How do I get there......... and have you ever been there?

[montysano]

First of all, hello everyone!  I'm happy to have found this forum.  I live in Huntsville, and have been walking the Sipsey for 25+ years.

First question: a few years back, I walked the trail from FS 210 (Kinlock Road?) into Parker Falls.  Now, my son and some friends want to try it out.  Can anyone tell me the exact location of the trailhead?  My memory is that it is right where the asphalt ends (heading north), which is the county line.  Any info would be appreciated.

Second: there's an area that I've been eying for years, and I'm determined to make it there this year.  On Hubbard Creek, between Kinlock Falls and Parker Branch, there is a side creek off to the west. On this map, locate the mark for Kinlock Falls.  Northeast of this mark, there is a side creek running into Hubbard from the west.  On a topo, it has some very interesting elevation changes.  Has anyone ever been there?

A friend and I tried to bushwack in last year from FS 210, but the blow-down was so bad that we gave up.  I may give it a try on our next trip to upper Quillan, which is maybe my favorite spot. 

[highlife]

Its a unmarked trailhead, its on the right before you get to the trailhead. You'll see where there is available parking.

[montysano]

Its a unmarked trailhead, its on the right before you get to the trailhead. You'll see where there is available parking.

Yes...... but where is the parking area?  How would I tell someone how to find it?  As I said above, it seems that it was near where the asphalt turns to gravel.

Thanks, highlife.

[highlife]

sorry, its right before you get to the gravel

[Joshua Szulecki]

First of all, hello everyone!  I'm happy to have found this forum.  I live in Huntsville, and have been walking the Sipsey for 25+ years.

First question: a few years back, I walked the trail from FS 210 (Kinlock Road?) into Parker Falls.  Now, my son and some friends want to try it out.  Can anyone tell me the exact location of the trailhead?  My memory is that it is right where the asphalt ends (heading north), which is the county line.  Any info would be appreciated.

Second: there's an area that I've been eying for years, and I'm determined to make it there this year.  On Hubbard Creek, between Kinlock Falls and Parker Branch, there is a side creek off to the west. On this map, locate the mark for Kinlock Falls.  Northeast of this mark, there is a side creek running into Hubbard from the west.  On a topo, it has some very interesting elevation changes.  Has anyone ever been there?

A friend and I tried to bushwack in last year from FS 210, but the blow-down was so bad that we gave up.  I may give it a try on our next trip to upper Quillan, which is maybe my favorite spot.  

Are you refering to this location: Links farked up.
Or this one: Links farked up.
Or this one: Links farked up.

The first one is the location of the so-called "Kinlock Chute" and is directly downstream from Kinlock Falls. It looks like the upstream area might be interesting, but access above the falls looks problematic. http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=7250754

The second one is an unnamed stream that I know nothing about. I'd expect a waterfall or cascade, but I've been wrong before.

The third one is Quillen Creek, and is one of the cooler parts of Sipsey.

[McDowra]

To get to the parking spot to Parker Falls drive towards kinlock falls. When the road turns to gravel turnaround and go straight back, road will curve parking will be straight ahead. Park at 34 18.185N 087 29.724W, If you have anymore questions let me know.

[montysano]

Are you refering to this location: http://maps.google.com/ma...p&z=15&iwloc=addr
Or this one: http://maps.google.com/ma...p&z=15&iwloc=addr
Or this one: http://maps.google.com/ma...;ie=UTF8&t=p&z=15

The first one is the location of the so-called "Kinlock Chute" and is directly downstream from Kinlock Falls. It looks like the upstream area might be interesting, but access above the falls looks problematic. http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=7250754

The second one is an unnamed stream that I know nothing about. I'd expect a waterfall or cascade, but I've been wrong before.

The third one is Quillen Creek, and is one of the cooler parts of Sipsey.

It's the third choice, but not Quillan.  I'm very familiar with Quillan.

See the attached.  If you look at a topo, there's a pretty rapid 80' elevation change just upstream from the confluence with Hubbard.  I just always thought it looked interesting.

Thanks McDowra for nailing down that trailhead for me.

[Joshua Szulecki]

That would be the second choice, which I know nothing about. I must have goofed with the links, but that is the one I meant to link to, if I didn't. I've heard absolutely nothing about it, and I think that is mostly because few people have travelled that area.

[montysano]

That would be the second choice, which I know nothing about. I must have goofed with the links, but that is the one I meant to link to, if I didn't. I've heard absolutely nothing about it, and I think that is mostly because few people have travelled that area.

Yeah, your 2nd link was to the side creek just downstream from the Kinlock bridge.  But I think you're right: it may be one of the least traveled areas of the Sipsey.

Well, I'm gonna go there and report back.  I think I'll go down the Arnold Motorway, camp at that gorgeous area on upper Quillan, then dayhike over to this mystery canyon....... in a month or two, when the ticks and snakes have gone away.      I'm a cold weather backpacker for sure.

Hopefully by taking that route, I can avoid much of the blow-down areas.  One of our long-time favorite spots, the Riddle Creek tributary to Quillan, is now almost impassible.