West Flint Creek Botanical Area

[Pathfinder]

I just now realized that the West Flint Creek Botanical Area is not designated on either the Carto-Craft "Sipsey Wilderness/Black Warrior WMA" nor on the Carto-Craft "Bankhead NF" maps.  The only map that I have that shows the area is an old map that showed the Botanical Area when it was still in the "Proposed" stage.  It is a crying shame that it is left off on both of these popular maps of the area.  What maps do any of you have that show the actual boundaries of the Botanical Area?  It is obviously a regularly visited area, particularly in springtime.  Where do people unfamiliar with the area get accurate map info to use for planning hikes into the area?  Does the Forest Service provide brochures or maps?  I have never seen anything and am curious.

[MobileBackpacker]

im a noob, where is Flint Creek?

[Pathfinder]

The headwaters of West Flint Creek are in the Brindley Mountain area in the Northeastern part of the Bankhead NF.  It is on the Tennessee River side of the divide.  The Botanical Area consists of areas in and around Wiggins Hollow, Indian Creek, Sheets Hollow, and a portion of Poplar Log Cove.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I've been wondering where the heck it was for a few years now. I've seen it referenced, but never seen it on a map. I wasn't even able to confirm that it existed the last time I tried.

[Pathfinder]

Josh, I think if you search you will see a post where McDowra has mentioned going into this area.  I imagine this would be a venue of particular interest to anyone like you who has a love of plants and flowers.

[McDowra]

Actually the couple we hike with can tell you most of the history of Wiggins Hollow.  The last Howells that lived there made a living raising rare and exotic plants. When he got sick they had to move to town and sold the land to the forest service in the late 1960's. The cabin was built in 1810 and burned once but was rebuilt and lived in till the land was sold. It was burned down by the forest service in the 80's. The plants still survive there today, but i couldn't tell what types they are, just that it is a very interesting area.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Josh, I think if you search you will see a post where McDowra has mentioned going into this area.  I imagine this would be a venue of particular interest to anyone like you who has a love of plants and flowers.

Oh, I remember the post. It was only the second mention of the place I had seen at the time, and I was itching to go there. Unfortunately, by then I was leaving Alabama, and I had to prioritize. Sipsey won.

They seem to have posted a website finally, or I just missed it last time I looked.
http://www.fs.fed.us/wild...rn/FlintCreek/index.shtml