Walls of Jericho

“I have recently heard of the place called the Walls of Jericho and I am thinking about going. Does anybody have any information about the area. Such as the lenth of the hikes, camping spots, and water. The leaves are showing their different fall colors and this weekend might be the time for me to go.”

“http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/index.php?title=walls&age=9999

We have a search feature on this board. Welcome to TT by the way. More information than you have time to read in a few days.

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/index.php?title=walls&age=9999”

“I had a friend go there about two weeks ago and the gates to the parking areas were closed. The last time I was there, I didn't even remember any gates. I got an e-mail about a dedication ceremony on a Tuesday with the Governor, and some others to be attending; I wonder if it was closed in preparation of this. This was on a Saturday that he stated the gates were closed. Anyone have any idea?”

“Haven't heard anything about it.

I still need to get over there.”

“http://community.webshots.com/album/205262224rtsYtj

I was there about this same time last year. Cool place!”

“I had a friend go there about two weeks ago and the gates to the parking areas were closed.

Same thing happened to me. After hiking around a bit looking for a way in we just blew our trumpets real loud and they opened right up.”

“Jan 05: http://community.webshots.com/album/253085178bzNgMJ


The campground is about a 2 mile hike in. The Walls is another 1.5 mile or so in.”

“I found something for you..

http://www.tennesseetrails.org/calendar.php

11/5 Sat
Plateau Walls of Jericho Wilderness and Recreation Area. Winchester, TN and Jackson County, AL.

Bill and Mitze Anderson
931-788-6731
mitze1@yahoo.com”

“What the heck is the deal with the gates maybe being closed????

Beautiful area! I have pixs on my WebShots pages. You need to go right after a good rain to get all the wonderful water effects.”

“Gov. Riley already went to a dedication in April. http://www.alapark.com/press/release.cfm?ID=277

Maybe Tennessee's governor is getting into the act???”

“I received this in an email from Tenn. Trails Assoc. yesterday


December 28, 2005
No Hiking the TN Side of Walls of Jericho Trail Until Spring!

This is to inform you that the Tennessee Wildlife Jericho hiking trails are not
open for public use. The trail heads are so posted and yet we have people who
are attempting to hike this closed area. Continued disregard of this mandate
could not only result in possible prosecution for trespassing, but can
potentially jeopardize the continued development of hiking trails in this scenic
area. Therefore I ask your cooperation in not endeavoring to hike in this area
until the trails are officially opened some time in the spring.

Sincerely, Jim Schroeder
TTA/TWRA Jericho Trail Development Coordinator”

“I just got back from the Walls of Jericho area. I went in from the Tennessee side. I have hunting permits that allow me to access the area from the Bear Hollow Wildlife Management Area which is a under TWRA control. Which the Walls are also contained in. So while I am hunting my dog or dogs can be unleashed. They can be anyways as this area does not have any leash rules. We bushwacked alot of the compartment today. The new trail is not finished yet, it just stops where the Alabama line is in the mountains. So Alabama is the holding up the opening at this point. This new trail system is much more scenic than the Alabama one. It appears like there are going to be several trails in that compartment.
last edited: 12/29/05 6:26:40 PM”

“Thanks for the update, waterdog. I got the same "warning" from TTA local Pres. Does this have any affect on the Alabama trails that opened last year? Officially the trail leaving the campground to the Walls crosses into TN. I wouldn't think it should affect the existing trail system. I also heard this weekend that the trial has a new bridge across the creek. Is this true also? And will it be high enough to cover the flood like you saw last year before our Jan. trip?”

“The current trail that begins in Alabama is not affected by the Tennessee Trail system into the Walls. The Alabama trail that you used does not enter into Tennessee Trail system at all. Other than the exception back in the canyon where the canyon does a dog leg to the north and this is really not a trail but following the canyon. And the new bridge, which is reached by a different trail than what you followed on your last entry in to the area is also in Alabama, should be high enough in all flood cases. The new trail system coming from Tennessee into the Walls area will hook up with trail system at or near the current log bridge. But is not developed yet. So Alabama will be putting in a new trail system to connect to the Tennessee trail system.
last edited: 12/31/05 10:36:07 PM”

“Just in case anybody is interested, I am thinking of going back into the area either tomorrow afternoon and coming out Monday noon. Or going in early Monday morning. But I will be hiking and hunting.”

“Would like to hike to the creek, inflate the kayak, and go to Estille Fork.”

“Thanks for the info.”

“The water level is normal for this time of the year. Had the storm arrived Saturday night, today would of been a good time to do that. But it has not arrived as of now. Have you been down that stretch before? Did you know that you might hitch a ride with the Alabama Forestery Ranger, as he comes in early in the mornings.”

“Anyone know whether there is an established place to camp at the trailhead on the Alabama side?”

“The horsemans parking lot allows camping there.”

“What about that field off to the left just as start down the hiker's trail?”

“Maybe you should go futher down the trail to find a different location
last edited: 1/25/07 6:20:37 PM”

“Any particular reason you suggest going further down trail...?”

“*bump*”

“From Illinois, toph. May not have the best local info and may have just wanted to post something, anything.”

“True, true.

waterdog - is camping not legal elsewhere in the area, including trailhead and in the canyon?”

“http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/tennessee/preserves/art11863.html

What to do: There are hiking trails and horse trails. Both lead into the gorge. A tent-only camping area is available at the bottom.”

“http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/tennessee/preserves/art11863.html

This website has a phone number to call about access.”

“I know it's the "designated" area but if you were to pitch your tent say in the wooded area across the creek from the cemetary or in the field just down the trail from the parking area, could that be a problem if the right official happened by?”

“Yep, that is the question.”

“been looking...don't see anything...stealth is the suggestion if ya aren't sure.”

“As cold as it will be this weekend and the size of a fire we'll want, stealth may not be that easy ;)”

“You might walk down the trail to where it starts DOWN at that sharp right and look for a firering.
I seem to remember a place kinda looking like a campsite there.
I may be full of s$%t too.”

“Heads up - I got the administrator of the Hiking Alabama BBS to add a new forum dedicated to the Walls of Jericho. Prolly won't find much there yet that can't be found here but I thought it made sense since there's alot of good info over there about the Sipsey and Pinhoti.

Hiking Alabama BBS”

“Cool! One of these days I'll get down there. It's definately on my must do list.

I thought Sipsey was up north somewhere?”

“Sipsey is much further south”

“Sipsey is in NW AL. Jericho in extreme NE. It straddles the TN line.”