Sipsey Wilderness/ Bankhead NF - North Alabama

[jbiddle]

Any of you Hammockers that are familiar w/ the area, what are some of your favorite POI's or places to hang?

I've seen the big tree, ship rock, and eye of the needle area.

Suggestions?

[angrysparrow]

There's too many great places to pick just one.

All along the north end of Hagood Creek, Clifty Creek, Caney Creek Canyon, the scenic canyons around Mitchell ridge, Sougahoagdee Falls, Quillen Canyon, Riddle Falls, The 'Big Bluffs' area, West Bee Branch, etc, etc.

Get out there and explore it all. You'll be busy for years.

[wisenber]

I've heard of this place. I've been told that it compares to Linville Gorge in terms of ruggedness. Been wanting to try it, but haven't made it.

[BillyBob58]

I've heard of this place. I've been told that it compares to Linville Gorge in terms of ruggedness. Been wanting to try it, but haven't made it.

I bet there is a lot more elevation change within L. Gorge. But there are some pretty impressive cliffs in Sipsey, sheer(SP?) and even overhanging. But the main thing is, of course, both the many impressive water falls and the "cliff dwelings" or "rooms" that go along with them. What I mean by that is areas under the overhanging cliffs that a large family could live in. In fact, I think some have in times past, both native Americans and settlers. It is a pretty unique place.

[MacEntyre]

My 11 day hang last year centered around back to back trips to Linville Gorge and the Sipsey. I actually finished drinking Gorge water while hiking in the Sipsey!

That was a wonderful trip!

- MacEntyre

[BillyBob58]

My 11 day hang last year centered around back to back trips to Linville Gorge and the Sipsey. I actually finished drinking Gorge water while hiking in the Sipsey!

That was a wonderful trip!

- MacEntyre

That was the Halloween trip, right? I bet you remember how we crossed East Bee Branch/Sipsey junction, about ankle deep, as it started to rain. By the next morning, that creek must have been close to chest or maybe neck deep. I found that quite impressive. I still remember Thomas (Ihanginbankhead?) crossing that log many feet above the creek the next morning. (I have the person/name right, don't I? has that name been changed to Bankheadboy)

I was fortunate to have a nice water fall coming off of my tarp. Which enabled filling all the water bottles you could wish, mine and BigBamaguy's. I was happy about that, as it negated any need to go back down to that rising creek, with it's very slippery banks, in the dark and pouring rain.

That was a great trip!

[treenester]

I still remember Thomas (Ihanginbankhead?) crossing that log many feet above the creek the next morning.

I've crossed that log before. Correction - scooted across that log It's amazing how fast the water rises up there. I wouldn't be afraid to say Borden was head high last spring after the rains. Right now you won't even get your feet wet crossing it.

[BillyBob58]

I've crossed that log before. Correction - scooted across that log It's amazing how fast the water rises up there. I wouldn't be afraid to say Borden was head high last spring after the rains. Right now you won't even get your feet wet crossing it.

Exactly, I crossed it at the Sipsey/Borden junction couple of weeks ago and managed it without getting my shoes wet! And it has not rained for another two weeks now!

[ratherbecampin]

I actually finished drinking Gorge water while hiking in the Sipsey!

- MacEntyre

Living the dream!!!

[BillyBob58]

The waterfalls must have been mind boggling- and the creeks beyond dangerous, when Lee came through a couple weeks back. Look at this graph of water flow. The little diamonds at the bottom show the 44 year median daily. Which looks like about 9 cu ft. per second. And the max for todays date is 293 from 1979. When tropical storm Lee came through, it went to about - my best effort to read it- 1700 or more. Whew!
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?cb...te_no=02450250

Here is a 4 month(max allowed) chart:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?cb...te_no=02450250