Huntsville to Cheaha suggested routes

[this_guy]

I'm off Veterans Day and sorting out details for a weekend trip from Huntsville to Cheaha. Current route has me heading down 231, probably hit a covered bridge or two, then Hwy 27 to Springville, Mt. View Road, County Road 12, then cut over to Cheaha. Ride up 281 then hit Mountain Long Leaf Wildlife Refuge and 431 back to Huntsville.

No camping available in Cheaha, all booked up.

I'm looking for suggested routes, food spots, scenic stops (to include parking and hiking), and most importantly a place to camp!

I prefer back roads and scenic stuff. I'm riding an old Vespa scooter and avoid interstate and major highways.

Take a look at the route so far...

https://goo.gl/maps/oSvMJRJpUFL2

[Al Goodwin]

You you could head southeast and hit Little River Canyon on the way down....

.https://www.google.com/maps/dir/34.7199324,-86.5927772/33.4770585,-85.8083443/@33.6921899,-85.6827444,12z/data=!4m49!4m48!1m45!3m4!1m2!1d-86.5000988!2d34.5385454!3s0x88620bfd2b5e9f09:0x49ee522239d6d18e!3m4!1m2!1d-86.225556!2d34.59889!3s0x8861f8450bc0da91:0x4f8a526e26413533!3m4!1m2!1d-85.6238749!2d34.3862046!3s0x888a7fb5d2181e2f:0x753e97ad43ee1352!3m4!1m2!1d-85.6670122!2d34.361784!3s0x888a7ebfb5c14145:0x577fe0630023ab3e!3m4!1m2!1d-85.6541904!2d34.1142933!3s0x888a60e37c671053:0x6259f00d94c65d5b!3m4!1m2!1d-85.5911802!2d33.8428695!3s0x888af88f06c2d775:0x165dd37e084b4b33!3m4!1m2!1d-85.5629529!2d33.7874437!3s0x888afedf5bf4e381:0xe9f5fe228582ffd!3m4!1m2!1d-85.5996875!2d33.7345193!3s0x888afff42c3d5eed:0xc354474e32f59584!3m4!1m2!1d-85.6085028!2d33.6841902!3s0x888baa9b83037315:0x4d23c90748d6986e!1m0!3e0?hl=en

[this_guy]

Yeh that's a good idea! I like that route too. Thanks.

[jrobinson]

Palisades Park near Oneonta will make for a nice stop.  http://www.blountcountypark.com/

[Hammerdown77]

Don't go through Albertville and Boaz. Never go through Albertville and Boaz. They are like the Sodom and Gomorrah of traffic lights.

[ka4pse]

Lots of primitive camping going down the backside of the Cheaha. Lake Chinabee comes to mind. I know there are some primitive areas around there. Once you are past the lake at the foot of Cheaha start looking for Primitive Camping signs. All of them are in the Talladega National Forest. Might be an option if you are a "self-contained" camper.

Stewart
Slapout, AL

[Gam]

Even the primitive lower campground at Cheaha is full? (CCC campground).  There is Turnipseed Campground right off of 28, past the store and  about half way between the store and where you hit the skyway  on 281, not many spaces in there. Lake Chinnabee is closed to camping now, day use only.   When you get on FS 500 from hw 55 you will pass Coleman Lake Campground, and past that is Pine Glen (no water there, but nice)

[this_guy]

Even the primitive lower campground at Cheaha is full? (CCC campground).  There is Turnipseed Campground right off of 28, past the store and  about half way between the store and where you hit the skyway  on 281, not many spaces in there. Lake Chinnabee is closed to camping now, day use only.   When you get on FS 500 from hw 55 you will pass Coleman Lake Campground, and past that is Pine Glen (no water there, but nice)

Yeh the lower campground is full too.

Turnipseed has very few spots and I'm guessing it is full too.

I prefer to just hike into a trailhead and camp, but the problem is firewood. It has been raining pretty heavy and will continue to rain until tomorrow.

[this_guy]

Appreciate the suggestions!

I've decided not to take the Vespa this time. I'm still gonna drive this route to Cheaha and Little River Canyon and scout out some roads for sunnier days.

[this_guy]

One more question, anyone know of a good spot to park my car and trailer? I might still trailer the scoot to Cheaha.

[Gam]

well if you are still talking about walking in from a trailhead and camping, Adams Gap trailhead parking at the end of 281 and the dirt starts..think that is FS 630, pinhoti is across the road from the parking, behind the parking is the the skyline trail I think it is called, not sure but there is a trail there. The Cheaha Trail head is on the left before you get to the store..coming south on 281..Pinhoti is there.  McDill Point is worth the hike from Cheaha Trailhead if you Plan on Hiking some. All this is an easy google.

[this_guy]

well if you are still talking about walking in from a trailhead and camping, Adams Gap trailhead parking at the end of 281 and the dirt starts..think that is FS 630, pinhoti is across the road from the parking, behind the parking is the the skyline trail I think it is called, not sure but there is a trail there. The Cheaha Trail head is on the left before you get to the store..coming south on 281..Pinhoti is there.  McDill Point is worth the hike from Cheaha Trailhead if you Plan on Hiking some. All this is an easy google.

Yep, I've been checking out the different trail maps. What is hard to see if the size of the parking lots. I'd like to drop the car/trailer off Friday towards south end of 281, ride around and camp, and come back to car on Saturday.

[this_guy]

Been a helluva good day so far. Weather is perfect. Trees look great. Dropped the trailer at bottom of Talladaga and took dirt road 600-2 (I think) to 281. Rough trail but very nice view. Riding around Cheaha is awesome. And I found a camping spot at Turnip campground.

[klaviator]

I hope you brought a warm sleeping bag.

[LawnmowerRG]

Just a word from experience. After the closing the road into Turnupseed. I have never seen it full. In fact I have almost never had another camper there at the same time I was, and it has one of those swanky out house things.