Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maps: USGS Foley, AL;
DeLorme: Alabama Atlas & Gazetteer,
page 64 E4; bro-
chures available at nature center pavilion
Trail contact: Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, PO Box 458, Orange Beach,
AL 36561; (251) 981-1180; www.backcountrytrail.com
Finding the trailhead: From Gulf Shores at the intersection of AL 59 and AL 182,
turn left onto AL 182 and travel east 6.4 miles. Turn left onto AL 161 and travel
0.2 mile. The trailhead and parking is on the left next to the big blue Orange
Beach water tower. There is a sign here indicating the trailhead. GPS: N30 16.376'
/ W87 35.122'
The Hike
In the backcountry of Gulf State Park along Alabama's Gulf Coast lies a relatively
new series of trails, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. This multiuse Na-
tional Recreational Trail system is, for the most part, paved and enjoyed by hun-
dreds of walkers, joggers, and cyclists throughout the year, and at times it can ac-
tually get pretty crowded, a good sign that this is a popular destination. One trail,
the Cotton Bayou Trail, is often overlooked by the summer tourists and snowbirds
(retired northerners who come down to escape the cold) because it isn't paved.
Because of this, the trail is quiet and provides good opportunities to view the wild-
life and plant life of this maritime wetland area.
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system began in 2003 with a partner-
ship between the City of Orange Beach and Gulf State Park to create multiuse re-
creational trails for walkers, joggers, and cyclists through the “backcountry” of the
state park. The project began with the 1.7-mile-long Catman Road Trail and since
that time has expanded to over 7.5 miles of trail. Other trails in the system include
the Rosemary Dunes, Twin Bridges, Gulf Oak Ridge, and Rattlesnake Ridge. The
trail system was named in honor of a former Gulf State Park superintendent.
As I mentioned, Cotton Bayou is different because it isn't paved. It is a wide
gravel service road that follows alongside a couple of wetlands. The traffic along
this section is much less than on the paved section you will be joining up with
near the turnaround of this trip.
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