Backpacking the Mitchell Ridge Loop Trail, Sipsey Wilderness, Alabama

A pleasant one-night backpacking trip along the Mitchell Ridge Loop of the Sipsey Wilderness of Northwest Alabama.
This is a quick, one night, backpacking trip in the Sipsey Wilderness of Northwest Alabama. For this trip, I’m hiking the Mitchell Ridge Loop starting at the Northeast Sipsey Wilderness trailhead (labeled “Gum Pond Trailhead” in Google Maps - though it is nowhere near the actual Gum Pond)
I started out following Trail 208 down to the Hagood Creek. At that point, I branched off onto Trail 210 past some pretty sandstone cliffs. Then I climbed up to the top of the Mitchell Ridge and with much twisting and turning, I crossed the top of the ridge until I reached my camp site along side a small stream. This is a long stretch of green forest walking this time of year. My camp site was nice with convenient water, but is small with only room for 1 or 2 tents.
The next morning, I continued up Trail 210 until I reached Trail 223. Trail 223 is an old road that is still in good condition allowing me to quickly traverse down to Trail 208 which I then took back to the trailhead. The only problems on this entire loop were a bunch of freshly downed trees on Trail 208 near the Braziel Creek on my way out that really slowed me down.
I think there might be more views in the winter, but this hike satisfied the need to get out into the woods for an bit of solitude.
The Sipsey Wilderness (#sipseywilderness) lies within the Bankhead National Forest in northwestern Alabama. Sipsey was the first designated wilderness area in Alabama in 1975 and now encompasses about 24,922 acres (10,086 ha). Rivers and streams have carved canyons and valleys in the limestone and sandstone of the local plateau resulting in a wide range of micro-climates in a short hiking distance, some amazing natural features, a few historic sites, as well as endless nooks and crannies to explore. Wilderness camping, building campfires, hunting, and fishing are permitted. Drones are not allowed. Sipsey is a "Leave no Trace" area (lnt.org/why/7-...) with, despite appearances, no designated fire rings, camp sites or facilities. Unfortunately, there are many traces of the hundreds who hike and camp here every year. Please be considerate and do not add to the already extensive damage in this special place.
My custom maps of the Sipsey Wilderness: drive.google.c...
My other videos of the Sipsey Wilderness:
• Sipsey Wilderness
How to make a groundsheet for your HELINOX chair Zero for FREE:
• How to make a groundsh...
Mitchell Ridge Loop Trail info: www.alltrails....
Equipment:
Camera: GoPro Hero8 Black: gopro.com/en/u...
Title card music by Lobo-Loco: freemusicarchiv...
#hike
#hiking
#backpacking

[@elsieoutside]

Love that you and Squidly have been showcasing the Sipsey! Haven’t been to this particular area, but definitely a consideration for the future 🏕🥾🥾

[@SoutheasternFrontiers]

Squidly and I have a passion for the Sipsey Wilderness. Glad you have enjoyed our content and you should definitely check it out! 👍

[@GoneFeralWithSquidly]

I’ve never hiked that as a loop but it makes another good loop option. Thanks for sharing. I might do this one next fall/winter. 🦑

[@SoutheasternFrontiers]

Its been on my list for a while. Finally got out there. It would be a great fall/winter hike. I want to do some bushwhacking next winter and explore the Brazier Creek valley more. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@jeffdavis7912]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing. I hope to get out there soon.

[@SoutheasternFrontiers]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching. 👍

[@davhuf3496]

Cool!

[@SoutheasternFrontiers]

Thanks! 👍

[@kysngaming7787]

Roll Tide ❤️

[@SoutheasternFrontiers]

🐘👍

[@verdelljackson8557]

You make some great videos, glad I found your channel. I'm new to backpacking and think of coming to North Alabama for my first backpacking trip, how do you store your food?

[@SoutheasternFrontiers]

That's great! I mostly use freeze-dried meals that you can get at outdoor stores like REI or Academy Sports + Outdoors. I also typically use instant oatmeal packets and instant coffee for breakfast (maybe with some dried fruit added) and for lunch I'll often have tortillas or some other flat-bread with peanut butter (stored in a zip-lock bag) and honey or jelly out of little packets. We don't have bears in the the Sipsey Wilderness (yet), but if I'm in an area with bears, I make sure to put all my food and other smellables into a bag and hang them between trees (see ua-cam.com/video/T9L4ORK62oM/v-deo.html for how to do that).