A Short In and Out in the Sipsey with a Detour Afterwords

     So I had heard of a neat spot to check out and there was a camp site nearby that I had never stayed at as it has always been taken whenever I was in the area. We dropped in at Thompson Trail head in January and proceeded up 206. This is a easy trail and right now one of the best places to start as it is gorgeous. Shortly after crossing Whiteoak Creek we continued on to check out Auburn Falls. It was really going so I decided to have a closer look. I have passed this fall many times by I have never taken the 50 or so yard scramble up to it but it was worth it as there was a nice pool at the bottom to cool off in. Further down trail comes Ship Rock. This thing, especially in the fall / early spring, literally looks like the bow of a ship emerging from the bluff line. We dropped pack and scrambled up the rock fall where we encountered the Eye of the Needle which we threaded and continued to scramble up to Ship Rock. I really wanted to get on top of it but without climbing gear it would be tough and I didn't want to get injured so after playing around for a while we headed back down to the trail and carried on. Now 206 gets a little weird. There is a sign in the woods that says 206 randomly. Its at that point that I think 206 is supposed to cross the Sipsey Fork however the trail continues on in to private property and that is obviously the way to go because the line on the map for 206 ain't in the woods.  As the trail continues along the Sipsey Fork which on paper it crossed, you begin to see red paint and boundary markers however I must not be an issue. Just before the only rapid on the Fork, a sweet campsite sits to the left and it wasn't taken so we dropped pack and followed the trail down to the rapid. Now I had heard of an Arrowhead Point and I heard that when you got to the top of it there was an awesome view so it sounded like it needed to be done. Exactly as described which was "go to the rapid and look up to the ridge" which sounds vague but its actually spot on. Keeping in mind the time of the year, I look up and sure enough a point on a bluff jutting out like an arrowhead. We scramble up to the base of the bluff wall and it becomes apparent that the only way to get on top is to go down the far side of the bluffs base as the trail side is sheer wall. As you go about 100 yards along the base the ridge peters out with just a 10 foot climb to get on the ridge line. Now on the ridge double back and head out to the point. I will say that standing on that overhang is a gut check. Check out the YouTube link and enjoy the view!

Arrowhead Point in the Sipsey Wilderness: 

     After that as you can see we were losing light so we headed back to camp where we cooked dinner and had wildly inappropriate conversations. It got pretty chilly that night, 27 was the low that night and we were in the valley by the water so it got cold. The next morning we packed up and went out the same way we came in.

After getting back to Thompson Trailhead we headed back out towards Kinlock but I wanted to take a detour and check out the often spoken of Indian Bluff Shelter. We parked at the Kinlock Spring trailhead and hiked up the road on passed the gate. Now I didn't have this on a map I was just going off of conversation details. I knew that when the road leveled off it would curve to the right then back to the left and in that left curve lied a foot trail down into the canyon on the right. When the foot trail drops it becomes a scramble down the hill. You can see the shelter about half way down along the bluff line to the right. Below is totally stolen info about the cave...

     This is my YouTube video of our visit to the Sipsey Wilderness Indian Shelter: 

     After that we split and left Bankhead with Chicken Fingers from the Free State Chevron in mind! Check out our trip track on Everytrail,

<h2><a href="http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2623484">Sipsey Wilderness & Indian Shelter</a></h2> <object width="400" height="300" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab"><param name="movie" value="http://www.everytrail.com/swf/widget.swf"/><param name="FlashVars" value="units=english&mode=0&key=ABQIAAAA_7wvFEi7gGngCZrOfos63hSN1xyBy-BzBD--25ZLXpVi3GfbehTQlZCXdpUFII2A5CGeExVTCyX1ow&tripId=2623484&startLat=34.34093486&startLon=-87.47156479&mapType=Map&"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.everytrail.com/swf/widget.swf" quality="high" width="400" height="300" FlashVars="units=english&mode=0&key=ABQIAAAA_7wvFEi7gGngCZrOfos63hSN1xyBy-BzBD--25ZLXpVi3GfbehTQlZCXdpUFII2A5CGeExVTCyX1ow&tripId=2623484&startLat=34.34093486&startLon=-87.47156479&mapType=Map&" play="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object><br/>EveryTrail - Find the <a href="http://www.everytrail.com/best/hiking-mississippi">best Hiking in Mississippi</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.everytrail.com/trip/widgetimpression?trip_id=2623484"></script>

Have fun, be care full and don't fall off of Arrowhead Point.

Sipsey Wilderness - backcountry to the Big Tree

We set in at Thompson Trail head and proceeded up tail 206 towards White Oak Branch where we crossed. Very shortly after the cross we headed East through Whiteoak Hollow on the Outlaw trail. The beginning of the Outlaw trail was easy to find in the spring but I hear its hard to locate during the Summer due to growth. It heads to the left just after you cross Whiteoak Creek as the trail moves off to the right. At the second draw the trail heads uphill and after a good pull you get to the top of the ridge and are presented with a fire road. Take a left and within 50 feet if that you will notice the trail head back down on the far side.  This is a nice little decent and eventually you will be faced with impressive bluff walls and some scrambling down rock falls. After you get to flatter land you will cross a stram which is downstream from West Bee Branch Falls. Cross it and head to the left around the ridgeline. Shortly you will come to cross Bee Branch which is downstream from East Bee Branch and the Big Tree. After crossing Bee Branch you connect with 204a and then its a short hike through the valley towards the falls and the tree. 204a is not maintained even though its on the map however its in the best shape thats its been in since the tornado outbreak several years ago. 

