Combo Trip: Chinnabee Silent Trail and Paddle the Coosa River

September 5- 7 (Saturday – Labor Day Monday)
The Chinnabee Silent Trail has the most varied terrain of any trail in Talladega National Forest with waterfalls, swimming holes, wildlife rich woodlands and 1 mile of steep 30 rock climbing degrees.  Paddle four hours on Coosa River, passing Class 1, II, and III rapids over the 6.8 mile run. Although intimidating to look at, most of the rapids are manageable for novice to intermediate paddlers.  The banks are lined with oaks, magnolia, dogwood, azaleas, and interesting rock formations, including dozens of islands for stopping and relaxing in the middle of the river.

Check out our WEB page – southalabama.edu/outdoor/ - for great pictures from a previous Chinnabee/Coosa trip, pictures and videos of other trips, and our itinerary for the entire Fall Semester.

Day 1 – Leave Rec Center at 7:00 a.m. and drive five hours – just past Talledega – to Lake Chinnabee.  Hike (with backpacks) for three miles and set up camp near a series of waterfalls around 4 p.m.  Campers may then relax, swim, or do some easy hiking.
Day 2 – Get up at 7 a.m. and – without backpacks – hike another 3 miles to Caney Head atop Talladega Mountain (2100 feet above mean sea level) with the last mile presenting an extremely steep, rock-scrambling climb.  Return to camp by lunch time.  Break camp and hike back to Lake Chinnabee.  Set up camp.  Canoe/kayak, fish, swim, hike, relax.
Day 3 – Break camp at 7 a.m. Drive two hours and put in on Coosa around 9 a.m. Paddle 7 miles in 4 hours. Leave for Mobile around 2 p.m., return around 6 p.m.

Cost (per person): $65 for students/one family member, $75 for staff/faculty/one-family member, $85 for non-USA.  Price includes: tent, sleeping bag, backpack, cooking gear, kayaks, canoes, transportation; does not include food. 

Sign up: with Randy Hunter at Campus Recreation or leave a check payable for the $20 deposit or for the full amount payable to “U.S.A.” (sorry, no cash) along with your name and cell phone number at the Front Desk of the Student Recreation Center.  The full fee is payable by Thursday, September 3.  Fees are non-refundable 3 days prior to trip unless we can replace you with someone on wait list or the trip is canceled. Checks will not be deposited until completion of trip; if trip is canceled, all fees will be refunded.

Driver is needed: if 2nd vehicle needed, anyone who drives their car and can carry 5 people will have $60 waived and their gasoline paid.

Trip limit: maximum of 12, minimum of eight.