Chinnabee Silent Trail and Paddle the Coosa River
Come join Campus Recreation and Outdoor Adventures as we celebrate the end of school as we hike the Chinnabee Silent Trail and Paddle the Coosa River May 7 - 9 (Friday - Sunday).

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.  We will paddle four hours on the 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 photo gallery for great pictures from a previous Full Moon paddle, pictures and videos of other trips, and our itinerary for summer Semester.

Day 1 – We will leave the  Rec Center at 7:00 a.m. and drive five hours – just past Talledega – to Lake Chinnabee.  We will hike (with backpacks) for three miles and set up camp near a series of waterfalls and swimming hole around 4 p.m.  Campers may then relax, swim, or do some easy hiking.

Day 2 – We will 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.  We will return to camp by lunch time.  Then, break camp and hike back to Lake Chinnabee where we again set up camp.  We can fish, swim, hike, relax.

Day 3 – Break camp at 7 a.m. and drive two hours to the Coosa.  We put in on Coosa around 10 a.m. Paddle 7 miles in 4 hours. Leave for Mobile around 3 p.m. and return around 7 p.m.

Cost (per person): $60 for student/ one family member, $70 for staff/faculty/alums/ one family member, $80 for non-USA.  Price includes: tent, sleeping bag, backpack, cooking gear, kayaks, canoes, transportation; does not include food. 

Driver needed: a faculty or staff member is needed to drive the SGA van; if you drive, we will waive $60 of your fee.

Sign-up: with Randy Hunter, Campus Recreation or leave a check 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.  We will call you and confirm receipt of check.  $20 non-refundable deposit required to sign-up; the full amount (which is non-refundable UNLESS we can replace you with another person) is due no later than Wednesday, May 6.  All payments must be in check form only, payable to “U.S.A.”  Checks will not be deposited until after the trip. All monies will be returned if the trip does not make or is cancelled due to inclement weather.

Trip limit: maximum of thirteen, minimum of eight.