Chinnabee Silent TrailTalladega NF, Alabama
August 2008
August 2008
WANDERERS: John, Sharon
SIGHTINGS/ IDENTIFICATIONS: Spider, Yellowbelly Water Snake, Crawfish, Wasp with Nest, Creek Nymph
RUN: 6-7 Miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
RATING: 5.65 for great swimming hole, visible creatures, history of the beatles.
WEATHER: Sunny, 80º to 90º F
TYPE OF TRAIL: Medium dense Long Leaf Pine, Loblolly Pine Forests, Creek side paths. Light Elevation changes.
WALK THRU: I went up to Birmingham Alabama to sell a car and stayed over night with some friends, Chuck and Tressie. Having a day off out of town during the summer, I knew this was the perfect time to get in a quick day hike. Sharon drove her car up with me in case the car was sold so I would have a ride back home to Florida. The night before our hike, I read about a great trail reminiscent of the Appalachian range along side a river with a place known as the Devil's Den along the way. "Devil's Den", I couldn't pass this up!
We headed east of Birmingham to Talladega National Forest and after going through some crazy forest roads we punch the clock at Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area. We grabbed the packs and immediately hit the trail, it took us along the Cheaha Creek. Not far along the trail we came across a small leg of the creek and looked down to find a little crawdad. It was just sitting there out in the open. I must admit I am a bit of a crawdad-a-saurus. I was wondering to myself why some lucky animal had not come and eaten this gem. Drooling and crazy eyed, I gently put the crawdad back into the very small creek, hoping, promising myself if it was there when I got back then it was meant to be.
Further up the trail we ascended slightly in elevation to reach a look out point. This wooden structure allowed us views of the Talladega National Forests tree tops and the Cheaha Creek below. From this high vantage point we noticed some amazing waterfall rock formations below with pools of water. We headed down the path and scrambled down rock wall to the creek's edge. Immediately, we saw a snake fall into the water and swim away. Note to self: Snakes are here.
Sharon and I decided to do a little exploring and we had brought our Canon Rebel Xti
with us to do some of the dirty work, take the pictures, that is. Across the creek Sharon spotted a snake hanging out on a tree branch. At first I could not make it out so we got a little closer for a photo op.
As we were admiring the Snake, we found a wasp nest hanging from a branch over the water. Sharon shot some pictures of the wasps as I fled over rocks to avoid getting stung.
After we finished playing with the creatures we decided to take a dip. Just up the river about 20 yards we found DEVILS DEN! Devil's Den was a large, deep swimming hole on the creek. The water was clear, but due to the rock being a dark color it looked endless. Shaking off good advice from our parents, we climbed to the top of the rock, 15 ft above the water, and jumped in. The water was cold but felt good on this hot summer day.
After swimming for a half hour we got back to the trail. Along the trail were little posts with information cards, these posts informed us that Talladega National Forest used to be primarily Long Leaf Pine but after over deforestation and an invasion of the southern pine beetle, the number of these trees decreased to almost nothing. Loblolly pine was planted in the area to replace the Long Leaf Pine and this caused the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpeckers numbers to fall dramatically. These birds use mature Long Leaf Pine trees for nesting spots. Due to conservation efforts, populations of both the tree and bird have been restored.
We continued to hike, now gaining slightly in elevation once again. The landscape reminded me of the Foothills Trail a little, only replace the Chattahoochee River with a small creek. I guess that river makes a big difference as far as excitement goes. Our hike climaxed in elevation as we hit the Cheaha Falls Shelter. We looked around the shelter for a bit a decided that this would be a great place to camp. It sits at the top of a Small Mountain/Hill overlooking the country side. Just below is the Cheaha Creek where the running water is music to your ears. It's also great for refilling your water as you set up camp for the night. This area is not a complete bald by any means but the tree canopy is pretty spread out in the area so I am guessing star gazing would also be great here at night.
We hit our halfway point just past the shelter at the Cheaha Falls. The falls were lovely, but large orb weaver spiders were hanging around everywhere. We had to watch out for the eight legged creatures as we hopped from rock to rock. Sharon practiced filtering water for fun along part of the falls. After admiring the view and the cascading water, we decided to turn around because the sun was setting. We quickly made our way back to the car. We made record time getting back to the parking area and decided to take a short stroll around the lake. Sharon and I found out that the area has an amazing campground, with lots of fish in Lake Chinnabee. If I am ever back in the area this would be a great place to camp with some friends.
Also, as we passed back by the leg of the creek I saw what looked to be a large frog hoping away with that delectable crawdad.
TRAILHEAD: Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area - From Talladega, travel 7 miles northeast on State Road 21, 12 miles east on County Road 96, 2 miles southwest on Forest Service Road 646.
