Bartram Trail (Tuskegee NF)

Hike Name: Bartram Trail (Tuskegee NF) Location: southeast AL Length: 8.5 Submitted by: Bombadil Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Alabama trail reviews Alabama national parks Alabama state parks
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Description
This trail represents two distinctly different alabama ecosystems, a piney woods area and a more swampy, creek bottom.

The eastern half of the trail, running from the trailhead on US 29 to the ranger station, runs through pine covered hills with wildlife food plots interspersed throughout. This section of the trail sees quite a bit of mountain bike usage, and the erosion can be horrible at points. I\'ve still found it to be a pleasant morning hike, and have seen many whitetail deer, squirrel, etc near the foodplots. I once saw a quite large whitetail buck not more than a 1/4 m from the trailhead.

After the ranger station, the trail continues down a short hill until it intersects with Wire Road. After crossing the highway, the mood of the trail changes dramatically. What was once pine forests and heavily used trails quickly becomes a slender trail through an almost primevil swamp. Unfortunately, the road noise from I-85 and the constant boardwalks never let you totally forget where you are. This section of the trail seems to have taken quite a bit of damage during Hurricane Opal, and many of the boardwalks and bridges seem to be a little worse for wear. Also, I ran into some rather interesting locals in near the creek here, so keep an eye open, especially during hunting season.

The hiker\'s only concerns on this trail are the erosion problems on the eastern half, the ramshackle boardwalks on the western half, and a particularly scary deadfall that must be negotiated at about mile 6 on the western half...affectionately named \"The Guillotine\", with the hiker\'s neck on the line...

Directions to Hike
Take US 29 South from Auburn, about 5 miles past Sandhill Rd you will come to Mt. Ester Zion AME church on your right, the trailhead is just past the church.

Contact Information
Tuskegee National Forest
125 National Forest Road 949
Tuskegee, AL 36083
(334) 727-2652

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