Sipsey Big Tree Trip

We had planned to take this trip back in the fall, but sick kiddos interrupted our plans. So when DW suggested going on a BPing trip on my birthday, I already knew where I wanted to go. So Friday morning I started getting our gear packed while DW got the kids and our clothes and food together.  By the time we got all that done it was 2pm, dangit. (lesson learned: when packing a trip w/ kids, pack the night before.) And these packs are HEAVY! So we dash across on Hwy 36 to Wren and then to the Warrior Mtn WMA HQ to get camping permits. Well, they only do hunting permits there, they tell me. So we have to drive all the way to Double Springs to get to the camping permits, and its nearly 4pm now. So I go ahead and get it for 2 nights, since the first day is shot. Then I rush to the grocery store in town and get more food for the extra day. By the time we make it to the Thompson Creek Trail-head it's getting dark. So we grab our packs and dart down FT 206, dragging the kids (not really, they were excited to go (and a first trip for our dog, Oreo)), with headlamps on, so we can find a campsite.

The rest of the evening goes according to fashion: tents get setup, sleeping bags put out, water gathered from the nearby Thompson Creek, dinner cooked (cheesy tuna noodle), and marshmallows roasted over the campfire. Dw and I divided up the kids (she take the younger 2 DDs in the SwissGear Hiker tent and I have DD1 in the smaller Academy Broadway 2-man dome) and were in bed by 9pm.

There was a brief rain shower predawn the next morning. We ate a leisurely breakfast, packed up and headed down FT 206. We crossed Whiteoak Creek(?) and headed northeast on the trail. At the 2nd draw, we followed a trail up the large hill. We stopped once by a stream about 1/2 way up and again @ FT 205. We headed North on FT205 about 50-100 yds then went left on a unmarked trail, near a large blown down tree 30 ft off 205. This trail took us down a hollow and followed a stream. At several points we had to carefully climb down mud hillsides and slippery rocks. This is a moderately difficult scramble in wet conditions, but its not technical. We made it off the hill about 1pm and had lunch. We then hike over to East Bee Branch and onto the Bee Branch Trail. This trail was is unmaintained so be prepared for going over lots of rocks and blowdowns. This wore the kids out pretty good, and having missed their after lunch nap, they voiced their displeasure loudly as we neared our destination. We arrived at East Bee Branch Falls around 4pm. And realizing we were running fast out of daylight, and not seeing much flat ground in this area of the canyon, we asked 2 young guys where we could camp. They directed us up to FT 204 and there were a couple of good spots to be found just before dark. We had seen the Big Tree (the state champion Tulip Poplar), but hadn't much time to stop and enjoy it. So we made plans to return in the morning. We camped and barely had time to setup, eat, and wash dishes before rain drove us into our tents for the night.

The next morning eating breakfast DW and I decided instead of having a muddy scramble over the waterfalls to return the way we entered Bee Branch Canyon, we would take the longer and less strenuous 204 to FT 224 to FT 208 to return to the van. So we packed our gear and walked the short distance back to the tree to enjoy its beauty properly and fetch water for the dry trails ahead. After spending nearly an hour enjoying the beauty, we return to our camp, donned our still-heavy packs and started out return trip. The kids did better w/ the less strenuous terrain, but the trade-off was less interesting topography to enjoy until we neared the trail-head. The trails (208 and 224) were in better than anticipated shape with only a few small areas of horse tromped mud (not even a tenth as bad as our trip through Mammoth Cave NP in the summer). Oh and the dog did great too.

 Gear lessons:

1. I definately need a new headlamp. When the 99-cent clearance kiddie headlamps are much brighter than yours, it should be replaced. DW wants a headlamp too after trying the kid's. Mine was the 2-LED Energizer one from Walmart, don't buy it.
2. I think I need a second BPing tent. The old Academy Broadway 2-man dome is too short for full size sleeping bags and its single wall design weeps in water. This got the foot of my down bag damp, not good.
3. The Big Agnes Crater 15 down sleeping bag is HOT. Never even zipped half way on nights in the mid 40s. Leg space is a little cramped for side-sleeping. But for $130 on Steep and Cheap, I think its a great bag. Love the pad sleeve and pillow pocket. It compacts well too even with the Air Core pad still inside (deflated).
4. My ancient Peak1 stove is only good for 4 meals (for 5 of us) and 3 washes of dishes (hot water) before running out of fuel. But it does fit inside (1/4 inch too tall to shut completely) my Trek 1400 cookset. Otherwise it worked great except it is heavy.
5. Brought the GSI X2 modular set bowls and cups (purposely left the rest @ home). They were fairly light, very durable, worked well. 
6. The Ray-o-vac little camp lanterns are junk. Practically died (very faint) the 2nd night out w/ brand new batts.
7. DW loves the Patagonia and North Face base layer pieces I bought her for Christmas. She was disapointed at first, but likes them now that she got to use them.
8. DW used some Adidas Trail Runners for the first time and liked it. However, they are not waterproof (however most heavy boots aren't either).
9. DW and I are on opposite ends of the warmth spectrum. She wears 3 layers in 55 deg weather, I wear a t-shirt.