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  1. #1
    Member Looknup's Avatar
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    Two Days in Sipsey Wilderness, Alabama

    We spent 2 days in the Sipsey Wilderness Area within the Bankhead National Forest north of Birmingham, Al. this weekend. We had 7 people in our group with 4 of those being ground dwellers. The three of us hangers stayed comfortable and mostly warm with the exception of one that is new to hammocking and did not have his underquilt adjusted properly. We camped within 20 feet of the beautiful Sipsey River. We had about a 4.5 mile hike in to the camp and then another 6 miles out which should have been about 4 miles. We decided to take an unofficial trail out which was fine til we got back to trail 205. We followed this trail til it ran out due to lack of use caused by tornado blow-downs. We backtracked to the unofficial trail and ran it on back to the trailhead. All in all it was a good trip and we introduced a few to hammock camping.
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  2. #2
    Senior Member Ewker's Avatar
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    glad you had a good time in Sispey. It is an interesting place to go backpacking

    We went there last yr and got on a trail that was unmaintained. We finally got thru itl
    'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read.” ― Mark Twain

    Who cares about showers, gourmet food, using flush toilets. Just keep on walking and being away from it all.

    There are times that the only way you can do something is to do it alone.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
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    Wow, that second photo of ya'll standing in front of that tree...that thing was gigantic Must be old growth forest to be that big.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Hototo's Avatar
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    Sometimes one finds the best things when strolling along unofficial trails. Looks like a great weekend.
    Enjoy life's journey, but leave no tracks...

    Mahna Mahna...

    "The more we hang, the more we have to leave in the end" -Gresh

  5. #5
    Senior Member obmit's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by outdoorsguy View Post
    Wow, that second photo of ya'll standing in front of that tree...that thing was gigantic Must be old growth forest to be that big.
    Sipsey is home of the largest Poplar tree in the state.
    Tim
    I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be. ~ Douglas Adams

    We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

  6. #6
    Member Looknup's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by obmit View Post
    Sipsey is home of the largest Poplar tree in the state.
    Yep. My tree straps wouldn't fit around it. The largest and maybe the oldest Yellow Poplar in Alabama. You come around the corner and BAM!! there it is in front of two high waterfalls. It's overwhelming. You just have to be there. It's called the Big Tree oddly enough. Sipsey is described as the land of a thousand waterfalls.

  7. #7
    Senior Member halfastronomical's Avatar
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    Sounds like a great time. I have been all over the US, and Sipsey is still one of my favorite spots ever. There is always something new.
    Trail information, photos, waterfalls and vistas on the DeSoto Scout Trail facebook page.
    https://www.facebook.com/desoto.trai.../photos_albums


    Soon I'll lose these rags and run, Returning to the wild where I'm from. -Chris Whitley

  8. #8
    Senior Member aschurr's Avatar
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    What a great trout fishing river

  9. #9
    Senior Member Rain Man's Avatar
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    Thumbs up

    Thanks for the report and the pics! I hope to make it down there this year, in fact, so nice to read about.

    Rain Man

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    "You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims." --Harriet Woods

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  10. #10
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    Nice! Looks like an interesting place to play. Thanks for sharing! ;-)
    YMMV

    HYOH

    Free advice worth what you paid for it. ;-)

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