Photo hike in Sipsey

“BAMA - glad it wasn't a problem on posting. I guess I feel like I'm around a good bit and can answer the question and then 20 post later realize it might look like I'm trying to take over, which I'm not. Just trying to help. I hope your back is better. Is this why you're getting to come in early?”

“Thanks. It appears that ou can add 60 to that list, too, unless 60 ends after crossing the bridge. From my second link on the previous post, "You begin by passing under the bridge that takes County Road 60 over the Sipsey River."

Your mentioning Cranal means that, if I can make it, I will go to the parking lot for Sipsey River Recreation Area and not the one at the end of the Bunyan Hill Road.

According to the map I found somewhere, we start on trail 200 and continue on 209 after crossing Borden Creek. The same second link describes our entire hike as being on 209, with 200 starting at junction with Borden Creek and continuing north to the parking lot area at the Bunyan Hill Road. No real problem, I just have to remember that this is all in Alabama! LOL.”

“60, you're correct. There are so many 6's that I said the wrong number.

Your description is correct. This is the main rec area. Also note that at a lower elevation than the road bridge is another bridge that crosses the river below/downstream. It is made of wood and ties the parking lot to another picnic area. I've walked across that bridge but never really explored there. You have to go out of your way to notice it, but it's there. Just remember to ignore the wood bridge.”

“http://www.wunderground.com/US/AL/Double_Springs.html

Double Springs, Alabama
Updated: 7:22 AM CST on November 03, 2004
Observed at Cullman, Alabama (History)
Elevation: 961 ft / 293 m
68 °F / 20 °C
Heavy Rain”

“Check abc3340.com the last forecast was beautiful for the weekend. It's supposed to blow through.”

“The weekend forecast is good.”

“Hmmmm... Auburn is off this weekend... my golf trip was canceled... I have three digital cameras...”

“Deore, GO! Especially if you've never been to the Sipsey...”

“I know this is a photo/bushwacking trip...but since it's raining an' gonna blow through, anybody gonna take photos from a yak?...(River should be up...)

Geeze I'm gonna hafta move to paddling.net or sumthin'....I got Yak brain bad....LMAO”

“Here is the map that I found. A link may have been posted above by someone else.
200 - Borden Creek Trail

Here is where I found a link to the above trail and others in Sipsey.
Maps of the Region”

“does someone have the GPS co ordinates for the parking lot and various turnings.

If I make this trip, I will be hiking in in the dark and don't want to make any mistakes. My ETA should be @10pm with a 1 hour hike in the dark, getting me to the camp site @ 11 PM CT on friday nite.”

“Is there a synopsis of the plans anywhere or do i have to go back and read all 6 pages?”

“I can meet you in the parking lot and hike in with you...I'd have the map and coordinates on me.....(or will send them to you this evening when I get home...whatever..”

“Thanks Nowslimmer
The maps are very helpful, all the information has been great. OK I turn off 33 on to 6 or 60 and head west also known as Cranal Road, go to the parking area before the Sipsey bridge. Park in the Fee area. What's the fee? So I can make sure I have the right change. Take the trail 200 north on the east side of the river. When I reach the intersection of the Borden River, I'll cross it, and head NW on 209. Looking for a game trail to my right, If I reach Fall Creek falls I have went to far. Back track heading south east 100 yards to find game trail on my left. The campsite is up the hill at the top of the falls. Sound good”

“now I am confused. I thought hwy 33 went right thru Spisey and over the bridge where the trailhead is.”

“flat Matt - the river will be on your left the entire hike. The game trail is on your right.

Ewker - 33 marks the eastern boundary of the wilderness. Recheck the directions I gave you. You'll turn right onto 60 just before you enter Winston Cty, assuming you're heading South on 33.”

“DDX - check the trips page. Basically, BAMA is leading us to different off trail places he knows. We have the option of fanning out as we see fit.”

“Perhaps these two maps will put it into prospective for you.

Sipsey Location Map

Map”

“Yes you are right Dayhiker. The river will be on the left. Bama told me that I'll more than likly miss the game trail at night, and if I get to the waterfall I would have to back track. and then the river will be on my right and the game trail to the left. River to the south and the game trail and camp to the north. Right”

“Yes, correct. I answered the fee issue on the trips page. It's a self register thing so you can write a check. $3/day.”

“Thanks, Looks to be a Great weekend.”

“DIDN'T THEY CANCEL THE FEE?”

“Not for the Rec Area parking lot, just for the others.”

“is the fee something new, we didn't pay 2 yrs ago”

“There's been a fee at the Rec Area as long as I've been going down there.”

“What kind of game might we encounter on the game trail. Are there panthers in that area. Bears? Porcupines? Rednecked Hunters? Skunks?”

“If you hear a Banjo, Run for your life!”

“Don't forget about the copperheads...”

“might be to cool for them now, lows in the 30's Friday night”

“They don't come out at night, do they?”

