Backpacking Fun in Alabama's Sipsey Wilderness: Hiking to the Big Tree
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- In November, 2016, I ventured into the woods to see Alabama's tallest tree. It's located in the Sipsey Wilderness, part of the Bankhead National Forest. My backpacking loop took me 21 miles over two days. I saw Alabama's "Big Tree" on the morning of the second day.
Thanks to Jaxx Drinkwater for giving me the idea to backpack in the Sipsey Wilderness, which is only two and a half hours from where I live in Nashville. The first part of Jaxx's video about his backpacking trip to the Sipsey Wilderness is here: bit.ly/2fZmwcH
The loop I followed is based on a trip of hiker Mark Oleg's that he described in a blog post. His full description of the loop is here: bit.ly/2eLtdxk
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Filmed with an Canon G7 X and a GoPro Hero 4 Silver; edited with Cyberlink Powerdirector 14.
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"Big Tree," by Evan Schaeffer.
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Going there this Friday, can’t wait
Hope you had a good time!
You've become one of my favorite backpackers to watch on UA-cam Evan. I've got young kids and my time outdoors is limited, your shorter 3-5 day trips are giving me a lot of ideas for the future.
Thanks for your nice comment. I still have one young kid -- Sam, twelve. He goes with me sometimes, though not enough! Seems like he's busier than I am . . .
Nice trip, and fun music. Thanks for taking us along!
Thanks, appreciate it!
My kids called that Alabama's version of Fat man's squeeze, in honor of me & Tenn. Then we sat where you came out thinking we were alone in the wilderness and watched 90 kids from a church group unexpectantly come out of that hole. Was a fun day.
This brings back memories. I did several backpacking trips in the Sipsey with my scout troop in the late 80s. I remember that the road with the bridge was still open, and we parked our vans at a trailhead near the big tree. Soon after, they expanded the wilderness and closed that road.
Glad you watched the video and commented, thanks. I was in the scouts in the 70s. We had a great group of backpackers, and at about age 16 we all sort of dropped out of the scouts and started doing everything on our own. That brings back some memories for me, lol.
Great video. I'm always looking for new hikes close to home, so I have to add this one to my list. love your videos, keep up the good work.
Looks like another fun adventure!
Yes, it was great -- thanks!
That was some GROOVY music Evan. LOL ! Looking at that bridge reminds me how fast nature can reclaim itself, and I think for most areas it's quicker than people think. Great hike. If I still lived in Tennessee I would have to run over and check it out.
I know what you mean about nature -- the trail leading away from the bridge, where the road used to be, is almost all trail now -- virtually no trace of the old road . . .
Will have to check this place out, I mean who doesn't like a Bigly, I mean Big Tree. Great video Evan
LOL -- a big tree I enjoyed bigly . . .
Cool area especially walking through that bluff! great quality at 60p. Thanks for another great video
You're very welcome--thanks for watching!
Thanks for showing us this. We live in Memphis and that area is also about 2 1/2 hrs from us. I've heard about it and been wanting to try it out, and your route seems like a good one. Thanks for the idea!
You're welcome! -- thanks for watching . . .
Excellent trip report man. I hate I couldn't have hiked with you on this one. Next time for sure .
That sounds great, thanks! I want to do a larger loop next time . . .
I never realized that you were creating your own music for your vids. We do this as well. I absolutely love this track, great feel! I'm glad to see that the backpacking weather is holding out for you, we are in the middle of switching season up in the Northwest. Great job!
Thanks for the nice comment -- now I'm going to pay more attention to the music you do on your vids!
That's a big tree! Thanks for the videos.
Good Nav skills. Being willing to help yourself stay found is key when solo hiking. Well done.
Douglas Stevenson Thanks!
Awesome Area! When I first started hiking that area 224 was more like a road and over the years I have seen the forest close in on it and become a trail. LOTS of copperheads out there in the summer. It is so much different than anything else in Alabama and does feel more like the Cumberland plateau. I've really enjoyed watching more of your older videos. Maybe after you complete the AT we can hook up and do a hike. I live in Smyrna, TN.
Nice area for backpacking! Neat cliffs and cave to walk through. That was a large tree! The leaves and fallen trees can make it hard to stay on the trail. Also a few more trail markings would be helpful. Excellent Video Evan!!
Thanks for the comment. Yes, I find that the trails can get pretty obscured by falling leaves this time of year, especially if they aren't traveled much . . .
Nice, I've seen Jaxx and Adam from the weekendhiker do this one. Looks like a cool area. The music was really great.
Thanks, appreciate it!
Nicely done. I was worried that you might not filter that water; glad you did!
backpacked through there quite recent as well, had a great time
Yes, a great area -- I'm glad I tried it out. I actually went back with
my wife, dog and one of my kids. I didn't do a video about that trip but
it was fun! Thanks for commenting.
That was a big tree. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome, thanks!
I really enjoyed your video Evan! I live in the Canadian Arctic so when I think of Alabama, I don't really think of wilderness, but that seems like a very nice spot, and actually somewhat secluded. I especially like that tunnel/cave that you had to walk through. All the best! ...Nathan
Thanks for watching and commenting! I live in Tennessee, and when I think of Alabama, I don't think of the wilderness either! But there is a lot of it there, apparently . . .
Thanks for the advice. After speaking to the rangers, I will be doing clingmans dome down to steelhead campsite then back through forney ridge. Keep the vids coming.
mr stricky Will do! Good luck with your hike ...
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. Haven't been there in years but will be in the near future.
Cool hike Evan.
Thanks for watching, Don!
