Finally, the Finding of the Southern Terminus.

Yesterday, Holy Thursday, was a most productive day; at lease to me.  Yesterday I was able to locate that most elusive quarry know as the Southern Terminus.  This Southern Terminus was of the genus of the Pinhoti Trail.  In plain English; I finally found the southern most trailhead of the Pinhoti Trail.  

Now why, you may ask, is that important?  Well, in a mere 37 days I shall start at that southern terminus and head as far north as thirteen day of walking will carry me.  The walk of the Silver Comet / Chief Lagada trail was to get my feet in shape for this event.  But since that was a bust then I am going to try and walk an extra two hundred miles before that day.  Not all at once but through day hikes of about five to ten miles when my schedule permit.

The trailhead is located on Flagg Mountain which is close to Weogulka, Al. and south of Sylacauga, Al.  Flagg Mountain is the last mountain south that has a summit over 1000 feet.  In the 1930's the CCC built a tower and cabins as a recreation park.  This was one of two built in the state, with the other built on top of Cheaha Mountain.  This park was abandoned at the onset of WWII and was mostly left to decay until a group (the CCCC or Coosa County Conservation Corporation) took over in 1999 and started to restore the area.  The area is also apart of the Alabama Forever Wild project, this is basically area's that will never be developed for residential, commercial, or industrial use.  There is still a CCC rd that climbs to the summit and then down to the other side to Cooper Bottom.  All the previous directions I have obtained would send one to the CC Camp Rd off of Lay Dam Rd and have one heading south on this one lane dirt rd.  The trailhead is three miles down this road but where someone could get confused ( I did ) is that you have to go sooo slow on this rd that judging distance can be put off plus the fact that there is also the Flagg Mountain Trail that will be passed and can make someone think they have arrived.  This trail is totally different from the Pinhoti and doesn't connect.  The trailhead is actually 1 3/4 of a mile further on over the ridge summit and heading down the mountain.  That happens after passing the road that cuts to the left and goes to the tower.

The trailhead is on the eastern side of the road, and at one time it would have been easy to miss.  A small wooden sign was used to mark this trailhead with the standard information kiosk about fifty yards from the road and not visible from the road.  Within the last year the trailhead has been improved.  A parking area has been built, graveled, with a pavilion and a graveled path leading up to the kiosk.  Also a BIG OL' SIGN is in the parking area that saids (paraphased)  THIS IS IT!  

It was just the sign I needed.  I was still heading southward after crossing the ridge looking for a wide spot to turn around when I came upon it.  Oh, by the way, Google Maps even have a listing for Flagg Mountain Trailhead Pinhoti Trail but it is 0.9 mile off. If you are heading north from Cooper Bottom, which is how I imagine the through hikers come to the trailhead, you will come to the trailhead before you come to where Google Maps is trying to send you but if you are coming south on the road then Google Maps will try and tell you that you have arrived when you get to the road that cuts to the tower.

But I have found it.  Got the GPS mark on it and grabbing up my wookie pack, which I keep packed with the paraphernalia for a day hike, I started going hiking northward to get an idea of what the start of my hike will be in May.

The start will be a climb and descent through ravines as I trek around the mountain on the southern side.  It is mostly hardwoods with patches of loblolly pines and rhododendron.  At one point the trail is bordered with a rock retaining wall.  At around the one mile marker the trail crosses a service road and to head down the road for 80 yards is to come to a "small" camp site. I say "small" because to myself it could accommodate a small group.  There is a normal size picnic table and a fire ring that can accommodate enough wood to set off a fire that can be seen by the international space station with a nice pile of green pine logs to feed this.  There are two small bench seats around the fire pit that were make out of pine logs and a clearing across the service road that must be for a tent.  Who ever designed this campsite never planed on using it.  About a half a mile from this area I was going through a patch of rhododendron, at a spot where there is a great view of the Weogulka Creek from about 100 feet above, when I heard a stamp and a snort.  I stopped to look upward where this sound came from but the brush was too thick there but from the movement I could tell there was a buck up there that was none too happy that I was in the hood with him.  I traveled onward.  

Around the two mile marker I came upon the Weogulka Creek shelter.  The shelter was built on the rise from the basin of Weogulka Creek.  Most trail shelters I have seen before are usually 8ft by 16 ft with one of the 16 ft side open.  There are pegs to hang gear inside and usually one of the 8 ft walls on the outside has a long table/shelf attached, lay out gear and work on it.  One exception was the Blue Mountain Shelter which was an 8x8 but it had a loft one can climb up to sleep.  The Weogulka Creek Shelter was only an 8x8 but all four sides were closed.  A doorway facing eastward allowed access. There was a porch area with railing and side steps leading up.  Stepping into the shelter there is a three food wide shelf that runs the three sides that doesn't have a door.  Wide enough to work on gear and can even be used as a sleeping platform.  Also the space underneath the shelves could be utilized if needed.  It is not the usual but it is still practical.  

By now I realized that it was getting late in the evening and I needed to head back unless I wish to hike in the dark.  The shelter is at an altitude of 558 above sea level and the trailhead is 812.  Not a bad climb in two miles and there is even a ridge at 996 that needs to be crossed.  The return hike was uneventful, either the buck had found a new area or decided that I was harmless.  Once back at the truck I headed homeward so I can ready myself for a day of gainful employment.

Soon, I will return.