Tramplin' the Tuskegee
Tuskegee National Forest
Tuskegee, AL
27-28 May, 2018
Introduction
Sunday May 27, 2018 - Dave Matthews Band concert in Orange Beach, AL
The campsite at Gulf State Park was booked, the day after was Memorial Day where we would take our kayaks out, we were going to do a fun hike on the way there. Everything looked awesome.
Until Tropical Storm Alberto decided to jump start hurricane season.
We find out the concert is cancelled the morning of, and we didn't want to waste our weekend. After some lazy, laying in bed research - we were prepping to go on a one night backpacking trip in the Tuskegee National Forest followed by visiting the two Tuskegee National Historic Sites as well.
It was our first road trip of hopefully many, and it went amazingly. We are also pretending like the weather in Orange Beach wasn't storm and rain free, perfect concert weather Sunday night.
The Gear
- Osprey Aura 65L Pack in Rainforest Green (women's specific)
- Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent [Car Camping Tent]
- REI Co-op Joule Sleeping Bag - Women's
- Yeti Rambler - 26oz
- Sony A5100 Mirrorless Camera
- Sony E-Mount 16-50mm Lens
- Sony E 55-210mm (SEL55210) F4.5-6.3 OSS Lens
- Garmin Fenix 3 HR GPS Watch
- Brooks Cascadia 12 Great Smoky Mountains National Park Trail-Running Shoes - Women's
The Story
Tuskegee National Forest - Day 1!
Google Maps driving directions led us to the ranger station. We were greeted by a fairly friendly feline. We examined the displayed park map to determine our route and decided on the Bold Destiny Horse Trail, the longest full loop.Tuskegee National Forest Trail Map
Tuskegee National Forest Ranger Station
GPS: 32.481440, -85.611177
It was a quick drive to the parking area where we packed up our backpacks and got on the trails.
Parking for Bold Destiny/Bedford V. Cash Memorial Horse Trail: Forest Road 905 and 906
GPS: 32.483803, -85.601742
Ready. Set. Go.
Such lovely blazes
After a quick excursion through the recently burned woods, we were back on National Forest Road 906. A decent portion of this trail is on the forest roads.
Crossing over Choctafaula Creek
There were some awesome looking trees and wildflowers. I could have fit in the hole of the tree below.
Here we veer off the road to the right. The vegetation is thick and fruity!
Deer track
We picked and ate a lot of blackberries. Most of them weren't quite ripe yet, but the red berries made it easier to find the bushes.
This trail blaze looks like it is levitating. At least it did more after a beer.
Some trail confusion...
The bridge graffiti keeps getting more interesting. National Forest Road 910 crossing Hodnett Creek.
GPS: 32.504125, -85.594797
Ever since we parked, we heard people at the shooting range. When we walked past, it was quiet. It's a right turn onto 910D from 910.
We arrive at a very large three way intersection. 910 ends into 54. We turn left, but then turn around since we should have gone to the right.
The Dick Bridge Loop
We make it to Dick Bridge, at least that's our name for it.
I sat down for a quick breather on side of the bridge. Michael thought it would be fun to take a picture.
We keep moving.
Until we realize we are about to cross back over Dick Bridge. Here is Michael's walk of shame as we messed up our directions. To be fair, the forest is really not marked very well.
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| "Mistakes were made..." |
It's a long walk down those tracks
It's a dirty walk in
It's a dirty walk back
...but we are back on track!
Camp!
Tuskegee National Forest Campsite #8
Entered on Google Maps by yours truly, we made this our evening's home.
GPS: 32.4992659, -85.5592704
We set up the tent and got the fire going. It was time to test out the new cast iron pan that I purchased at an antique shop on the drive up.
The Recipe:
- Add water to cast iron pan.
- Crack open a luke warm beer and start drinking
- Dump in a bag of Uncle Ben's microwavable rice. Let it cook a bit.
- Add a can of Hormel's spicy chili and beans
- Add a can of green beans
- Cook to perfection!
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| Photo Credit: Michael Landing |
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| Photo Credit: Michael Landing |
Day 2!
It rained overnight. Some water even got into my cheap Coleman tent. There were still droplets on many leaves when we started hiking again.
Marker 8? Is this supposed to be our campsite? There was nowhere to pitch a tent.
We thought we were following the trail where we needed to go. But we were also wrong again. No regrets though! The nature was beautiful, and we got to stuff our faces full of blackberries.
Once back to National Forest Road 915, we got on the trail for the last time bringing us to National Forest Road 916.
Here is a mysterious berry that was growing on a tree, different to most of the berries we had seen. This is wild black cherry. More info:
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| Wild Black Cherry | Prunus serotina |
We stayed on 916 until we hit 906, which would lead us back to the car. We experienced many uphills, more blackberry snacks, and some interesting wildlife sightings [see next section for those pics].
Campsite #6, very close to parking.
There's the Taco Truck!
"After Photos"
Next stop: The Tuskegee National Historic Sites! [Coming Soon]
Fauna of the Tuskegee National Forest
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| Wolf Spider Hogna lenta Photo Credit: Michael Landing |
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| Box Turtle |
Other
There was so much litter absolutely everywhere. It's really depressing. Just because the box says Natural on it, it doesn't mean it is naturally found in the forest. It's amazing how many people just don't give a shit and throw their beer bottles/cans out the window. I would have loved to pick up litter. but I wouldn't have been able to carry five dumpsters with me.
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