We enjoyed our day in the Sipsey, until.....

[montysano]

We (my wife, daughter, and I) went over and hiked down Thompson Creek to the Sipsey.  Gorgeous day, until....

We got back to the Thompson Creek trailhead and our car wouldn't start.  We got a ride to Cullman with some very kind folks, then had someone pick us up and take up back to Huntsville.  So our van will have to be towed from one of the most remote places in north Alabama.

To add to the drama: we'd planned to meet our son and his girlfriend along the Sipsey, as they came out from a trip to Buck Rough.  As of 6:30, back at the trailhead, well after dark, they hadn't come out.  But they called as we got to Cullman and all is well.

[SmokeDiver]

What rotten luck. Glad you all are safe now though.

[Tacky Hiker]

It sure was nice out. I think we ran into you and spoke for a second. There was 7 of us and we got there Friday night.

[montysano]

It sure was nice out. I think we ran into you and spoke for a second. There was 7 of us and we got there Friday night.

7 young folks with backpacks, down along the Sipsey near Ship Rock today?  Yes, I remember.

[montysano]

What rotten luck. Glad you all are safe now though.

No doubt.  I've been going there for almost 30 years, and since we drive older cars, have always been nervous about just this sort of thing.

I'll have to take off work tomorrow and try to find someone in Double Springs or Haleyville to tow it.  I'm dreading that towing bill.   

[weathermansam]

Tow it to a repair shop in double springs, if possible.  I've had to do that several times in the past when I've been in your shoes.  I didn't like it much, but the charges are something else these days. 

[Uncle Wayne]

We (my wife, daughter, and I) went over and hiked down Thompson Creek to the Sipsey.  Gorgeous day, until....

We got back to the Thompson Creek trailhead and our car wouldn't start.  We got a ride to Cullman with some very kind folks, then had someone pick us up and take up back to Huntsville.  So our van will have to be towed from one of the most remote places in north Alabama.

To add to the drama: we'd planned to meet our son and his girlfriend along the Sipsey, as they came out from a trip to Buck Rough.  As of 6:30, back at the trailhead, well after dark, they hadn't come out.  But they called as we got to Cullman and all is well.

Bummer! We started to Thompson but ended up at Borden.  I wish I could have been there to help you.  But here's a suggestion. If you can wait a couple of days, here's a cheap solution to your towing problem.  Join AAA+ (around $70 per year) and one of the perks is free towing for 150 miles.  I had a breakdown in B'ham a few years back and they towed my car to Moulton for free. It will pay for itself on this tow alone.  And you'll have the coverage for a year in case you need it again.

[Tacky Hiker]

7 young folks with backpacks, down along the Sipsey near Ship Rock today?  Yes, I remember.

That was us !!

[montysano]

Drove 1-1/2 hours back to Thompson Creek to meet a tow truck driver.  We arrived before the tow truck, and the van started!  Headed off the tow truck and drove home.

[Lostsheep]

What a break Monty! Whew!

[Joshua Szulecki]

Bummer. At least you got it started in the end!

I was about to offer a piece of advice to another hiker on the boards and let it go, but I'll say it now... If you are planning on a long hike this time of year, and leave your car for a few hours in a non-busy trailhead (like the side of the road), try to go in multiple vehicles. The first cold snaps and the first heat waves seem to have a tendency to bring the worst out of batteries (and cars, for that matter). You were lucky that you were at Thompson. At some places you might have waited a few hours, maybe even a day, before another car came by.

I too have AAA, although the one time I needed them they left me out in the snow for a while, they've been great to the rest of my family.

[Pathfinder]

I remember one time about 12-15 years ago when my sons and I were camping on Thompson Creek.  When we got back to the trailhead to load up and head back to Florence, our minivan would not shift out of first gear.  It was on a Sunday after sunset and was starting to get pretty dark.  There were not any other cars left at the trailhead when we started to drive home.  That was in the days before I had a cell phone so I was quite scared that it was going to completely quit on us while we were still deep in the woods.  We somehow managed to limp along in first gear all the way to Russellville where I was able to find a pay phone and call my wife to come after us.  I hope that never happens again to me or any of you.

[JC785]

I was one of the 7 you saw, I hate to hear that about your car, that has been one of my biggest fears while hiking.

[SmokeDiver]

Those portable jump start batteries are an awesome investment. I've used mine twice. Always good to have a few tools and a battery in the truck.

[JC785]

Yea after my experience with a blow out on I65 close to 459 I need to invest in a little tire pump. To make a long story short I had a blow out with my wife following me in her car thank goodness because the spare tire was flat. Also when I took the tire out from under my truck I sat it in the grass I looked away and turned back to get the tire and I couldn't find it and I suddenly remember that I am on a hill and look down and see the grass bent over where the tire had slid down the hill.  What a great experience

[WolfVanZandt]

I broke down in Haleyville during the Spring SEHowl (the serpentine belt tensioner broke and I lost the belt). The tow truck driver was the father of a local pastor and was very helpful (I didn't get his card). The garage he towed me to was Whitmans Service Center, who did a great job and didn't charge me an arm and a leg. Since I was stranded, they took care of it right away.

[montysano]

Those portable jump start batteries are an awesome investment. I've used mine twice. Always good to have a few tools and a battery in the truck.

As it turns out, the problem was where the battery cable connects at the starter.  The connection was loose-ish and the cable needed replacing.