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trips - Sipsey 07 - Parker and QuillenTrip Info
DescriptionPlease note that this trip is 100% off trail. Since the foliage will not be back this time of year there won't necessarily be much underbrush, but there won't be trails and will be exploratory in nature. In other words, I don't know what we'll find until we get there. These trips have been fun in the past but everyone needs to know what the intentions are. If this is your kind of trip, sign up and do some exploring. Also, the route in has three waterfalls. Each of these would be extremely easy to fall off of. DO NOT HIKE IN AFTER DARK. I plan to mimic the intended route of last years trip, which I had to bail on at the last minute. Friday: Meet at the trailhead around 9am or so. We'll hike a bit over 1 mile to camp. This could take over an hour due to the downfall from the hurricanes. Once at camp, we'll setup for the weekend and then try to explore as much of Quillen canyon as possible. Saturday: We'll hike over to Parker canyon to explore that area. It's been described as the most remote, difficult, and beautiful canyon in the forest. Sunday: Pack up and hike out. We can do a 4.5 mile roundtrip sidetrip over to the Big Tree for anyone that hasn't seen it. Here's a C&P with updates(for this year) from last years trip: Included in this update: 1. Trip plan 2. Trip intent 3. Campsites 4. Food 5. Directions 6. Parking 7. Night hiking 8. Medical Care 1. Trip plan see above, this was last years info. 2. Trip Intent The intent of this trip is solely to explore canyons off trail. This trip can be as rugged or easy as an individual wants. The rugged aspect comes from climbing from the creek bottom up to the bluff line and waterfalls. Those wanting a tamer trip can just observe from the bottoms. This trip offers lots of opportunities for exploration while getting the best that staying close to the car offers. More on that at the food section. Note, the intent of this trip is not a 3 day drunk. 3. Campsites The campsite is approximately 1.5 miles from the main trailhead. From the TH go SE about 100 yards into the bottom of a hollow. Follow the hollow. It turns into a creek. At about 0.5 miles the beaten path swings wide right around a waterfall. At 0.75 you have a creek crossing that will be marked with orange tape. If you don't make the crossing you have to use a rope to descend a slope. Follow the markings and you'll miss the hard stuff. 2007 update There is lots of downfall on the way in. We'll have to deal with it and find a route accordingly. In 06 they were able to find a workaround at roughly mid height of the ridge. 4. Drink I always add this as a warning thanks to Savage Gulf 04 or 03. Some folks let that get out of hand. I've never seen it happen since, but still add the warning.As mentioned, this isn't going to be a drunken orgy. I'd imagine most folks will have beer or an evening toddy or hand, I know I will. Just be respectful of those who want to go to sleep early and don't go over the top with it. Also, this is a dry county. For those folks that have never heard of that, it means you can't buy alcohol in the entire county. Also, the Forest Service prohibits it, so if you're hiking in some with your gear don't leave it out and conspicuous. I'm not bailing anyone out of jail. 5. Directions A map of the trailhead is shown on my webshots account. I�m giving direction from Birmingham. Head north on I-65 until you get to Cullman. The exit is labeled Double Springs/Addison, I believe and is exit 308. Take this exit and turn left(West) on 278. If you need gas/food, do it now. You will soon be traveling into the Twilight zone. Keep on 278 until you get to Double Springs, about 30 miles. There is a Jack's fastfood restaurant in Dbl Springs if you need anything. Pass Jacks and just after the light you'll turn right onto highway 195. You'll go maybe 10 miles until you come to CR23. There is a brown building on the right and there will be signs that say "Sipsey Wilderness Area". Turn right onto CR23. At 1.1 miles from 195/23 intersection there will be a sign telling you to turn right. DO NOT TURN RIGHT. Stay straight on CR23. At 3 miles the road turns to dirt At 3.6 miles you'll cross a concrete bridge in a switchback At 6.5 you'll come to a stop sign with an old church on your left. Turn right at the 3 way stop. At 6.9 a dirt road will turn off to the right. Take this road. From here on it's a straight shot to the trailhead. At about 10.0 there is a very sharp left hand turn that is the first in a pair of switchbacks. About 10 yards before the left hand turn is a parking area large enough for maybe 3 vehicles. My Green Ford Ranger with Camper shell and Alabama plates should be here. Drop your gear here and then park. 6. Parking About 0.5 miles before the trailhead you�ll come to a left hand turn that is labeled FR208. On the right you�ll see a wide area. You can park here. If this is full just continue past the trailhead and park at Thompson Ck trailhead. This is about 1 mile past the trailhead. 7. Night Hiking The route in passes 3 waterfalls. The trail next to the 2nd and 3rd falls skirts the edge of a 50�drop off. If someone were to hike in at night and fall it might be the next morning before it�s noticed. Please don't hike in at night. 8. Medical Care The nearest medical care is Haleyville, AL. Directions are to get back to 195 and turn right. After a mile are so the road has a side highway coming in from the right. Don�t take this and stay straight. After maybe 3 miles you�ll come to the Haleyville hospital on your right. It�s probably a 25 minute drive to the nearest medical care. This link provides a Visual Map just short of the campsite. http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/109151107DFycyu Map to Camp Thanks to Slowroller for preparing this map. http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1121253713049949165ekecCu Trailhead: 34.3370833,-87.4841389 1st waterfall: 34.3266389,-87.4831389 Campsite: 34.3217500,-87.4876389
 = Yes,  = Maybe
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