Upcoming Hike Possibilities for Next Two Weekends

[Joshua Szulecki]

I've started a new thread to keep the discussion of the Eagle Creek dayhike a little less cluttered. This is a continuation of the discussion about possible hikes in the next few weeks in the following thread:
http://www.alatrails.com/...ndex.php/topic,315.0.html

The ideas that have been bounced around were:

1) I'm planning to hit Turkey Foot Canyon again this Saturday, and maybe follow up with a return to Borden to get some photographs of the waterfall at the Tunnel, or to Caney Creek for some photography at the upper falls. There is good rainfall predicted for Friday. I'm sticking to "Terra Cognito" because I want to bring out my Pacemaker Speed 4x5 camera. I'd like to know if anybody wants to join me for that this Saturday morning.

2) Jaybird and I were discussing the possibility of a hike to Parker Falls, and maybe then back out through Quillen, now that we know that the area is clearer than we though, via the advice of Toph. I'd like that discussion to continue, because I think that would make an EXCELLENT group hike. I think next weekend would be the earliest that such a hike would be prudent, as there is some extra planning that would be required that would make a hike this Saturday difficult. Let's continue discussing that here.

[toph]

If you are talking about taking Parker Branch downstream to Hubbard/Quillan, that is an entirely different situation.  Getting to Parker Falls is easy but from there on until you get to Hubbard is some of the most rugged terrain in the area.  I've hiked it 3 times (once with a fully loaded pack!) and it is doable but slow and tiring and at "normal" water levels, you will get wet.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Toph,

I was actually just thinking that it might be best to decouple Parker from Quillen, and do different trips. My enthusiasm was short-lived when I remembered what I know about that part of the wilderness. Plus, I'd like to approach both Parker and Quillen without getting totally soaked, since I carry so much camera gear.

I'll leave it for discussion.

[toph]

I would advise splitting them up as well...there's too much to see in each area to be rushing through.  Both in one day is certainly doable but you'd start getting really pressed for time if you plan on setting up your tripod and such at each waterfall which if you're like me, you would definitely want to do.

And by the way, you will get wet in Quillan too.  Having to cross the creek multiple times in ankle deep water is unavoidable...ga iters come in very handy doing this sort of thing.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Toph,

Since I average about one minute of camera time for every minute of hiking time, sounds like a good idea!

I actually have a beater 35mm film camera and a lens just for it in case I ever need to go somewhere really wet. I'd be keen on a Quillen trip when it is just warm enough to spend the day sloshing around. That sounds like a blast of a trip for April or May!

[Joshua Szulecki]

Jaybird,

I'm leaning towards 8/9-ish for this Saturday. I'd prefer to go earlier than that, but the 1.5h drive from B'ham kinda hampers how early I am willing to get started on weekends.

As for Parker... You go in the long way from 201/202? Is the drop through the whole drainage worth the extra distance, or am I correct in my map reading that the short route requires trespassing?

As for Quillan... I'm interested in hitting Quillan sometime in the next month or two, before the leaves come out in full-force, but after it stops being 30 in the morning.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Jaybird,

I just found out from Suz's post (http://www.alatrails.com/...ndex.php/topic,327.0.html) that WildSouth is doing a hike to Turkey Foot this Saturday, too.

They are meeting in Wren @ 9am, so I plan on being at Turkey Foot before that, probably around 8am, to avoid the throng of fast-moving hikers. If I wasn't going on a photo trip, I'd join them, but hiker-photographers and hikers have different interests and foward motion speeds!

Can you do 8?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Well, we're getting soaked down here in B'ham, and it looks like Sipsey is about to get a nice dose. Should be good waterfalling weather!

[Joshua Szulecki]

Jaybird,

Carpooling won't be an option for me with an 8am start time. I'll need to get up and GO, or I'll end up getting up too early!

