Anyone going anywhere fun this weekend?

“I am going to try to get to the Sypsey this weekend, finally gonna check out the big tree.”

“What route are you taking to the Big Tree?

I'd love to go dayhike at Cheaha this weekend, but will probably work.”

“West Virginia up on the high roaring Plains - twill be cold and windy and probably nearly a foot of snow.”

“Is Nashville fun?”

“Michigan Mountaineers Christmas party. =)”

“I was just going to say that Sass!”

“Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park!

(probably)

or Cache La Poudre wilderness

just dayhikes though - still beats sittin in South Florida!”

“Booo Hisssssssssss
Roam, you're making me jealous! 8-)”

“Dayhiker-
I am prolly going to take 202 to 209. I did not get to check out the old cemetery the last time I was there. I am curious to see how much damage suffered due to Ivan. Any suggested routes would be appreciated.”

“Wet Route...Have they cleared the blowdowns off of the road to the Thompson Creek Trailhead? If so, you might want to start at the Thompson Creek Trailhead and take the 206 to the 209.”

“That's the route I took the first time I ever hiked there. There were lots of trees down then and that was 4 or 5 years ago. Bit is right, a water crossing might be tough this weekend. If you don't mind knee to mid thigh depth crossing though the 202/201 loop is nice. You'll have to cross the river twice.

The route bit suggested is good too. The thing I like about 202 route is that you just drop into the canyon in one felled swoop. Very impressive.

The prettiest route is probably an out and back from the main TH. That's probably 12 miles though.”

“The liquor store”

“I think my wife is taking me someplace this weekend for my birthday, but I really have no idea.”

“Is Nashville fun?

Bison
10:30:33 AM
12/14/04

You better believe it! I'm there and will be this weekend!”

“I have a suspicion that I will be in Nashville this weekend too, lol...”

“Gonna go to the grand ole opry, bit? :)”

“So if we see a Peeping Tom lookin' in embear's window this weekend should we assume it's you Bit?”

“Embear: I have no idea! I may not even be in Nashville.

Bison: No fears there, I don't know where she lives...”

“LOL! Is that a screenshot from the Sims 2?”

“No idea. I like this one better.

”

“Damn, my corporate server is blocking that pic!”

“I don't mind crossing the river, plus I really would like to get some pics at the cemetery. Can't wait to get there. Is the trail to the Big Tree hard to find from 209?”

“To bad Bit! A picture of someone taking off their pants.”

“Well, there are no markers to say which is the Bee Branch trail, at least from the direction that you will be coming from. There is (assuming the tree is still up) an arrow hewn in the side of a tree pointing up Bee Branch canyon, but it's on the side of the tree visible to people coming that way from the TCT.

OK, just pulled up my map. After you pass the marker at the junction of the 209 and 204, Bee Branch Canyon is the next large canyon you come to.”

“You do have a map, right JW?”

“from 209 / 202 intersection its about a mile and a half upstream to to where Bee Branch joins the Sipsey River. From 209 / 204 intersection its about half a mile upstream.

Bee Branch is usually a fairly small stream maybe 6 inches deep by about 10 feet wide BUT with the rain lately it is probably larger now. One thing to look for to recognize Bee Branch is a good sized pine (approx 24 inch dia) that is right on the downstream corner of the intersection of Bee Branch and Sipsey River. On the upstream side of this pine is carved an arrow pointing up Bee Branch. From this intersection you have about 1.25 miles to hike to get to Big Tree - stay on the right side of Bee Branch as you head upstream.”

“well dang bitpusher I guess I am just a bit slow today - I keep flipping to the online map and then back to the message to enter the distances
last edited: 12/14/04 12:44:14 PM”

“I have a copy of the map on my computer, so I don't have to deal with network lag.”

“Ill be using the bee branch quadrangle\”

“Too many things going on this weekend-- I think I've been invited to do about 7 things! ARGHH!!!! why does everything have to happen at once?!!!

That's when it stops being fun any more... LOL

I'm not sure if we can make it to Tarabull's gathering...Might have a family dinner that night.
last edited: 12/14/04 1:10:08 PM”

“The other good landmark is that the 209 crossing of Bee Brank is a mutha. You drop about 10' in elev over about 10'. When you get to a very sandy, nasty crossing you're likely there. Look for the tree they mentioned and just check with the map. I usually count bends in the river to help me know where the heck I am.”

“I'm trying to remember the name of the outdoors store in Moulton where they sell good maps to the Sipsey. Anyway, JW, if you're coming through Moulton, stop at that store and get a good map. The Bee Branch Quad, at least the copy I have, doesn't show the trails or intersections very well.

The store is called the Wild Alabama Trading Post.
last edited: 12/14/04 1:25:42 PM”

“wrong - the store used to be called Wild Alabama Trading Post - I think its Black Warior Trading Post now - corner of 33 and 36 IIRC - not really in Mouton - a couple miles south on 33 from Mouton”

“Oops. I couldn't remember and looked it up in an old thread. Thanks HOI.”

“Looks like my weekender just turned into a dayhike. Is the big tree doable in 1 day? I am not looking to hike 15 miles. If not anyone recommend some good dayhikes in the Sypsey? I plan on getting to Double Springs around 8am so that gives me pretty much all day. I hope to get some good pictures of the river and canyons. I saw that there is a chance of snow Saturday evening...”