Photo by Cynthia Volin

In the Warrior Mountains, holly, hemlock, moss and ferns give green to a winter forest that holds the secrets of seasons yet unborn. Iron-laced sandstone bluffs form ancient canyon walls that nurture an astonishing abundance of life, even in winter. An overturned rock may surprisingly expose a salamander; a peek into the shaded recesses of a rock shelter may bring to light shaggy banks of delicate, rare ferns.

Join Wild South on a hike through the winter landscape of the Bankhead National Forest in northwest Alabama on Saturday, January 28, 2012.

Choose your hike from the two listed below, then This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !

Parker Falls

Leaders:  Larry Boroff and Grant Posey

Distance:  Approx. 3 miles roundtrip

Rating:  Challenging - for experienced hikers only

Ages 10 and over

Parker Branch, in the western edge of the Sipsey Wilderness, is a place of wild beauty.  There are two main waterfalls, and after all the rain we have had hikers can expect to see lively streams.  The terrain is rugged, mostly off-trail, steep, with multiple creek crossings.  The forest here is mainly cove hardwood and Eastern hemlock nestled between high canyon walls of sandstone.  There is an abundance of ferns, mosses and greenery. Be prepared for mud, slippery rocks and slopes, precipitous ledges, shallow creek crossings.  A walking stick helps with all of these.  

Sipsey Wilderness Trail #207 

Leader:  Janice Barrett

Distance:  5 miles, through hike

Rating:  Moderately challenging

Ages 10 and over

Trail #207 in the Sipsey Wilderness is now cleared of tornado damage.  Beginning at its intersection with trail #208, trail 207 follows Braziel Creek and ends at Borden Creek near Bunyan Hill Road, passing through beautiful old-growth hardwood forest and below almost continuous sandstone bluffs.  The April 2011 tornadoes directly hit a section of this trail, which adds to the dramatic scenery.  Curiosity about how the wilderness was affected by the tornadoes can be satisfied on this hike.  Wild South volunteers and staff had a work day on #207 this past Saturday and it is now cleared and well-defined, but it is rough.  Near the end of the hike, we will cross Braziel Creek, so expect wet feet.   As this hike will progress from north to south, elevation changes are minimally noticed, but hikers must be capable of hiking 5 miles on rugged terrain.  

Be prepared for rough trail, mud, a creek crossing (possibly mid-calf high).  

Group sizes are limited and hikers must sign up in advance:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 256-974-6166

 For both hikes, bring lunch, snacks, drinking water.  Wear comfortable hiking clothes appropriate for the weather.  Layering is recommended, as are wool socks, which will keep your feet warm even when they are wet.  Shoes need to be sturdy hiking boots or shoes or sneakers with good, reliable tread for slippery rocks and muddy creek banks.  A hiking stick comes in handy for stream crossings, and there are always stream crossings.  It's a good idea to have a dry pair of shoes and socks waiting for you in your car.

After signing up, meet at the Warrior Mountains Trading Company (home of the Wild South office) in the community of Wren, Alabama at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28th.  The address is 11312 Alabama Highway 33, Moulton, Alabama .  Warrior Mountains Trading Co. is located at the intersection of Highways 33 and 36 a couple of miles south of Moulton.  Please park on the south end of the building far, far away from the diesel pump and come into the store.  There will be sign-in sheets and a donation bucket on a table in the middle of the store.  This is where we will gather at 9:00 before heading into the forest.

Wild South hikes are free.  Our non-profit organization exists because of the generosity of our forest-loving supporters. Therefore, all donations are gratefully accepted and stay local to support Wild South's work in the Bankhead National Forest.