Hiking Adventures Alabama

We will be hiking along the Sipsey River in the Bankhead National Forest, just north of Double Springs, Alabama. The Sipsey is as beautiful and clear a river as I have ever seen, and it is protected because it is specifically named as a "Wild River" by an act of Congress. Also, this hike will go through some of Alabama's only "Old Growth" forest, which hasn't changed much since the end of the last Ice Age.

We will leave at 8:00 AM from the Ullman/Bell Parking lot at University of Alabama at Birmingham. This is lot 15A, and is located between 12th and 13th streets, between the Ullman/Bell buildings and University Boulevard (8th Avenue South). Please arrive a few minutes early. We plan to return about 5 PM.

IMPORTANT!!! Alabama goes on Daylight Savings Time on the morning of Sunday March 8! Be sure to "SPRING FORWARD" all of your clocks or you will be late and will be in the parking lot all by yourself. IMPORTANT!!!

Dress appropriate for the weather (layers are good). Especially, wear comfortable, well-broken in shoes with socks. No flip flops or heels! Bring a sack lunch, snacks and at least 1 quart of something to drink (preferably non-carbonated and definitely non-alcoholic). A day-pack will enable you to walk hands-free.

It is a 2-hour drive to the trail head. If you do not have transportation, please arrange ahead of time to ride with someone.

The hike parallels the Sipsey River and Borden Creek for several miles. Inexperienced hikers may feel that this is a "challenging" hike. None of the trail is paved, it is occasionally muddy, parts of it are irregular and strenuous, and there are 2-3 places where we will have to wade through part of the river if the water is high. Minimum distance walked will be 5.4 miles. If we're having fun and have time, we may hike 2-3 miles farther.

If you have claustrophobia: There is one place where you will have to squeeze through a space between rocks that is very tall but only about 15 inches wide. If you cannot do this, you will have to wade around it in the river, in knee deep water.

Hikers with health concerns: This is one of the most isolated areas in the Southeastern US. Cell phones do NOT work in this area. Much of it is in a 150 foot deep canyon without roads or any other way to get you out or get help in an emergency, except walking out (or carrying you) and driving to the nearest hospital, which is 30 miles away. If you have any health concerns that would make this dangerous for you, please wait until our next hike, which will be in a much more accessible area and will take place in April or May.

Pets: There is a sign on the trail that this is a Wildlife Management Area and dogs are prohibited, but I saw several hikers with dogs.

Legal liability: This hike is not sponsored or endorsed by any organization or individual. You are responsible for yourself.

Cost: There is a charge of $3 per car for parking.

Cancellation due to weather: If there is a severe/dangerous weather warning in effect for northwest Alabama at 7 AM on Sunday, March 8, or news reports say that the roads are too icy for safe travel, or the forecasted high for the day is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less, we will cancel the hike. Otherwise, dress for the weather and join us!