Pinhoti Trail (Section 14)

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Features Birding · Cave · Commonly Backpacked · Historical Significance · Lake · Spring · Views · Wildlife

• Pinhoti Trail

This section of the Pinhoti Trail starts from the parking area, off Old Jackson Chapel Road. The trail travels eastward through a Pine forest past Hematite Branch Pond. This pond is a great place to see waterfowl and other wildlife. Shortly, after the pond, the trail turns right (onto an railroad bed).

The trail crosses over a small creek, before crossing over Esom Hill Road, then climbs over a small hilltop, before descending down to Route 100. The trail crosses over Route 100 and continues to Santa Claus Road. Just after Santa Claus Road, there's a new trail (Scotty Tillery Trail) on your right. Stay left to stay on the Pinhoti Trail. Here, the trail winds its way through the hilltops and Pine woods.

If you're on this stretch early enough, you'll have plenty of opportunity to catch a glimpse of some beautiful sunrises. The trail continues to Old Cave Springs Road and turns left (to follow the road). It follows this all the way to Rolater Park, in Cave Springs. This section of the Pinhoti Trail travels through Rolater Park and ends when it reaches Old Cedartown Road.

Flora: Large Periwinkle, Chinese Privet, Virginia Pine, Longleaf Pine, Red Oak, White Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Mountain Mint, Heart-leaf Ginger, Red Dead-Nettle.
Fauna: White-tail Deer, Juncos, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Beaver (dam), Towhee, Bluejay, Robin, Cardinal.