East Bee Branch Canyon
Magical. If one word could describe the feeling of entering the lush forest, steep canyons and clear streams of the Sipsey Wilderness for the first time, that’s it. There is just a special feeling about the place.
In early May, Reboot had the privilege of leading a group of guys on a 14-mile overnight backpacking/Bible study trip through the heart of the Sipsey Wilderness. The area, located in Bankhead National Forest in Lawrence and Winston counties, is named for the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River. The Sipsey is Alabama’s only designated Wild and Scenic River and the wilderness area more than lived up to its reputation of a wonderland of waterfalls, clear blue waters, old-growth forest and towering limestone cliffs.
After a three hour drive from Montgomery, we arrived at our starting point: the Sipsey Picnic Area trailhead along Cranal Road. Our hike was a there-and-back trip to the East Bee Branch Canyon and the “Big Tree,” one of the wilderness’s most famous highlights.
Our group in front of the Big Tree.
Our path set out from the Sipsey Picnic Area trailhead along Trail 200/209 and crossed the clear and cold waters of Borden Creek to reach Trail 209 which follows the Sipsey Fork and would be our main trail for the hike. The slow flow of the Sipsey bluish waters was our constant companion once we crossed Borden Creek. Fall Creek Falls was an early highlight along with the sight of dozens of butterflies attracted to something left behind in a fire pit near the falls. The hiking was smooth with very little elevation change. The biggest challenge was navigating several tree blowdowns and hopping over the numerous streams that feed into the Sipsey.
Posted in About Reboot, Experiencing God in nature, Trip reports
Tagged About Reboot, Alabama, Backpacking, Bankhead National Forest, Bee Branch, Big Tree, Borden Creek, East Bee Branch Canyon, Experiencing God in the wilderness, God in nature, Jesus, Sipsey, Sipsey Wilderness, wilderness adventures
It is pretty obvious that spending some time in the outdoors is good for your body. But while preparing for our spring Reboot trips recently, I realized that the benefits of exploring nature extend far beyond your physical health.
Backpacking on the Pinhoti Trail.
You get fresh air and great exercise while doing something fun like hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, kayaking or rock climbing. For example, hiking is a great cardio workout. Add in a slightly rocky trail and a little elevation change, and you’ll really be burning the calories. Even more so if you are backpacking with 25 or so pounds of gear on your pack. It also gives your leg muscles a great workout. Plus, it just feels good to smell the fresh forest air, feel the sun on your skin and hear the leaves rustling through the trees. An extra bonus: exercising outdoors is much more scenic than a trip to the gym.
Spring in Yosemite National Park, California
We are addicted to screens. Hardly 10 minutes goes by without me checking my phone for e-mails, text messages, Facebook notifications. We expect and are expected to be reachable 24/7. Add on top of that the normal stresses of everyday life, and if we are not careful we find ourselves in a tidal wave of trying to keep up. It can get exhausting and drain your mental energy by the end of the day.
Sometimes we need a break. Spending time in the wilderness offers a chance to temporarily unplug from the tide of social media and technology. There are no computers in wilderness areas. Cell phone service is often spotty at best so forget about checking Twitter or Facebook from your smartphone. Instead we can go at a more measured pace, relieving stress and anxiety.
This study published in 2013 suggests that spending more time in nature and away from our computer screens, smart phones and tablets can actually improve attention span, problem-solving ability and multitasking ability.
The group from the day hike to the Smith Mountain area of Lake Martin on March 1, 2014
We had a great start to our 2014 spring season with a day-hike trip to Smith Mountain fire tower area of Lake Martin on Saturday, March 1. The weather was just about perfect, and we had a great time of fellowship, fresh air, exercise and unplugging from our day-to-day lives to focus on God while enjoying His creation.The theme of the day was perspective. We shared and discussed several examples from the Bible of how God has a much greater perspective than our own. The whole experience served as a reminder to remember and trust in God’s perspective on our lives especially when we are faced with a challenge or struggling to see how he is working in our present circumstances.
Here is what one participant had to say after the trip that sums it up the best:
“We enjoy getting to know other fellow believers in Christ along with hiking through the beauty at Lake Martin. It is awesome to take time and enjoy the outside beauty created by our Lord. Like you said during one of your devotional stops during the hike, it is necessary for us to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to reflect.”
Check out some more trip photos from hiker John Boyd.
Climbing a 90-foot-tall fire tower in a cold, stiff January breeze was a tiny bit nerve-racking. But the spectacular view from the top made it well worth the effort and was highlight of our recent visit to Smith Mountain, the highest point along Lake Martin.
At the base of the 90-foot-tall Smith Mountain Fire Tower.
Reboot partner Chris Bowden and I spent one chilly Saturday morning exploring the trails around Smith Mountain in advance of our March 1 day hike trip. Chris is the person who got me into backpacking a few years ago and has been an instrumental partner in taking Reboot from a prayer and idea into a reality. After spending a year in Kentucky, Chris and his family recently moved back to the Montgomery area and this was our first chance to hike together since his return.
