Sipsey Trail Maintenance Trip Planning

“I am proposing a Sipsey Trail Maintenance Trip for the weekend of 14 Feb - 17 Feb 2003 - check out the description over in the trips section and let me know what y'all think.”

“Oh, oh, oh, I'm in!”

“Count me and ALA in. I have to save my vacation this year, and may even heve to work that weekend, but I'll help out as I can. Also sorry for the loss of your Mother. It seems were never really ready for something like that.

BAMA”

“BAMA - what I am thinking of is base camping at the same place we camped at last time - near where Bee Branch joins the Sipsey River and that way anyone coming in for just part of the weekend can easily find us.

As I understand it nowdays we need to get a backcountry camping permit down at Double Springs office - I think it is a free permit and so long as we don't park at the Recreation Area Parking there is no fee for parking ($3 per day for parking at the Rec Area trail head only).

BAMA, do you know if there is any chance of getting a backcountry permit at the trail head (self registration) ?

As for the trail maintanence I am thinking that we will leave any stepovers or high stepovers but cut the rest unless the walkaround is reasonable - in all cases judge the blowdown by how much of a pain it is to manage when wearing a pack before deciding to cut. Also involved will be trash bagging / hauling and possibly if we see any inappropriate fire rings to disperse the fire ring and scatter or bury the ashes.

The tools I am planning on bringing are the 5 ft. crosscut saw, the 21 inch Corona saw, and the 7 inch folding saw. Also bringing the hammer and wedge (old hand ax head). This time the come-along and rope will be left in the car - if we run into something that really needs it then I can hike out and get it but I suspect that it will not be really needed.”

“HOI, do you remember that huge blowdown across the 209 between Bee Branch and 204? We could probably spend the whole weekend clearing that one...

I've been looking for a trip for that weekend, because it's President's Day and I actually have it off this year. I wouldn't be able to come in until the 15th though, I am trying to save up my vacation time.”

“bitpucher - I remember a couple PIA blowdowns in that area but I don't really recall one that was huge unless it was one that the walk around was not too bad. The ones I want to remove are the ones where you had to climb over or crawl through with pack off. Of course if there is a big one - all the better - we'll all have good memories everytime we come back by its sawed remains for the next 20 years - plus think of the good pictures we could get (say cheese - you cheesers)”

“I'll be coming in either late Friday or Sat morning.
Are you talking about camping other side of the Eye? I don't remember too much level area there.”

“keep me posted,,I will be there if at all possible”

“This one is gigantic, two huge trees across the 209 with no real good walkaround, it's sort of a crawl through. Easily the biggest blowdown on the 209.

Here's a link to my picture of us going through this blowdown on the last Sipsey trip.”

“StoveStomper - there is a fairly good group site at the junction of Bee Branch and Sipsey River that I was thinking of - the last ECT to the Sipsey used that area for the second night - I think there were some pictures posted only I don't remember where - in terms of location its N 34 deg 19' 5" W 87 deg 27' 3" - on the CartoCraft map its shown as item 16 - ie "16" in orange circle. As I recall its about 2 miles from the Eye of the Needle along 209 to the proposed campsite. If coming in from the Thompson parking area probably the quickest way to the campsite is to go up the west side of White Oak Hollow till the second side canyon on the right - go up the side canyon to hit 205 (shown but not labeled on CartoCraft map, labeled on the Backcountry Trail Surveys map) then a short jog to another side trail going down the West Bee Branch fork til you hit the Sipsey. Unfortunately I can't remember what BAMA told me about which way the jog on 205 goes - I think it goes sort of north for about 50 feet but I need backup to verify that.”

