The Braziel Creek Trail hike is an 8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located in the Sipsey Wilderness of North Alabama. The trail is easy with a gentle grade and can be done as a one-way trail if you arrange transportation at the Borden Creek parking area near the south end of the trail.
Jon and I started this trail from the parking area at the northern end and proceeded south. This trail normally serves as a connector between the Gum Pond trail and the Borden Creek trail and we had never hiked it before. Starting from the north end, there is a 2.8 mile (4.5 km) gentle downhill before you actually reach the creek banks. Then there is a stretch of trail that is a lovely walk along side the creek and there are a couple of camp sites located there that I’ve marked on the map in the video. Finally, we reached the southern end of the trail where it crosses the Borden Creek to join the Borden Creek Trail. The trail is a bit overgrown in some places and there are a few trees across the trail, but the trail is still easy to follow. This trail is not one of the most interesting in the Sipsey, but it is easy enough and more isolated than some. Despite the sunny and warm weather, we saw no one our on the trail the entire day.
The Sipsey Wilderness 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. Sipsey is a "Leave no Trace" area ([ Ссылка ]) 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.
Braziel CreekTrail info: [ Ссылка ]
Sipsey Wilderness info: [ Ссылка ]
Sipsey Wilderness Hiking Club: [ Ссылка ]
My maps of the Sipsey Wilderness: [ Ссылка ]
Title card music by Lobo-Loco: [ Ссылка ]
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