We headed east of Birmingham to Talladega National Forest and after going through some crazy forest roads we punch the clock at Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area. We grabbed the packs and immediately hit the trail, it took us along the Cheaha Creek. Not far along the trail we came across a small leg of the creek and looked down to find a little crawdad. It was just sitting there out in the open. I must admit I am a bit of a crawdad-a-saurus. I was wondering to myself why some lucky animal had not come and eaten this gem. Drooling and crazy eyed, I gently put the crawdad back into the very small creek, hoping, promising myself if it was there when I got back then it was meant to be.
Further up the trail we ascended slightly in elevation to reach a look out point. This wooden structure allowed us views of the Talladega National Forests tree tops and the Cheaha Creek below. From this high vantage point we noticed some amazing waterfall rock formations below with pools of water. We headed down the path and scrambled down rock wall to the creek's edge. Immediately, we saw a snake fall into the water and swim away. Note to self: Snakes are here.
Sharon and I decided to do a little exploring and we had brought our Canon Rebel Xti
with us to do some of the dirty work, take the pictures, that is. Across the creek Sharon spotted a snake hanging out on a tree branch. At first I could not make it out so we got a little closer for a photo op. |
| Water Snake |
After we finished playing with the creatures we decided to take a dip. Just up the river about 20 yards we found DEVILS DEN! Devil's Den was a large, deep swimming hole on the creek. The water was clear, but due to the rock being a dark color it looked endless. Shaking off good advice from our parents, we climbed to the top of the rock, 15 ft above the water, and jumped in. The water was cold but felt good on this hot summer day.
 |
| Sharon poses as a River Nymph. |
 |
| Going for a swim at Devil's den. |
After swimming for a half hour we got back to the trail. Along the trail were little posts with information cards, these posts informed us that Talladega National Forest used to be primarily Long Leaf Pine but after over deforestation and an invasion of the southern pine beetle, the number of these trees decreased to almost nothing. Loblolly pine was planted in the area to replace the Long Leaf Pine and this caused the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpeckers numbers to fall dramatically. These birds use mature Long Leaf Pine trees for nesting spots. Due to conservation efforts, populations of both the tree and bird have been restored.
We continued to hike, now gaining slightly in elevation once again. The landscape reminded me of the Foothills Trail a little, only replace the Chattahoochee River with a small creek. I guess that river makes a big difference as far as excitement goes. Our hike climaxed in elevation as we hit the Cheaha Falls Shelter. We looked around the shelter for a bit a decided that this would be a great place to camp. It sits at the top of a Small Mountain/Hill overlooking the country side. Just below is the Cheaha Creek where the running water is music to your ears. It's also great for refilling your water as you set up camp for the night. This area is not a complete bald by any means but the tree canopy is pretty spread out in the area so I am guessing star gazing would also be great here at night.
We hit our halfway point just past the shelter at the Cheaha Falls. The falls were lovely, but large orb weaver spiders were hanging around everywhere. We had to watch out for the eight legged creatures as we hopped from rock to rock. Sharon practiced filtering water for fun along part of the falls. After admiring the view and the cascading water, we decided to turn around because the sun was setting. We quickly made our way back to the car. We made record time getting back to the parking area and decided to take a short stroll around the lake. Sharon and I found out that the area has an amazing campground, with lots of fish in Lake Chinnabee. If I am ever back in the area this would be a great place to camp with some friends.
Also, as we passed back by the leg of the creek I saw what looked to be a large frog hoping away with that delectable crawdad.
TRAILHEAD: Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area - From Talladega, travel 7 miles northeast on State Road 21, 12 miles east on County Road 96, 2 miles southwest on Forest Service Road 646.
FOOD: Trail mix
LESSONS LEARNED: -Alabama has some really great hiking trails worth checking out.
- Carmax, the used car purchasing company, will not give you a good deal on your used car in Birmingham Alabama so you only need to take one car, not two.
-Kia is the worst car company in the world and Carmax knows it, so don't buy one in the first place.
- Carmax, the used car purchasing company, will not give you a good deal on your used car in Birmingham Alabama so you only need to take one car, not two.
-Kia is the worst car company in the world and Carmax knows it, so don't buy one in the first place.
SIDE NOTES:- For longer hiking options or over nighters consider linking Chinnabee Silent trail with the Pinhoti trail and the Skyway trail.
-The Cheaha Falls Shelter was awesome. It has a great view, just up from the water, One of the nicest if not the nicest shelter I have ever seen.
-Some where in the park Archaeologists have found rock shelters and evidence of habitation from the early Archaic Period. SICK!
MAPS/ CONTACT:
USDA Forest Service
National Forests in Alabama
2946 Chestnut Street
Montgomery, AL 36107
Phone: 334-832-4470
Picked up the book below in town and used the map inside. The trail is well marked and pretty self explanatory if you decide you don't need the book as a resource. I had trouble finding a map online.
USDA Forest Service
National Forests in Alabama
2946 Chestnut Street
Montgomery, AL 36107
Phone: 334-832-4470
Picked up the book below in town and used the map inside. The trail is well marked and pretty self explanatory if you decide you don't need the book as a resource. I had trouble finding a map online.
