Pine Mountain Trail 23-mile Backpacking Weekend

Pine Mountain Trail 23-mile Backpacking Weekend

April 17-19, 2026

Please note all attendees are waitlisted

Members who have attended "Beginner Backpacking" with Suncoast Outdoors have been given preferential/vetted priority – all sign-ups will remain on a waitlist and must answer all questions. Additionally, if you do not have an email attached to your membership, please add your email address.

Looking for another adventure with Suncoast Outdoors? We are heading to Georgia to backpack the Pine Mountain Trail. This thru hike is 23 miles long and we will be doing it in two nights/three days. The trail has elevation changes and water for filtering and beautiful backcountry campsites. You must have all your gear: shelter, sleeping set up, cooking kit, and water filtering equipment. This is unsupported thru-hike, and we will have to rely on each other for help, outside of emergencies. We will have the F.D.R. ranger contact number/911 for emergencies only.

DAY 1 – 9.5 mi. Meet at 9:00 am at the END of Pine Mountain Trail (eastern terminus) to park cars. Participants will then be shuttled to Trail Start (Mile 0). Pack on and down the path by 9:30. Hike approximately 9.5 miles to our first night primitive campsite Beech Bottom.
DAY 2 – 7.5 mi. Hike from Beech Bottom to Sparks Creek Campsite, our next primitive site.
DAY 3 - 6 mi. Today we finish with 6 miles continuing the Blue Blaze until we get to WJSP TV Tower Parking Lot & Picnic Area at the end of the Pine Mountain Trail.

This is a backpacking trip, and we will be staying at primitive sites. You will need to carry all your gear on your back, and everything packed in will be packed out. You must be equipped to capture and filter your water. You must have a filtration system with you – there is NO potable water on the trail.

You will need to bring all your meals: No trail angels on this trip!
- Friday, April 17: morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner
- Saturday, April 18: breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner
- Sunday, April 19: breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack. (This day should only be 6 miles but please plan for exceptions and bring afternoon snacks or fuel in the case of delayed departures.)

We plan to have lunch at the Bulloch House Restaurant in Warm Springs after the hike and hope you will join us!

Everything you need will be packed in by you and out by you. Except the day-of-start shuttle from the TV tower parking lot, transportation to and from Pine Mountain Trail will be your responsibility.

We will shuttle from the endpoint to the starting point. Most people will have access to their vehicle at the end of the trip (Sunday, April 19th).

There will be nominal fees associated with this event – a parking pass of $5 and we will request you contribute $6 per night towards the primitive site.

Please make your reservations for lodging if you plan to arrive before the day the hike begins. Below are some of the lodging options in the area. There are many hotel options at the 18+ miles out as well.

• F.D. Roosevelt State Park - onsite
• Valley Inn & RV – approx. 9 miles
• Callaway Gardens & Resort - approx. 6 miles
• Mountain Top Inn & Resort – approx. 6 miles
• The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens – approx. 7 miles
• Aiden by Best Western - approx. 5 miles
• Garden Suites & Inn – approx. 7 miles
• Merriweather Hotel - approx. 7 miles

Park rules!
No alcohol and no knives larger than a pocketknife. No axes, only small saws permitted!

https://www.pinemountaintrail.org/frequently-asked-questions.html

More details will be provided as we move forward.
My email address is april@usablair.com and my cell phone is 813-486-3713 text or call.