T200 Borden Creek Trail & Cranal Creek Trail

[DavidR]

I'm hiking this trail Wednesday, but adding in the side stream. Has anyone ventured into this area? Any poi's to look out for?

T200 Borden Creek Trail & Cranal Creek Trail

[Jackalope]

I think Uncle Wayne made a post about the "upstream" end of this side stream coming in to it from Cranal Road back in March or so of this year. It has some interesting waterfalls and a couple of old still sites if I remember correctly. From reading his report, it is impressive but looking at the topo, I would guess it looses some appeal about half way down to where it intersects Borden. It has been on my "to do" list since I read his post but I just haven't gotten there yet.

Borden Creek trail (200) is a nice but WELL used trail. I do it about once a year making a loop of starting at the picnic grounds trailhead and going up 200 to the north end, then crossing Borden Creek on the curved bridge and following the unofficial trail back down the other side. When I get to 209, I take it to Falls Creek Falls and then back track back to the 209 Borden creek crossing and then back to the car.

The "unofficial" trail on the west side of Borden is in many ways more interesting than trail 200, though trail 200 does have the "fat man's squeeze/cave/tunnel thing going for it. Both are nice and very different and make a nice in and out that feels more like a loop.

Uncle Wayne's post that I think is about the upper end of the stream you are talking about can be found here: http://www.alatrails.com/...1498.msg9371.html#msg9371

[DavidR]

Many thanks Jackalope and Uncle Wayne!

On the Cranal road, park at the second pulloff past the Bunyan Hill Road on the right going toward Sipsey Drop off into the drainage on the right and there's a waterfall before you even get half way down.  Once at the main stream, turn up stream and there's a waterfall up each hollow.  Of course some of them are seasonal so enjoy them while you can.

The ones I posted are in the second hollow to the right as you go upstream and the big one, Cranal Falls, according to my father-in-law, is at the end of the boxed canyon.  You'll pass a couple of old whiskey still sites also.  The stream, though seasonal, is beautiful also. 

Downstream about a 1/2 mile are three old stills right together on the stream bank.  In just a short distance I found 6 still sites from the parking place.

This stream empties into Borden about half way between Sipsey and the curved bridge.

I wanted to do a day hike, but it sounds like I may end up camping. My goal was to rehike T200 to verify some waypoints but I have and I decided to add in Cranal Creek. I'll likely park midway down Cranal Creek, ride my bike back to the Borden TH, and hike T200 before bushwacking over to Cranal Creek. I think I can do this as a day hike, but if not I can car camp at the mid point.

[McDowra]

Its a interesting area, look HERE

[DavidR]

I decided to go ahead and hike today instead of Wednesday. This hike was different in many ways for me. I haven’t spent as much time on a main trial as I did today in quite a while. I started the hike around 9AM at the Borden trail head. A guy I had met a month ago named John was at the trail head and getting ready to hike the west side of Borden. We caught up while I got my GPS on track then parted ways until the next trail.

There was ice on the bluffs and hanging from some of the trees. The icy rocks were even more slippery than normal. I encountered what I think is the only cave on the east side of Borden pretty soon. The hole was steaming and I didn’t feel like getting wet trying to look deeper first thing in the morning. I didn’t see a FS marker anywhere though.

While walking along the bluff lines on T200 I came cross many shelters & fire rings. There is no shortage of camp sites in this area. The two tiered falls in front of Fat Man’s Squeeze was running beautifully. I was so caught up in taking pictures that I didn’t notice the two ladies standing behind me. After my last shot I put on my head lamp and began through the squeeze. The first thing to greet me was a pair of reflective eyes and the silhouette of a canine type build coming towards me from the other end!

I yelled, “Hey!” to scare the animal, to which someone replied, “Hey.” Right away I realized that it was only a domesticated dog. I’ve become so used to being alone in the woods that the thought of encountering another hiker isn’t foremost on my mind. I laughed and went on through to find the dog and owner waiting on the other side. The dog was an adorable retriever and was still a little upset with me. His owner and I talked for a minute while I petted the dog…lol. After a few minutes the dog was as happy as could be. I made a new puppy pal.

