Cheaha state park cave creek loop

**stevebo** · 10-29-2014, 16:04

Just got back from a very relaxing 2 night trip at Cheaha state park in Alabama! Day 1---left after work, drove 2 hours to Cheaha trail head, hiked on Pinhoti trail to Mcdill point and spent the night. The leaves are pretty, but probably a week or so from full color. i was pretty trashed by the time I set up camp, but was still able to spend some time at the cliffs and catch the sunset!
Day 2, slept in, had a very nice laid back breakfast while sitting on the edge of my hammock. Absolutely beautiful weather--70 degrees, clear skys, no bugs etc. Packed up and spent some time exploring the plane wreck near the campsite, and then had a very laid back hike to cave creek! Set up camp early above cave creek and spent the afternoon reading, napping a just generally relaxing! I brought my trekker (bushbuddy) stove along, since fuel wasnt a problem, I tried a new meal: a friend at work told me about a lentil meal they like alot (she's from turkey, so its called "turkish red lentil soup") Its really simple, you sauteed some onions and garlic, add some tomato paste (I dried a can of it before the trip) add 3/4 cup of red lentils, add spices (cayenne and cumin and salt) cover with water and cook for 20 min until it boils down a bit. (I tried it fresh with a small onion and garlic clove, but It would probably dehydrate well too!) Any way, the soup combined with some garlic bannock I fried up in a one egg wonder fry pan, was absolutely wonderful! A tasty hardy meal that will defintely be on my next trip!
Day 3, woke up, packed up gear as rain moved in and hiked back to the car in a driving rain storm. Didnt even stop for breakfast--just grabbed a handful of nuts and a piece of a chocolate bar!
Over all it was a great trip! Not many miles, but that was never the objective! Some times its just about spending a few nights in the woods! (also, convinced some day hikers not to keep up the trail they were heading down---whats up with people hiking with no water no light no map etc???? they were about to make a very bad decision!)
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**Dhagan** · 10-29-2014, 17:11

I had planned to go to McDill Point after work last Friday. Just a quick overnighter to get away. I thought it would be way more fun to stay at home and have plummer come and fix a leaky UPSTAIRS tub. Is there a good place to hang with a view on the point? Its been many years since Ive been there.

**stevebo** · 10-29-2014, 17:33

There are some great trees to hang from right on the cliff area. Only catch is it can get really windy there. One time I was there it was so windy u could barely stand up!!! The camp site in my pictures is only 500 feet from the cliff and is more sheltered. Enjoy your trip!

**2ply** · 10-29-2014, 17:46

Looks like a good trip. I need to get over that way and do some exploring.

**stevebo** · 10-29-2014, 17:52

Originally Posted by 2ply

Looks like a good trip. I need to get over that way and do some exploring.

I highly recommend it! Not an easy trail but you get a lot of return for your efforts!!!

**backpacker** · 10-29-2014, 19:21

Originally Posted by 2ply

Looks like a good trip. I need to get over that way and do some exploring.

I'm with you on that. Need to check it out.

**TallPaul** · 10-29-2014, 20:30

stevebo - sounds like a nice trip. The lazy Saturday morning sounded nice.

**LazyBee** · 10-29-2014, 21:40

Thanks for the report and photos. Looks like a place I may want to go visit this coming year. I will see if I can get a local HF friend or two to go over there this winter and be sure to find a spot out of the wind!

**stevebo** · 10-30-2014, 04:36

Originally Posted by LazyBee

Thanks for the report and photos. Looks like a place I may want to go visit this coming year. I will see if I can get a local HF friend or two to go over there this winter and be sure to find a spot out of the wind!

I try to avoid camping on the high ridges if it's going to be stormy. Also the nearest water is about 2 miles away. (Cave creek or the stream at the junction of the pinhoti and chinabee silent trail). That part of Alabama in the summer time can be very hot and buggy depending on the year so plan accordingly!!!