Sipsey in October

[Verduretiger]

I just got  back from an overnighter in the Sipsey.  The weather was great but there was a fire ban because of the dry conditions (no ambiance).  I made my first trip to the Big Tree up East Bee Trail.  I was not prepared for all the deadfall on the trail but I perserved and the trip was successful.  One of the things that I saw both coming and going was a large number of deer on the Forest Service Road.  I probably saw 7 or 8 single deer along that road.  One for a fairly large 6 point buck. 

Wild South was on the Thompson Creek Trail surveying wild plants in the wilderness.  They were an interesting group to talk to.  You can find their work at http://www.wildsouth.org

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'm just glad people abide by the ban (usually) in Bankhead. That area has a ton of deadfall and dead standing trees that pose a very serious fire risk. Since those Hemlocks are isolated from Wooly Adelgid infested stands in TN and GA, I'm really hoping all those pine beetle kills rot before they can burn.

Wildsouth is well known on Alatrails, their weekend hikes are generally advertised well in advance here, and we have some cross membership. Very excellent organization to which I am very thankful for their protection of Bankhead.

Hope you had fun!

[Jackalope]

I'm just glad people abide by the ban (usually) in Bankhead.

I camped at the rapids this weekend and some jackass had a good sized campfire across the river. It was fairly windy Saturday night and everytime they would poke the fire, embers would fly up, get caught in the wind and blow up the hill behind them. I kept waiting for that whole woods to go up in flames behind them but thankfully, it didn't.

We went exploring up Hubbard Creek to Parker and on up to the cascades and it was pretty dry all the way. Hubbard was a low as I can remember seeing it and Parker was as well. None of the side streams along Parker had any water flowing and some of them were just bone dry.

[kareengas]

I have the entire Thanksgiving weekend off and I am researching a trip to make that weekend. I have never been to Sipsey but was considering the following trails. I'd like to get y'alls  opinion.

Gum Pond TH to Trail 210/223/224/207.

Open for suggestions tho'.

Thanks