Big Tree Dayhike - April 12th, 2008 9AM [Completed]

[Joshua Szulecki]

Hike: Big Tree Dayhike
Date: April 12th, 2008
Start Time: 9AM
Meeting Point: Thompson Creek Trailhead
Approx Distance: ~6 miles round trip
Approx Hiking Time: ~6hrs round trip

Description: Jaybird and I were discussing how a Big Tree hike would be a good idea, so here it is. Leave the Thompson Creek Trailhead at 9AM, and hike to the Big Tree via the White Oak Hollow bypass (weed-whack?) stopping for photo ops and taking side trips if time and energy allow. Two stream crossings may require boot removal, but no wading required. Bring lunch.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Add yourself to the list:

1) Joshua Szulecki
2) Jeff P?
3) Jaybird
4)
5)
 
ps- spared you the trouble, Jay.

[Skippy]

I'm in,Just have to watch the weather to see if I will have to work tomorrow night. I will post late Friday night or early Saturday morning if I can't make it

[Magic City Matt]

Count Lesley and I in. Can't wait to see everyone.

Those of you who I have promised out penny stoves too let me know if you are coming and I will bring you one.

Matthew

[Joshua Szulecki]

So far we have...

1) Joshua Szulecki
2) Jeff P.
3) Jaybird
4) Matthew
5) Lesley
6) And probably not Skippy, but we'll keep our fingers crossed.

I'm going to be a little sluggish still, but I'm mostly over my cough. Unfortunately, my new boots tore DEEP holes in the backs of my feet, so I'll be slapping on the moleskin, but if you see me limping, that'll be why. Still not 100% on if I'll wear the boots, but if I do I have some heel pads to rectify the situation.

[Magic City Matt]

Directions to Thompson Trail head are here:

http://www.sipseywilderne...railheads/directions.html


Matthew

[Joshua Szulecki]

Matthew,

I had a power outage while trying to put directions in, so I'm glad you posted those.

As long as you can get yourself to either end of Cranal Rd., finding the Thompson Trailhead is easy, because they actually have decent signage for it. Just watch out for Google directions (they say NW road is still open, it isn't), and for that pothole at the Hubbard Creek Bridge, which still hasn't been repaired, and continues to grow deeper and deeper.

[lawnmowwer]

I have to work tomorrow, but I may run up there to meet everyone on the way out if you have a estimate on a time everyone will be leaving the trailhead coming home.

[Skippy]

Hey Guy's' It's not looking real good for me.If I'm not there at the trailhead by 9 don't wait for me . Looks like its gonna be a all niter for me.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Skippy, shame to hear that!

Lawnmowwer, figure on us being back at the Thompson Trailhead no earlier than 2pm, based on the times and distances Jay has given me.

Everybody, looking for advice on the boot situation. I tried the heel pads, but I think I need two per boot to get the clearance from the seem that I need. The boots fit great, so I don't want to give up on them, but the holes in the backs of my feet have me questioning whether I shouldn't just wear sneakers and risk the ankles for this hike, until I get it sorted out. I've got a pack of moleskin, but I'm not sure it will do either. Any advice?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Anybody bringing dogs?

I'm thinking about it, but I'm iffy on the snake situation, since the babies are probably still bitey. Anybody seen significant numbers of snakes in this part of the wilderness? I'm paranoid because if you haven't seen, my dog is tiny.

Scipio demonstrating the water cycle:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_J...F3E4/s1600-h/IMG_6175.JPG
http://bp0.blogger.com/_J...Ll2Q/s1600-h/IMG_6177.JPG

[lawnmowwer]

I will bring my dog. Daisy loves to hike.

[Joshua Szulecki]

As I get ready to go, just one quick note. Remember to add another 15 minutes to your usual Sipsey travel time to get to the Thompson Trailhead. The going is pretty slow when those dirt roads are wet. I think they may have started as gravel, but most of that seems to have worn away.