The two ladies and I kept alternating the lead position on the trail. I’d be ahead of them and stray off to look at a bluff line only to run into them again further down the trail. This went on all the way to the Cranal Creek junction where I found them looking at their map. I asked where they were headed and they said they wanted to follow T200. I told them I was doing the same and that we had to cross Cranal. Not seeing an easy way across they decided to stay and ponder on the matter while I slipped my shoes and socks off and splashed on across.

Fall 30 & 31 were running pretty strong. I ran into another group of 3 ladies here. Shooting the breeze they told me they were heading to the Borden trail head. I told them about the Cranal ford headed south another half mile to the T209 ford and then backtracked to Cranal Creek. The three ladies were just crossing as I headed up the south bank of Cranal.

I started out following the north bluff line keeping my eye on the creek below. After finding a few trickling falls, I went back down to the creek and found an old road on the south side of the creek. Following the road into the canyon I got my second spook of the day. Almost at the canyon head I heard a strange growl from somewhere nearby. I froze, quickly scanning the bluff line. Not seeing anything, I clapped my hands a few times to make some noise. Then I continued to check out the shelter and small cave while being cautious. That’s when I heard a loud rustle in the brush about 200 feet away. For the first time I ever I finally got to see some of Sipsey’s hogs in person. There were about five of them and pretty big. I didn’t see any babies, as that was my first concern.

Moving further east I saw cascades & falls and was able to follow the old road most of the way. Mr Hyatt left many of his “H” trees to mark the way. About 1.5 miles from the end of the creek I knew I had to decide on an exit strategy. I had thought I could climb the ridge to Bunyan Hill Cemetery, but standing in that canyon I saw that wasn’t going to happen. I resolved to exit above Cranal Falls not having seen it yet.

Cranal falls is a very nice waterfall. It sits in the center of a canyon with very high walls and is a sizable waterfall. Facing the falls, I scouted the bluff line to my right until I found a section of the wall that water had eroded cracks, crevasses, and handholds into. This was some serious rock climbing I must say. I climbed the 30’ wall and circled around to the top of Cranal Falls. From here it was a little less than a half mile to Cranal Road.

I followed Cranal to Bunyan and began the three mile walk to my truck. I decided to make a pit stop at Bunyan Hill Cemetery since it was on my way. I noticed an “H” tombstone here that reminded me of Mr Hyatt’s mark, but I understood that he is buried in Wolfpen Cemetery. Does anyone know anything about the “H” tombstone in Bunyan Hill?

Arriving at my truck there were 4 cars at the trailhead. I can see why T200 is so popular. It’s an amazing trail and very easy to hike. Cranal Creek is an area that likely holds more interesting secrets in the bluff line. I missed the stills all together. 

MORE PICTURES FROM THIS TRIP: http://www.alatrails.com/.../thumbnails.php?album=102

T200 Borden Creek Trail & Cranal Creek Trail

T200 Borden Creek Trail & Cranal Creek Trail

T200 Borden Creek Trail & Cranal Creek Trail

T200 Borden Creek Trail & Cranal Creek Trail

T200 Borden Creek Trail & Cranal Creek Trail

T200 Borden Creek Trail & Cranal Creek Trail

T200 Borden Creek Trail & Cranal Creek Trail

[weathermansam]

Great report, David!  Got some questions for you, the first being how long was this trip mileage wise from Borden up to the head of cranal canyon.  I think this would make an interesting camping trip for the spring when I'm introducing newbies.  I've hopped that creek a number of times, but never put a name to it.  Second, one of these people I taking has asthma, so I'm curious about how much uphill stuff you had to deal with.  He'd be unable to scale that rock wall, but that wouldn't be a hinder,  I could opt to take them out through the picnic area instead.   

[Pathfinder]

David, as expected, another great report!

[DavidR]

Great report, David!  Got some questions for you, the first being how long was this trip mileage wise from Borden up to the head of cranal canyon.  I think this would make an interesting camping trip for the spring when I'm introducing newbies.  I've hopped that creek a number of times, but never put a name to it.  Second, one of these people I taking has asthma, so I'm curious about how much uphill stuff you had to deal with.  He'd be unable to scale that rock wall, but that wouldn't be a hinder,  I could opt to take them out through the picnic area instead.   