[Joshua Szulecki]

Jaybird,

I'm actually only about 50% on tomorrow morning myself. I might go to Caney Creek a little later in the day, instead. I had an endoscopy on Wednesday, and the doctor really beat up my throat, so I'm not sure if I want to go to Turkey Creek. That, and I only slept about 3 hours last night between my throat, the thunderstorms, and a billion other things.

I should be 100% next weekend, if you are interested in hitting Parker Falls. I see lawnmowwer is looking for something to do next weekend. And no need to get up early.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I ended up going to Caney Creek and Kinlock today.

Photos at:
http://www.szulecki.com/i...ages/CaneyandBordenFeb22/

[Rob]

Awesome Pics Joshua....Very inspiring, Thanks for sharing!

[Joshua Szulecki]

Jaybird,

Cheaha & Devil's Den perked back up!

I was torn between Talladega, LRC, and Bankhead. I picked Caney Creek because my Talladega and LRC options required basically no hiking, since I avoid Devil's Den on weekends, I wasn't taking my dog to Salt Creek Falls (or me after rain, for that matter), and I didn't feel like dealing with the ticks to get to Gregg's Two Falls at LRC. Caney Creek suffered some SERIOUS deadfall recently, and there are a lot of dead trees leaning over the downhill trail segment before the hemlocks start. Really dangerous until they fall. I'll need to go back soon, before the leaves come out, because I have a few vantage points I want a picture from that I couldn't get to (want to sneak around top back of falls) with sneakers on.

I noticed a lot of bird activity around Bankhead, and some wildflowers were starting to blanket grazing fields.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Rob,

Thanks for the compliment!

I'm actually disappointed that I had to ditch out and head home when I did, because it stayed cloudy basically all day. But, the dog was getting pissed at me, and leash-tripod interactions increased proportionately to how ticked he was getting. I need to remember that leashed dogs and photography are mutually exclusive, and that I should leave the dog home when I am doing any serious photography.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Jaybird,

"Tourists" might be a bit of an overstatement.

More like look-sees.

[Joshua Szulecki]

It really is gorgeous isn't it! It is one of the few waterfalls that I prefer with less water (brings out the moss), and one of the most poorly known bigger waterfalls in Alabama.

I'm planning to get out there before I leave Alabama early one morning, to minimize the sky & sun influence.

Which route did you take to the bottom?

[Magic City Matt]

WOW Jay, That looks great. I'm jealous of your GPS.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Jaybird,

Actually, I read a newpaper article about why the don't put information out about it, and you are exactly right. The article was actually about why the spot is so dangerous to the teens. Not only is it slick and dangerous, but at the corner of different counties and a juridictional nightmare for EMS because of that, AND the closest ambulance is a LONG way away.

[Joshua Szulecki]

That's the article I read. Dangerous spot, but not the only killer in Alabama. Welcome Falls is closed because of a death. Falling Rock Falls has been involved in the death of at least one person. Davis Falls (reportedly) has had a fatality.

Be careful. Don't play at the top of the falls. Don't jump off the falls. Don't swim in the plunge pool of larger waterfalls, if at all. Don't climb the falls. Darned Bear Grylls climbing waterfalls on TV...

[Nalgene Ninja]

Is there a way there that doesn't involve climbing down the falls? I'd like to take my kiddos there. Hiking is much better with them if a picninc and swimming is involved.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Flemdawg,

As far as I'm aware, not really. You could approach from the road crossing like, a mile and a half downstream (private property), or you could try to swing around downstream through the woods (or the logging trails just before the parking area), but realitically going down the falls is the easiest way.

I wouldn't take the kids there. Take them somewhere safer.

[Joshua Szulecki]

In addition to what Jaybird has said... Trying to come at it from downstream from the logging trails is a really bad idea. I accidentally ended up down some of those trails on my first (and only) visit to Salt Creek Falls. Talk about elevation changes!

[lawnmowwer]

 Awsome shot I haven't seen that falls. I hope to someday see more falls around here. I have seen a lot of different falls. Most I don't know the name of many of them. I just wander up on most of them.