Pinhoti Trail: Section 11

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Features Commonly Backpacked · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

• Pinhoti Trail

Shortly, after leaving Rabbittown Road, the trail crosses into the Dugger Mountain Wilderness. Around 0.1 miles, there'll be a spur trail (on the right) that goes to the remnants of an abandoned mine. The trail (to the left) will take you to the Burns Trailhead. The trail climbs moderately up to where Jones Branch Loop comes into the trail (from the left). It turns westward (for a short distance), then northward at 3.5 miles.

It makes its way up to the south end of the Dugger Mountain Ridge. At approximately 5.7 miles, you'll pass by a plane crash (from 1998). *Of the 3 plane crew members, only 1 survived the crash and managed to walk to Piedmont, AL. At 6.5 miles, the trail passes near the summit of Dugger Mountain. *There's an unmarked trail that loops around the northern part of Dugger Mountain, but it is somewhat difficult to find. From here, the trail begins its descent to Forest Service Road 500.

There are multiple water sources, along this stretch, that you may want to fill up on. There aren't many water sources on your way to North Dugger Mountain Shelter.

Flora: Partridgeberry, Redbud, Mint, Wild Onions, Long Needle Pine, Toothwort.
Fauna: Whitelip Snail, Big-headed Ground Beetle.