Finally Arriving at the Pinhoti Trail

This morning we woke up early at our tent side off the road. We’re doing a slightly shorter day today, so it will be nice to have an early start. Once we were packed up we set out and got back on the road. It was nice and quiet along the road as we walked in the dark. It’s been a delight being on the country road since last night.

We began seeing signs for Flagg Mountain as early as 6:30am. Then continued to make our way there over the next few hours. The road brought us across a couple more bridges with clear blue water beneath them. A stark contrast to the muddy dirty water that we saw along our road walks on the busier highway and roads.

Making our way toward Flagg mountain.

It began to rain lightly later on in the morning. But was mostly a fine mist or a little drizzle. Eventually it opened up a bit and we had to get some rain gear on. There was no wind though, so I got away with just using my umbrella. That was probably the first time I’ve used it all year! But I was so glad to have it. I’m sure it won’t be the last time either.

Crossing over a beautiful river along the road.

After a while the rain let up and I was able to put the umbrella away. Then we just continued along the quiet road, going past houses and farms. We saw some dogs in peoples yards and one or two even followed us out to the road or the end of the driveway. But they were harmless and just barked at us, letting us know that it was their home we were going past.

Road walking with some lovely foliage.

Then eventually we got off of the paved country road and onto a dirt road. I recognized where were now. Almost at Flagg Mountain! For some reason I find it hard to recognize the road walking as we come in from the south. Having done this exact route before going southbound the opposite direction, I figured it would all be familiar. But somehow seeing it the opposite way makes it all brand new. It will be interesting going northbound along the Pinhoti trail for the second time. Seeing it all again just like before. In 2023 I started the Pinhoti trail on February 28th. Not too long after I’m starting it again this year.

Getting close to Flagg mountain.

We continued along the clay dirt road for the next couple miles. It was wet from rain and your feet slipped and slided at times over the clay. The road walking today had a good bit of elevation gain. I think by this point in the day we had already done over 1,000 feet of gain. And we continued going uphill a bit on this road, headed to the Pinhoti trail southern terminus. In just the last week it was announced that the official Pinhoti trail terminus is being moved up to Flagg Mountain. But originally you started down here, about 300-400 feet below the top.

The final chunk of dirt road heading toward the Pinhoti trail.

We arrived at the old terminus and took some photos there. I don’t believe they have a new terminus or sign yet up at Flagg. Maybe I’ll be coming through again on another hike and I’ll get to see it one day. I won’t write anything off anymore. Previously I said I’d never do the Florida trail. And after I finished it I didn’t know for sure that I’d ever do it again. I even used to say that I’d never hike the Appalachian trail again. And here I am, having just finished hiking through Florida again, and headed up to the AT. You never know what’s in the cards.

Making it to the Pinhoti trail southern terminus, now for the 3rd time!

Once we tagged the terminus we officially got on trail again! And began the cruisy climb up to the top of Flagg. It felt so good to move my body in different ways. And walking along the plush trail covered in leaves and pine sure didn’t hurt either. I enjoyed feeling myself have to control my breathing more and actually exert myself uphill.

My road shoes were caked in orange clay.

We wound up accidentally taking a new trail up to the top. There were flags out for a new route and the old one appeared to be marked off with sticks. So we did this route which brought you up the back of Flagg. Then out to a dirt road which went right to a paved ramp which led up the rest of the way. Making Flagg Mountain truly wheelchair accessible, which is a very nice thing to see. I had never come up this way before and don’t know if this sidewalk might be something recently installed.

Beginning of the Appalachians.

Of course it was fogged out at the top of the mountain. Just as it had been for me back in 2023. But we are officially in the Appalachias now! A sign below Flagg marks the “start of the Appalachia” range. We’re going to be climbing mountains from here on out pretty much. With a little bit of road walking in between, at least until we hit Amicola Falls.

One of the first blue Pinhoti trail blazes that we’ve seen.

We climbed up the tower at Flagg even though it was foggy. Then we made our way back to the trail and continued downhill for a while. When we were down near the bottom of the hill we passed a hiker who was doing a section with her dog. An adorable 12 week old golden retriever. We got to give the dog some love which was fantastic. He was so friendly and soft as a little bunny rabbit. Then we continued going down until the trail leveled out and brought you past the first shelter.

Flagg mountain.

The tower at the top of Flagg mountain.

After that we climbed up a bit and went past some CCC cabins. Then kept riding along the trail until we began another small climb. My road shoes are certainly not trail shoes! I’m realizing that very clearly today. They have no traction on trail and the heel is a bit too high. If my ankle has to roll to the side to navigate over rocks or slanted trail, the shoes become dangerous. The heel is so tall that it almost knocks my foot and ankle to the side. So I just avoided any such motions and went a little slower. I’m getting my topo terraventure shoes this afternoon at the Pinhoti outdoor center. So I’ll be all set!

After doing another climb we got up to the top and the trail leveled out again. This climb was only maybe 400 feet but I could definitely feel it. My body is readjusting to the breathing and the cardio in general. And I can feel the muscles in my legs working over time in ways they haven’t in so long. I’m excited to get back into the rhythm of it all before hitting the AT.

Incredible views of the mountains with a river down below.

After walking along trail for another couple of hours we got out toward a trailhead. This is where we had coordinated for the people at the Pinhoti outdoor center to pick us up for the day. That way we can do a nice short day into the POC. And then we’re doing a bit of a nero day tomorrow too! So between the two days it will be our version of a zero day. Nathan from the POC was there to pick us up and bring us down the road. It was cool to see him again and catch up.

Then we got dropped off at the POC and got situated there. I went through some of my stuff and cleaned a couple things out. Which were long overdue. Then we started a load of laundry and showered. While I was outside a lady named Fire Flow arrived. She has been reading the blogs and watching the content for a while and came down to see us. She came to stay in the POC with us for the night and even paid for our beds in the hostel for tonight too. Which was so incredibly kind of her! While we got our chores and stuff done we talked with her.

Our incredible family size dinner of spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad.

Later on I headed outside to do some video work. I never got a blog or video up today because we hardly had any service last night or this morning. And I still had to finish my edits on week 5’s vlog for YouTube. Then attempt to get it uploaded with the very little service that I had. I might not be able to get it uploaded tonight so it may wind up going up tomorrow, which will be Friday.

If you enjoyed this blog and would like to support my hike by buying me a soda or a snack along the way, there is a “Tip the Author” button below! It links directly to my Venmo. Any and all support is incredibly appreciated!