Helllo,
Down below is a reply from the Forest service in response to my query about Tuskeegee National Forest Trails. Hope it is of some interest and help. It was actually in answer to my questions concerning the hiking trail, Bartram Trail. But there is a biking trail there also, Pleasant Mtn Biking trail, which branches off of Bartram or something like that. Here are links to maps, etc.;
1. Hiking Al page:
http://www.alabamatrail.org/hikingAL/
2. Map showing all three type tails at Tuskeegee:
http://miceda.org/ , , A link of that area and trails: Bartram Trail Pt 1 and 2.:
http://www.alabamatrail.org/hikingAL/ ,
http://www.alabamatrail.org/hikingAL/ .
3. Here is a link to that Coosa bike trail. Just zoom in to see lesser roads, etc.:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50338509 .
4. Russell Mills land and trail system:
http://www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com/pdf/forest_map.pdf
5. Russell Mills rules and all:
http://www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com/pdf/russell_forest_trail_rules.pdf
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Hello,
Reference you email concerning the Bartram Trail;
1. Yes, it is OK to hike the Bartram Trail during hunting season, which ends 31 Jan 2011. We have never had a problem with hunters vs hikers but I would wear some orange just as a precautionary safety measure. Hunters should be a least 150 yards from the trail.
2. One way means the trail runs straight and does not "loop" in a circle back to the starting point or trailhead. This is considering you start at one of the trailhead at each end of the Bartram. There are a total of five parking areas along the trail in case you do not want to walk the entire trail. The trail does not end at a creek; however, it continues south to the end of the trail at the southern trailhead at Wire Road. A little more than halfway the trail crosses paved highway (State Hwy) 186. If one were to continue past here it would become somewhat boggy, and there are several boardwalks to held you keep going. For me, this is the most interesting part of the trail as above Hwy 186 it is 'woody', alternating with countryside.
3. There are no campsites along the trail with the exception of campsite 12, in the southern section of the trail along creek. Campsites cannot be reserved and this is one of the most popular, especially on the weekends. If you hike the trail after hunting season, you may camp anywhere in the forest, as long as you are not on a public are. We ask that you be off the trail so as not to hinder others.
4. We have not had any problems with vandals in the last few years. I would suggest you park in the middle parking area behind the ranger station. This way you could pick up the trailhead directly behind the Ranger Station on Forest Road 949, allowing you to go either way on the trail. The parking area just off Hwy 186, at Forest Road 900, is another excellent parking area allowing you to directly access the southern end of the trail. This is also the trailhead for the Pleasant Hills Trail. It runs 4 miles south to Hwy 29. It goes through the picnic area and the old firetower, just added to the national register. Sometimes the trail goes a short piece on a FS road, and is generally not as challenging as the Bartram.
I hope this information answered your questions about the Bartram Trail. It is a great way to get outdoors and is probably our biggest draw. If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to ask, call, or email. If you give me an address, I will be glad to mail you a trail/road map of the district and any thing else I have on our trails.
Thanks for your interest in the Tuskegee National Forest.
John Robert Barnes
Automation Clerk
125 National Forest Road 949
Tuskegee National Forest
Tuskegee, AL 36083
ph 334 727 2652
FAX 334 727 0295
johnbarnes@fs.fed.us