Jan 21 Sipsey Wilderness - 9:30-10:00 am

[Joshua Szulecki]

So, what are everybody's hiking plans for this coming holiday weekend, if any?

I'm considering some dayhiking up in Sipsey/Bankhead, probably Caney or Turkey Creek, if alone, or I might consider Eagle Creek if I had some company. Might even make it a double-header and hit Gregg's Two Falls in LRC, too. If anybody is interested, let me know. I'd probably go Saturday and Sunday, leaving Monday for recharging.

[Big Dumb Admin]

I split this topic because it had gone completely off topic but needed to be addressed.

jo7hs2, Man I would love a local hike this weekend. where should we go?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Not sure... Unfortunately (for me), it looks like it is going to be sunny until Monday, which precludes all but very early and every late waterfall photography.

I'm thinking of a few different things that might be interesting for a chance for a group hike, no matter the size and abilities of the group.

1) A quick visit to Kinlock Falls before or after hiking around the Kinlock area, as it would be nice to see the shelter.
2) Turkey Creek Canyon. Nice, easy, little history, little waterfalls (maybe), and a place a lot of people never see due to lack of official trail
3) Little River Canyon Carhike. Visit Little River Falls (poking around for bottom access), locate and visit Gregg's Two Falls, and scope out the Eberhart Point Trail
4) Oak Mountain.

For a little adventure, I'll offer Eagle/Little Ugly Creek as an interesting day-bushwhack. A 30-45 minute scramble over deadfall in and out, fairly easy going in the canyon, possibilities for either a 2-4 hour hike, or all day. If you own Alabama's Canyon's you probably already know how pretty it is.

I'll see what generates interest, as it is still early. Feel free to suggest alternatives!

[Skippy]

Hey Guy's, I will probably try and go with you on the dayhike,just let me know where and when?

[Magic City Matt]

Cool Man, does anybody have a particular day they would like to go?

[Lesley]

Either Sat or Sun would work.  I have to work on Monday.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'm also good with Saturday or Sunday. Saturday is supposedly going to be breezy.

Does anybody have any feelings on where in light of the suggestions I've made, or for some other location?

[Skippy]

Saturday would be better for me,but if Sunday works better for everyone else I can make that to.
Wherever you guys want to go is fine with me,I have only been to Sipsey 3 times and have made the loop on the main trails,so I'm good with anything.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'm going to suggest that we do something in Sipsey/Bankhead, since I know a lot of us probably don't spend as much time there as we would like.

As I've mentioned above, I have three suggestions that could be fun. The first suggestion, the Kinlock Area, is probably the easiest option in terms of hike distance. I've never visited the Kinlock shelter because I wasn't comfortable with the trail alone, but I think it would be an interesting thing to see. Total distance covered wouldn't be much, and there would probably be time for somethign else. The second suggestion, Turkey Foot Canyon, is another area that I've scouted, but never fully explored. The hiking is supposed to be very easy, although there is less of a "trail" than the first option. Since I had to cancel the previous Turkey Foot hike, I'd like to make that up at some point. The third suggestion is an adventure. 100% bushwhack, so winter is the very best time. A 30-45 minute descent along the drainage leading into Eagle Creek, then easier going along Eagle and Little Ugly Creek. Not strenous, but lots of ways to twist an ankle, and LOTS of deadfall in the drainage. Several waterfalls, all of small-moderate size for Alabama, and all with relatively small drainages (like Turkey Foot) so nothing spectacular with the drought. And of course, there is always Caney Creek, or one of the official trails.

We probably wouldn't have any company in Turkey Foot or Eagle Creek. Kinlock and Caney Creek will almost certainly have visitors on a holiday weekend, unless it ends up being very cold.

I offer these suggestions, but I have no strong preference, and no requests besides the existance of a waterfall somewhere on the hike.

[Magic City Matt]

Alright well Saturday it is. I will go ahead and link this thread to the calendar and change the title so others that may be interested can get involved.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Saturday will work great for me. Now we need a location and a time!

[Skippy]

Hey Guy's,Just heading back to work(last nite on call )and checking to see when and where we are going?  Just post time and place where to meet  and I will see ya there!!

[Joshua Szulecki]

Should I assume that this Saturday forecast for Double Springs...

"A 40 percent chance of snow before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 36. North wind between 10 and 15 mph."

...is going to freak the Alabamians in the crowd out? Sunday instead?

[Lesley]

The weather doesn't freak me out. I'd like to go see Turkey Foot Canyon. If there are any mild to strong feelings about the day or place, I'm flexible. But I wanted to start nailing down some solid plans.

merles

[Joshua Szulecki]

I was leaning towards a trip to Turkey Foot Canyon, too, and then if anybody is interested, maybe a quick hike to the Kinlock Shelter afterwards. Any objections or strong feelings about a different location?

[Magic City Matt]

I'm good. So here is where the rubber really meats the road. Does everybody wanna meet up at Warrior Trading Post? And what time to we wanna get this show on the road?

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'm good with meeting at either the Warrior Trading Post or the Sipsey Picnic area, as they are both around the same driving time from Birmingham. The trading post is 20 miles extra for me, but the ride through Jasper and Double Springs feels like an eternity, so it isn't an issue.

I'm open with pretty much any time, accounting for the 1.5 hour drive, of course.

How does Saturday (weather permitting), Warrior Trading Post, at 9:30-10AM, Turkey Foot Canyon sound? Too late, too early? 

[Lesley]

I like it!

[Skippy]

I'm not sure  where the trading post is?I will be coming down Hwy 160 (Hayden exit) and there is a park and ride at that exit .I do know where the picnic area is at Sipsey.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Okay, well the weather isn't going to be an issue probably...

"Saturday: A chance of snow before 2pm, then a chance for flurries. Cloudy, with a high near 36. North wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible."

Unless your tires are bald, a half inch of snow is nothing, and it probably wouldn't stick to the road anyway. It will however make the hike beautiful.

But Skippy not knowing where the place is could be an issue. Can somebody post directions, or would you everbody rather meet at the Sipsey Picnic Grounds, which I'm guessing we've all been to?