Some typcial Sipsey newbie questions

[askantik]

Hi everyone, glad to have found this forum. 

I'm from Starkville (Miss State Univ) so not too far away.  This'll be my first time going to the Sipsey area.  I am by no means an athlete, but I am fairly experienced in hiking low to moderate terrain.  What are some of the most scenic routes?  I'm interested in big trees, interesting species (plant or animal), creeks, waterfalls, and the like.  I'll be taking plenty of photographs, I'm sure.  Also I'll be looking for a good place to camp.  Rather than type 3 or 4 paragraphs (I'm bad at being long-winded on the Internet), I'll just ask my questions:

• What is your favorite area to hike?  I don't mind hiking a couple miles to a pretty spot, either.
• Where is a good place to camp? I don't want to sandwiched in between two other tents, but I will be alone so I don't exactly want to be in the middle of the woods at night by myself   Scenic beauty is nice, but I'd sacrifice a little at my camping spot to be near some other people, if that's possible.
• Do I need to wear bright colors/orange?  I don't want to get shot while I'm hiking
• I need a permit to camp, right? I can do the Googling to find out where to get it, etc., but just wanted to make sure I needed one.

If there's anything else you want to throw out there to someone who has never really been to the area, it'd be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!
cody

[Joshua Szulecki]

What is your favorite area to hike: My personal favorites would be Eagle Creek/Little Ugly Creek, and Caney Creek, for the waterfalls. Of course, those present issues because Eagle Creek is a bushwhack, and Caney Creek isn't actually in Sipsey. Borden Creek is a great introduction to Sipsey for daytrips. The Big Tree is a great introduction to Sipsey for longer hikes. It can be done as a dayhike or as an overnighter.

Where is a good place to camp: Carcamping is possible in several areas, including Borden Creek and Wolfpen Camp. Other types of camping are good anywhere you can find a spot.

Do I need to wear bright colors/orange: During hunting season orange is a good idea. For the rest of the year high-visibility colors are still a good idea, because people do get lost in Sipsey and end up needing rescue.

I need a permit to camp, right: Yup. During gun hunting season you'll need a permit.

[montysano]

Hey Cody,

Welcome aboard.

How about Favorite Places to Hike for a Newcomer?  I would agree with Joshua that the Thompson Creek/Sipsey River/Big Tree route is a great place to start.  You're likely to have some company.

My favorites?  Upper Quillan Creek and West Bee Branch.

Where to camp?  Well, if you're backpacking, then wherever you want to!  This is the beauty of the Sipsey. 

Yes to bright clothing.  Yes to a permit.

While there are a few main trails, the majority of the Sipsey is true wilderness: no trails, no signs, no designated campgrounds.  If you decide to go off-trail (i.e. bushwhacking), be sure that you're competent with map and compass, or that you have a GPS and know how to use it, or both.  It's deceptively easy to get lost in the Sipsey.  I've done it, my friends with 30 years experience have done it.

Wear good boots with lots of ankle support, esp. if you go off-trail to explore the canyons.  It's amazingly beautiful, but very rough going, with level ground hard to find.  My knees and ankles ache for a week after a trip.



 

[elbowman]

Hello Cody,

Glad to see another Starkville resident on board! Once you spend some time in the Sipsey, I guarantee you be back as often as you can.

There are two great websites to get you started on your planning.

Try http://www.sipseywilderness.org/ & http://www.briartech.com/sipseyonepagea.pdf

The hiking club website gives great trail descriptions and maps. The briartech website has great maps of the area also. I use both sites, determine where I am heading to, print off the maps, laminate them and I'm ready to go. Plus their free.

Once we get thru the end of January, camping permits and hunting will be over.

I would recommend hiking out to Falls Creek Falls and spending the weekend there for a first or second time trip. You will be less than 2 miles from your car, the falls are great and it is a good location to see some nice falls, bluffs, and there is a great camping spot on top of the bluff over-looking the falls.

Eric