Lookout and Braziel Creek Loop in Bankhead National Forest, AL

Hike Lookout and Braziel Creek Loop Bankhead National Forest, AL

Class 1 11.8 miles 1600 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Aug 3, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Lookout and Braziel Creek Loop GPX Track

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This loop starts on Trail 203 (Lookout Trail) from the Flannagin Trailhead, which isn't much of a trailhead that I could find. I did this loop clockwise. The forest walking is a bit boring for a while, but there are some nice creek crossings along the way. The hike continues to Trail 207 (Braziel Creek Trail), which took me a second to find due to a bunch of annoying animal trails. This section follows Braziel Creek for a while before ending at the Gum Pond Trailhead. I followed a manicured forest road a couple of miles back to the Flannigan Trailhead to complete the loop.

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The trailhead doesn't seem to have much of a parking lot, so I parked on the side of the road and looked for the somewhat elusive Lookout Trail (203) trailhead.
The trailhead doesn't seem to have much of a parking lot, so I parked on the side of the road and looked for the somewhat elusive Lookout Trail (203) trailhead.
Pretty boring forest walk that skirts the edge of many short hills.
Pretty boring forest walk that skirts the edge of many short hills.
A couple of easy creek crossings along the way.
A couple of easy creek crossings along the way.
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A few spots with some short bluffs, but nothing special.
A few spots with some short bluffs, but nothing special.
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Soon the trail joins Braziel Creek (207) just before reaching the Borden Trailhead.
Soon the trail joins Braziel Creek (207) just before reaching the Borden Trailhead.
A sign points across a creek to join the Braziel Creek Trail (207). It's not obvious where the true trail goes because there are fake trails all over following this creek crossing, which is NOT Braziel Creek, so do not follow it.
A sign points across a creek to join the Braziel Creek Trail (207). It's not obvious where the true trail goes because there are fake trails all over following this creek crossing, which is NOT Braziel Creek, so do not follow it.
I finally found the trail, which followed Braziel Creek.
I finally found the trail, which followed Braziel Creek.
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Some pretty spots along Braziel Creek (207), but otherwise pretty uneventful.
Some pretty spots along Braziel Creek (207), but otherwise pretty uneventful.
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Eventually, the trail takes you away from Braziel Creek and becomes pretty overgrown.
Eventually, the trail takes you away from Braziel Creek and becomes pretty overgrown.
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The trail leads to an overgrown dirt road, which you ascend for a short time.
The trail leads to an overgrown dirt road, which you ascend for a short time.
And then you end up at the Gum Pond Trailhead. Follow the road back for a few miles to complete the loop.
And then you end up at the Gum Pond Trailhead. Follow the road back for a few miles to complete the loop.
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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!