Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 33
  1. #1
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    WB Traveler
    Tarp
    Custom OES tarp
    Insulation
    JRB Down UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    8,797
    Images
    40

    Sipsey Wilderness, Nov. 2010.

    I finally got to get out and get hiking!

    Last weekend a friend of mine and I drove the 9 hours down to the Bankhead National Forest and into the Sipsey Wilderness in Alabama. We had arranged to meet up with a few folks there and do some exploring. Thomas (Bankheadboy), Angrysparrow, and Heteroi drove us around and showed us some of the sights on Friday afternoon, then we hiked in under the cover of darkness to a spot above a waterfall for the night. The temps got down into the high 20’s F both nights, so it was a bit nippy, but not bad.

    Saturday morning we packed up and picked up some new friends Rex and Dyehard for a fun day of hiking. All these guys are extremely knowledgeable about the area and they are great guys to spend time with to hear all the stories.

    We learned a lot about the folks who lived there before, and the critters, the logging companies and the CCC that left their temporary marks, the Forest Service who are currently changing the surrounding landscape, and we even saw some marks that had been left by the Native Americans who had also called the area home many many moons ago. My buddy TJ really enjoyed climbing down into a small saltpeter cave along the way to see if he could find any bats.

    Sunday we hiked up to the East Bee Branch and saw the Big Tree, and the falls, which were dry, (what a beautiful spot), and I imagine even moreso when the waterfalls are running.

    I wish we could have stayed around to eat at the Steak house on Sunday, but we had to head on back home. Thanks Thomas for handing us some fantastic Milo's tea for the ride back to the car.

    I just wanted to thank everyone for such a great weekend. I hope to make it back there soon. Maybe in March.

    This trip report does no justice to the actual trip itself, which of course cannot be described very well in mere words, just as the pictures do not show very much of what was actually there. In any event, I hope y’all will go check out Sipsey Wilderness, as it is a very special place.

    Here's a link to more pictures.
    Attached Images Attached Images


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
    - Mark Twain
    “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
    - John Burroughs

  2. #2
    New Member MandyDawn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Gadsden, AL
    Hammock
    ENO Double Nest
    Tarp
    BWDD WD
    Insulation
    KAQ TQ/DIY KAQ UQ
    Suspension
    AHE CB/WEBBING
    Posts
    27
    I have heard a lot of stories about Sipsy, I have not made it to a hang there yet, but I am very much looking forward to it. Thanks for the trip report!

  3. #3
    BigLazy's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Cordova, TN
    Hammock
    Warbonnet Blackbird 1.7 dbl
    Tarp
    MacCat Ultra
    Insulation
    3 Season Incubator
    Suspension
    Webbing
    Posts
    168
    Looks like is was an awesome trip! I just heard about this area about a year ago and have been wanting to get over there. I think your pictures have just about pushed me over the edge to do it. Thanks for sharing them all.

    By the way, I love the Burroughs quote. It's dead on for me. Thanks again.

  4. #4
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    WB Traveler
    Tarp
    Custom OES tarp
    Insulation
    JRB Down UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    8,797
    Images
    40
    Quote Originally Posted by MandyDawn View Post
    I have heard a lot of stories about Sipsy, I have not made it to a hang there yet, but I am very much looking forward to it. Thanks for the trip report!
    Sure thing. I've heard that Spring would be good. Hopefully they will get some rain soon and the waterfalls will crank back up.

    Quote Originally Posted by BigLazy View Post
    Looks like is was an awesome trip! I just heard about this area about a year ago and have been wanting to get over there. I think your pictures have just about pushed me over the edge to do it. Thanks for sharing them all.

    By the way, I love the Burroughs quote. It's dead on for me. Thanks again.
    By all means at least put it on your short list. It's well worth it. Yes, I did get some soothed and healed and some of my senses put back in order by Nature last weekend.


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
    - Mark Twain
    “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
    - John Burroughs

  5. #5
    New Member MandyDawn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Gadsden, AL
    Hammock
    ENO Double Nest
    Tarp
    BWDD WD
    Insulation
    KAQ TQ/DIY KAQ UQ
    Suspension
    AHE CB/WEBBING
    Posts
    27
    Sounds like a spring group hang is in order!!

  6. #6
    Senior Member mbiraman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    West Kootenays,BC,Canada
    Hammock
    Warbonnet BB DL 1.1 & Lite Owl
    Tarp
    Black MacCat Del.
    Insulation
    Yeti 3,4 & HRQ/HGB
    Suspension
    webbing/whoopie
    Posts
    4,244
    Images
    7
    evrything i've seen here on HF about Sipsey looks great.
    " The mind creates the abyss, the heart crosses it."

    “The measure of your life will not be in what you accumulate, but in what you give away.” ~Wayne Dyer

    www.birchsidecustomwoodwork.com

  7. #7
    Senior Member bigbamaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    NE Alabama
    Hammock
    Clark NX-200
    Tarp
    Clark XL-Fly
    Insulation
    KAQ NR UQ/AHE KAQ
    Suspension
    Strap/cinch buckle
    Posts
    1,693
    NCP:
    I have been to most of the spots that you have pictured in your first post. The Sipsey is a wonderful and inspiring place to visit. It is even better when you get to hike it with fellows like AS, BHB and Heteroi. I have been on several hikes with them in the Sipsey and have never been disappointed. If the rain does come and you are able to get back to the Sipsey, I highly recommend that you go to see the falls (there are several), it is a wonderful experience!!!!!!!!
    Par Si Vis Pace Para Bellum

  8. #8
    Senior Member DougTheElder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Aiken, South Carolina
    Posts
    504
    Images
    4
    NCP, I thought about you guys out there this weekend...new moon, dark nights. You know, there's an old bootlegger that stalks about in those parts and sometimes makes an appearance when you're least prepared. I'm glad you survived intact.
    Sometimes even a Blind Hog finds an Acorn

  9. #9
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    WB Traveler
    Tarp
    Custom OES tarp
    Insulation
    JRB Down UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    8,797
    Images
    40
    DTE, we did indeed make it through intact. Old bootleggers are more than welcome in camp at any time. They'd feel right at home.

    I think a spring Sipsey trip sounds great. I'll have to work on the calendar a bit.


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
    - Mark Twain
    “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
    - John Burroughs

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Western North Carolina
    Hammock
    Switchback
    Tarp
    OES MacCat's
    Insulation
    HammockGear
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    948
    Images
    27
    Nice trip report Patrick.
    I just learned of and saw earlier photos of the Sipsey area this summer. It is on my list of places to hike & hang.
    Would be very interested in meeting other hangers there this Spring.

    Nice photos too.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Sipsey Wilderness, Feb 7,8,9
      By Bammacker in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 12
      Last Post: 02-12-2014, 22:45
    2. Sipsey Wilderness Nov. 2-4 or Nov. 9-11
      By Hokie Hanger in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 10-05-2012, 08:48
    3. 2010-12-30 Sipsey Trip
      By treenester in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 01-03-2011, 18:42
    4. Sipsey Wilderness, Alabama 10-7-2010
      By more in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 32
      Last Post: 11-04-2010, 11:26
    5. Sipsey Wilderness/Bankhead NF Mar 2010
      By MedicineMan in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 18
      Last Post: 03-31-2010, 12:07

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •