Florida Trail Hikes – Dunes Preserve – February, 2026

Hope all are well and being blessed of the Lord.

On February 24-26, 2026, my grandson Hunter and I camped at the Gulf Islands National Seashore campgroud – Fort Pickens, and conducted 3 day hikes on area sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

On Tuesday, February 24, we hiked the Sand Dunes section, which I’d looked forward to doing for many years. This area is located just east of the condominium buildings located on the eastern side of the Pensacola Beach community.

Here are some views our walk through this very unique part of the Seashore:

The Florida Trail uses Orange 2″x6″ paint blazes to mark the route.
In this section, they had to use tall pvc piping to have something on which to mark the way.

An example of the various “species” of plants that grow on the dunes.
In some cases, they get quite large.

Two blazes indicate a turn in the trail.
Normally, the top one is offset in the direction of the turn.
But here, wasn’t enough room to do so.

Some of the dunes were high enough to offer good views of the area

Look what the rain and wind did to the side of this dune!!

Probably the tallest dune we saw in this section

The trail gives us one last look at the bay

The Dunes Section ends as the trail reaches and crosses the main road.
It then follows the shore for several miles east to the Navarre Beach community.

Very much enjoyed this scenic and unique section of the Florida Trail.

I plan to create a movie on my YouTube channel (Ken Brenner) of this wonderful walk in God’s beautiful Creation.
Will update this article with the link when the video is completed and published.

God Bless!!!

October, 2025 Hike on the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama

Hope all are well and being blessed of the Lord.
On October 21-23, 2025, I hiked 2 of the southern most sections of the Pinhoti Trail with my trail Brother Tom Booth.

The previous June, we explored this area to enjoy the views from Flagg Mountain (southern terminus) and find road crossings and trailheads for future reference when hiking the trail (it was too hot in June to do so).
Here’s the related article of this trip.

Hike Summary:

Tuesday, 10-21

– Drove to Flagg Mountain and hiked 5.3 miles to CR 56
– Drove to Pinhoti Outdoor Center to set up camp

Wednesday, 10-22

– Hiked 6 miles on first half of section for Trammel Gap to Bulls Gap
– Camped at Pinhoti Outdoor Center

Thursday, 10-23

– Broke camp at Pinhoti Outdoor Center
– Hiked 6 miles on second half of section for Trammel Gap to Bulls Gap
– Drove Home

Here are photos of each hike.

Flagg Mountain to CR 56

Here we go!
As info, it’s steeper going via the “Pavilion” route. But, I like it better.

The tower was closed the day we were there.

The trail is marked with blue paint blaes (markers)

Note the treee in the middle, “pointing” us to the nice view 🙂

Trammel Gap to Bulls Gap

Thankful for the great weather and views of the Creation on this series of hikes.
Always good to be with my long-time trail brother Tom.

Also, the Pinhoti Outdoor Center was a great place to camp and fellowship with others.
For more information, see this link: https://www.pinhotiforever.com/

God Bless!!!

Flagg Mountain Alabama – June, 2025

Hi. Hope all are well and being blessed of the Lord.
On June 12, 2025, I drove to the Sylacauga, Alabama area (Weogufka State Forest) to meet my long-time hiking brother, Tom Booth.
Our goal was to:
1. See Flagg Mountain (1,152 ft.)
2. Find trailheads for the Pinhoti Trail in that area

The mountain is considered one of the southern-most 1,000+ foot peaks of the Appalachian Mountains.
The Pinhoti Trail starts at Flagg Mountain and heads north/northeast in Alabama for 171 miles before entering Georgia.

Here are some views of the mountain and surrounding areas.

The 53 ft. stone tower was built by the CCC in 1935, and has walls that are 2-3 ft. thick.

Views from the top of the tower are very nice
The windows can be opened to provide a clearer look.

Looking down the interior of the tower from near the top.

The Weogufka State Forest is managed by the Alabama Forestry Commission.

The CCC Program did a lot of good for our country, much of which is still enjoyed today!

Later in the day, we drove to Bulls Gap, approximately 43 trail miles north of Flagg Mountain.
Enjoyed nice views of the mountain range to the south!

One day, we hope to return to Flagg Mountain and start our section-hiking of the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama.

I love the beauty and peace found in the Lord’s wonderful Creation.

God Bless!!!

Hikes with Hunter – March, 2025

Hi. Hope all are well and being blessed of the Lord

On March 24-26, I traveled to central Tennessee to visit with our grandson Hunter.
He is a travel nurse and was working at a hospital in Dickson Tennessee (he now is working on an assignment in Madison, Wisconsin).

We went on three hikes while there:
– Monday, 03-24: Short, afternoon hike to some lakes at Montgomery Bell State Park
– Tuesday, 03-25: Hiked around 11 miles on the perimeter of Montgomery Bell State Park (Montgomery Bell Trail)
– Wednesday: 03-26, Hiked around 11 miles on the Firey Gizzard Trail located in south Tennessee in the Grundy State Forest near Monteagle, TN.

Videos:
I’ve created a video on my YouTube Channel (Ken Brenner) showing the hikes in Montgomery Bell State Park on March 24-25.
Here’s the link:
https://youtu.be/tMhO0_GMj58?si=ayTsqTYz5SZbUxPl

I’ve also created a video showing the hike on the northern section of the Firey Gizzard Trail on March 26.
Here’s the link:
https://youtu.be/Ivnp63_I7Ao?si=bRTbtqb-9hNffrd1

IHere are some highlights of the beauty we saw in God’s wonderful Creation.

Monday, 03-24