“link that mentiones the short cut trail I was refering to above : Short Cut Only difference is that instead of going up the East Bee Branch one continues following Bee Branch down to the Sipsey”

“HOI - I think I know which camp you are talking about. It's a little way up Bee Branch. Last time I was there a whole Boy Scout troop was camped on it.
I have been up and over the "short cut" thru White Oak but needed a rope to get down into Bee Branch. I'll need better directions to find the correct place to get into Bee Branch. I went too far North and missed your "another side trail" and the canyon was pretty high. LOL

Bitpusher - Is that blowdown between the Eye and Bee Branch?
That one IS a pain in the arse.”

“the big blowdowns i remember are on the east side of the bee branch cutoff along the sipsey(buncha big pines that i found that hacksaw in)....and there are also some spots before we saw the 2 dogs and 2 campers (bad on trail #'s)..real big sites around that area also..”

“StoveStomper...no, between Bee Branch and the 204 marker, almost midway between them. It's only about two years old, it wasn't there when I took my first trip to the Sipsey in May 2000, and it was there my next Sipsey dayhike, in July/August 2000.”

“bitpusher..you and me are thinking of the same one...it came down in that big ice storm around 96-97”

“i meant 98....you say it wasn't there in 2000....hmm maybe it is a diff one”

“yes it must be a different one...It fell sometime in 2000...”

“in anycase I remember it and I don't think it will be too bad to take cut - biggest cut is probably only about 18 inches - this one blowdown is however one of my main motivators for doing this maintenance trip because it was a PIA.”

“I'd definately say count me in if it wasn't Valentines Day. But hopefully I'm doing something with OPIE that weekend.”

“would other dates be better for y'all ??? - I only picked these dates cause of a note from StoveStomper that this was the earliest he could do the Sipsey”

“Opie will be at Sipsey,,if you are doing anything with him,,you will be there darlin,,,,,”

“Would like to join all of you in your effort to clear the trail.I believe I can come up on Saturday and leave on Sunday.Know the area you are planning on for base camp.May be able to bring some others to assist.Continue to post if the dates change.”

“HOI, this new backcountry camping permit is new to me also. I have been out there a couple of times lately and did not have to get anything. This has been in effect for a couple of years now but has not been enforced, due to the problem of getting permits. I'll go out there in a few weeks and check to see if the rules have changed. I'll also check the borden creek crossing before the trip to see if its passable. Mid Feb. is normally when we get the most of our rain. That crossing depends on the amount of rain. I'll be there if I don't have to work the weekend. Anydate is fine with me. On another note if anyone wants to throughhike the river from tompson to rec area. I'll be glad to provide shuttle. I can do this even if I have to work,I work 3:30 to midnight. The confusion on the campsite is because there are 2 large campsites in that area. The one you're talking about is just off the trail of 209 at the river, just east (< 100 yards) of Bee branch. The other site some folks are mixing it up with is up Bee branch past HOI pass, and to the left ( west ). There are also some more up Bee branch. This campsite is about as centrically located from any parking area as you will find. Its accessible from gum pond, cranel rd, thompson bridge, borden bridge, rec area. Heck OPIE could even walk to it within a day from 150' from the place he has been looking for.(another hint here OPIE) I left a big hint with the pics I posted from our last trip but he didn't catch it. If anyone needs directions ( to the campsite )from any parking point let me know.

BAMA”

“those pics would be long gone now eh>??..no time for a slow dummy to try to catch it again?...i'm a lil far from the sipsey now to go as much as i really want too....”

“does an x mark a spot in the pic hint, or does the X mean it's not there...or am i insane?...and that last hint made my head hurt...i'm triangulating all over my maps...i think i've covered most of one in chickenscratch...maybe in 2-3 years i'll be moving back towards Tuscaloosa and be able to explore like i want!!!

Hey bama..how many miles do you think i can hike in a day?...*grin*”

“OPIE, here are BAMA's pics from Sept.

BAMA's pics”

“Yea, OPIE I know your out of contact with the sipsey. Thats why I have been a little more free with the hints. I think I need to help Miss OPIE out a little also. It would be a little easier to find if she had a gold band on her left hand. I'll explain the hint from the pictures. Years ago the trail near this was called the way of the snake. There are several snake markings on trees leading to this trail. The place you are looking for was a sacred place, and it has been well marked.