After driving about an hour and a half from Montgomery, we arrived at the trailhead which is along the shores of Lake Martin west of Dadeville. Back in 2012 the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association, or CRATA, restored the fire tower and opened it to the public. This is the latest project for the group which has done excellent work over the past decade to bring quality hiking trails to Lake Martin.
We started by hiking uphill about a half mile to reach the base of the fire tower and remnants of some old buildings. Here is a little history behind the property from the CRATA website:
“Standing majestically atop Smith Mountain is the historic 90-foot fire lookout tower. Erected in 1939 as a cooperative agreement between Alabama Power Company, Tallapoosa County Forest Conservation Association and the Alabama Forestry Commission, the tower was a sentinel for locating forest fires for 40 years.
Decommissioned in 1980, the fire lookout tower fell into neglect and disrepair. The office building was dismantled along with other facilities. The property (10 acres) reverted back to Alabama Power Company and had been abused by dumping for the last 30 years.”
In late 2010, Alabama Power deeded the land and tower to CRATA which worked to repair and restore it for visitors. They have done a wonderful job.
Online registration for our spring trips is now available on the Frazer UMC web site. Join us as we reconnect to our creator by spending a little time in His creation. Check out the Upcoming Trips page for more details about each adventure.
Fall was a great season for Reboot and an outstanding cap to our first year as a ministry. We had the privilege of leading two overnight backpacking/Bible study trips to Cheaha and a day hike trip to the Deadening Trail at Lake Martin. With crisp autumn air and beautiful foliage, fall is the perfect season to explore and enjoy God’s creation, and our trips didn’t disappoint.
Taking a rest during our September Cheaha backpacking trip.
Gorgeous sunny weather greeted our first overnighter Sept. 28-29. The Pinhoti Trail was a little busier than normal which really wasn’t too much of a surprise because of the wonderful weather. Our usual campsite along McDill Point was taken but we found a wonderful large campsite on top of a short hill opposite from the turnoff to McDill Point. After setting up camp and enjoying a dinner of Conecuh sausage and rice, we had a great discussion focused on Luke 12:22-24 and how God is our provider and as long as we are seeking after Him, he will provide everything we need. We capped off the night listening to the end of the Alabama/Ole Miss football game on a small backpacking radio (This is Alabama were college football is king, after all). The next day we hiked the Pinhoti to the intersection with the Chinnabee Silent Trail and took Chinabee down the mountain and ended the hike at Cheaha Falls.
Posted in About Reboot, Experiencing God in nature, Trip reports
Tagged About Reboot, Adventure, Alabama, Backpacking, Cheaha Falls, Cheaha Mountain, Cheaha State Park, Cheaha Wilderness, Christ, Christian, day hiking, Deadening Trail, Experiencing God in the wilderness, God in nature, Hiking, internal frame backpack, Jesus, Lake Martin, McDill Point, outdoor, Pinhoti Trail, Recreation, wilderness adventures
The trail offers great views of Chimney Rock, Acapulco Rock and Lake Martin.
My dad and I recently spent a few hours exploring a scenic trail along Lake Martin called the Deadening Trail. I’ve hiked the Cherokee Alpine Trail, which is about 2 miles south, but this was my first visit to the 3.6-mile Deadening Trail, which came highly recommended as a somewhat challenging and scenic trail an hour’s drive from Montgomery.
The loop trail begins a few hundred feet from the parking area. The first half of the hike is mostly through forest. About a mile in, there is an option for a shorter 2.5-mile loop. Here you can cut over immediately to the shoreline by taking a left or stay straight to continue the forest hike for a little longer before it loops around to the shoreline. The scenic views begin once the trail loops around to follow shoreline with granite cliffs overlooking Lake Martin directly across from Chimney Rock and Acapulco Rock, popular spots for boaters and cliff-jumpers.
Posted in About Reboot, Trip reports
Tagged Cherokee Ridge, Chimney Rock, Christian, day hiking, Deadening Trail, God in nature, Hiking, Jesus, Lake Martin, Martin Dam, outdoor, Recreation, Tallapoosa River
Equipment list for Reboot backpacking trips
Here’s a rundown of what we provide and what you will need to bring if you join us for a Reboot men’s backpacking trips to Cheaha. For upcoming trips and registration info, go here.
We will provide
You will need
Food and water
Posted in About Reboot
Tagged bible study materials, internal frame backpack, plastic water bottles
Online registration is now up and running on the Frazer UMC website for our fall adventures. Space is limited, so register today to ensure your spot. You don’t want to miss this chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with God in the outdoors.
Posted in About Reboot
Tagged Adventure, Backpack, Cheaha Wilderness, Deadening Trail, God, Hiking, Jesus, Lake Martin
Reboot Wilderness Adventures 