[Suz]

Glad everyone made it out.  Can't wait for Pix1

[Magic City Matt]

Bigtime thanks to Josh for putting together such a fun hike. That was my first time to big tree and I have to say it is well worth it. Josh did you get any pictures of the dog and the tree together? That would make a funny caption. "Big Tree...Small Dog"


Thanks again

[Joshua Szulecki]

I have to thank Jay for navigating Jeff and I in on such an awesome hike, and everybody else OUT, and I'm really glad I got a chance to see the Big Tree before I have to make Sipsey a longer duration vacation when I move. I wish I had full lung capacity, but hey, you work with what you got.

I don't have any of my pictures right now, because my camera bag is in quarantine until I see if any Poison Ivy/Oak develops. It is also circled with bug spray to prevent tick migration. Will post what I got tomorrow, right now I'm having trouble sleeping for some reason. The good news is that I think Jay's optimism wasn't misplaced, the hike does seem to have improved my cough significantly. Maybe next weekend it really will be gone.

Current tick count: 2 me, 1 Scipio

[Joshua Szulecki]

A brief trip report:

We got started a little late, leaving around 10AM. We waited for Matthew and Lesley for as long as we could, but their "GPS" failure held them up longer than we were able, so we headed out without them. We followed the Thompson Creek trail (206) until we ran into the Whiteoak Hollow shortcut that Jay knew. The wildflowers were in full bloom, creating a beautiful atmosphere for the beginning of our hike. The shortcut really does shave quite a lot of distance off compared to the alternatives, and for the most part it would have been pretty easy, had I not been hacking my brains out the whole way. We crested the ridge between White Oak Hollow and West Bee Branch, and encountered the only spot where the trail was difficult to follow, as it entered a grassy area atop the hill. Jay masterfully re-located the trail, and we ran into the jeep trail that runs along the crest of the ridge.

After watching the two gentlemen ahead of us double back and not take the trail forty paces ahead, we followed suit and headed down the one directly in front of us. As we dropped towards West Bee Branch, we encountered more native Azaleas, both white and pink, along with Irises and other wildflowers. A few times the little stream disappeared into little holes, only to reappear a few hundred feet away. The drop into West Bee Branch was the only real tricky part, and after taking a false trail, we discovered the way down, and after much hopping, sliding, and gnashing of teeth, we made it down. A passing group's dog make it look easy, by jumping a full six feet to cross the stream we needed to negotiate.

In West Bee Branch canyon, Scipio finally was forced to confront his fear of water when I stopped carrying him over shallow stream crossings. He was dragged reluctantly through several stream crossings, and didn't seem happy about it. I started to run out of steam a little as we entered East Bee Branch canyon, but we got to the tree in time for me to cough my brains out for a half hour, and then finally start to enjoy myself watching the Big Tree while the guys investigated the box canyon. That sure is one BIG tree.

After a while, we decided to head out. In light of my breathing difficulties, I was loath to return the way we had come, knowing the scramble we had to make back out of West Bee Branch, so I was glad that Jay was thinking along similar lines and suggested we head out on the old road instead. We picked our way up the side of the canyon, looked down into the canyon for a few minutes, and headed up only to run smack into Matthew and Lesley and two gentlemen they had been travelling with. After another long rest above the canyon, we headed out without the two gentlemen, following the old trail that people used when the road was still open. The going was quick on the trail and the road, and we eventually made it to the cars, although I was getting a little tired towards the last mile, or at least, Jay kept telling me it was a mile. I'd also like to thank whoever planted all those pines along the old road, because they were so delightfully scratchy, and also the horses, who made the road-walk so mushy.

Right now, I'm not all that sore, except from the coughing, but Scipio still hasn't woken up for the day.

Great trip.

Some pictures at: http://www.szulecki.com/images/BigTree/

[Joshua Szulecki]

Anybody end up with Poison Ivy/Oak?

[lawnmowwer]

I came up about 2:45 and hike in a way. I came up the valley to the old road, and hiked a ways down the road bed. I was dragging due to a long week. So Daisy and I headed back to where the trail came out of the valley. I found a large downed tree. Where I layed down on top of the tree for about an hour catnap. I was hopping everyone would come by and We could all meet. After I got up I started out. I reached the car about 6 and started home. Hope everyone had a good trip.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Jay, you got any pictures?

[Suz]

Great Pictures.  Looks like it was a great day!  Glad you had fun! 

