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.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper PROJECT

Over the course of the past several years, in my ventures as a hiker and paddler, I have been able to enjoy much of the beauty that Alabama has to offer, particularly as it relates to the rivers and creeks throughout much of central and northern Alabama. And the more I see, the more it becomes increasingly important to me that these treasures are maintained and preserved for future generations, that we are good stewards of the Creation that was put into our care.

Pump House at Village Creek in Roebuck, Alabama

That desire has evolved into what I am dubbing the "Black Warrior Riverkeeper PROJECT." The Black Warrior Riverkeeper is one of the premier watchdog groups in Alabama, protecting our waterways, specifically those falling within the Black Warrior River watershed. As it pertains to central and northern Alabama, that watershed includes the following significant creeks and rivers: Sipsey Fork of the Warrior River, Locust Fork of the Warrior River, Mulberry Fork of the Warrior River, Black Warrior River, Hurricane Creek, Turkey Creek, Gurley Creek, Five Mile Creek, Village Creek, and others.

The Black Warrior Riverkeeper PROJECT is my effort to help raise money in support of this organization. Over the last two years, I have gotten to know several of the wonderful people that make up the Black Warrior Riverkeeper, and there could not be a better group of people looking out for our interests. As such, the proceeds from any prints sold from my Black Warrior Riverkeeper PROJECT gallery will be donated to the Black Warrior Riverkeeper in support of their steadfast and enduring efforts.

Find the Black Warrior Riverkeeper on their website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

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.