Borden Creek Trip Report

[weathermansam]

Introduced a new friend to the Sipsey Wilderness today on the Borden Creek Trail, and I'm glad to report that he liked what he saw!  I plan on taking him back for a trip to eye of the needle and of course the big tree.

On a more serious note, a sizable section of dirt has eroded not far north of the waterfall/tunnel area.  It was quite slippery and not the easiest to navigate around, and a slip meant a dip in a muddy, fast moving Borden Creek.  The magnolias were blooming as well out there, along with spiderwort and heuchera, and there were even a few trilliums left hanging around. 

We also scouted out Kinlock Falls, which was flowing rather nicely as well.  No one else on the trail that we passed, though a few cars were at the Borden Trailhead. 

[Joshua Szulecki]

Thanks for the report!

Was the slide/washout upstream or downstream of the tunnel?

[weathermansam]

Upstream.  Headed from the Borden Trailhead, it's just after the big rock shelter before the tunnel.   

The photo's a tad blurry, but here's what it looks like:
http://www.weathermansam....p/051709sipsey/_9597.html
There's room enough for one foot in front of the other here.  There's a tree stump and rock to the left just out of the photo.  We opted for hopping over the rock on the return trip.  I also noticed a log jam I haven't seen before and possible way across Borden Creek [I've been sidelined a lot lately with health problems].   

[Joshua Szulecki]

Wow... That is a really nastly slide.