Alabama ECT Sipsey trip -Jan.

“I decided it would be better to post a route and check to see if everyone can leave then, than take a roll call of arrival times.

Day 1 (10-11 miles) Start at the main Sipsey trail head and head up Borden Creek. Tie into FT210 until FT208. Take 208 to 224 to 204 and tie into the top of East Bee Branch.

Day 2 (option 1) Base camp and explore West Bee Branch(bushwacking) then get on 209 to explore the Ship Rock and Eye of the Needle area. Return to East Bee Branch and Camp. Probably 8 miles.

Day 2 (option 2) Tie into 209 and explore Ship rock and Eye of the Needle area. Backtrack towards Bee Branch, but cont. on 209. Go until about 3:30 and camp. Probably 8 miles

Day 3 (option 1) Tie into 209 and head to trailhead. About 7 miles

Day 3 (option 2) Cont on 209 to trailhead. About 3 or 4 miles

I personally think option 1 would be more fun. We'll basically see the same stuff, except for Option 1 has West Bee branch. We would explore the ship rock area without full packs in option 1.

Maps - The map I have was available on the net, but their site is down. The phone # is 1-877-EAGLEV1 The company name is Eyrye, a Division of EagleVision. Another producer is published by Carto-Craft Maps, Inc.
738 Shades Mountain Plaza
Birmingham, AL 35226
(205) 822-2103”

“It looks like I can be there Thursday evening,,,if I can leave by 4PM Sunday, I will be back home in plenty time to recycle for work Monday morning.”

“The 18th sounds good to me. If all goes to plan ,I definitely wish to make this trip.”

“The Croft maps aren't that good. Several trails are not even listed on it. The best maps are at the "Wild Alabama" store just north of Bankhead NF on Hwy 33. They cost $3.95.”

“Spent a lot of time in sipsey and from my experience walkindude is right. But be careful, some trails have never been cleaned up from the ice storms of '94 & '98. For what its worth, the address and phone for "Wild Alabama" is:
Wild Alabama Trading Post
11312 AL Highway 33
Moulton, AL 35650
(256)974-7678
Also, here's a good website but only about half the trails are listed.
http://members.aol.com/sipseywilderness/”

“I'm glad yall mentioned the blowdowns. There will be alot of them. I have been on all of the trails we'll be on, but one. For about 5 miles we'll be on a horse/hiking trail. It should be clear. The rest of the mileage will be hiking only. There is usually a trail already made to go around them if the blowdown is too big to go over or under.”

“I was looking back at an old post and I said the weekend of the 8th. I meant the 18th. I hope that isn't a problem.

Here's the list
dayhiker AL
Leatherneck MS
chili36 (maybe) TN
steve hiker LA
gojo (maybe) GA
Rabbitman AL
bpbaby (maybe) KY
sandy AL

Any more takers??? I'm going to try and do a dayhike over part of the route on the 22nd. I'll scout out a campsite if we wind up doing Option 2 above. We don't have to make a decision on the two options until we get there.”

“The Bunyan Hill trail (#224) has lots of blowdown on it but routes have been cut around or through it.”

“Any help here-not familiar with the trail?
Might could change plans for our Bowater trip...”

“The Sipsey Wilderness was the first Wilderness area in the Eastern US designated under the new rules. One of the criteria in the old rules was that an area had to be large enough for a two week trip. People in AL challenged Congress and won, opening the doors for many of the wilderness areas we have in the East today.

The Sipsey is a river(it's really a big creek). The river valley has a pair of bluffs on each side of the river that are between 40 and 100' high. They parallel the river for the majority of the trail through the Wilderness. The river valley has one of the few remaining virgin forest in the state. The Bee Branch area that I mention has the largest tree in the state. This small creek flows into the Sipsey. The bluffs turn and parallel this creek as well. About a mile up the branch the bluffs connect creating an amphitheatre of bluffs 80-90' tall. There are two small waterfalls in this area. At the center is the big tree. This is the area we'll be camping one or two nights.

Overall the area is very beautiful. It's one of the better places to backpack in the state.”

“Unless work has me in AK, you can count me in.”

“Is anyone interested in doing a week long hike on the Pinhoti trail in the Talladega Natoinal forrest located in Alabama the first week of March.”

