Quillan Creek Deviation

[DavidR]

I'm planning to hike the Quillan loop that Eric & JC reported, but a different route. I used the tracks that Eric sent me as a base for the route. I've read McDowra's report on her trip a while ago and all other info that I can find. Can anyone tell me where the John A. Riddle hands up tree is on my attached map? I know there are many other waterfalls and I'll take time to see them. Is there anything else I'm missing? Also, if the walls of the canyon are like Parker Branch (seems they are by what I've read), do I need to bring rope for climbing? I'm planning on hiking 2 full days and camping one night, but may stay 2 if needed. Thanks

Quillan Creek Deviation

[McDowra]

you shouldn't need any rope. The riddles hands up tree is located next to a old still site HERE, Its above the number 1. That should be pretty close to it I can pm you the coordinates tomorrow I think they are in my spare gps and it should be back tomorrow. There are 3  waterfalls on Riddle Creek and the old Mill site I know of is located close to number 10.

[DavidR]

Thanks McDowra. I'll update my map tonight. I'm looking forward to the 30 degree nights next week.

[McDowra]

HERE is the old mill site that I know of.

[JC785]

David

That looks like a great route, I wanna head back to that area soon and explore more. While we were there we ran into a boyscout group that entered the Quillian area by following the drainage that the big cascades are located on.

[Haveuseen1]

Keep me posted on any Hog sign you see.

[DavidR]

Thanks McDowra. I followed the links you included, but I'm not a member there so I couldn't get the GPS coordinates. I've updated my map to include the things you mentioned. Let me know if I have them indicated in the correct general area.

Cool, Thanks JC785. That might allow me to use my car as a restocking point midway in the hike. I don't think I'll need to restock, but it's good to know that I easily can if I want to.

This is a beautiful loop hike.  Quillan is one of my favorite places to go in the forest.  When you get to where Arnold motorway crosses Quillan, go upstream for maybe a half a mile, not for sure, until you find a waterfall.  It's the first on upstream from the crossing. Along side this waterfall you'll see some old parts left from the time when there was a grist mill across Quillan waterfall.  When i was a boy there was still some of the old supports standing which helped support the water wheel as it spanned the creek.  Almost any drainage you turn up through here will carry you back to FS road 208.

Look at the Beech trees through this area. Several old dates and a couple of arborgylphs besides the John A. Riddle hands up tree.
It is a beautiful time to visit this area.

Does anyone know if these arborglyphs are north of Arnold, or close to the Hands up Tree? I just realized that I saw the 1800 tree beside Parker Branch right beside the mortar. I thought it was just random numbers and letters until I saw a picture that Pulley had taken of the tree and it was more legible...lol.

Updated Map

Quillan Creek Deviation

[Old Hickory]

HERE is the old mill site that I know of.

I was in the area earlier this week. I think I may have found the impeller you mentioned:

Quillan Creek Deviation

[Old Hickory]

Keep me posted on any Hog sign you see.

I saw hog sign everywhere in the drainage.

A large, well used wallow:

Quillan Creek Deviation

A rubbing tree:

Quillan Creek Deviation

[dayhiker]

I was in the area earlier this week. I think I may have found the impeller you mentioned:

Quillan Creek Deviation

Is that upstream of Arnold?  It seems like upstream of Arnold there is a falls on a right hand branch, but the left hand branch has some nice cascades, plus random metal bits similiar to your photo.  It's been a few years since I've been up that way though.

[dayhiker]

Thanks McDowra. I followed the links you included, but I'm not a member there so I couldn't get the GPS coordinates. I've updated my map to include the things you mentioned. Let me know if I have them indicated in the correct general area.

Cool, Thanks JC785. That might allow me to use my car as a restocking point midway in the hike. I don't think I'll need to restock, but it's good to know that I easily can if I want to.

Does anyone know if these arborglyphs are north of Arnold, or close to the Hands up Tree? I just realized that I saw the 1800 tree beside Parker Branch right beside the mortar. I thought it was just random numbers and letters until I saw a picture that Pulley had taken of the tree and it was more legible...lol.

Updated Map

Quillan Creek Deviation

I've looked for that hole in roof fall before but never found it.  The cascade you show just below it, is that the really nice "S" shaped cascade?

