Fall '07 Sipsey Bushwhack

[toph]

This one is technically going to be a "Bankhead Bushwhack" but regardless, a group of us over on TrailTalk/thebackpacker.com get together twice a year for some off trail exploration of some of the lesser known/visited areas of the Sipsey/Bankhead and our next trip is coming up next weekend 10/26-28th.  The terrain is usually pretty rugged and it can be quite a taxing experience so please take that and your personal limitations into consideration when deciding to join.  The hike in to basecamp is very easy on this particular trip however and there is no obligation to go any further if you just want a relaxing weekend hanging around camp.  Adult beverages are welcome however there will be younger hikers on the trip so please plan to consume in moderation and be respectful of others.

More details and sign up info:

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/1242.php

[Joshua Szulecki]

Toph,

I wish I had read about this last week... I don't have time to un-scatter the required camping gear for an overnight. Plus, my dog has never been camping, and I've got nowhere to leave him were I to go.

The thread posting from Bama just filled me in on another waterfall I'd never heard of, so I'll be updating my information accordingly. I'm guessing, based on the topo map of the area and Bama's information, that is is a little downstream of the lower falls. If you happen to get a picture of it before I do, at least let me get a look at it!

Also, whatever y'all do, fair warning, avoid bushwhacking on the south side of the south fork between the upper and lower falls. I made that mistake two years ago, and won't make it again. The deadfall is pretty horrible by the first dip in the terrain, gets worse as you pass the side stream on the north side, and just gets impassible by the curve in the fork. I don't know if the situation has improved with some rot, as the deadfall looked several years old already, but...

PS- With all those people, you should bring some ropes and move that darned tree in the falls. Kidding, but seriously... Why, oh why couldn't an attractive tree fall into my favorite waterfall. You know, one with some moss, heck, I'd even take some lichen. 

[Joshua Szulecki]

Toph,

You know what, I think Bama is talking about Upper Caney Creek Falls. Having read his post, and the only other source on the "little natural bridge falls, I suspect that the name he is using is a local name for what we call Upper (South) Caney Creek Falls.

This picture, labelled little natural bridge falls, sure looks like a distant angle of Upper Caney Creek Falls to me. I hope they found a way down...
name "http://forestry.about.com...ery/blg-ffp_sawtooth1.htm

I'm fighting the urge to go out an by replacements for the equipment that is currently mislaid (actually it's in NY) and tag along with you folks, but I think I'll stick to my original plan for Friday, which is a sunrise visit to LRC. I've still got a nasty purple blister-thing from using cheap boots two weekends ago (my good boots are also in NY), so I should probably lay off the hiking until I've got my boots, anyway. Plus, I need to get my photo on. I've got a bunch of equipment that hasn't got any work in months.

[Joshua Szulecki]

No, re-reading his post makes it clear he is distinguishing the upper and lower falls from the falls (little rock bridge falls) he is describing. It must be different. I'm thinking that it must be downstream of the lower falls. If you get a picture and gps coords, let me know, I'd love to check it out if it is a good one!

[toph]

The falls in that picture is definitely Upper Caney.  If we find it, rest assured I'll come back with lots of pics and exact coords

[Joshua Szulecki]

I thought it was...

Just one of the fun parts to areas that clearly haven't been well documented is that none of the names are fixed. Local names for waterfalls tend to be somewhat nebulous anyway, but Sipsey and Bankhead are great examples!

I mean, how many falls in the mid-atlantic and northeast are known locally as "Buttermilk" falls? A lot, that's how many!

[Joshua Szulecki]

Toph,

Is that dry waterfall in your trip photos linked to in the backpacker thread the one Bama was talking about?

Also, looks like the colors around the lower falls should be fantastic in a week or so! Although that no-shoulders makes me wonder about bringing my dog in that area until it gets colder. The little guys are hard to spot!

[toph]

No, BAMA showed up Sunday morning and when I showed him the pic he said that wasn't it.  That one is just a little downstream of the lower falls and would be really cool if there was water   We turned around just a little ways past that and didn't make it to the junction of the north and south forks so little natural bridge will have to wait until next time for me.

That snake was a harmless water snake and was the only one we saw in about 2 miles of bushwhacking.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Oh, so that one in the shot is a seasonal side falls, like the one into the side of Upper Caney. Okay. That leaves some exploring to do next time I have a good chunk of time to kill, and a large enough party to go to the lower falls.

I though I read rattlesnake in there somewhere... Brain must have misread something. Harmless snakes don't bother me. I've seen stuff saying that Bankhead, and parts of Sipsey in particular (Quillen, Hubbard,  & Parker Creeks) are big rattler country, but I mostly see them in parking lots when I see them!