This remote wilderness area boasts a 95 mile trail system and the 60 mile long West Fork of the Sipsey River. We intended to follow 209 back to Randolf, but the stream crossings were high and fast and we couldn't risk it so we made our way to Sipsey trailhead from 200 and hitchhiked our way back to the cars. While there are many more waterfalls to choose from, three possible options are Kinlock Falls, Fall Creek Falls, and Feather Hawk Falls. The vast and remote Pasayten Wilderness stretches across the northern border of our state and encompasses the east-west divide of the Cascades. Some stream crossing involved walking across fallen trees or clambering up vertical banks by tree roots. It is Alabama after all. Skirting Borden Creek and the Sipsey River, this route includes diverse terrain that’s moderately challenging with beautiful scenery and a few primitive campsites. This hike in the Sipsey Wilderness offers a relatively flat trail and plenty of scenic views. The huge rock cliffs, waterfalls, caves, and rivers make for some awesome scenery with tons to explore. But the horse trails (208 and 224) are easy and allow you to walk side-by-side. The first is the 25,002-acre Sipsey Wilderness which contains a few scattered patches of virgin timberland and contains one of only a few breeding localities for the Cerulean Warbler in Alabama. It was also the first designated wilderness area east of the Mississippi River. Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, P.O. 200 carried us right back to our starting point. Click here for more pictures and information. This led us down the mountain. So we turned around and took the much more narrow past to the left. 209 was clearly marked but this new split was not. Around the bend from the waterfall lies a small campsite that shoulders up to building-sized boulders. If you want to go for a loop and multiple days there are many options in this 25 thousand acre Sipsey Wilderness Area (Bankhead National Forest) (Black Warrior Wildlife Area). We then continued down 209 there was much to see along it following the river we made camp right after we past the turn off for 202 we woke up the next morning and hiked down to 200 and followed it encountering a cave you had to crawl through on the trail to continue. This place is a beautiful, enchanting labyrinth of marked and unmarked trails. Something for everyone, easily adaptable to your time, ability, and scenery preference. The 25,000-acre Sipsey Wilderness is a landscape of canyons, ravines, sandstone cliffs, and, most notably, waterfalls. The marker doesn't seem like it's in the wilderness, given that it's just feet after the trail passes under Winston County Road 60. Live like a Birmingham local whenever, wherever, Outdoor destinations + local stories & exclusive outdoor events. The Sipsey Wilderness was established in 1975. For most of the hike, you’ll walk near numerous shallow pools of water perfect for swimming, and boulders on the banks provide good platforms for napping. Box 4927, 401 Adams Avenue, Suite 126 , Montgomery, AL, 36103, Phone: 334-242-4169. The Sipsey Wilderness lies within Bankhead National Forest around the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River in northwestern Alabama, USA.Designated in 1975 and expanded in 1988, the 24,922-acre (10,086 ha) Sipsey is the largest and most frequently visited Wilderness area in Alabama and contains dozens of waterfalls. 201 was super easy except for all the downed trees in the past. The link below is for our videos of the Sipsey. The worst part of the "Sipsey River Trail," the longest hike in the book, was that Helms takes you out and back to a single trail marker, and ignores the side trail that would have taken you to the largest tree in Alabama. Through the feathery branches of hemlocks you can see the sun dancing down long, winding bands of turquoise water. Moderate compass work, multiple river/stream crossings, moderate elevation, and only a few stretches with no water. Also, the ground in the Squeeze is often very muddy, and water drips down the rock walls, so prepare to get messy. Located a few miles south of Moulton, Ala., this wilderness area is easy to access, but the extensive trail system takes you deep into the forest for a real escape from civilization. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Another half mile down Trail 209, a campsite with space for two or three tents sits in a shady stand of hemlocks. Check em out, lot of excellent footage and facts about the Sipsey & Bankhead National Forest. Quiet and secluded. awesome place to hike and camp. To keep your socks and feet dry, change into sandals or water shoes before you cross. 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