“I won't be able to go, but some folks at this site http://www.alabamatrail.org/hikingAL/ might be able to.

Are you from Alabama”

“Gypsie,

It will be after the first of the year before I can make any more definitive plans. How many days are you planning?”

“Dayhiker, I live in Kentucky now. I used to live in Oxford Al. I have hiked the Pinhoti before and it is an awesome hike.”

“Chili36
I plan on completing the Pinhoti in seven days, and was wandering if there was an interested party that might want to experience the thrill of a through hike.”

“Gypsi, not sure if I can make it,,I would have to condense other plans. Although, a week in the woods is appealing. email me at chili36@backpacker.com and I will look at my accrued vacation time and see if this is something I can do.”

“Let me know if the Pinhoti happens. I might could dayhike with you one day. I live in Pell City, so the trail is about an hour from home.”

“I am starting a new hiking /backpacking club in the tri-states of north west Kentucky, south eastern Illinois, and south western Indiana. If you are interested please respond. I will be scheduling events for 2002 so please watch for pstings.”

“Thought I might -Got to bail--satying closer to home.”

“Last Saturday(12/23) I dayhiked into the Bee Branch area and found a campsite. The site is above the waterfall and out of the canyon by about 1/4 mile. Water is around 100 yards away. Existing fire ring in place. The only downside is that it is right on the trail. This is an unofficial trail that gets little use, so not too bad.

Now that we're getting a little closer can yall confirm who's coming and when you're getting here. Also, I'm looking into an alternate route for Friday to lessen the mileage.”

“I asked for the eighteenth off from work. Assuming I get off and the weather is ok,I plan to make the trip,maybe arriving Thursday evening.”

“Have fun...i don't think i can start out with you guys..but i think i'm MOST DEFINATELY going to be in that area...If i do go i'll hike in late friday..or start early saturday. I'll pull out my maps and see what areas i had planned for my next sipsey outing and maybe can coincide them with some of ya'lls route. I usually start out on the Thompson creek side...i was thinking about heading white oak hollow and into bee branch from behind *shrugs*..i'll see”

“OPIE, you can hook up with us Saturday morning if you like. There is a way to bushwack from Thompson creek trailhead to bee branch that is only 2 miles. If you got there at sunup you could be at our campsite in time to eat breakfast.

PS. A 22 year old would be most welcome, we need someone to carry our beer.”

“hehe...I'll carry the beer and walk at the rear of the group...ya know what you get when you give a UA student beer to hold?...NOTHING...lol
I know the bushwack your talking about..and i know other longer one that i could take that evening...ever stroll down white oak hollow under a full moon. the 18th though will be just a sliver..i'll find out and post tonight”

“I still plan on making this trip. I hope to get there Friday afternoon.”

“Last Saturday I scouted that route out. I went up White Oak Hollow (surprised to see a trail there) and took the first creek to the right and followed it to the top of the bluff. Took a compass reading which exactly followed the trail that was there. I only had to bushwhack from the 205 crossing to West Bee Branch. I had never bushwhacked before and was pleased that I came out right where I was supposed to.

I have not hiked there at night, but that Friday night there should be a good bit of light. It will be 5 nights past full.”

“I am out for this trip. Leaving the 18th for a 5 day excursion with our management team to the Ozarks. Not overly interested in backpacking with my boss and his boss, but getting paid to do it is appealing.”

“Good for you Chili!! Ya gotta like that! Will you then hook up with the crew in the Ozarks that weekend in the Buffalo River Area?

Take care and good luck!!

TexWW”

“Tex, I am good to go on Thursday,,,when does the ECT excursion begin,,,I might have the jump on everyone....”

“Gang, I am hiking the Pinhoti this April(second weekend) as of now. If anyone is planning a trip sooner keep me posted. It takes me six hours to get to Anniston. Thanks, EP”

“I can print a map for anyone interested in doing the bushwhack method that I mentioned. Topozone.com has the area and I can print it on a large format color plotter. The scale is 1:50,000. I have written a fairly long narrative on how to get to the campsite for anyone interested. Send me an email at dayhiker@tidefans.com for anyone arriving Sat. morning that needs the shortcut.”

