I know this is a very old thread, but then again, so am I.
I didn't see any recent updates to this post so figured I'd add my 2 cents worth.
Did 600-2 back in September 2024. Was camping at Cheaha and hit this trail on the way home. My first time on it.
So I was coming from North to South, from Adams Gap, heading down to the location you're talking about near Chandler Springs.
I hadn't planned on doing any trail riding, it was just an opportunity that presented itself (so I didn't have any of my recover gear or such).
Made it to within about a mile or so of the end of the trail at Chandler Springs.
There was some huge rocks/wash that my 2WD 4Runner would not have made it had we been coming North instead of South. But coming from the North we were able to 'fall off' rather than have to 'climb up'. Some good 3 and even 2 wheel action, and some rock rash on the bumper cover. But we made it okay.
About a half mile of so further, we encountered a pretty big mud hole. We'd hit 3 prior on the trail, but I'd sent my dog out to test the depth of them and were able to get thru with no problem. Since we'd encountered no problem on the others, I decided to chance this mud hole without sending out the dog.
Bad mistake as there was 2 big wallowed out holes in the middle, right were my rear wheels were. I'd actually missed them going forward, but then saw a bypass that had been partially hidden by a downed tree. So I foolishly stopped, and backed up so I could take the bypass. Both my rear wheels slipped into the holes. And they were just too deep for my wimpy 2WD, non-lifted, all-terrain 4runner. I tried filling the holes but to no avail.
I ended up calling the Forest Service (no tractors available at that time), the Talladega Police Dept (not they area of expertise, but they did give me numbers for 3 different tow companies), 3 different tow companies (no one had vehicles available or just wouldn't come down the trail). Forgot to mention, the was a Friday afternoon and we hadn't seen another vehicle on the trail that day. Finally called a feed and seed store and they put me in touch with a local mechanic who said he'd come after work finished. 3 hours later, he showed up with a Samurai with a winch and pulled us out. No troubles after that. (I would have made the trail 100% except for those two wheel holes).
Anyway, the reason for this long winded trail report.
Being a local who wheeled this area often, he had the 'story' on this gate situation. The paved road coming up from Chandler Springs goes right onto the dirt 600-2 Forest Service Road. But the paved part goes left and continues up to a place called Pinhoti Ridge Retreat. The paved road ends at this location. Well, the 'new' owner did not like offroaders coming up to this area, so he put up the gate.
He was eventually forced to take the gate down because he could not block the Forest Service road with a private gate. So that entrance is OPEN. It is not a private road or restricted in any way.
End of story. Except that I might end up hauling my FJ-40 up to that guy to get back on the road for me as he seemed very knowledgeable, nice, helpful and did all his own fabrication building offroaders to take on 600-1 and 600-2 and lots of other local trails that he said he'd take me on next time I came up. Evidently there are a good many more good trails in that area, not necessarily Forest Service roads.
MVT