[Magic City Matt]

It was a great time. I think we neeed to do another soon.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Matthew,

I'm looking at a few more hikes I'd like to do before I leave, the longer of the three being the full Borden Creek Trail between the trailheads, or Borden Creek in the opposite direction of the trail, or maybe Parker Branch. I've got to look at my exam schedule, first.

Jay,

Nice pictures!

[Rob]

Great Pic's Jaybird, thanks for sharing, but you guy's are killing me! Everytime I see these pic's posted and read the accounts of your adventures it makes me want to go!

I fear this one may be out of my current hiking abilities. How long is this hike on average? Difficulty level? Is it worth the trip to just go in part of the way to get some photos? Would really like to see the falls. Thanks in advance for the info. Happy Trails!

[Joshua Szulecki]

Rob,

The big question is what is the longest you have hiked on flat terrain recently? If you can do a several miles on mostly flat terrain, the road we took out might be a possible option, but I think round trip it might run ~8mi that way. I wouldn't recommend the way we went in if you have any doubts about your abilities, because while it wasn't anywhere near as strenuous as many other Alabama hikes, the descent side of the Whiteoak shortcut was a little hairy in two spots.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Rob, your lamentations made me think of something... I'm planning some REALLY easy stuff for May between my finals and when I move. I know for sure that I'm looking at dedicating May 9th and 10th to the Cahaba Lilies this year (A Friday and a Saturday), assuming they are in bloom. My pictures from last year were taken around May 10th, and I saw lilies in bloom as early as my scouting trip on May 1st, so I think they will probably be at least in moderate bloom. I've also got to hit Upper Caney when the mountain laurel bloom.*

I'll post more information closer to the trips, but it is so easy to get to, and nice and wet! I might even consider making one day a canoe outing, but I still haven't decided on that. Obviously anybody from Alatrails who is interested will be welcome.

* If you see mountain laurel near Caney Creek, or anywhere else in Bankhead, TELL ME. I want a shot of Upper Caney with the moutain laurel in bloom.

[Skippy]

Jay, Thanks for posting that poem. It's my favorite of all!!  Glad that everyone had fun. wish that I could have made it but these thunderstorms just will not cooperate with me.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Skippy,

I think I'm partially to blame for your misfortune. I spent the last three years wishing for rain.

[Rob]

Jaybird and  Joshua,

Thanks for the feedback. Very informative. The trail distance is not as much concern (within reason ) as is the terrain. steep inclines, ascents/descents are the biggest problems. Full range of motion in the ankle is the problem, still can't flex those tendons in an upward position which causes me to walk with my foot turned outward causesing pain and inability to walk long distances on slopes. Sounds doable for me so I'm going to try to add it to my list for next month.    Happy Trails!

Put me down for easy stuff in may! Will do as schedule permits.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Rob,

I get what you are talking about now, and I can see how frustrating it must be.

I've walked with my feet like this \ / since I was a kid, and I also drag my feet, and don't lift my legs high enough when I run. I'm told has to do with some motor skill issues due to some complications surrounding my premature birth. As a result of this problem, and probably also the shape of my feet and now the excess weight I carry around the midsection, I have a really bad problem with my ankles. They are already facing wrong for rough terrain, and due to the way I walk, I wear the sides of my shoes down in a strange fashion, and it makes it worse. It all conspires to make me turn an ankle at the drop of a hat, and get nasty cramps when walking on almost any uneven surfaces. During Friday's hiking, I probably tilted my ankle almost to the ground about 10 times, but I'm so used to it that I've learned to shift my weight to the other foot to correct it, and usually these days I don't get hurt. Made roller blading and ice skating tricky, but hocky-style skates let me at least get some time on blades.

After (just) sprained my ankle last time in 2006, it took two months to stop walking like you describe, and nearly six months before I felt safe hiking again. Flimsy things, aren't they! I'm still waiting to get hurt again, because I'm hiking in sneakers due to issues with my boots that I still haven't resolved. Boots help, but only to prevent injury, I still twist and turn them constantly.

I'll try to keep an eye out for easier things to do when I'm planning my leaving Alabama hiking/photography time, so that if you want to join in, you won't have to risk injury.