BAMA
BAMA”

“welcome walkabout1 - the more the faster the work will go and the better the evening camping will be. At the moment there does not appear to be any strong desire to change the dates for the maintenance trip so I am thinking that we are fairly well settled on the dates - if anyone disagrees please bring it up otherwise the dates will stay as is.”

“The dates mentioned before, President's Day Weekend, are good for me, with the exception that I wouldn't get there until Saturday morning.”

“not sure if I can make it on Feb 15th, but will begin to work on it.”

“We talked about a clean up day last when we were there in november. I guess it's time to do it.

Does anyone know anything definite about the permits, we've never gotten one, and I don't remember anything posted that said we needed one.


I'll try to round up two or three more workers.”

“Yeah Bama, in fact I think platinum would look real nice on my left hand :)

One weekend I would like for you to take us on a history tour of the Sipsey. As many times as I've been out there, there's so much more I want to see. Or maybe you can show me that secret spot that he's dying to know!”

“HOI
I was down as a maybe, but it looks like I won't be able to make it that weekend.”

“Sorry, I have a previous commitment for that weekend.”

“Rabbitman, Father Goose - sorry y'all won't be able to make it - hopefully someone will take enough pictures to illustrate all the fun y'all are going to miss (smile)”

“Miss OPIE, there is a place that was the site an indian battle over a indian maiden. Her name was Magnolia. I can show you the spot where her father and several other indians were killed trying to protect here. A tree was marked on the spot. Sometime when Ya'll are up here i'll take ya. Its not a long hike and can be done on an overnighter. I have already told OPIE I ain't taking him to the spot he seeks unless your with him.

BAMA”

“Our management group is taking the semi annual backpacking trip on the 29th and I have convinced them to go to Sipsey for this trip. We plan to hike in from Thompson, base camp at the needle and dayhike from there. Staying two nights. Have we found out anything about permits? Other than Bee Branch, where I will take them on dayhike, any other suggestions for day hikes from the needle?”

“chili, Lee Van Horn has an excellent overview of the Sipsey Area here.. You might be interested in the Quillan Creek area. It's a bushwhack, but this time of the year is good for bushwhacking.

On permits, I haven't been down there since the rules changed (I don't think I have, anyway). But Double Springs is a short drive from there on AL 33, so it might behoove you to go ahead and get one. On the other hand, I've also heard the rangers rarely go more than a mile deep, so you could always claim ignorance.”

“chili, if they are real adventurous you could bushwhack up West Bee branch to it's head. Backtrack until you find a way out(there is a way, I've done it) and then bushwhack to the head of East Bee Branch. There is a way down into the canyon on the east side and then loop back to the needle.”

“dayhiker, I have the maps and a gps, I have been studying that plan. I think it is doable.

They want to see as much as possible during the trip. Any rock houses of any interest on the Quillan side?”

“I don't know about that chili, I've never been up that way. I read Longleaf Redneck's tale of his trip up Quillen, and it sounded interesting to me.”

“The thing bit is refering to is what has been making me want to explore the Quillan area. There is a really neat waterfall in that area. I have a map on how to get to the Kinlock rock house if you'd like a copy.”

“My first post, thanks Hog on Ice for giving me this web site address. I'll check on the Sipsey Permit requirements next Tuesday, (may be closed on Monday) and post what I find out.
Uncle Wayne”

“welcome to the err I mean THE

THE what you ask ?

THE NUTHOUSE of course!

Anyways welcome to TT Uncle Wayne (smile)”

“dayhiker, fax or email me the map.

It appears my daughter is going to the National Baton Championship in Orlando in February. Her mother has agreed to take her on the weekend of this trip. So, I will probably have the kids the weekend of the Ocala trip (meaning I can't go there) and will probably be able to make this one.

Rule one with kids....."be flexible" in the plans....

