Field Trip: Coleman Lake // Pinhoti Trail, Talladega National Forest (Free!)

Name: Field Trip: Coleman Lake // Pinhoti Trail, Talladega National Forest (Free!) — ALABAMA AUDUBON
Start: 2025-02-08T07:00:00-0600
End: 2025-02-08T17:00:00-0600
Location: Talledega National Forest -Meeting at the trailhead for the Pinhoti Trail

Saturday, February 8, 2025
7:00 AM 5:00 PM 07:00 17:00

Talledega National Forest -Meeting at the trailhead for the Pinhoti Trail 9901 Alabama 5 Brent, AL, 35034 United States (map)

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Description: The Pinhoti Trail/Coleman Lake Campground of the Talladega National Forest is an excellent location to search for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Red Crossbills, which are target birds to see on this free Saturday field trip!

If we are lucky, we may find Bachman's Sparrows here as well - they too like the open pine woodland habitat this area holds. Following a picnic lunch (tailgate-style, so plan accordingly), we'll make the short drive to another location in the national forest where we may find Golden Eagles. This portion of the trip entails walking on a forest service road and includes several inclines over the span of a mile or two. Sturdy walking shoes are a must here as the terrain can be uneven.

LOCATION DETAILS: There is no admission fee (the campground is closed) as we'll be meeting/parking at the trailhead for the Pinhoti Trail and walking the trail and the road from there.

After we depart from the Buc-ee's in Leeds, we will make a second stop at the McDonald's in Heflin (I-20, exit #199). Plan to meet us there by 8:00. We'll take a short bathroom break here and then depart for the Pinhoti Trailhead in the Talladega National Forest.

TRAVEL INFORMATION:

We will meet first Buc-ee's in Leeds at 7 am. Address: 6900 Buc'ee's Blvd, Leeds, AL.
Then at 8 am we will caravan to McDonald's in Heflin, I-20, exit #199
We'll travel/caravan by car from the Buc'ee's to McDondals, then head to the trail in Talladega National Forest. This is an all-day event so please bring plenty of snacks, water, and dress accordingly.

Please note that McDondals will have restrooms.

Address:

Talladega National Forest

9901 AL-5, Brent, AL 35034

Accessibility: In the morning, we'll be hiking/walking on paved forest service roads and the well-marked but uneven terrain of the Pinhoti Trail.

Following a picnic lunch at our cars, we'll make the short drive to another location in the national forest where we can expect a 45-60 minute walk on uneven forest service roads to look for Golden Eagles.

TRIP LEADERS: Paul Franklin (205-542-7647) // Greg Harber (205) 807-8055

Please contact your trip leaders day of the vent if you have any questions! Hope to see you there!

Photo Credit and Owner: Crossbill // Matthew Sabourin // National Audubon Digital Assests Database