Warm Autumn Colors decorate the Sipsey River

Warm Autumn Colors decorate the Sipsey River in the Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest. This and other photos of the Sipsey Wilderness can be found in the "Alabama the Beautiful" gallery.

A Day-Hike at the Sipsey Wilderness' Borden Trail

Now that you've seen some photos and read the compelling tales, here's some video footage from our day-hike on the Borden Trail at the Sipsey Wilderness in the Bankhead National Forest.

Other posts from this little hike can be found here: Part 1 and Part 2.

Of Heroism and Backpack Retrieval, Sipsey Wilderness

...which immediately sent Daniel into action, charging down the hill and plunging into frigid ankle-deep waters to rescue the bag. 

The selfless act of one man, who had no regard for his own dry feet, shoes, socks, and pants when it came time to retrieve the backpack of another, which ironically contained a couple of rain jackets.

Daniel heroically described the water as "not all that cold," though there is some thought that mostly he just couldn't feel his feet.

If you're just picking up the story here, the first half of this lurid tale can be found on the prior post, here.

Walking the Line and Letting Go, Sipsey Wilderness

Blake's Balancing Act over Borden Creek, Sipsey Wilderness

While on our most recent trip to the Sipsey Wilderness, Blake spotted a tree that had uprooted and was jutting out off the bank and over Borden Creek, so in typical Blake fashion, he ventured out. 

Unfortunately for Blake, he was sporting a lumpy backpack that was doing nothing for his balance, and he decided to cut his losses.

The bag landed where it was supposed to, at the top of the embankment, but the steep bank failed to uphold its end, and sent the bag tumbling end-over-end to a cold, wet demise...

Camping at Brushy Creek Lake in the Sipsey Wilderness

Nestled deep within Sipsey Wilderness in the Bankhead National Forest lies Brushy Creek Lake. It's one of those remote places that can cause you to forget that you're within a couple hours' drive a several major cities. I headed out there for the first time on Friday afternoon, in search of a camping trip, star trail photos, and perhaps some photographs of the Milky Way.

I got none of that. Our forecasted 30% chance of rain quickly became 100%, upon our arrival. Nevertheless, we set up camp. And the rain set in. This camping trip turned into a glorified picnic, with a few photos and a little bit of video to show for our efforts.

Sipsey Wilderness Hiking on Randolph Trail

Blake, Tyler, and I visited the Sipsey Wilderness again on Sunday afternoon. Rather than taking FT 201 again in search of the possibly mythical Big Tree, we embarked on FT 202 (also called "Randolph Trail," trail map), which passed between two older but well-maintained cemeteries, collectively known as Johnson Cemetery.

The season has begun to change at the Sipsey Wilderness :: Panasonic LX3

The trail then proceeded down and past some bluffs, and eventually intersects the Sipsey River, where it dead ends into FT 209 (trail map). After going off trail a bit coming down toward the Sipsey, we crossed and hopped on 209, and followed it a ways in an attempt to locate Little Ugly Branch, which is home to a couple nice waterfalls. But by that point the trail miles and approaching late hour had more-or-less sapped our cavalier spirit (that I almost simultaneously sprained my ankle and was stung by a hornet, no small feat, I assure you).

Most surprising siting: Bison. We spotted them at a farm on the way home.

For any of you using Apple devices that are not Flash enabled and thus cannot view the slideshow, you can find the gallery containing the slideshow's photos here.

Sipsey Wilderness :: A Bit of Bouldering

If ever there were a time when I'd rather be the subject of a photo than the photographer, it's definitely in shots like those below, of Tyler and Callie at the Sipsey Wilderness on Friday morning.

For those of you looking to hike the Sipsey Wilderness, I have located very detailed and helpful trail map. For reference to the photos here, we hiked trails 201 and 209.

Sipsey Wilderness :: Impressionist Reflections

For those of you looking to hike the Sipsey Wilderness, I have located very detailed and helpful trail map. For reference to the photos here, we hiked trails 201 and 209.

Sipsey Wilderness, Randolph Trail

This morning, Tyler, Callie (Tyler's dog), and I went for a hike on the Randolph Trail at the Sipsey Wilderness in the Bankhead National Forest. We walked for a long time and never reached our goal, the Big Tree. Perhaps another time. But we did see some very nice countryside...

Sipsey Wilderness, Sipsey River

Sipsey Wilderness, Sipsey River

Sipsey Wilderness, Sipsey River

...and even some local wildlife.

Grey Tree Frog on Orange Bracket Fungus

For those of you looking to hike the Sipsey Wilderness, I have located very detailed and helpful trail map. It's about 34" x 44", though so good luck printing it out. For reference to the photos here, we hiked trails 201 and 209.