Rule two...."when conflicts occur in the calendar, see rule 1"”

“It will be good to see you again chili”

“same here HOI”

“Work & Scouting Trip Report:

My saw partner and I were in the Sipsey all of yesterday, cutting some blowdowns and taking a read on the damage. We went in on the Rabbit Town side, Trail 201, 202 trailhead, took the Johnson Cemetery Trail (202) to the river, crossed, walked the River Trail (209) up to the Bee Branch Trail (204) and came back the same way.

The good news is that we saw no new deadfall, to speak of. Of course, one ice storm in the next month and all this information is useless.

The goal was to cut that huge tree across the Bee Branch Trail, just up from the river, which we finished with at about noon. The trail had been pushed quite a way up the hill, around the root ball, or over the trunk's thickest part, probably about 2' in diamter. We opted to cut it downhill, where it started to fork and do a trail relo. of about 30 yds. We were able to get the trail off of a boggy area at the same time. The tree, a hornbean or beech, was necessarily thinner where we did lop it off, but still required about five good cuts, including some undercuts that sure got our attention.

We turned around here, so I can't say what the current conditions are heading up to head of Bee Branch Canyon.

We went light and fast, carrying only the two-man, folding Coronas and some hand pruners. Without tackle or rigging, we were pretty limited to cuts that weren't going to eat our saw, which pretty much rules out any really big timber that is loaded in the middle, as most of what we saw was.

We took out what big stuff we could along the river and back up to Cranal Road. We did a bunch of pruning along the whole way and cut light stuff with our Coronas.

Between Bee Branch and the 202 ford, I would estimate that there are at least a half-dozen blowdowns of 2'dia., at least. These trees have been there a good while, and are pretty seasoned. To take them out would take a good effort. These are "step up and over", or "straddle" logs. Most could be negotiated with a notched step.

On the way back we kept our feet dry(we crossed the first time barefoot, water coming up to about the knees) by crossing the river on a downed tree near the Feather Hawk Creek confluence. It was pretty dicey though as it was about 12' off the river and the log is sowewhat punky. My partner, who was toting the saw at that point, opted for a straddle and scoot to get across.

Most all of the old (early 90's) pine deadfall on the Johnson Cemetery trail has been cleared over the years, all the way to the river ford. One last jumble remains where 202 starts to make the descent to the river, heading East. There are about four pines about 6" in diameter that are about chest height. We wanted to take those out on the way back, but we ran out of juice. My saw is tuned for hardwood right now, the rakers being set a little too high to do much pine sawing.

So, let me know if I can tell you anything else.

All in all, a spectacular day. Lot's of ice on the cliffs and in the waterfalls. Not a cloud in the sky, though it never reached above 40 degrees.”

“When I was in the Sipsey the first time, Memorial Day 2001, there was significant blowdown on the 204, including one small one which had fallen at the apex of a switchback, making it look as if the trail ended right there. My brother and I searched for a while to find the trail, and when we finally looked back the way we came, the trail was obvious, heading back in the direction we had come, only slightly higher on the ridge. Clearing that particular blowdown would help the 204 immensely. Also, past there and closer to where the Bee Branch trail leaves the 204, there are many, many blowdowns. The 204 is in sad shape.”

“Yeah, I was last on 204 about a year ago. I don't remember the blowdown you describe, but it may still be there. I do remember the one that we whacked yesterday, and felt quite satisfied to get it gone.

From my point of view, the Sipsey trails are always going to be on the verge of vanishing all together, and you never know what you are going to find when you hit the ground. Somehow, they survive. Straight line travel is the ideal, but seldom realized, as you probably know. People pick their way through and the treadway may wander here and there, but the trails do manage to stay open, what with folks like us nibbling here and there.

For the most part, most every trail in there could benefit from a good pruning. Yesterday I noticed how well the holly trees are doing. Those suckas, if they are low enough, are guaranteed to push the treadway. Nobody wants to take one of those in the face, if it can be helped.”