Geocaching in Sipsey

[Uncle Wayne]

While I'm sure they are all over the place in Sipsey, I found my first geocache (not even sure if I spelled it right) yesterday en-route to an old home place.  I don't know the protocol so I'm not sure what I can tell about it but I'll admit it was exciting to find it, albeit I done so quite by accident.

[McDowra]

Congrats!!!!!   Go to http://www.geocaching.com  create a account(its free) and log your find.  Whereabouts were you I might be able to tell you which one it is. There are 17 geocachers from Memphis spending the weekend geocaching in Bankhead this weekend. If you see a large group of confused people its probably them.

[Uncle Wayne]

Whereabouts were you I might be able to tell you which one it is.

Gum Pond Cemetery ridge or at least going to it via the Mattox Creek trail.

[McDowra]

I f you were close to Gumpond cemetery  it would be GCH6B8, if you were closer to Mattox Motel it was GC1JVB3.

[Jackalope]

We too found our first geocache this week and as was the case with Uncle Wayne, it was quite by accident.

The kids (7 and 9) were out of school last week so we went on our annual spring break hike. This year, we went poking around the Turkey Foot complex. The kids and I were doing the waterfall photo-op and when we wrapped it up and went looking for Kathy we found her sitting on a rock intently studying the contents of a metal ammo box with "GEOCACHE" stenciled on the side. Excitement filled the air as we examined the contents and figured out what we had to trade for which items that were in the box. You would think we had found real treasure chest.

Needless to say, finding another geocache was all the kids could think about for the rest of the hike. On the way home they actually begged me to take them hiking again so they could find another one. They've always had a good time on the hikes we've taken but I've always insisted they go. This is the first time they've ever asked me to take them.

So, Saturday we went back to Sipsey, this time to Parker Creek and this time armed with a GPS loaded with a couple of geocaches in the area. The kids got to find one each and I have to admit, no one had more fun looking for them than me.

The kids can't wait to go on their next "treasure hunt" and I'm happy we found something that has them excited about getting out.

[McDowra]

Jackalope, glad you guys had such a good time don't forget to log your caches. I highly recommend this series of caches GCX4YA. That whole series is designed for kids and is a big hit. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

[Uncle Wayne]

The kids can't wait to go on their next "treasure hunt" and I'm happy we found something that has them excited about getting out.

Since my kids are grown and gone, I'd never thought about geocaching as a way to get young people involved in the outdoors.  The way I look at it, the more people who love the wilderness will be more people to defend it should we ever need to do so.  Way to go and good luck Jack, I'm proud for you.

[Uncle Wayne]

I f you were close to Gumpond cemetery  it would be GCH6B8, if you were closer to Mattox Motel it was GC1JVB3.

Closer to Gum Pond Cemetery but the waypoint I recorded is different than the geocaching site has listed.  On this particular cache site several logged entries say they searched for hours and didn't find it. One of the journal entries inside the cache says,"moved to a live tree." which may explain the difference in waypoints.  If that is true, everyone else is looking in the wrong location.  Should I list the correct waypoint on geocaching.com?

[McDowra]

Sure list the coordinates as a note, someone may have moved it.

[SmokeDiver]

I recently got my father hooked on geocaching. He wants to go to the beach and ride our bicycles around all day looking for caches. I haven't checked out any caches in Bankhead yet but I plan to.

[eggybaby]

Where does one get permission to hide a cache in Sipsey?
I tried to 'hide' a geocache recently and post it thru 'geocaching.com'. The cache was in a public park, I got chastised cause I didn't get permission thru proper channels (whatever those might be).

I know a lot of the older geocaches were probably 'grandfathered' in, before they got strict on permission.

[McDowra]

No permission generally is needed for National Forests, a lot of them actually encourage it. Hiding them is not permitted in National Parks and Wildlife Management areas. If you are worried about it stop at the Rangers station in Double Springs and talk to them. Could you link me to the geocache you got chastised for?

