Gulf Coast Region - Hiking Alabama: A Guide to the State's Greatest Hiking Adventures - page 31

Maps: USGS Pine Beach, AL; DeLorme: Alabama Atlas & Gazetteer, page 64
F1; brochures available at trailhead kiosk
Trail contact: US Fish and Wildlife Service, AL 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542;
[phone]; www.fws.gov/bonsecour
Finding the trailhead: From the intersection of AL 59 and AL 180, take AL 180
west 9 miles. Turn left onto Mobile Street (the turn is just a few feet past the sign
for the Pine Beach Trailhead). Travel 0.8 mile. Parking and the trailhead are on
the left at a sharp bend to the right. GPS: N30 14.187' / W87 49.816'
The Hike
Alabama's Gulf Coast is known nationally for its pristine white beaches and
family-friendly atmosphere. During the summer months, families flock to the
towns of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to enjoy the sun, surf, and attractions,
then in the winter retirees, better known to the locals as “snowbirds,” migrate to
the South to beat the harsh northern winters.
No matter what your reason is for coming to the Gulf Coast, chances are sooner
or later you will be looking for something a little different to do besides catching
up on your tan. An excellent option is to take a hike on the Gator Lake Trail in the
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
The Gator Lake Trail is an easy to moderate 1.5-mile out-and-back. The only
reason for the moderate rating is because the trail follows rolling sand dunes, and
sand walking can be a bit tiring even for the best hikers.
As you travel down Mobile Street heading to the trailhead, you get a taste of
what lies in store for you on the trail: beautiful expansive wetlands teeming with
migratory birds and, depending on the season, a rainbow of wildflowers. You will
also pass a number of signs warning you about alligators. Yes, there are alligators
in these wetlands and in the trail's namesake, the freshwater Gator Lake. Of
course, alligators are dangerous, but they are naturally afraid of humans. Problems
occur when people start to feed them. That's when the rules change. If you see an
alligator, keep your distance and don't feed it—just enjoy the experience.