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Author Topic: Sipsey River Recreation Area Trail to Smith Lake  (Read 1482 times)
vapor
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« on: November 16, 2011, 02:16:26 PM »
At one time this trail was intended to travel several miles along Sipsey River from Rec Area to Smith Lake. I have walked some of this but have never attempted to do the entire thing. Does anyone know if this trail was ever completed or just a pipe dream?
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« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2011, 05:48:58 PM »
Quote from: vapor on November 16, 2011, 02:16:26 PM
At one time this trail was intended to travel several miles along Sipsey River from Rec Area to Smith Lake. I have walked some of this but have never attempted to do the entire thing. Does anyone know if this trail was ever completed or just a pipe dream?
I was told by a friend involved that several individual landowners along Sipsey would not give easement across their property and thus the project died.
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"It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it while you can, while it is still there. So go out there and hunt and fish and mess around.  Ramble out yonder, explore the forests, encounter the grizz, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air. Sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space.  I promise you this one sweet victory, over those deskbound people with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by calculators. : you will outlive the bastards." Ed Abbey
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« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2011, 08:55:09 PM »
Unfortunate:(
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McDowra
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« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2011, 11:22:22 PM »
I have wondered if it was the R & R hunting club, btw does anyone know anyone in that club? I would love to hike to the 150 foot waterfall on their property but don't know where to get permission from.
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« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2011, 12:39:54 AM »
Remember the Golden Rule, "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission".
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« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2011, 12:53:52 AM »
Quote
Remember the Golden Rule, "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission".

With hunt clubs and tobacco spittin' good ol' boys I'd say the Leaden Rule trumps the Golden rule,

"he looked and sounded like a deer to me?"
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« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2011, 06:43:21 AM »
I do know a few people who regularly do a canoe trip over that route; they said it is awesome.

As fr the hunting club...trespassi ng at a hunting club can be terminally foolish. BAM! Wink
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« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2011, 10:15:29 PM »
Quote from: McDowra on November 18, 2011, 11:22:22 PM
I have wondered if it was the R & R hunting club, btw does anyone know anyone in that club? I would love to hike to the 150 foot waterfall on their property but don't know where to get permission from.

You don't really need permission. Their property doesn't begin until just above the falls. But I wouldn't go during the weekend or in the morning this time of year due to the possibility of hunting. Just respect that you're on private property. My uncle met someone that owned it when he was there not too long ago. The guy said he wanted to build a house or something there but it is too rugged.  That area is possibly the most amazing place in Bankhead. That waterfall isn't quite 150 feet. It's more likely just over 100 feet and is only nice after a good rain. The other waterfalls on the main creek, the shelter and the marker tree are what make this area so incredible.
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« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2011, 08:29:38 PM »
Pully, why don't we go and measure the falls to see exactly how tall it really is?
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« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2011, 10:26:24 PM »
Have done the canoe trip twice- the  last time 5 years ago - amazing areas - very remote in some area's - only the 100 yard run a problem but would not know about the log jams which are a problem in some seasons.

Hunters have been known to shoot their own hunting buddies hundreds of times so i would not recommend a forgiveness call in a hunting area- too many 'brush shots" for me.

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« Reply #10 on: November 26, 2011, 08:00:47 PM »
The big waterfall is on Hurricane Creek, yes?  It's been on my list for a while.

Has anyone ever tried to hike along the Sipsey downstream from the Rec Area?  I wonder how tough it is?

In one of the old Bankhead Monitors, Lamar Marshall talks of a trip that involved hiking down South Caney Creek, down Caney  and then up Sweetwater Creek, crossing Caney Creek Road, then down Lloyd's Canyon and up the Sipsey to the Rec Area.  That right there is an epic bushwhack.
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« Reply #11 on: November 27, 2011, 10:11:01 PM »
Quote from: montysano on November 26, 2011, 08:00:47 PM
The big waterfall is on Hurricane Creek, yes?  It's been on my list for a while.

Has anyone ever tried to hike along the Sipsey downstream from the Rec Area?  I wonder how tough it is?

In one of the old Bankhead Monitors, Lamar Marshall talks of a trip that involved hiking down South Caney Creek, down Caney  and then up Sweetwater Creek, crossing Caney Creek Road, then down Lloyd's Canyon and up the Sipsey to the Rec Area.  That right there is an epic bushwhack.

There is a very impressive waterfall on Hurricane Creek, but the 100 Foot Waterfall is on another branch that flows into Sipsey downstream of where Hurricane Creek empties into Sipsey.
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« Reply #12 on: November 29, 2011, 02:48:50 AM »
Quote from: montysano on November 26, 2011, 08:00:47 PM

Has anyone ever tried to hike along the Sipsey downstream from the Rec Area?  I wonder how tough it is?


