RFP #14 - Hiking Bankhead, Sat. Nov. 10

[Nice Goat]

RFP = "Ride for Pie"

Why?  Because pie fixes everything!

This is primarily a national forest ride, i.e., there will be lots of dirt/gravel roads which are mostly smooth and big-bike friendly.  We will visit a few of my favorite spots in Bankhead which require some hiking.  You should dress in layers and bring shoes with excellent wet traction in the woods.  The hiking trails are not difficult, but there will likely be some mud/roots/rocks/water crossings.  I also recommend bringing bug repellent, some toilet paper, a hydration bladder, and some high-calorie snacks, e.g., nuts, Clif bars, etc.

Rough timeline:

7:15 AM -- Meet at Jack's in West Point, AL
8:00 AM -- Kickstands up!
8:30 AM -- Indian Tomb Hollow (marker tree and old cemetery) (1 mile in, 1 mile out)
10:30 AM -- Upper Turkey Foot Falls (waterfall, close to road)
12:00 PM -- Kinlock Falls (waterfall, close to road)
1:00 PM -- Caney Creek Falls (1 mile in, 1 mile out)
3:00 PM -- Chef Troy's for late lunch

Tentative Route is below.

Total hiking will be about 4.5 miles, so I recommend that you get to Jacks early enough to get some breakfast.

It's gonna be a blast, so come join us!

P.S. - Everybody knows ... I buy the pie!

P.P.S. - Free stickers too!

[springer]

 Hoping I can make this /\! Pretty sure I will have to leave out on the 9th as it would be a long, much colder, ride up there! Any recommendations on a cheap, clean, safe motel close by?

[kylepeterson]

wooohooo !

[Nice Goat]

The ride is only four weeks from now.  The temperature range should be about 40 (morning) to 65 (mid afternoon).  Perfect hiking and riding temps.

For hotels, a quick interweb search reveals nine possibilities...

[Nice Goat]

My house is seven miles from the start point, and I have plenty of level parking, if anybody needs/wants to trailer their bike.

[klaviator]

I'm a definite maybe.  I'll make it if I can.

[Gam]

I'm going to try to make this. The water in that second pic looks familiar.  I was backpacking one February, probably 15 years ago.  Do you go through a "fat man sqeeze"? There was a nice flat for camping.

[2372ighost]

I put this on my flying calendar as unavailable. I will plan to overnight in Cullman.
I like riding for pie!!

[Nice Goat]

I'm going to try to make this. The water in that second pic looks familiar.  I was backpacking one February, probably 15 years ago.  Do you go through a "fat man sqeeze"? There was a nice flat for camping.

I know of a couple of fat man squeezes in and around Bankhead, but none planned on this ride. 

If anybody wants to camp in Bankhead on Friday night and meet us at the first hiking stop, I can send GPS coordinates.  Shoot me a PM.

I'm debating whether to camp on Saturday night, depending on the weather.  If so, it would be at Brushy Lake campground.

[norton73]

I've got it on my calendar.

[kylepeterson]

I know of a couple of fat man squeezes in and around Bankhead, but none planned on this ride. 

If anybody wants to camp in Bankhead on Friday night and meet us at the first hiking stop, I can send GPS coordinates.  Shoot me a PM.

I'm debating whether to camp on Saturday night, depending on the weather.  If so, it would be at Brushy Lake campground.

sending!

[Al Goodwin]

Count Melony and I as IN on this one.

[Nice Goat]

Two days until the ride.  Lots of good rain this week, so the waterfalls should be active and beautiful, but the hiking could be muddy.  Bring waterproof shoes and extra socks.

Temps are looking to be 32 in the morning and increasing to 46 during the day, and that's with clear, sunny skies.  That's a little chillier than I was hoping for, but it should make for excellent hiking weather.

Don't forget to spray your clothes with tick repellent.

[2372ighost]

Do you think Jacks would have a problem leaving my truck in the lot for the day?

[Nice Goat]

Probably not.  Alternatively, there is a large church parking lot next door.