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Owen571 
Group: Members
Posts: 536
Joined: Apr. 2011
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Posted on: Jan. 04 2013, 9:55 am |
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I set out from the parking lot on 281 outside Turnipseed Hunter's Camp to do the Skyway Loop at noon on Wednesday. Halfway along the Pinhoti section, I tweaked my ankle pretty painfully, so wrapped it and turned around and hiked ~5 miles back to where I parked. On the way, my ankle mysteriously just stopped hurting, so I continued on another 1.5 miles to Cheaha Falls Shelter, then hiked another couple of miles to the Devil's Den and back out Thursday morning. Almost as much distance as the whole loop, just did half of the Pinhoti and most of the Chinnabee Silent Trail twice...had a great time, regardless!
You can normally almost step across this stream.
I've never seen the Chinnabee or the Pinhoti down from Little Caney Head so wet. There was water standing in the trail, little waterfalls coming down the trail to meet me on the way up the mountain, streams crossing it, and springs flowing that I'd never seen before.
Before even reaching the top of the mountain, I was hiking in the clouds.
For those familiar with this area, this is the spring just before the Chinnabee hits the Pinhoti.
The Pinhoti section was bonechilling and not much for views off the mountain.
This part is usually dry...
I usually stop here, because it's a "scenic overlook".
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| Post Number: 2
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Owen571
Group: Members
Posts: 536
Joined: Apr. 2011
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Posted on: Jan. 04 2013, 9:56 am |
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Above Cheaha Falls.
Cheaha Falls
All of these are from the "Devil's Den" or upstream from it.
This is where I had breakfast:
Had to pass Cheaha Falls again on the way out.
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| Post Number: 3
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ashepabst
Group: Members
Posts: 1005
Joined: Jul. 2008
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Posted on: Jan. 04 2013, 12:29 pm |
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dang dude, you's been on a role. Cheaha looks like fun -- gonna have to check that one out.
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| Post Number: 4
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Owen571
Group: Members
Posts: 536
Joined: Apr. 2011
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Posted on: Jan. 05 2013, 1:08 pm |
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Yeah, I'm usually less active through the winter, but decided not to get in my yearly slump this time around.
It IS a beautiful area!
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| Post Number: 5
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rophle
Group: Members
Posts: 90
Joined: Jan. 2009
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Posted on: Jan. 09 2013, 8:08 pm |
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It's good to see there's water there. Last time I was there was in the middle of a summer drought and the waterfalls barely had a trickle going over them.
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| Post Number: 6
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CBarron
Group: Members
Posts: 1
Joined: Feb. 2013
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Posted on: Feb. 05 2013, 5:05 am |
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This is awesome to see folks from AL on here! I recently did a 2 day solo trip. Stayed one night at Cheaha Falls shelter, then hiked the next day from the shelter to Odum, then down to Adam's Gap, then up the road back to my car at the Turnipseed Camp parking lot. I love Devil's Den by the way. That's the spot I take people to during the spring/summer to get them hooked on backpacking.
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| Post Number: 7
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cgaphiker
Hen Wallow Falls
Group: Members
Posts: 11004
Joined: Apr. 2006
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Posted on: Feb. 05 2013, 11:35 am |
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Nice! That is a lot of water.
Those rocky trails are just a misstep away from a sprained ankle. 
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| Post Number: 8
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magicmomma
Wildest Flower in Tennessee
Group: Members
Posts: 2005
Joined: Sep. 2008
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Posted on: Feb. 05 2013, 2:10 pm |
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Wow! Thanks for sharing this great trip report! What a beautiful area. Your photos do a fine job of showing it off. It is almost impossible to choose a favorite from this batch of pix. I especially like the green rocks in the red fallen leaves, stream winding thru the woods with mist, and the waterfall shots of course.
So pretty! Dang it! You folks just keep making my TO DO list longer, longer, and longer.
:-)
Glad you had a good time and were kind enough to share it here!
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| Post Number: 9
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Owen571
Group: Members
Posts: 536
Joined: Apr. 2011
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Posted on: Feb. 05 2013, 3:24 pm |
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Thanks, y'all. Obviously that was my first trip of the year. Last year, I spent 7 nights at Cheaha, and about 5 more on the Pinhoti, so you could say I like the area!
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| Post Number: 10
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Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