Nice vid Evan. My brother lives close by there and I have done two trips in the wilderness. I plan on doing another trip next time I go see him. It's a very nice area. Next time you go to the Sipsey try to plan on going around April or May. There will be more water around that time and you'll be able to see some of the waterfalls.
Great idea, thanks . . . Although I liked the area, it would have been much nicer with water!
The forests in Alabama really suffered from the drought in 2016. After going without rain for so long the creeks started going dry very quickly. The black warrior was low and even Noccalula falls in Gadsden was reduced to a trickle.
Yeah, the water was very low on this trip. Hope thinks are back to normal now . . . I need to go back to Sipsey.
We seem to be recovering, it has rained pretty regularly through the summer this year. We had a bit of a dry spell in the fall. It snowed on Dec. 8th which no one saw coming they reported it would only be in South Alabama but it was 4 -5 inches North of Birmingham and even more in the south. If you come back to Sipsey in the late spring or summer look up Dismals Canyon which is close by. It may be a bit of a shorter hike for you but it is a pretty place, you can check out their web site.
I'll check that out, thanks!
Great video. That tunnel was cool. Looks like a good area to hike. :-)
Yes, it was a cool area -- thanks for watching and commenting!
EXCELLENT video... ugh, losing the trail is so frustrating.. nice area, im scared of that tunnel! Big Tree was pretty cool. We've done Many "tree" journeys, tallest, oldest, fattest redwoods are different trees, same for sequoias and bristlecones, most dense joshua "tree" forest... Really Neat how that one is by itself, that is one Big TRee at 153ft is pretty darn tall too
Thanks as always for the nice comment . . . I think in the area of big trees, you've got me beat!
Evan's Backpacking Videos
maybe so but that really is a Great specimen you got there as well
Bankhead is great! You should check out Savage Gulf in Tennessee too.
I've done some videos about Savage Gulf--great place (although I prefer places where I can camp anywhere).
I love that place. I’ve never seen the water that low though. It’s a real shame that it was so dry when you went because there are waterfalls everywhere. You should try it again in the spring. I’ll be there in late April if the weather cooperates.
Tom Wolfe Yeah, I had some good weather but unfortunately low water. I’ll definitely go back. It’s not too far from Nashville and it’s a great place to take my family.
Great trip my friend! Enjoyed watching it! Cheers, Marc
Thanks, as always!
Cool video. I think they are playing feetball in Alabama if they aren't hanging around that tree. Love the sense of humor in this video. I'm heading to smokies Saturday to hike bote mountain and camp at site 9
Hope you have a good hike -- I'm looking forward to the video!
Well Evan, that certainly was a big tree ! I'll call it a Alabama sequoia! Nice vid dude
Hah, you nailed it. Alabama sequoia.
That narrow cave looked cool. Also, the minimalist sleeping setup is interesting. Would trading out the pad for a hammock be much of a weight penalty?
I have a Hennessey hammock that I use sometimes -- that set-up is a little heavier than just the tarp . . . I assume that answers your question?
Yes. My back requires a bit more padding when on the ground, but that setup could work if I add a basic blow-up pool "raft". Will give that a try.
You should come back when the 2 waterfalls are flowing at big tree.
That's a big tree that Big Tree, aptly named, jaunty ditty to go with the walk too :)
Thanks for watching and commenting -- as always!
The first nice weekend in the fall, I’m taking some friends that have expressed interest in hiking. However, they are all huge college football fans so, that puts a kink in the plan. Does anyone know how well you can pick up radio stations or cell phone reception in the wilderness area? As many times as I’ve been, I’ve never thought to check.
Great video
Awesome! Great trip. Sounds like you were channeling some B-52s in that music!!
Thanks for watching and commenting -- I appreciate it!
Great video. I backpacked the Sipsey a number of times in the '70s and seems like one of the taller waterfalls in Alabama was at the site of the tallest tree. I think the name was Bee Branch Falls. You didn't mention so either I am mis-remembering, or maybe it was just very dry when you were there.
Phil McCullough No, it's still there! It's just that it was dry, like you guessed.
As usual, a good, informative video, Evan. One of my sons lives in the Birmingham area and during a visit with him at the end of October, he commented on the severe drought conditions in northern AL. Your video shows obvious evidence of that. The "freeky-deeky" organ soundtrack was different for certain. If you had cranked it up when going through the cave, it would have provided for a really eerie segment. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting . . .
Water levels were quite pathetic, do you think the Sipsey River would have nice cascade sections under normal flow?
Zachary Robbins Yes, definitely.
eWolf! I never watch vids but I'm working on a Sipsey Wilderness page and... this is awesome. I'm going to add it as a link on my page. Hella entertaining! 😄
Hah! Always fun when an old friend stumbles on my backpacking channel! Thanks for commenting, appreciate it.
I enjoyed your video
Glad you enjoyed it!
Say hello to "Big Tree" for me as well.
Will do, thanks!
you picked adams family muzak for this video BUT you make light of alabamini....alabamaimi.....people from alabama????
Renaissance MarineTV Guilty!
Where did you get your map?
Ruth Scales The internet somehow; I don’t remember the details.
its not the largest tree in alabama, but it is arguably the largest tulip tree IN THE WORLD. yellow poplar to be exact
Yes. There are some big ones in the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. My favorite type of tree for sure.
Reason no one was there is because everyone from Alabama knows not to go hiking to the big tree when it’s 86deg.
Oh so that’s it!
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. Haven't been there in years but will be in the near future.
Jeff Davis It's a great place. Really low on water right now, though!