Also, I've looked for  Hands UP several times over the years and never found it.  I think Uncle Wayne first told me about it 5 years or so, but no luck so far.

toph and I are camping in Quillen again in a few weeks.  Maybe we can finally find Hands Up and the hole in roof falls.  That falls is what first made me want to explore Quillan.  There was a picture of it posted maybe 8-9 years back on the original hiking alabama site.

[DavidR]

I'm not sure about the flow of the cascades. This will be my first run at this area. Everything on my preliminary map is from research and other members input. Yeah....I have OCD....lol. I have coordinates for the hands up tree thanks to McDowra. I'll post a report when I get back late next week and everything will be marked accurately.

[weathermansam]

If the weather holds I think I'm going to try for a Quillan adventure this coming weekend.  Good to see so many reports of this area up!

[elbowman]

We also are heading out next weekend for Quillian. Looks like we might have a Alatrails gathering.

Eric

[Uncle Wayne]

I've looked for that hole in roof fall before but never found it.  The cascade you show just below it, is that the really nice "S" shaped cascade?

Also, I've looked for  Hands UP several times over the years and never found it.  I think Uncle Wayne first told me about it 5 years or so, but no luck so far.

toph and I are camping in Quillen again in a few weeks.  Maybe we can finally find Hands Up and the hole in roof falls.  That falls is what first made me want to explore Quillan.  There was a picture of it posted maybe 8-9 years back on the original hiking alabama site.

Here's a bad picture of the Hands up tree.  Good luck and enjoy.

Quillan Creek Deviation

[DavidR]

Thanks Uncle Wayne. I had imagined that it was a tree with hand like limbs. Does anyone know why this is called "hands up tree?" Bullet holes?

[Uncle Wayne]

Thanks Uncle Wayne. I had imagined that it was a tree with hand like limbs. Does anyone know why this is called "hands up tree?" Bullet holes?

Old brother John A. Riddle was a local moonshiner.  He got caught near this vicinity at his still.  A contemporary of my father-in-law, he said after John paid his debt to society for making whiskey, he carved the torso with up stretched arms  on the beech tree. 

[dayhiker]

Here's a bad picture of the Hands up tree.  Good luck and enjoy.

Quillan Creek Deviation

I looked for it around that still the first time you told me about it.  I think that was before my '04 trip to Quillen.  A year or two ago toph and I tried again with gps coords that he got from either you or Jeff.  We struck out again.  We're supposed to go back again weekend after next.    Can't go this weekend because of some ballgame Sat afternoon.

[dayhiker]

I'm not sure about the flow of the cascades. This will be my first run at this area. Everything on my preliminary map is from research and other members input. Yeah....I have OCD....lol. I have coordinates for the hands up tree thanks to McDowra. I'll post a report when I get back late next week and everything will be marked accurately.

Here's a pic of the cascades.  It veers back to the right at the top of this photo. 

[Pully]

Can't go this weekend because of some ballgame Sat afternoon.

lol  You're choosing football over hiking? I don't blame you. Should be a good game if 'Bama comes to actually play. I plan on doing Quillan and watching the game 

You up for another trip to the Well next year after the cave ban is lifted?

The hole in the roof falls is just before the S shaped cascade you are talking about. Cross the creek at the top of the cascade and go above the first waterfall.

[dayhiker]

lol  You're choosing football over hiking? I don't blame you. Should be a good game if 'Bama comes to actually play. I plan on doing Quillan and watching the game 

You up for another trip to the Well next year after the cave ban is lifted?

The hole in the roof falls is just before the S shaped cascade you are talking about. Cross the creek at the top of the cascade and go above the first waterfall.

Maybe on the Well. 

In the background you can see a log over a creek.  I believe that's a side creek coming in.  You're saying cross/stay left of that creek and then circle back left to the top of the falls just before the cascade starts?

[montysano]

Maybe on the Well. 

In the background you can see a log over a creek.  I believe that's a side creek coming in.  You're saying cross/stay left of that creek and then circle back left to the top of the falls just before the cascade starts?

Are we talking about the Quillan Cascades (that are part of Quillan), or what I call the Big Cascades that come in from a side creek?

