Combo Backpacking and Canoe Trip

[Bear]

Good afternoon!

I'm going backpacking in the Sipsey early in the week of March 28, and then I want to canoe down the river for a few days later in the week.  I will have a companion for the canoe trip, however, she does not have a car (someone will be giving her a ride to the trailhead).  So that raises a logistics question.

I live a couple hours away in NE Alabama, so I really don't want to drive all the way back here to get my canoe midway through the week.  I was thinking about finding a place to stash the canoe up near the Borden Creek trailhead, then driving down to where I'm taking out at the end of the trip.  Then, as I will have several days, hike back to the Borden trailhead.  The route is unimportant; I will select that later.

My questions are: How likely is it for my canoe to be stolen if it is at the Borden trailhead hidden from view?  (I don't suppose the rangers would be able to keep it for a couple days, would they?)  Will my truck be reasonably safe at the takeout spot? I was looking at the "WT Mims Family Access Area" (Carto-craft: R3/61).

Thanks for any feedback, including the "you're nuts" type.  ;-)

[weathermansam]

Good luck finding a spot to hide it there.  I'd plan on chaining it up well.  Your truck should be fine at the take out spot.  Note that the take out location is not marked with a sign, you just have to know that it's the last gravel road on the left side of 33 heading south before you hit the bridge.  And one of those cart o craft maps has the parking area listed on the wrong side of the road.  You don't have a lot of choice in the route back.  There isn't a trail between there and the Sipsey Picnic area on Cranal Rd. [that I know of], so it's a complete bushwhack upstream to where the Borden Creek Trail ends at the picnic area before you can pick up a real trail [unless you consider the "CCC trail" on the north side of the river there that leads to the log pavilion and a little ways past a true trail].  Your other choice is to road walk it.  You might also keep an eye on water levels.  Save this last snow, we will have gone two weeks without rain,  and Borden isn't the deepest creek by far.  I haven't been there in a while so I can't vouch for water levels, but maybe someone else can.  

[wildkat]

do not leave the canoe stashed..even locked up it will be stolen.
My friend had his canoe stolen along with the lock and chain that was used to keep it locked up.

someone on this forum might be able to keep it for you..also check with the forest service or the outpost gas station place..
offer a 20$ and someone will buck up.

[Bear]

Thanks for the responses.  That was exactly what I figured would be the case, though I was hoping I was wrong.

So here's $25 if someone trustworthy will keep my canoe for a few days in late March.  You can PM me if you're interested.

Thanks!

[elbowman]

Bear,

I would disagree that you could not find a good place to stash the canoe, maybe not at the trailhead, but close to it. As your coming down the hill toward the end of Bunyan Hill Road, the left side is ridgeline. And the hill to the top of the ridge gets steeper the futher you go down the hill. But I think if you stashed the canoe up on the ridge, out of site of the road, it would be fine chained to a tree.
I have been at borden trailhead often, and never see anyone on the ridge on the left side of the road.

I do agree with Sam that the walk back would be the hard part. But with a pack on your back, I bet you could hitch a ride to cranal road pretty easily.

My two cents worth....

Eric

[Uncle Wayne]

Canoeing Sipsey is an enjoyable treat IF you have enough water to float the canoe and gear and passengers.  There is not a creek out there right now with enough water to do that.  You'll end up pulling the canoe most of the way.  I usually do a canoe trip or two during the spring monsoon season but have to be ready within a day's notice to catch the water just right.

I live close enough that I may could check the water level for you with a little advanced notice.  I sent you a PM. 

In fact, I intend on doing exactly what you need when I retire so you may be my first "customer."  But if I can help I'll be glad to try.

[Bear]

You guys are the greatest.  Thanks for the responses so far.

Due to my job I can't be as flexible as I want to be in regards to hitting the Sipsey right after a rain.  So if water levels are too low, then I'll have to find another spot.

I am not as familiar with the area as I would like to be, so perhaps someone who does know could answer this.  What if I were to put in at Mims, and float downstream from there?  With several other creeks having joined the river by then, the water level should be higher, right?

Thanks again for your help.

[Firedog]

Bear, I went down the Sipsey from Cranel Road to Hwy 33 takeout. The water level was 3.05'. It made for a long trip. Of the 10 miles we pulled the canoes about 7 of'em.  My recommendation would be 3.5' absolute minimum. Here is a link to the water gauge at CR60.
http://waterdata.usgs.gov...;PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

[camel]

good web site- i look for 3.8 (AARP math)

If you are thinking of a paddle down Thompson Creek thru wilderness- i would suggest lead ropes and water shoes are more important than a paddle- never do that again!

Run from recreation area to "paper Co."takeout is good when water levels allow - a numer of nice camping area's and rare "native" Kentucky Bass before the big bend.

Economy is not good and i would not leave my canoe chained at Rec area.

Camel

[toph]

I can relate to Firedog's experience...we "paddled" the Cranal to 33 stretch in late May '06 at 21 cfs/3.07 ft. and it was more like a hike carrying a canoe.  Misery.  Did the trip again in mid-April '08 at 145 cfs/4.13 ft and it was absolutely perfect.