Scouts hit Sipsey 10/16-18

[Lostsheep]

Just a warning, you'll see me leading a small group of Scouts through Sipsey this weekend! So, you have been warned. We're working on marking off the 15mi requirement for the backpacking merit badge, and according to the water levels, it should be fun!

Today: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?02450250 (Discharge 4000cuft/sec, 16' deep)

Our itenerary:
Itenerary:
.

Anybody have any other information regarding School House Falls? Never been there and would like to have some information regarding it.

Otherwise, looks like we'll be in for it this weekend!

If you see us, hollar at us!

[Cuffs]

While I have not seen the water levels in person, I would be cautious of making that ford of the Borden/Sipsey junction ...

[angrysparrow]

While I have not seen the water levels in person, I would be cautious of making that ford of the Borden/Sipsey junction ...

I agree.  At the discharge numbers it's at today, that crossing will be much too deep.

Of course, they can simply hike from the Borden Trailhead down the unofficial trail on the other side of the bridge.  It will take them directly to 209, without a ford.

[Cuffs]

I as going to suggest that same trail, but not sure if thats within scouting 'rules.'

[Lostsheep]

Yea, I'm not sure if we're talkinn of the same thing.

We're heading south from the Borden trailhead toward FT209. Here, we'll stay on the N side of the river/fork and parallel it West. DOES THIS STILL MAKE US FORD THE WATER?

We'll have to find someway somewhere to cross to continue, and as far as I could remember, our big crossing wouldn't have occured until Sat afternoon at the FT209/FT205 junction.

Unofficial trail? Can someone show me that on a map?

[Cuffs]

Borden Creek Trail - 200 (official trail) is on the EAST side of Borden Creek.  There is a parallel trail on the west side but its an unofficial trail.  If you walk the east side, you WILL have to ford.

[Lostsheep]

How does one find the WEST trail? Also, is it well marked? We will be on the trail approximately 7pm. We will be hiking by headlamp and flashlight to a campsite somewhere along this trail. I do not want to take the kids on a random goose chase at night, if I can help it...

One more, will there be a campsite or enough space for us to make a campsite?

Cross the bridge and the trail is obvious? We will be willing to miss "Fat man squeeze" in order to avoid the ford!

[Cuffs]

Yes, just cross the bridge and follow the creek bank.  The trail is so well used it will obvious to you.  Yea, you will miss out on the squeeze if you want to avoid the ford...   

[elbowman]

Lostsheep,

I am going to be camping at the bridge starting Thursday night. It will be a group of 3-4 tents right next to the bridge area. Once you arrive, stop by, ask for Eric and I will make sure you get on the west side trail.

Eric

[Big Dumb Admin]

Hey All,
We decided some time back it was probably best we not list any immediate locations and times of scout campouts on the site in public view for safety's sake. LS, I removed the Itinerary for that reason.


M

[Lostsheep]

OOps. Sorry about that Mr. Admin! Guess I didn't get that memo, but I see the reasoning!

I'll keep that in mind!

[Big Dumb Admin]

OOps. Sorry about that Mr. Admin! Guess I didn't get that memo, but I see the reasoning!

I'll keep that in mind!

I guess I should actually publish the memo huh.

[Carnot]

I'll be going this afternoon to do a similar loop.  Will I be able to tell from the bridge if Borden will be crossable at the 209 junction?  I'd prefer to hike the east trail, but I'd rather not have to ford the creek if it's going to be neck high.

[Lostsheep]

You may be able to tell, but as of this morning it's running 7ft at the bridge

http://waterdata.usgs.gov...d=30&site_no=02450250

Now, the lady at the ranger station said you're supposed to subtract 3ft from that for the actual depth, making it 4ft. But why 3ft, I don't know.

Personally, I'm going to keep my eye on it. With the temps hovering in the 50s, I'm going to do all that I can NOT to cross that!

[Carnot]

Maybe 3 feet is the difference in depth between the Sipsey Fork measuring location and the Borden Creek crossing?  Has anybody made any solid correlation between the USGS chart and the actual depth of the Borden ford?  I'm also considering returning to the borden trailhead via trail 207 which I think would mean crossing Borden again at the end.  I haven't been on this trail before, so I'm not sure how difficult this crossing might be.  Does anybody have any insight on this crossing?

[Pathfinder]

Would someone please explain to me why the itinerary of scouting groups is meant to be kept secret. 

[Cuffs]

theres lots of lurkers around the 'net...  lots of kids in the woods...  you do the math