White Creek Waterfall Photography Hike, Saturday September 4th

[Joshua Szulecki]

Okay, I've had enough of this summer.

Regardless of temperature, unless it is going to be raining all day, I want to do a photography hike to White Creek in Sipsey on Labor Day weekend.

The details:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 4th
Rain Date: Sunday, Sept 5th
Location: Randolph Trailhead
Time: 7AM

I want to go very early (maybe even earlier than above if possible) for the best lighting conditions. We'll be taking the long way via the trail and creek due to the gear I want to bring, and because a full-on bushwhack in that area would be iffy this time of year. This means we will approach Lower White Creek Falls from below, rise to visit Upper White Creek Falls and Valentine Pond, and leave the way we came.

I need at least one other person, but a group up to ten would be a blast. On our last trip we found the two falls very photogenic, but felt that leaf cover and lower water would make for better photographs.

Please let me know if you want to come by the Wednesday preceeding the hike. 

[weathermansam]

This would give me an excuse to check out FeatherHawk falls as well....I'll see.  I think the missus is wanting to attend a family get together near Mobile that weekend, though. 

[kc251]

I have never been to Sipsey before and planning to go sometime this fall. I would like to go that weekend but it may be a little tough since I am  in Mobile and have to work that Friday afternoon.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I should mention that this will be a slow hike, due to the expected heat, and the fact that I'll be carrying a large format camera in addition to my normal gear. The hike out will probably take twice as long with all that gear.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Okay, forget the large format camera. I took the Pacemaker Speed out for a test hike today in Grundy County, Tennessee, and it is too heavy for this hike, at least until October or so.

However, I still want to go. Add yourself to the list if you want to come.

1) Joshua Szulecki

[JC785]

Hate I cant join you next weekend, that sounds like a great hike.

[weathermansam]

I'm considering hiking Parker Branch and camping there this weekend....tryin g to figure out a way to work this in too.  I want to explore south of parker falls as far as it's doable.  Still planning on doing White Creek this weekend?

[toph]

You can take Parker all the way to Quillan/Hubbard and beyond if you want without too much difficulty.  That's a great hike:   Parker Canyon 11/07.  In fact, you could loop around and meet Josh at White Creek then get him to drop you back off at the Parker trailhead to get back in to your camp

[weathermansam]

That's an idea!  Happen to know where that mortar stone is on Parker?  I've heard or an arborglyph or two out there as well.  I've attacked parker from two routes, the easy way through the pine crap and down a drainage off of tr 201 that went past a shelter with a cairn and a house high on the hill on the left.  It junctioned not far above parker falls at all.  How far is the hike from the falls to the intersection of quillan and hubbard, and do I need to with the creek or get above it?  the slope I came out on I ended up right high above parker cascades the first go around and it took a little rock climbing to get out of there.  Was fun, though. 

[toph]

I'm not familiar with any of the arboglyphs, etc but there are several falls along the route.  Very scenic hike especially after leaf off.  Staying at creek level is easiest.  It's approximately 1.2 miles from Parker Falls to the confluence with Hubbard and then another ~2 miles around to Lower White Creek Falls.  Once you reach Hubbard, it's a pretty easy trek downstream from there...

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'm actually not sure yet if I'm still on. I have to leave the dog behind for this one, and he is getting over a minor flea infestation. On most dogs that wouldn't be a huge deal, but he is really allergic to them, and scratches himself to the point of bleeding. I'm only keeping him in one piece during the workday with Benadryl, and this hike will take well longer than Benadryl lasts between the six hour round trip and the hike itself. I'll get back to you in a few hours, once I have a better idea of how he's doing today.

Stupid required pet rest areas at the apartment complex. Even with Frontline, he still gets bit enough times before they die to make him miserable for weeks. And he ain't doing this hike again.

[weathermansam]

Sounds good.  If we do White Creek, I'll meet you as planned at 7am, do white creek with you and then set out on my own, maybe hike up hubbard and parker.  Makes for a short hike out Sunday, but I'm fine with that. 

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'm out and will have to reschedule. Now way I can leave him that long without coming back to a bloody mess. I'll take advantage of the cool weather to do a little local exploration.

Will want to reschedule for a little later this fall.