solo
from the original beginning of the Appalachian Trail at
Mt. Oglethorpe, to Montgomery. We stopped and talked for a
couple of hours before he hiked on down to the Coleman Lake
Trailhead. One of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society members
(Jay Hudson) was going to meet him there and take him out for a
steak! At the time, I wondered if Goats were carnivores, but I
didn't say anything : )
NEXT RW ~ 0.8 miles
WILDFLOWER ~ Bloodroot ~ White ~ March
11.8 ~ CREEK CROSSING ~ RW
There is another set of old rock steps here that take you down to
the crossing and then back up.
NEXT RW ~ 0.3 miles
12.1 ~ ROCK ISLAND CROSSING ~ RW ~ 833'
(named by O'Kenny-ATCA) The trail crosses over the creek
diagonally to the right.
NEXT RW ~ 0.4 miles
FORDING HAZARD ~ This section of the creek is only about 6”
deep and has room to spread out after a heavy rain. Use caution.
12.5 ~ TWENTY FEET CREEK ~ RW
Yes, the creek is Twenty Feet wide. There is a nice clear entry to
the water here. Taken a bath lately? If you have noticed flowers
wilting along the trail as you pass by, they may appreciate it if you
took advantage of this great spot : ) Just before you reach the
upcoming switchback, look for a large patch of Creeping Juniper,
which resemble small dark green 3-inch umbrellas, on the left and
right and ahead and behind and up the hill and down the hill...
WILDFLOWER ~ Day Flower ~ Blue ~ July
NEXT RW ~ 2.3 miles
12.7 ~ TURNHILL ROAD SWITCHBACKS
(named by O'Kenny - ATCA)
NORTHWEST CHOCCOLOCCO WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
AREA BOUNDARY
The trail leaves the creek here and starts the switchback at a
well-marked left turn. You are leaving the CWMA here at the
northwest boundary.
12.8 ~ TEN TOES
Here the trail weaves in and out of a long series of points and
coves. If you could see this 2-mile section from the air, it might
resemble two big feet. I think there may be more than 10 points
and coves, but I ran out of, ah, well, never mind...
14.8 ~ CHOCCOLOCCO CREEK WATERSHED ~ 760' ~ LC, RW
The trail goes across the top of the dam and then turns right on an
old service road and goes around the left side of the lake for a
while.
LC ~ You can camp on top of the dam. Because the FS
brings in bush hogs to mow the tall grass on the dam,
please refrain from building any type of fire rings.
(driver can’t see the rocks) Thanks!
INDIAN TRAIL TREE (not authentic) ~ Look for the tree on the
left between here and Rattlesnake Point.
HISTORY ~ The USDA calls this Floodwater Retarding Dam #2.
It was built in 1968 and the lake has a surface area of 31 acres.
14.9 ~ CHOCCOLOCCO CREEK SHELTER ~ 700' ~ LC, TS, RW
Go across the top of the dam and then turn left on the old service
road. Follow this road down about 100 yards to the shelter, on the
right.
LC ~ There is an old road bed about 50 yards straight out in front
of the shelter with plenty of soft flat spots.
RW ~ The water trail is about 200 yards straight out in front of the
shelter and goes to a sand bar on this 20’ wide creek.
NEXT RW ~ 1.4 miles
POTTY TRAIL ~ Look for an old road bed behind the shelter, on
the left.
HISTORY ~ This is one of the three shelters built by the FS in
2006 with grant money received after the Pinhoti's designation as
a Millennium Legacy Trail. Construction of the shelter was
completed in March, 2006.
15.2 ~ RATTLESNAKE POINT ~ 800'
WILDFLOWER ~ Birds Foot Violet ~ Purple ~ March
TREE ~ Wild Pine
HISTORY ~ A noble and courteous friend lives here and will let
you know if she ~ he is out for a morning slither. A Root Digger
that Earl Shaffer met above Hot Springs, NC, while on The First
Appalachian Trail Thru Hike, put it this way; "A Rattlesnake's a
gentleman. He'll sing and let you know he's there, but a
Copperhead just lays there and lashes out at ye."
15.3 ~ CHOCC HOLLOW ~ 780' ~ SW
This quiet little hollow has a small spring running through it and
lots of old trees including Pines and Shagbark Hickory.
16.3 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD ~ CR 55 ~ 846'
The trail goes straight across CR 55 and enters the Dugger
Mountain Wilderness. Continue for 0.1 miles to the trailhead
parking area side trail. Turn left at the trail sign and go 100 yards
to the parking area.
NORTHERN TERMINUS / FINISH HIKE

^ climb up.