Basin Creek hike 3/06/10

[Pully]

My dad, Pathfinder and I did some exploring in the Basin Creek area today. The hike began slow with an old road walk that turned into a bushwhack through small pines, briars and undergrowth. We lost the road but found a creek which we followed to Basin Creek. Not knowing exactly where to go we quickly decided to hike upstream in hopes of finding something great. We noticed some old name carvings on the trees and a strange, fresh, 3 line symbol on a huge beech tree which we saw in two other places. My dad hiked up the hill from the creek and called for us to come up and walk along the bluff line which was hidden through the bushes and trees. Following the bluff line we were seeing interesting formations and several small arches. Shortly we came to the head of the canyon and very large shelter. Also, there was a waterfall flowing over the shelter. This falls is possibly the tallest or one of the tallest in Bankhead. Leaving this shelter we continued following the bluff around and went up another drainage. There was a strange carving on a tree. At the head of this canyon was another large shelter, another tall waterfall and a natural bridge which brings my count to 5 in Bankhead not counting the numerous small arches and forming natural bridges. From here we continued following the bluff line and went up yet another drainage. Wasn't much up this drainage that compares to what we had previously seen. Just a "chimney rock," and a cascade/waterfall. Then we climbed out the canyon and bushwhacked back to the road. It was a great day for exploration.

There's so much to see in Bankhead off-trail that I rarely hike the official trails anymore.

Here are pictures: Pictures

[WolfVanZandt]

O.o

Wow! More of the only-two-natural-bridges-in-Alabama.

I'm running out of two-fingers!



Great pictures. They make me want to hurry up and get up there.

[Pathfinder]

Great pictures, Pully.  Thanks for letting me tag along with you and your dad.  You are both excellent trail partners.

[weathermansam]

You guys go to some really unique places.  I think next fall and winter I'd like to tag along more on your outings  

[McDowra]

Thanks for exploring all these off trail spots, where is Basin Creek?

[Pully]

You guys go to some really unique places.  I think next fall and winter I'd like to tag along more on your outings  

We still have some more hikes to do this spring and summer. I'll have to bring the snake protection back out soon. I'm still cautious from last years close encounters.

Thanks for exploring all these off trail spots, where is Basin Creek?

Basin Creek is in the western part of the forest, west of Kinlock Road. Tributary of Hubbard Creek


Here's a video of one of the shelters and waterfall. You can't really see the true size of the shelter and height of the falls.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/UZJchl_1HzM&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/UZJchl_1HzM&rel=0</a>&

[weathermansam]

We still have some more hikes to do this spring and summer. I'll have to bring the snake protection back out soon. I'm still cautious from last years close encounters.

Drop me a line sometime.  My schedule's a bit wild the next month or so, but I'll go if I get the chance.