Very tough indeed.
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"It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it while you can, while it is still there. So go out there and hunt and fish and mess around.  Ramble out yonder, explore the forests, encounter the grizz, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air. Sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space.  I promise you this one sweet victory, over those deskbound people with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by calculators. : you will outlive the bastards." Ed Abbey
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« Reply #13 on: November 29, 2011, 10:51:09 PM »
Quote from: Pathfinder on November 27, 2011, 10:11:01 PM
There is a very impressive waterfall on Hurricane Creek, but the 100 Foot Waterfall is on another branch that flows into Sipsey downstream of where Hurricane Creek empties into Sipsey.
On the next branch downstream?
Hurricane.jpg
Sipsey River Recreation Area Trail to Smith Lake
* Hurricane.jpg (243.43 KB, 1260x689 - viewed 113 times.)
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« Reply #14 on: November 30, 2011, 06:19:58 PM »
Quote from: montysano on November 29, 2011, 10:51:09 PM
On the next branch downstream?
Yeah, I think so.  I'm not sure if the 100' falls that was mentioned is what we call Walker Falls or are they thinking of the seasonal falls in the same cul-de-sac as Walker Falls?  The seasonal falls is probably 150' to 175' high. I'll find a couple of pictures and post also.
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"It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it while you can, while it is still there. So go out there and hunt and fish and mess around.  Ramble out yonder, explore the forests, encounter the grizz, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air. Sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space.  I promise you this one sweet victory, over those deskbound people with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by calculators. : you will outlive the bastards." Ed Abbey
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« Reply #15 on: November 30, 2011, 06:28:51 PM »
These are from April 2003. The main waterfall is Walker Falls. The seasonal falls is to the right in the second picture.
Hurricane Creek Wildflowers & Water Falls 4-13-03 (124).JPG
Sipsey River Recreation Area Trail to Smith Lake
* Hurricane Creek Wildflowers & Water Falls 4-13-03 (124).JPG (125.36 KB, 640x480 - viewed 104 times.)
Hurricane Creek Wildflowers & Water Falls 4-13-03 (126).JPG
Sipsey River Recreation Area Trail to Smith Lake
* Hurricane Creek Wildflowers & Water Falls 4-13-03 (126).JPG (131.73 KB, 640x480 - viewed 107 times.)
Hurricane Creek Wildflowers & Water Falls 4-13-03 (133).JPG
Sipsey River Recreation Area Trail to Smith Lake
* Hurricane Creek Wildflowers & Water Falls 4-13-03 (133).JPG (132.38 KB, 480x640 - viewed 97 times.)
Hurricane Creek Wildflowers & Water Falls 4-13-03 (134).JPG
Sipsey River Recreation Area Trail to Smith Lake
* Hurricane Creek Wildflowers & Water Falls 4-13-03 (134).JPG (127.56 KB, 480x640 - viewed 99 times.)
« Last Edit: November 30, 2011, 06:31:18 PM by Uncle Wayne » Logged
"It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it while you can, while it is still there. So go out there and hunt and fish and mess around.  Ramble out yonder, explore the forests, encounter the grizz, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air. Sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space.  I promise you this one sweet victory, over those deskbound people with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by calculators. : you will outlive the bastards." Ed Abbey
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« Reply #16 on: November 30, 2011, 06:33:51 PM »
Here's a map of the area which shows the two Hurricane Creek falls and then next door, Walker Falls and the very high, maybe the 100' falls (?) mentioned earlier, seasonal falls.
Hurricane creek falls 001.jpg
Sipsey River Recreation Area Trail to Smith Lake
* Hurricane creek falls 001.jpg (1521.64 KB, 860x1704 - viewed 77 times.)
« Last Edit: November 30, 2011, 06:41:17 PM by Uncle Wayne, Reason: Duh! forgot to add the map » Logged
"It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it while you can, while it is still there. So go out there and hunt and fish and mess around.  Ramble out yonder, explore the forests, encounter the grizz, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air. Sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space.  I promise you this one sweet victory, over those deskbound people with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by calculators. : you will outlive the bastards." Ed Abbey
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« Reply #17 on: November 30, 2011, 09:14:45 PM »
Thanks, Uncle Wayne!
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« Reply #18 on: November 30, 2011, 09:59:28 PM »
Uncle Wayne your knowledge of the area never ceases to amaze me!  Thank you for sharing it with us!
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« Reply #19 on: December 01, 2011, 07:31:18 AM »
Indeed, thanks for sharing UW!
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