Sipsey Wilderness, AL

[aboyd]

I might be interested in this also.

[Hegone]

Sounds like fun. I live not far away but have never been able to get there and camp out. Done some hiking there.

[McSasQuatch]

I've been to sipsey quite a few times. Most of the wind damage has been removed from the actual trail. I highly reccomend purchasing a map because the present trails will cross a creek at an easier location than plotted on the map, and the trail markers are not very forgiving aling the creek. My buddy and I crossed the creek twice, and each time was a very manageable, knee deep. Plenty of water sources. There are number of clean campsites with fire rings south of Thompson trail head. You can also complete a couple loops when linking various trails. From Thomspon to Big Tree it a strong nine miles large men like myself. The ticks come out in late March, Early April. Finally, if you cross the small bridge after the parking area at Thompson and turn left, about 10-15 minutes of hiking will bring you to some good group sites; but there is hardly a stick of firewood on the ground. Oh yeah, we use Double Springs AL for weather

[MissileMan]

I hang there often. Thanksgiving weekend was my last trip to the Sipsey.

If you go from the Northwest, you should be able to cross the creeks.

East side: From the Borden Creek trailhead, the trailhead is a Bridge. So no problem reaching the big tree.

Borden creek can go from inches to 8 feet overnight. Some folks get caught by that problem if they parked in the picnic area parking lot. When we expect high water, we will go in at Borden Creek, since you can hike down either side. Or cross the bridge and go to the big tree...

On the West side, Ship Rock and Needles Eye is a nice area for hammock camping too.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1388844733.334600.jpg
Waterfall at Big Tree

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1388844777.487474.jpg
Hanging above the Big Tree (on the rim)
It is a fairly easy scramble down to the base of the big tree

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1388844845.742457.jpg
Big Tree in Winter

[bigsig11010]

Please post dates. I would love to go. It's almost right out the back door for me. One of my favorite pics is from there. Got a chance to see the rainbow in the waterfall. Gotta hit it just right to see it but it's breath taking.

[pabica]

My favorite place for hikes, and hanging... Count me in!!

I'm headed that way next weekend... a bit cold, but not too bad...

Thanks,
Bill....

[biggameken]

I love to hike at Sipsey, I've also been there a lot. Another word of advice...try to avoid trail 204A. Trail 204 is great, but 204A was pretty difficult to navigate the last time we hiked it. It's not an official trail so it's not maintained as well. If anyone's been on 204A in the past few months and has an update I'd be curious to hear if it's any better.

Also, I'm bringing a group of beginners from my men's group at church to hike Sipsey on March 14, 15, & 16. Let me know if you'll be out there on those dates and I'll be sure to keep an eye out for you.

[aclawrence]

If you hike in at Thompson creek trailhead you can take the shortcut trail which has some great scenery. Or you can stick to 206 and go by ship rock and eye of the needle. These are the only two ways I've been to the big tree. I would be up for meeting you guys if I can. I haven't made it to a group hang yet. Also almost forgot, if your camping in the canyon I don't think it would be that great of a spot for a group of Hammockers. I went with some ground pounders and my options for trees to hang on we're few.

[MississipVol]

I've been to sipsey quite a few times. Most of the wind damage has been removed from the actual trail. I highly reccomend purchasing a map because the present trails will cross a creek at an easier location than plotted on the map, and the trail markers are not very forgiving aling the creek. My buddy and I crossed the creek twice, and each time was a very manageable, knee deep. Plenty of water sources. There are number of clean campsites with fire rings south of Thompson trail head. You can also complete a couple loops when linking various trails. From Thomspon to Big Tree it a strong nine miles large men like myself. The ticks come out in late March, Early April. Finally, if you cross the small bridge after the parking area at Thompson and turn left, about 10-15 minutes of hiking will bring you to some good group sites; but there is hardly a stick of firewood on the ground. Oh yeah, we use Double Springs AL for weather

Where can you purchase a map?

[southmark]

Here are some helpful links. Sipsey weather, Sipsey Hiking Club, a PDF map, and a link to ordering the Carto-Craft Sipsey Wilderness map. The Carto-Craft map can be purchased from Alabama Outdoors, Bass Pro Shop and I'm sure other outfitter stores.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recre...view/ALSIPWILD

http://sipseywilderness.org

http://www.briartech.com/sipseyonepagea.pdf

http://kfmaps.com/detail.aspx?ID=29