[Uncle Wayne]

No permission generally is needed for National Forests, a lot of them actually encourage it. Hiding them is not permitted in National Parks and Wildlife Management areas. If you are worried about it stop at the Rangers station in Double Springs and talk to them. Could you link me to the geocache you got chastised for?

My ranger friend said any in the Wilderness area were illegal.  They were not enforcing it because of other priorities.

[Pathfinder]

Insert Quote
Quote from: McDowra on Yesterday at 07:54:18 PM
No permission generally is needed for National Forests, a lot of them actually encourage it. Hiding them is not permitted in National Parks and Wildlife Management areas. If you are worried about it stop at the Rangers station in Double Springs and talk to them. Could you link me to the geocache you got chastised for?


My ranger friend said any in the Wilderness area were illegal.  They were not enforcing it because of other priorities.
Posted on: Yesterday at 07:54:18 PMPosted by: McDowra  
  

Uncle Wayne, did your ranger friend happen to mention that its illegal in the Sipsey Wilderness because it is a wilderness area, or because Sipsey Wilderness is part of a Wildlife Management Area, or both?  Just curious, since the Black Warrior WMA covers a much larger area than just the Sipsey Wilderness Area.

[Uncle Wayne]

Insert Quote
Quote from: McDowra on Yesterday at 07:54:18 PM
No permission generally is needed for National Forests, a lot of them actually encourage it. Hiding them is not permitted in National Parks and Wildlife Management areas. If you are worried about it stop at the Rangers station in Double Springs and talk to them. Could you link me to the geocache you got chastised for?


My ranger friend said any in the Wilderness area were illegal.  They were not enforcing it because of other priorities.
Posted on: Yesterday at 07:54:18 PMPosted by: McDowra 
Insert Quote
No permission generally is needed for National Forests, a lot of them actually encourage 

Uncle Wayne, did your ranger friend happen to mention that its illegal in the Sipsey Wilderness because it is a wilderness area, or because Sipsey Wilderness is part of a Wildlife Management Area, or both?  Just curious, since the Black Warrior WMA covers a much larger area than just the Sipsey Wilderness Area.

He said you were not supposed to leave anything in the wilderness but footprints. They can even fine you for flagging a route inside the wilderness. He didn't mention anything about the WMA but I specifically asked about the geocache I found on the way to Mattox Creek, which was inside the wilderness area.

[Uncle Wayne]

The Boy Scout in me says, "Yeah, that makes sense."  The Geocacher in me says, "Bummer, man!"  The Hunter in me says, "What about all those dead hogs?"

If you kill one today, it'll be all gone by tommorrow.  They eat everything, even their own. My wife's people own and hunt 240 some acres in the BNF and they hunt the hogs year round on the private land.  A rotting carcase is never a problem.

[McDowra]

Looks like I will be visiting the Rangers office next week to check on this. Uncle wayne can you tell me who I need to talk to?

thanks

[Uncle Wayne]

Looks like I will be visiting the Rangers office next week to check on this. Uncle wayne can you tell me who I need to talk to?

thanks

My friend has been re-assigned to the Talledega office so i don't have an inside contact in Double Springs any more.  I know several of them and anyone you talk to will be able to help you. If you've just got to ask, I'd go right to the top and talk with the acting district ranger.

I'm certainly not telling you not to do but experience has taught me that you can ask to many questions.    Once you've been told to stay out of the cookie jar, you can no longer ask forgiveness if you get caught with your hand in the cookie jar.

[JustADude]

I agree with Uncle Wayne. Rather than ask in person, I would call and ask and try not to give them my name. Then later nonbody can look me in the eye and say, "I told you not to do that".

[Uncle Wayne]

I agree with Uncle Wayne. Rather than ask in person, I would call and ask and try not to give them my name. Then later nonbody can look me in the eye and say, "I told you not to do that".

The "don't ask, don't tell" rule applies very nicely in situations like this where no real harm is done to anyone.