Taking a trip 5/27/2010 - 5/31/2010

[EddieNDothon]

I haven't been in along time and never got to go on some of these trails. I would like to see big tree and try to find saltpeter furnace. I'm taking my girlfriend there for her first time and some friends that haven't been either. I have a gps. I figured out my only visits were at Borden Bridge around that area. should i start back there?

[weathermansam]

After approaching the big tree from multiple directions....bo rden....randolph ....thompson creek, and the infamous white oak hollow route, white oak hollow is the one I will always do from now on given a choice. 

[EddieNDothon]

Ok so I'm using the map at http://www.briartech.com/sipseyonepagea.pdf to find my way around. Is this the easiest map? I see Whiteoak Hollow but if I wanted to see Rippley Cabin also should I take  206 and follow it around. I have never been on that side of the Sipsy!  Does anyone have a copy of their map to share with points of interests for the cabin Saltpeter Furnace and Big Tree? Looking for all the help I can get.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Since you have the time, I would order a copy of the Cart-o-craft map. I *think* the coordinates for the big tree are marked on it, but I don't have my copy in front of me. The Briartech map is fine for use at home, but it would be next to impossible to use easily in the field for more than a short hike and a few minutes.

[weathermansam]

Saltpeter furnace I can't help you with, but if you want to see the cabin the only place that's really shallow enough to cross without swimming is near the sipsey rapids.  Provided there hasn't been a terrible amount of rain the water's not more than knee deep just past the rapids. I agree with Josh, Briartech is good but the cart o craft maps are better.  Briartech doesn't show the route through white oak hollow that leads into west bee, but I have some waypoints to help saved somewhere if someone else doesn't get them to you first.  Search back a little bit, there are several trips in the past half year or so that went this route with trip reports and what not.  

If you can get to the warrior trading post in wren they're cheaper than ordering online.  Caution, though, that the new map is tear resistant and unlike the older version I have that could double as a ground tarp almost....my new map already has some holes in it.  

[Joshua Szulecki]

Amen on the tear resistance. The new map tore at multiple folds on the first day. My old map, which I've had for several years, still has no tears. But I digress... The new map is much updated.

If you are coming from the south side of the Wilderness, going up to the trading post might be a bit further than you want to drive, or not... I'm pretty sure Alabama Outdoors stocks the new map, and several vendors online sell it. Wildsouth is selling the new and old map on their site. http://www.wildsouth.org/index.php/shop

[EddieNDothon]

Ok so I really need the Cart-o-craft map, ok. I wanna plan ahead so I'll just order that.  so white oak hollow is not on the map im looking at but it connects with trl 204  (bee branch trl?). so i could make a complete circle and not have to back track? If so that gives me more time to look for saltpeter furnace.

[weathermansam]

This is the loop I did in March with some friends:  



Starting at Thompson Creek trailhead, cross white oak hollow "creek"...you'll know it when you see it.  Just past here, the trail splits, follow the split up white oak hollow to the left [make sure you're on the right side of the creek, not left] and follow it as it bears right, uphill.  You'll hit and old road bed after a ways.  This is trail 205.  Go left about 50ft, look for pink tagging....this is the trail you want to take.  Follow it down, you'll end up with a stream on your right, several waterfalls and finally drop down into a box canyon.  You're now in West Bee Branch.  Follow the trail and then cross the west bee branch.  Go right, with the creek on your right until you hit another creek...this is east bee branch.  Cross it.  Going left will take you to the big tree.  Going right will take you back down to 209, the sipsey river trail.  See the big tree, then follow east bee back to where it hits the sipsey river trail, and go right, heading toward thompson creek trailhead.  You'll know the sipsey rapids when you see it.  eye of the needle, ship rock, the ship rock mortar stone are all interesting things to see.  To get to Rippley Cabin, cross the river here....there's a sandbar that arcs out south of the rapids area that's fairly shallow to cross if the water's not raging.  Once on the other side, turn left and hike down to where a trail crosses your path and attempts to ford the river here [I've done it in the summer months....I've also seen it 10ft deep here].  Go right, uphill...a bluff will rise in front of you, and a trickling cascade of water will be the trail as you round it.  It's a little steep uphill, but keep an eye out on your right now for the outhouse, or carpe diem! just start up the hill.  There are easier routes, but this one is less time consuming.  After you've browsed here, getting back home to thompson creek trailhead....bac ktrack to the rapids, follow the sipsey river trail soon to be thompson creek trail either around the the bend in the river, or shortcut up and through the eye.  there is a trail or two that splits to the left after this, but they lead nowhere.  You'll pass Auburn Falls, and if you're interested, follow up some of the other drainages north of here and you'll be rewarded with more waterfalls....an d another mortar stone, although it's harder to describe how to get to that one without a waypoint.  There are also numerous arborglyphs, a bee tree, the j r riddle tree in white oak to see as well if you keep an eye out for them.  

[EddieNDothon]

thanks. that sound like what I wanna do how long did it take you?

[weathermansam]

We spent two nights out there, took our time.  I misspoke, we ended up not going to the cabin because some of the group were tired and ready to leave by the time we hit eye of the needle....it was their first time camping and hiking this distance with a pack.  The loop excluding the trek to the cabin is about  9 miles.  Going to the cabin and back probably adds another 2 or 3 roundtrip.

[EddieNDothon]

ok that sound good to me.

[darenc]

Weathermansam (or any other knowledgeable source),

I've just discovered this website/forum and this is my first post.  I've hiked the Sipsey for several years now, but I've never explored White Oak Hollow area and I appreciate the information you've provided on this area.  I'm excited about venturing into that area soon.

I typically access East Bee Branch via Thompson Creek and Trail 209.  How much time is eliminated by accessing East Bee via White Oak Hollow vs. the Thompson/209 route? 

Thanks for your feedback.

[EddieNDothon]

trip changed to 5/28/2010 - 5/31/2010.

[weathermansam]

Weathermansam (or any other knowledgeable source),

I've just discovered this website/forum and this is my first post.  I've hiked the Sipsey for several years now, but I've never explored White Oak Hollow area and I appreciate the information you've provided on this area.  I'm excited about venturing into that area soon.

I typically access East Bee Branch via Thompson Creek and Trail 209.  How much time is eliminated by accessing East Bee via White Oak Hollow vs. the Thompson/209 route? 

Thanks for your feedback.

45 minutes to an hour, maybe?  With a heavy pack, the 209 route is easier on the joints, though.