Pilchers Pond Pinhoti Trailhead
- Type: Out and back
- Distance: 6 miles to the top of the ridge
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Drive time from downtown: 55 minutes
- Dog friendly: Yes
- Highlights: Picnic area beside pond, pine forest, ridgeline views in the winter
Part of the 335-mile Pinhoti Trail system, the trail section starting at Pilchers Pond features pine woods, a lake-side picnic area and a steady uphill path to the top of a nearby ridge that totals 3 miles from the trailhead.
Earlier this week I drove down to Walker County with my trusty dog, McKinley, for a run. Most days there is not much traffic on the trail, except for the occasional weekend mountain bike race in the early spring. The trail is well-marked and well-maintained for as remote as it is.
Pilchers Pond, with a little picnic table oasis, is about a half-mile from the trailhead and makes for a good spot to rest on the way back. The trail runs beside and then around the pond before splitting in a northwest route and a west route. Taking the northwest route means some rolling hills starting about a mile in before the final, roughly half-mile climb to the top of the ridge.
A small cairn to the left of the trail marks the top of the ridge, three miles from the parking lot. The more adventurous can continue on the Pinhoti Trail, traveling nearly five miles northwest from the Pilchers Pond Trailhead to the Snake Creek Gap Trailhead and parking lot.
Depending on the route you take to and from the trailhead, you might pass a boiled peanuts stand, or two. Makes for a good recovery snack.
If you go, be sure to send us pictures at editor@getoutchatt.com, and send us your trail recommendations so we can feature them in future editions of Trails Less Traveled.
Wyatt Massey, Midwest transplant