Odum Scout Trail from High Falls

Cheaha Wilderness, Talladega National Forest, Talladega Ranger District (near Pyriton)

The Odum Scout Trail runs along the eastern slopes of Talladega Mountain through the Cheaha Wilderness, from High Falls at its southern end up to the crest where it meets the Pinhoti and Chinnabee Silent Trails. It also connects to the Nubbin Creek Trail and the longer loops of the wilderness.

As an overnight, you can walk up from High Falls, camp near the ridgetop junction, and come back the same way.

The hike

The Forest Service describes the Odum Scout Trail as a moderate trail that extends through the eastern slopes of Talladega Mountain in the Cheaha Wilderness. It lists High Falls as one of the forest’s waterfalls, reached by a short hike on the Odum Scout Trail at the south end of the wilderness. Alabama Recreation says the trail leads 4.7 miles down Cedar Mountain past High Falls to a trailhead just off FR 650 near Pyriton. The Forest Service handout gives a longer 7.5 miles, so expect the numbers to vary by where you start.

The route stays in the wilderness most of the way. Wilderness.net says the Odum Scout Trail runs almost due south from its junction with the Pinhoti and Chinnabee Silent Trails, covering about four miles of the area. About a mile south of that junction, the Nubbin Creek Trail comes in from the east. A 2015 trip report from Hiking the Appalachians and Beyond describes the Odum Scout Trail blazed in black or dark gray. The same writer gave five stars to the falls on Mill Shoals Creek along the Nubbin Creek Trail and named winter the best season to hike here.

The Armchair Explorer says elevations in the Cheaha Wilderness range from about 1,100 feet along the bottoms of the eastern slopes to a high of 2,342 feet at Odum Point. AllTrails lists an 8.5-mile “Odum Trail to Odum Point” route as hard, with the caution that the trail can be quite overgrown depending on the season.

At the top, the Odum Scout Trail ends at a junction with the Pinhoti and the Chinnabee Silent Trail near Caney Head. The 2015 report notes that from there, the Chinnabee Silent Trail drops steeply to Highway 281 and Turnipseed in about two miles, Cheaha Falls in three, and Lake Chinnabee in six. AllTrails lists a point-to-point hike of about 12.9 miles from High Falls to Turnipseed via the Odum Trail, if you can arrange a shuttle.

The Odum Scout Trail is also a building block for longer trips. AllTrails lists a 29-mile Cheaha Wilderness loop that strings together the Cave Creek, Nubbin Creek, Odum Scout, Chinnabee Silent, Skyway, and Pinhoti Trails. A Hammock Forums couple describes simply doing a yo-yo from High Falls up to the Pinhoti intersection and back.

Wilderness.net says Congress designated the Cheaha Wilderness in 1983. The Forest Service says the wilderness covers 7,245 acres and offers numerous overlooks with panoramic views of east-central Alabama. Wilderness camping and campfires are allowed, according to Wilderness.net, but fire closures are posted at trailheads during high fire danger.

For the loops that start at the same ridgetop junction, see the Pin-Chin-Sky Loop and McDill Point.

Tips

Expect overgrowth. AllTrails says the trail can be quite overgrown depending on the season. Long pants help.
Carry water for the ridge. Reviewers of the nearby Pinhoti say water is scarce along the crest.
Check for fire closures. Wilderness.net says closures are posted at trailheads during high fire periods.
Plan a shuttle for the point-to-point. Finishing at Turnipseed makes a longer one-way trip of about 12.9 miles.
Mind the blazes. One trip report describes the Odum Scout blazes as black or dark gray.

Camping

Camping is dispersed in the Cheaha Wilderness, and Wilderness.net says campfires are allowed unless a fire closure is posted. Several sources say no permit is needed; confirm with the Talladega Ranger District (256-362-2909).

Inside Intel: The ridgetop junction where the Odum Scout, Pinhoti, and Chinnabee Silent Trails meet is a popular place to camp. Pinhoti Trail Alliance notes describe nearby Little Caney Head as a busy spot with six fire rings. One Hammock Forums hiker camped right at the Pinhoti–Odum–Chinnabee junction and spent a relaxed afternoon reading and napping.

Trail facts

Distance: About 9.4 miles round trip from High Falls to the Pinhoti junction (sources vary). About 12.9 miles one way to Turnipseed.
Route type: Out and back, or point to point with a shuttle
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Elevation: Wilderness ranges from about 1,100 feet to 2,342 feet at Odum Point (The Armchair Explorer)
Campsites: Dispersed; established sites near the ridgetop junction
Water: Limited on the ridge. Treat all water.
Permits: None found. Confirm with the Talladega Ranger District.
Trailhead: High Falls, off FR 650 near Pyriton (south end)
Last verified: September 28, 2026

The Lowdown

Camping near the Odum Scout junction:

Dispersed camping in the Cheaha Wilderness means picking your own patch of ground, often near the ridgetop Pinhoti junction. Side sleepers can see what to look for, plus pad and pillow fixes.

Get the side-sleeper tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.