While most people stay on the main trails, any of the above listed maps will be sufficient for your needs. Whats the best way to get it from the digital screen to my hands, in a format big enough to read. In 1975 the sipsey wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre national wilderness preservation system. Looking for a great trail in sipsey wilderness, alabama. Open gate dates for public hunting access on certain forever wild lands 20192020.
The sipsey wilderness lies within bankhead national forest around the sipsey fork of the black warrior river in northwestern alabama, united states. Located in the bankhead national forest in alabama, is bankheads jewel the sipsey wilderness, sometimes called the land of a thousand waterfalls. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Best trails in sipsey wilderness alabama alltrails. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible yearround. Sipsey wilderness trails 204 bee ridge trail 206 thompson.
Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed inside the sipsey wilderness. Some of the interesting features of certain areas and trails are pointed out. Free us topo map pdf order waterproof printed topo map. Sipsey is the largest national forest wilderness area east of the mississippi and offers outstanding opportunities for hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing.
For sources generally further than 50 km from a class i area, the visibility threshold for concern is not exceeded if the 98th %ile change in light extinction is. The creeks and tributaries snake through the wilderness, wildflowing and uninhibited. Sipsey wilderness trail system is a 36 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near haleyville, alabama that features. The vegetation from these three unique environments blend into a remarkable diversity of species, with overlapping ranges creating many unusual plant associations. Since i live in birmingham, and not in my fantasy world, any ideas. The bankhead national forest is home to the scenic sipsey wilderness. It is located in northwestern alabama, around the town of double springs. Thompson creek trail and sipsey river trail is a 20 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near haleyville, alabama that features a river and is rated as difficult.
Wilderness area rules and regulations posted at parking areas map notes. The permit maps are free and may be downloaded from the links below. This is in north alabama near double springs in winston and lawrence counties. The varied terrain of sipsey s trails will be a pleasure to backpackers and hikers of every experience level. Trails national and state parks city parks lakes lookouts marinas historical sites. Hunters must have a valid hunting license and permit map. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. Trail maps can be downloaded from the sipsey wilderness hiking club website. Efforts to gain federal protection for the sipsey wilderness sparked an angry national debate. Department of agriculture usda prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age. We are in the process of designing the new site and building pages please be patient as we are adding information every day.
The sipsey river trail is a little over 5 miles through the sipsey wilderness area. It is home to alabamas only national wild and scenic river, the sipsey fork. Bankheadsipsey wilderness hikes north alabama hiking. Horseback riding is allowed on trails specifically designated for horses. The sipsey wilderness now contains a total of 24,922 acres and is managed by the forest service. The wilderness has an abundance of waterfalls, and the color of the water in the streams is opal blue.
Horseback riding is allowed on trails specifically designated for. Were about 30 miles west of the sipsey wilderness the largest and most. There are many established campsites, with water and firewood available. It was also the first designated wilderness area east of the. Was really checking out for future trips went to the sipsy receration area with grands along so stayed on paved trials with them. Sipsey wilderness alabama 2020 all you need to know. Sipsey wilderness map, bankhead national forest us forest. There are numerous trailheads from which to access the trails. Sipsey wilderness is home of some of the last virgin timer in the state. Sipsey wilderness map, bankhead national forest us.
While there are many more waterfalls to choose from, three possible options are kinlock falls, fall creek falls, and feather hawk falls. Sipsey trails receive moderate to heavy human use yearround. These are not validated and are for estimated guidance only. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed inside the sipsey wilderness boundaries. Bankhead national forest recreation map digital alabama. The 30 miles of hiking trails here will give you a great opportunity to explore the whole area. Bankhead national forest is one of alabamas four national forests, covering 181,230 acres 733 km2. Its as if, by some miracle, a 25,000acre chunk of north georgia was transported 190 miles to the west. Just remember, since the sipsey wilderness is an offical wilderness area, there are no blazes marking the trail or bridges, or other manmade objects. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading hiking sipsey. Designated in 1975 and expanded in 1988, the 24,922acre 10,086 ha sipsey is the largest and most frequently visited wilderness area in alabama and contains dozens of waterfalls. The first time i hiked in the sipsey wilderness i felt like id wandered into some strange oasis. Primitive restrooms available at the sipsey trailhead but not the others.
We later went to kinlock falls,brushy creek area and pine tourch church site son and i checked out possible run down brushy creek decided canoe would be better dont have one just kayaks. Forest service data 1993, and minor changes by sipsey wilderness hiking club, february, 2004. It is named for the sipsey fork of the black warrior river. Designated by congress in 1975, the sipsey wilderness originally contained 12,726 acres. It gains approximately 200 feet of elevation and offers an opportunity to see the untouched wilderness up close. Hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing are permitted in the sipsey wilderness.
The bankhead national forest kindle edition by walker, rickey butch, manasco, jim, walker, david. The 25,000acre sipsey wilderness is a landscape of canyons, ravines, sandstone cliffs, and, most notably, waterfalls. The sipsey wilderness is located in northwest alabama at the juncture of three separate geologic areas. In my dreams, i would know a graphic designer with a magic printer that would blow it up and put it on waterproof paper for me. Bankhead national forest sipsey wilderness trailheads.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is accessible yearround. All deer, turkey, and feral swine killed during any hunt shall be reported andor logged at the. Pugh, 21453 harris station road, tanner, al 35671 or by email at kevin. Welcome to the new sipsey wilderness hiking club website. The sipsey wilderness area is located in the bankhead national forest. Wilderness camping, building campfires, hunting, and fishing are permitted.
Thompson creek trail and sipsey river trail alabama. Sipsey wilderness trails legend parking areas restrooms and fee area trails unmaintained trail map datum. The purpose of this guide is to help those who know little about the swa sipsey wilderness area plan a hiking or backpacking trip. Sipsey wilderness the sipsey wilderness, part of bankhead national forest in northwestern alabama, is the third largest wilderness area east of the mississippi river. Directions to trailheads are available from the sipsey wilderness hiking club. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary. North alabama entire wilderness area trails and trailheads. The wilderness area is unique because of the canyons which comprise much of it. Dogs, onleash, are okay for the sipsey river trail. Sipsey wilderness loop trail is a 24 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near haleyville, alabama that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. From the sipsey wilderness recreation area, there are two easily accessible trails, 200 and 209. Areas around campgrounds, facilities and administrative sites are marked with blue boundary paint and are off limits to hunting.
The list of points of interest or terrain features is not meant to. Hike to the sipsey wilderness waterfalls, sipsey wilderness. B a map entitled sipsey fork of the west fork wild and. Open woods weeks several weeks a year the sipsey complex has open woods weeks to improve access by the public to the forever wild tract and the sipsey river for fishing and canoeing.
Designated in 1975 and expanded in 1988, 24,922acre 10,086 ha sipsey is the largest and most frequently visited wilderness area in alabama and contains dozens of waterfalls. Safety zones are designated to provide for public safety. The sipsey wilderness lies within bankhead national forest around the sipsey fork of the. Sipsey wilderness maps sipsey wilderness hiking club.
Trapping permits must be obtained from the area biologist, kevin. With deep canyons, high waterfalls, and forests of hemlocks and mountain laurel, the sipsey seems out of place in north alabama. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Exploring a classic backpacking route in the sipsey wilderness. The sipsey wilderness within the bankhead national forest is home to a multitude of hiking trails as well as abundant camping, bird watching and more. Sipsey wilderness sipsey is the largest national forest wilderness area east of the mississippi and offers outstanding opportunities for hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing. Sipsey wilderness topo map in lawrence county, alabama.
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