“dayhiker AL
Leatherneck MS
steve hiker LA
gojo (maybe) GA
Rabbitman AL
bpbaby (maybe) KY
sandy AL
katibug and hubby
SuperTroll
trailhound57
OPIE - might hook up with us
MDSHiker

sandy and bpbaby are arriving Thursday night.

I know that Leatherneck and Rabbittman are coming in on Friday evening. The two of you might want to hook up for the trek in.

OPIE and MDSHiker are Sat. morning if they're able to go.

Any more confirmations on arrivals? dayhiker@tidefans.com

I will be arriving Friday morning around 7 or 8.”

“Count me out on this one, I was threatened bodily harm if I didn't go to Linville.”

“I'm a GO on this trip, i will be at the trailhead ASAP saturday morning...i may have to steal my gf's warmer sleeping bag..even if it is HUGE AND HEAVY..at least i won't freeze in my 1 lb 8 oz iroquios..unless i find an apache or antelope this weekend to buy...forecast calls for snow tonight..i hope this spell breaks before the trip...cold..blah”

“OPIE, do you need info on the shortcut? We'll be at the top of the East Bee Branch Falls Sat. morning.”

“FYI
I'm planning on starting the hike with the group on Friday morning!”

“how far from the creek that feeds the main fall are ya'll putting up camp?...I know the trail..but don't recall a site up there..i know several in the box canyon. When are you guys starting out again on saturday?..hehe..if ya'll like beer for breakfast carrying a sixer and a half that far isn't too bad...LMAO”

“I went on a day hike with my youngest boy on December 30th, wish I could be there with ya'll for the big hike.”

“Looks like work is going to keep me from making the trip. But the good news is that I will be in AK.”

“OPIE - It's maybe 1/4 mile above the falls. There is a switchback and it's just before it, if you're heading towards the falls. If you are in the canyon and take the side trail up on top of the bluff and follow it you'll find us on your left after 1/4 mile.

I thought you were bringing the beer for Saturday night.

Saturday only has 8 miles for either route, so we don't have to start at the crack of dawn. What time do you think you'll make it in?”

“Wish you could join on SGT Rock, I thought you were in Germany?”

“I'm going to Germany in May. I was back in Decatur this weekend visiting my mother. Tuesday I go to California for a month, otherwise a trip to Sipsey would be great. It has been about 20 years since I did any real hiking in that area. I only got to go about 1 1/2 miles in because the 3yo son was getting too cold and tired.

I started at the parking area by the two bridges and went north up the east bank of the creek to the little hollow where two small falls come in. I ran into a group of about 5 guys and a dog at the parking area that had been out for 4 days, and later down the trail I passed another guy solo with a pack that looked like he had been out a while.”

“Chilli;

You'll have to get together with Jerbear Thursday. He knows his way around northwestern Arkansas fairly well. I'll join you guys Friday night.

Mozark”

“I'll be coming in off the thompson creek trailhead. i'll probably start in around 7ish-7:30. Ya'll are starting off the gum pond cemetery trailhead friday? I'm just trying to figure out how to get back to my truck..LMAO..i also may see if my GF michelle wants to come...ya know what that means..BEER WENCH *god i hope she doesn't read this!!*”

“OPIE-we're starting at the 209 trailhead on Friday.

I can shuttle anyone that needs a lift back to other parking areas.

Are you taking the White Oak Hollow bushwhack route or are you coming down 209 and up the branch? Just trying to get an arrival time down.”

“white oak hollow, it's shorter and haven't done it in a year...209 around the eye and up the branch would take too long and did it last time..all else fails i'll leave a trail of beer cans (full ones)”

“Sounds like we'll see you around 8 or 8:30 then. Since you're coming in the morning, Bailey's will be an adequate sub for the beer.”

“dayhiker - arriving Fri 8am
Rabbitman - Fri night or Sat. morning
sandy - Thursday night
OPIE - Saturday morning
MDSHiker - Friday morning (what time?)
SuperTroll - Arrival?
Mozark - Arrival?

I haven't heard from these folks in a while. Are yall still coming?
steve hiker LA
gojo GA
katibug and hubby”

“Oops, looks like Mozard was signing up for something else. I shouldn't have added him to the list.”