“That's true, it probably will be too cool for them to be out.”

“If they did, I would probably have a big ol' bite on my rear from one...lol...”

“panthers...nope
Bears?...nope
Porcupines? probably
Rednecked Hunters?...yep
Skunks?...yep

You'll probably encounter some non-redneck hunters too. The terms aren't synonomous.”

“remember 2 yrs ago when walkindude almost used the bathroom on one..he had to move over about 4' and watch that snake watch him...lol”

“If you want well armed rednecks I can always hike in with either my AK-47... or maybe my 357 Mag.”

“Somehow I missed that...I didn't hear about all the copperheads until much later. Probably just as well...”

“Why choose DDX?”

“My first bakcpacking trip there I came within half a step of stepping on one. I made the guy with the walking stick lead for the next mile.

stikmon - if you come on this one are you going to bring my stick to me?”

“I just left the chiropractor. My back is still out but I'm still on for the trip. We had a screening at work and The chiropractor said I needed some adjustments. Well I went for about a week of adjustments. Then I threw my back out picking up a motor. I went to the Guy feeling fine and now I'm in pain. I thought it was supposed to be the other way around. Anyway he said that when he started moving my spine it limbered up and when I picked the motor up it moved, compressing a nerve. It will be a while before its back to normal. Problem was I started out not normal, and the process of getting to normal is gonna be painful. I think I will use a external frame pack, heck this is just like the traction device he is using. The biggest problem I have is getting up in the mornings. Going from horizonal to vertical is a strain.
AS far as the fee they had talked about not having to pay at the first parking lot, only at the rec area. I ain't sure I haven't been out there in about a month. If a fee is required its $3.00 per car per day. Paid in an envelope near the sign with the map. If I need to I can run out there and make sure if its gonna be a problem.
The problem with the directions as dayhiker mentioned is that they are to many names for the roads. When turning off of 33 the road to take is 6. When you cross the Winston county line it turns to 60. Adding to the confusion.

Some cord. are as follows
Marker Tree 16 0462531E 3795447N N34 18 4.8 W87 24 25.8
Falls Creek Falls 16 0462567E 3794992N N34 17 50.0 W87 24 24.3
Sipsey Park 16 0463316E 3793643N N34 17 6.3 W87 23 54.8
Thompson Creek Bridge 16 0456669E 3799939N N34 20 29.8 W87 28 15.9
Kinlock Falls 16 0453766E 3796355N N34 18 33.0 W87 30 8.9
Cliff Rock 16 0457453E 3798270N N34 19 35.7 W87 27 45.0
Campsite on 209 west 16 0457053E 3797709N N34 19 17.5 W87 28 0.5
Cranal Fee Area 16 0456616E 3793953N N34 17 15.4 W87 28 16.9
Big Tree 16 0459101E 3798300N N34 19 36.9 W87 26 40.5
Bluff Shelter 16 0456646E 3798296N N34 19 36.5 W87 28 16.6
204 Trail Head 16 0459830E 3799353N N34 20 11.2 W87 26 12.1
Auburn Falls 16 0457725E 3798130N N34 19 31.2 W87 27 34.3
Sipsey/Bee Junction 16 0458461E 3797314N N34 19 4.8 W87 27 5.3
Borden Creek Bridge 16 0463774E 3796306N N34 18 32.8 W87 23 37.3
Parker Falls 16 0455449E 3795776N N34 18 14.4 W87 29 2.9
Parker Cascades 16 0455763E 3796131N N34 18 26.0 W87 28 50.7
Needle Eye 16 0457059E 3797706N N34 19 17.3 W87 28 0.3
School House Falls 16 0456431E 3798367N N34 19 38.7 W87 28 25.0
Clifty Creek Falls 16 0459855E 3800210N N34 20 9.0 W87 25 24.0
Blue Hole Thompson Crk 16 0456896E 3800149N N34 20 36.6 W87 28 7.1
Feather Hawk Falls 16 0459515E 3796219N N34 18 29.4 W87 26 23.9
Parking Area 16 0468931E 3792028N N34 16 14.5 W87 20 15.0
Hurricane Creek Falls 16 0466443E 3790354N N34 15 19.9 W87 21 52.1
Unnamed 100'+ Fall 16 0466823E 3788967N N34 14 34.9 W87 21 37.0
Parking Area 16 0467211E 3788310N N34 14 13.6 W87 21 21.8
Gate Brazel Creek N34 22 19.4 W87 26 2.5
Campsite on Thompson N34 20 17.5 W87 27 52.0
Cut-off to Bigtree N34 20 6.4 W87 26 7.4
Turkey Foot Falls 1 N34 17 7.6 W87 24 22.2
Ship Rock N34 19 20.0 W87 28 8.0
Johnson Cemetery West N34 17 57.0 W87 27 50.0
Junction 201/202 N34 17 31.0 W87 28 17.0
Junction Wolf Pen/ Sipsey N34 17 49.0 W87 25 42.0
Junction Little Ugly/Sipsey N34 17 51.0 W87 25 52.0
Jct Feather Hawke/ Sipsey N34 18 23.0 W87 26 17.0
Jct East Bee / West Bee N34 19 27.0 W87 27 5.0
East Bee Branch Falls N34 19 43.0 W87 26 42.0
West Bee Branch Falls N34 20 19.0 W87 26 48.0
Gum Pond Cemetery N34 22 33.0 W87 26 15.0
Trail Head 208 N34 20 32.0 W87 23 46.0
Jct Cliffty / Braziel N34 19 31.0 W87 24 13.0
Jct Cliffty / Borden N34 18 43.0 W87 23 39.0
Trail Head 200 N34 18 34.0 W87 23 39.0
Jct Borden / Sipsey N34 17 32.0 W87 24 0.0
W.T. Mims Access Area N34 12 47.0 W87 22 2.0
Moody Bend N34 12 45.0 W87 21 3.0
Hurricane Creek Range N34 15 36.0 W87 20 12.0
Cheatham Knob N34 24 54.0 W87 18 36.0
Beech Creek Conoe putin N34 17 49.0 W87 18 21.0
Sougahoagdee Falls N34 15 14.0 W87 15 51.0
Jct Rush / Brushy N34 15 29.0 W87 15 17.0
Coal Mine Branch Falls N34 16 24.0 W87 16 47.0
Jct Beech/ Brushy N34 16 34.0 W87 17 21.0
Base of Brushy Dam N34 17 31.0 W87 16 24.0
Jct Brushy / Capsey N34 15 5.0 W87 14 41.0

