Sipsey Trip Report

“The President, Sr. VP, my boss, my colleague in the Residential division and myself, left Memphis at 0700 Wednesday morning for our semi annual management backpacking trip. For the past few years, all of the trips have been to the Ozarks but I managed to convince them to try Sipsey this time out.

We left in a light drizzle and arrived at the Thompson TH at about 10 AM. After getting the gear together under the small shelter, we hit the trail headed to Ship Rock to camp. The trail was extremely sloppy and due to the rainfall, the crossing at White Oak was a little tricky for our Sr. VP who suffers from a weak ankle. Once crossed we continued on the VERY wet trail to the camp site. Much to my amazement, while I filtered water in a constant drizzle, my boss had a campfire going in less than five minutes and a tarp stretched where we could find relief from the rain. Fortunately, we all had good rain gear and arrived intact and dry. Tents were pitched at the first let up in the rain and a pot of stew was quickly prepared. The remainder of the afternoon involved gathering firewood, preparing dinner and general discussions about our business. The rain let up around 6PM and we were quick to turn in at about 8PM.

We woke the next morning had a power breakfast and I led the expedition to Bee Branch, via 206/209. Accompanied by the President and my fellow Director we made good time and arrived at the East Bee Branch falls by noon. I was somewhat apprehensive as to how much they would enjoy the area. My colleague is a licensed guide in Maine and the Pres. of our division is an avid backpacker who has visited a great deal of the country from time to time. However, both were extremely impressed and put the area on their list of places to visit again, soon. The blow down just before Bee Branch coming in from Ship Rock really needs attention. We managed to make a dry boot crossing on Bee Branch by bushwacking up stream on the west side for about a quarter mile and "jumping" across to a rock on the other side.

Upon arriving back at camp, we quickly made a pot of chili and had the mid afternoon meal while discussing our current projects at work.

Friday morning was brisk, and after a pancake breakfast, we hit the trail and managed to make it back to Corinth, MS in time for lunch at the Mexican Restaurant.

All in all, a very good trip despite the rain and as usual, I left convinced that I am lucky to work at a place where I actually get paid to backpack.

Being away from cell phones, pagers, faxes and emails lets us get a weeks worth of planning done in a couple of days.

I love this company!”

“You ARE lucky. You hiring?

:)

Anyway, thanks for the trip report and glad you had fun!”

“wow, sounds like you had a chance to do some major sucking up out there. Did you?”

“I hope you don't mind me posting mine here as well chili. I arrived at Thompson Ck trailhead Sat morning at 7:30 and headed down 206 until White Oak Hollow. I turned up WOH and followed the trail until the opening to West Bee. At this point I left the trail to check out a campsite. It has room for about 10 tents. Anyway, from here I bushwacked West until 205 and followed 205 to the rapids/ship rock area. My buddy and I crossed the river on a log and went up Quillan Creek. At this point we're off trail for the rest of the hike. I had some blisters that were bothering me, so I didn't get to explore as much as I'd like. Quillan is very pretty with lots of nice, unused campsites, ie. no fire rings. It is not as rugged as West Bee, but is very picturesqe. We continued up Quillen until the middle of the 3 main creeks of Quillen and then turned north towards the road. After what seemed like forever we arrived at the vehicle we left here only to realize that the keys were in my truck at Thompson. Oh well, hike one mile to get keys and off we go.

My impression of Quillen is that is would be best to backpack the canyon over 2 long days and explore everything fully. It's pretty, but you can't get rid of the thought that you're missing many hidden gems. Maybe that's just because BAMA told me that there is lots to see there and I didn't have a chance to really check it all out.”

“dayhiker, did you cross that log that was about 30 feet above the water?????”

“Chili Did you guys climb through hole in the rock or thread the needle (whatever it is called)?”

“tango, we visited the eye, and climbed into it from the back side (from where we camped), but did not climb out the other side.”

“tango, that is...the opposite way you and I went through”

“We crossed a log that was right at river level about 200 yards downstream from where Quillen empties into the Sipsey. We wound up crossing 3 or 4 logs, but none were that high.”

“Thanks for the reports folks - much appreciated. Chili - that blowdown just before hitting Bee Branch sounds like a good one to take out when we are there later this month. Do either of ya'll remember any other PIA blowdowns that should get removed ? Also how was the river level - would coming in 202 and crossing to 209 be a problem for folks ? It sounds like it was running fairly high.”

“I am impressed to hear, Chili, that you can jump from rock to rock on a stream crossing and not fall in..... lol!!! (musta been the presence and pressure of the "Big Boys" to make good?? lol)”

“Dayhiker,

We just missed each other this weekend. My wife and I hiked the upper part of Quillen Saturday and did the 4 mile loop Sunday. 99.9% of the time I'll be in a 1985 Navy Blue Bronco II. It has 3 U of Alabama decals in the back window. Do you remember seeing it? Quillen is, imo, just as pretty if not more so as West Bee Branch. Sounds like you hiked back up by the "hands up tree" I mentioned in an earlier post, did you by any chance see it? If I'm following your description correctly, the spot you describe as "where three main creeks meet," the land across Quillen at that point belonged to one of my great great grandfathers, who is buried in Johnson Cemetary on trail 202. The deed to the land is recorded in his name as the "owner of the spot of ground that holds the world together between Quillen and Hubbard Creek." Interesting wording from a much simpler time. One reason I love the area so much I guess, I have blood there. Enjoyed the report of your hike. Yours too Chili!”

“I send you a map to show you what I did. One question I have for you and BAMA about Quillen is that I mainly hiked the bottoms. That was the easiest going on my feet. I would imagine to really see the Indian stuff I would need to hike the bluff lines?

I did't see you. We had one vehicle at the switchback in the road above Thompson and then another one at Thompson. The one at the switchback was a hunter green explorer. When we finished up the only other vehicle was a blue mini van.”

“lizs, nothing like having the boss watch your performance to improve agility in rock hopping....

dayhiker, down below the 206/209 junction, there is a tree across the water about 30 feet up...I will be impressed when I see you tightrope walk that one.

HOI, the blow down before Bee Branch is massive, it definately needs work. I was there during the rain and I would not have wanted to cross Sipsey. By two weeks, who knows?”