Thanks guys.....

It is 5.6 miles from where Cranal Creek intersects Borden Creek to Cranal Rd. As for elevation change, it is pretty mild if you stay with the creek. Venturing into the canyon heads isn't very difficult either. You can see a waypoint I called "Road" on my tracks that is where I ran into an old road that I followed way up to the top of a ridge. I bushwacked back down a drainage, but it may join the creek further down. That was the only major incline I recall. I'd recommend, as Uncle Wayne did before me, hitting the trail after some good rain to see the falls in all their splendor.

[cwhitt7]

Hey David, I'm Clay, the other hiker you met at Fat Man's Squeeze the other day.  It was good meeting you.  Sorry again about Rudy (the dog), he likes to play the "10ft. tall and bulletproof" card when strangers come around, but he's a harmless puppy at heart.   

Thanks for referring me to this site, I noticed you had a GPS device you were carrying.  I'd be interested in learning about it/similar products/ for future excursions.

Again, good to meet you on the trail Monday.

Clay

[DavidR]

Clay, glad you looked into AlaTrails. Your dog is awesome and very well behaved. We just startled one another when we met.....lol. Yeah, I use a Garmin Colorado 400T and am very happy with it, but there are many options. Try searching the Gear forum to read reviews and such. You'll find a wealth of info here at AlaTrails.

[weathermansam]

Any good camping spots, say for a party of 5?

[DavidR]

T200 has several. Cranal Creek is pretty thick most everywhere and where it wasn't it was either sloped or wet. Maybe after my marker "Road" up on the ridge area. That is the only place I can think of. There are no fire rings or established sites in this area that I came across.

[Uncle Wayne]

I followed Cranal to Bunyan and began the three mile walk to my truck. I decided to make a pit stop at Bunyan Hill Cemetery since it was on my way. I noticed an “H” tombstone here that reminded me of Mr Hyatt’s mark, but I understood that he is buried in Wolfpen Cemetery. Does anyone know anything about the “H” tombstone in Bunyan Hill?

Some of my wife's ancestors are buried in Bunyan Hill cemetery and they were Hendersons.  We clean that cemetery off each spring but I don't remember that particular marker.

[DavidR]

Some of my wife's ancestors are buried in Bunyan Hill cemetery and they were Hendersons.  We clean that cemetery off each spring but I don't remember that particular marker.

I thought that was likely the case as I saw "Henderson" on another tombstone. I love to know more about the history of these people. The only date I photographed was a "Smith" that died in 1880. The valley would have been well established by that time as the white man is thought to have settled in around 1780, but I don't know when these people settled into the area. The official Lawrence and Winston Counties had been around 30 to 60 years prior to 1880. I definitely have to chat with you over coffee some time!

[elbowman]

Hello All,

I noticed in Dave's trip report; he mentioned John from the trailhead. That guy has been living in the Sipsey since at least May of this year. That was the first time I saw him, and he has been at Borden or Gum Pond every month I have camped since then.

Seems a nice enough guy, minds his own business, but I noticed last time I talked to him his truck has West Virginia Tags, expired since August of this year.

Did he mention anything to you about how he ended up in the Sipsey?

Eric

[DavidR]

Hello All,

I noticed in Dave's trip report; he mentioned John from the trailhead. That guy has been living in the Sipsey since at least May of this year. That was the first time I saw him, and he has been at Borden or Gum Pond every month I have camped since then.

Seems a nice enough guy, minds his own business, but I noticed last time I talked to him his truck has West Virginia Tags, expired since August of this year.

Did he mention anything to you about how he ended up in the Sipsey?

Eric

That is why I mentioned him. I think he's a cool guy, I just wonder how he's doing out there. We talked for a while when I first met him a month ago. I understood that he was once a mechanical engineer and I was chemical so we chatted for a while. He alluded to his once having a big home, etc... It made me think he was living in BNF. That's gotta be a little hard in this weather for such a duration. I'm going to spend more time with him the next time I see him. Again, he seems to be a super nice guy...maybe just going through some difficult times?