[weathermansam]

How much am I going to be missing if I cut back once seeing hole in roof falls and head out of the drainage where mile 5 is on that map?  I'd liked to do an overnighter of this, spend saturday night out there, but if needed be I'd like a day hike option.  Can Schoolhouse Falls be worked into this loop easily as well?  I'm going to follow DavidR's route almost verbatim I think. 

[Jackalope]

In the background you can see a log over a creek.  I believe that's a side creek coming in.  You're saying cross/stay left of that creek and then circle back left to the top of the falls just before the cascade starts?

This may be helpful in finding the "Hole in the Roof" waterfall.

Going upstream, after passing the "Big Cascades" canyon which will be on your right, the next stream entering Quillan from the left (not counting the one just about across the creek from the Big Cascades) will have a three tiered waterfall where it enters Quillan Creek. (pics below at low and high water flow). Work your way up above the three tiered waterfall on your right hand side of it and follow upstream to find the Hole in the Roof waterfall.

[Jackalope]

How much am I going to be missing if I cut back once seeing hole in roof falls and head out of the drainage where mile 5 is on that map? 

Can Schoolhouse Falls be worked into this loop easily as well?  I'm going to follow DavidR's route almost verbatim I think. 

Once you bag the Hole in the Roof it isn't much farther to the Arnold Motorway but well worth the time and effort. The Arnold Motorway is an easy way out as it is an old road bed. I don't know how much more you would miss upstream of the Arnold as I have never been there but from all reports the waterfall and old mill site about a half mile upstream is certainly worth the walk.

I don't really see how you can get Schoolhouse Falls into this loop. It is pretty easy to get to from Trail 206 (Thompson Creek Trail) and I know you can get there from the "switchback" parking area but I haven't been that way. I believe Pully knows that way and can advise.

[montysano]

How much am I going to be missing if I cut back once seeing hole in roof falls and head out of the drainage where mile 5 is on that map?  I'd liked to do an overnighter of this, spend saturday night out there, but if needed be I'd like a day hike option.  Can Schoolhouse Falls be worked into this loop easily as well?  I'm going to follow DavidR's route almost verbatim I think.  

As Jackalope said: don't miss the area from the Cascades to where the Arnold crosses; it's special.  Also: conventional wisdom has been that going out anywhere between the Arnold and Riddle Creek is tough going.  I did it years ago (going out the drainage between Riddle and Big Cascades; very purty, BTW), before all the hurricanes and tornadoes hit the area, and it was a blowdown-and-briar hell then.  I can't imagine how it is now.

[Pully]

I don't really see how you can get Schoolhouse Falls into this loop. It is pretty easy to get to from Trail 206 (Thompson Creek Trail) and I know you can get there from the "switchback" parking area but I haven't been that way. I believe Pully knows that way and can advise.

There's an old log road about 100 feet south of the switchback I used to reach School House Falls. Be sure to mark the falls on your GPS before you go because the road forks and you'll probably lose it. Once you go far enough, you can just go down to Schoolhouse Creek and follow it to the top of the falls. This route can be tedious and no easy way into the canyon until you get closer to Thompson Creek. Like Jackalope said, an easy way is to just hike 206 to Ship Rock and cross Thompson Creek but I prefer the shortest way which is not always the easiest. The canyon walls are tall and have interesting geological features. Be sure to go after a rain or the falls will not be very impressive. There's also a neat bluff shelter on the east side of the canyon. If you do go to Schoolhouse Falls, head east out of the canyon and explore along the bluff line upstream on Thompson Creek about 1/4 mile.

[dayhiker]

Which falls is called Schoolhouse?  Is that one of the three on Riddle?

[Jackalope]

Which falls is called Schoolhouse?  Is that one of the three on Riddle?

Schoolhouse Falls is in King's Cove. It is not referenced at all on the Carto Craft Map (at least not the old one) but King's Cove is. Trouble is, it is not very clear where it is. The Briartech map does show it.

If you are where Thompson Creek joins Hubbard Creek to form the Sipsey River and head up Thompson Creek, it is up the first feeder stream to the west.