After a nights camp nearby the tree we headed out the next day but because of an injury we didnt want to face a scramble going out the way we came so we hoofed it out of the canyon on 204a, linked up to 204 to 224 to 208 back to Thompson.  The hike out was longer but way less technical. 

Check out our trip! http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2705298

Have fun and be safe!

Weeki Wachee River

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Get your own

This was another great trip down the Weeki Wachee River! Unfortunately the
biting flies were out for blood and the rednecks were everywhere, however, the water was crystal clear and very refreshing!

Lithia Springs, Lithia FL

This was an awesome trip! Once we awoke on Saturday, it was time to hit the river. I can not tell you how high the water was but we cruised over park signs and through the tops of trees. The water was pushing us along at a solid 4-5 mph. Very exciting stuff. The dock at Lithia Springs was just under water so it made for some neat pics. Over all great trip, great food, great music and great people to share it with. Sadly, the springs were closed as the spring could not fight off the rising river so there were a few extra critters in there that didn't belong. Oh well, next time

How to get there... Very east stuff. Starting from Brandon, FL find Lithia-Pinecrest Rd heading south east from Hwy 60. Take Lithia Pinecrest several miles out past the city. Once you cross Bloomingdale you are close. You will cross the Alifia prior to the park. Atop the comming hill in a right only on Lithia Springs Rd. Take that till it dead ends. $2.00 to enter the park, $5.00 per person to swim, $24.00 per night to camp for a group of 6. If camping I highly recommend 40, 23, 25, 27 in that order.

To launch your canoe/kayak for the 10 mile river run from the park. Leave the park and make a right on Lithia Pinecrest. Take that for a few miles and go north (left) on CR 39. 2 minutes later the road curves to the right and your left is there on Thompson Rd. Take a quick right into Aldermans Ford. Follow the signs to the launch.

This is a very short car shuffle for a 10ish mile run! have fun!!

Natural Bridge of Alabama

I went here with my dad a LONG time ago when I was a kid and when I found out that my wife and I would be visiting family, I jumped at the chance to work this into the plans.

This was a very neat place to go and once you get to the main attraction it will put you in a state of awe!

The sandstone arch spans 148 feet long and 60 feet high over scenic areas of the forest. There is a huge pit at the bottom of this thing. There is also a muddy path that hugs the interior of the cavern. There is water dripping all around you and I almost slipped and busted my face. On the way back, don't forget to check out the Indian Head.. pretty cool. Also, be sure to grab a drink from the well over by the gift shop.

Good Stuff

Gold Head Branch State Park, Florida

Gold Head Branch State Park 2

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First off, the name of the park is Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park. This was one of Teddy's projects back in the day to give people jobs with the CCC in the 1920's. If you are looking for a different side of FL... this is it. At times I thought I was back in NC!

The trail is short and well marked. After the decent down the numerous flights of concrete stairs into ravine you are met with a choice. Left or right. Left will take you on a .2 mile loop through a deciduous tropical paradise where springs flow out of the hillside. After passing back by the stairs, continue on the 1.1 mile hike to the mill site. After you cross the spring for the final time we find a hill. Descent elevation gain through oak and magnolia hammocks. I even spotted some Mountain Laural and wild Azaleas. Once on the top rim you will pick up the Florida trail for a short bit until you get to the Mill site which is were we stopped and turned around. The location of the pic of the trees with the water rushing over the roots can be heard from the trail. A short walk down a water run will bring you to a tight little area where you can sit back a lisen to the stream.

This was a nice little morning hike and a great park! We stayed here for 2 nights at one of the tent sites. Number 31 to be specific and it was very nice. Plenty of room for 2 big tents.

Overall, great hike. Check out my other Gold Head Park trip for general park pics and info separate from this hike.

Kinlock Falls, Bankhead Natl Forest, Alabama

This was a super cool fall! If you find yourself in the area, it is a must! On the top of the falls, not shown in the pictures, there are two holes that you can swim in. I don't mean calm water on the top, rather holes dug into the rocks that are like hot tubs minus the hot! Super cool and fun on a hot summer day. I don't know if these were a result of the construction of the old mill no longer there or what but really nice to play in.
Below the falls awaits a very nice, large pool of water with a sand bar in the middle. There is a nice spot to jump from on the left, looking at the falls. About a 10 foot drop into about 8 foot of water.

This falls is just inside the Sipsey Wilderness which is a small portion of Bankhead National forest. This area offers ATV, horse and hiking trails. Hunting permits can also be purchased. In regards to how to get there... My best advice is use my mp and back out. The trail on Everytrail is our journey down what becomes Fire Service Rd 210. You will not find Kinlock Rd on any map. Directions from the ranger station in Bankhead;
Hwy 33 South
Right on Hwy 278
Right on Hwy 195 (North)
Right on CR 23 in Rabbittown. This road becomes FS 210.
This road becomes a dirt road but we did fine in my wife's car. Continue down, down and further down. After a sharp left, you will see random "Alcohol Prohibited" signs on the right. You have arrived. If you cross a bridge over a stream, turn round..

This is a great place to hang out and soak up this awesome place, however be super careful up top. We met a girl who talked about how another girl recently slipped on the moss and jacked her jaw.

Have fun!