Fall creek falls and sipsey park are the ones of biggest concern.

I plan on taking a group up to the marker tree. If I'm not able I'm sure ALA can find it. That canyon has a lot of Nice picture opps. in it. I'm sure some folks will want to go up Borden creek trail. It is very scenic. Some will want to go to big tree. Big tree is in bee branch. This is also a very scenic area. Both areas are reachable from our campsite. For those that are more adventurious, across the river are other bluffs and numberous photo's waiting to be taken. Water will not be a problem falls creek is in easy reach of camp.
I plan on getting there around dark or a little later friday night. I will flag the game trail up. I will have a frs radio on channel one. Now who is going in when.

ALA & BAMA - Friday night.
who else

BAMA”

“TMI. I ask for something simple, I get the plans to blow up the universe. I guess, I'll just wing it (if I come). and YES, if I do indeed make the trek, I shall bring your stik to you. I put on 6 fresh coats and a new tip. Where in the heck did you get that peice of trash? It didn't even fit. Home Depot or Lowes for replacement tips. $.20 each. I buy them by the dozens and always have stock. I've used so many different types, and the copper are the best as they are the easiest to replace.”

“Check the bold coords for the ones you need.

I don't recall putting a new cap on the stick, but I guess I did. You need to come on this trip. It's a pretty neat area.

BAMA - I'll probably check out the other side of the river. I've often wanted to explore/wondered what was over there. There are some nice bluff faces against the water, if memory serves. It's been quite a while since I hiked 209 in that area, maybe 2 years.”

“Marc,

Parking:
Sipsey Park 16 0463316E 3793643N N34 17 6.3 W87 23 54.8

Creek Crossing:
Jct Borden / Sipsey N34 17 32.0 W87 24 0.0

Camp:
Falls Creek Falls 16 0462567E 3794992N N34 17 50.0 W87 24 24.3

BAMA - Is the unamed 100' falls the one you and a buddy stumbled on?”

“Stikmon, just wing it you'll be fine. That long list is a private joke between dakhiker, opie and myself. They are looking for a "place" they haven't found yet. I'm sure them have both read through the whole list. No, It ain't on there. And yes there is a master list. EYHO.

BAMA”

“Dayhiker,

Yes, that is the one.”

“I'll be there sometime Friday morning, But I may leave that evening and go to my son's high school football game and come back up after the game Fri nite. Probably get back to the Rec area between 11:00 pm & midnite.”

“BAMA - I think you've coded the whole thing. If you take the #8 which is the number of letters in your first and last name and put a skip sequence on the data you provided you get the word "MCPUJTCJ" That's a clever name for this magical location. I agree that we'd never have thought of that. If you do the same with the coords. you get the location. I'll let others do that math for theirselves and not spoil the secret.”

“OPIE - have you seen the marathon man? Instead of inflicting dental pain, we can take this back thing to our advantage. I suggest some sort of back pain until he gives up the location. If that doesn't work we can hold down ALA and tickle him until BAMA fesses up. We're evil I tell ya.”

“Drat! I didn't have my Bingo Card ready!
Would you call off those numbers again, please?”

“Need a little work on those bones. I may be available.”