[Pully]

I read last night that King's Cove actually covers the area from Ship Rock all the way up to the northern section of Thompson Creek around Mattox Creek. Now I cannot find the website I found the information. I'll search in my "history" later. The site had good information.

[Pully]

So it was a book or teacher's guide.
Warrior Mountains Indian Heritage
You may have to click the link a couple times for it to work.

[elbowman]

Pully,

Very interesting read! Thanks!
Eric

[DavidR]

How much am I going to be missing if I cut back once seeing hole in roof falls and head out of the drainage where mile 5 is on that map?  I'd liked to do an overnighter of this, spend saturday night out there, but if needed be I'd like a day hike option.  Can Schoolhouse Falls be worked into this loop easily as well?  I'm going to follow DavidR's route almost verbatim I think. 

I had considered including schoolhouse in my route, but the elevation after riddle falls looks a bit difficult on the map. I have two areas in mind to include depending on how easily I am able to move around this route. One is Schoolhouse & King's Cove and the other is Quillan North of Arnold Motorway. That will be a decision I'll make before going to sleep after my first day of hiking. I'll be able to more accurately asses my situation then.

[Jackalope]

I read last night that King's Cove actually covers the area from Ship Rock all the way up to the northern section of Thompson Creek around Mattox Creek. Now I cannot find the website I found the information. I'll search in my "history" later. The site had good information.

Well that explains why the Carto Craft map is so ambiguous about it's location. In reading the text you posted, it looks like a "cove" refers to a larger area than I would have thought.

Does anyone know what exactly a cove refers to in the context of describing geographical features in this area?

[DavidR]

I'm packed and ready to hit the trail in the morning. I got my camping permit via internet. That's pretty handy! I'm taking extra supplys to leave in my car in case I decide to stay 2 nights. I can easily restock and keep going. Another idea I see, but aren't doing, is to set up a base camp near mile 5 on my map. You could easily walk from camp to your car making many more things possible. As for hiking, my route could be broken up and expanded; Say hike the South portion and maybe include Kings Cove then camp. The next day hike the North portion and go beyond Arnold.

[Uncle Wayne]

Well that explains why the Carto Craft map is so ambiguous about it's location. In reading the text you posted, it looks like a "cove" refers to a larger area than I would have thought.

Does anyone know what exactly a cove refers to in the context of describing geographical features in this area?

I asked my father-in-law a 85 year resident of the Bankhead and he said a cove is the land between two mountains or ridges. Seems pretty accurate.

[DavidR]

I'll post a better report when I get time. I'm in a rush to get out towards Pinhoti. This is an amazing area! Here's a few pictures I took for now:

Quillan Creek Deviation

Quillan Creek Deviation

Quillan Creek Deviation

Quillan Creek Deviation

Quillan Creek Deviation

Quillan Creek Deviation

[dayhiker]

Very nice finds on teh trees.  Riddle is a really scenic walk.  Man, it was great before all the post Ivan blowdowns.  You could zip down that trail to Quillen in no time.

[JC785]

Very nice finds on teh trees.  Riddle is a really scenic walk.  Man, it was great before all the post Ivan blowdowns.  You could zip down that trail to Quillen in no time.

I agree the blow downs are pretty rough in some areas.

[DavidR]

My hike of Quillan was pretty awesome! Thanks again for the tracks Eric. I parked at the niche on Northwest Road on Friday morning saving the walk to the car from Arnold for last. The drainage is flagged well most of the way down to the valley floor. I was able to locate the Hands Up Tree thanks to McDowra’s coordinates. I wonder why the figure has a heart for a head. Maybe Mr. Riddle had a change of heart after his arrest? Following Riddle South I encountered the first waterfall pretty soon. It is a very pretty area with a camp site right at the base of the falls. FYI, there’s a single “Crock” shoe hanging in a tree there. Leaving the falls the area gets a little thick if you stay low with the water. I found another carved tree here but couldn’t make out the words (its in my gallery).

At the south most portion of this area there is a very interesting canyon that contains 3 falls and at least one shelter. One of the falls, Riddle Falls 3, is now my favorite in Sipsey. I say that because it is a 30’-35’ fall into a beautiful canyon trimmed with lush moss, massive boulders and flakes, and a small cave behind the fall. I chose to go down into the canyon, but noted flagged trails on the upper ridge on the East side.

Backtracking for a moment out of the canyon, I picked back up on Eric’s tracks and followed them NW up and around the ridge between Riddle and Quillan. Nice call to follow the drainage Eric! This route omits a small section where Quillan and Riddle meet but I doubt anything significant was missed. Following Quillan at the base of the drainage I came upon another camp site. Across Quillan I could see a small fall (Falls?5). I didn’t bother to hike over to it since I could see it from where I stood.

I found another cascade I titled Fall#22 on my tracks in the 1st stream I came to. I suspect a possible fall farther North in this area. A little farther upstream is Fall#23. It has a drop of about 20’. I stopped for lunch at the Indian Campsite. This would be a cool area to camp if you’re a hammock camper. The site has low rock walls, a fire ring, a few rock seats, lots of bluff shelter and easy water access. There are multiple cascades and falls along here so I won’t go into detail about all of them.

I had intended on exploring the entire stream above Big Cascades but I only made it .3 miles North of it and turned back due to heavy blow downs and bush. Kudos to Eric for covering this area in his thread:

We decided to drop down the drainage that contains the Big Cascades and work our way down to Quillan and back out Arnold. So we walked about half way down the road from the parking and started bushwhacking. It was HARD going.
Nothing like the Riddle drainage. Even after coming thru the initial blowdown area by the road, the drainage never opened out flat like Riddle. Constant blowdowns required crisscrossing the stream as we made our way to the Big Cascades. A couple hundred yards before the Big Cascades, we came upon a smaller set of cascades and wondered if this was what every called the Big Cascades. We thought if that was it, it was not worth the effort.

But as we continued following the stream, we came to the actual Big Cascades, and were not disappointed. Very nice!
The climb down from the top of the ridge was fairly easy, with marking tape showing the spot. At this point we met Pully, Pully's Dad, Weatherman Sam, and Jaybird as they were coming downstream from Quillian.

I have decided to start carrying repelling rope with me due to busting my tail multiple times on the cascades….lol.

NW of Big Cascades is the Hole in the Roof Falls. This whole area is pretty interesting. Hole in the Roof is one cool fall! Many thanks to whoever left the hammock. I assume it’s for anyone to use. It’s in a Ziploc sitting in a non conspicuous area.

Past a few more cascades, a camp site, and a fire ring, I decided to camp in a clearing that runs north right after Arnold Motor Speedway. There was a fire ring and lots of flat ground. (If anyone stays there I think I left a gold aluminum tent stake there…lol.) This was one occasion that a campfire was more than nice, it was necessary. My shoes were soaked and it was getting very cold. Huddled in by the fire I had dinner and warmed my feet as my shoes dried, adjusting them now and then to keep them from getting scorched. I didn’t get cold until around 3AM and it was only the exposed area from my mummy bag; nose to chin.

Saturday when I woke up there was a little snow on the ground as I hiked further West following a stream. The canyon walls of stone gave way to rolling hills covered in fallen brown leaves. There were thick areas here and there, but nothing major. After half a mile with the elevation getting lower and lower I decided that there’s likely nothing to see here and cut up northward following a drainage up and back down the ridge. The stream on the other side was about the same with the exception of another arborglyph (Bow & Arrow) and the WH 22 tree.

The stream leads back into Quillan heading NW and there is an old logging road that runs with it on the West side. I followed it a bit, but turned back after seeing nothing at the first major elevation change. Then I came to the coolest cascade of this area IMO. It has cut a half tunnel through the canyon wall and is quite long. Neatly placed on the tunnel shelf is a very large iron gear and in the floor of the valley is a large gear part as well.

From here I followed Quillan past a fall and South back to my camp site for lunch. With a full belly I hit Arnold and made my way back to the car. This is an excellent area to hike and not too difficult. There are some areas South of this loop around Quillan and Hubbard Canyon that I haven’t seen and my return for.

Quillan Creek Deviation

Quillan Creek Deviation

Quillan Creek Deviation

Quillan Creek Deviation

Quillan Creek Deviation

Quillan Creek Deviation

More pics here: http://www.alatrails.com/....php?album=102&page=1

Quillan Creek Deviation