Category Archives: Trip reports

Lost on the trail? Seek the map

Posted on December 23, 2014 | Leave a comment
The group for the Fall 2014 Sipsey trip.

The group for the Fall 2014 Sipsey trip.

It happened suddenly, silently and without warning. We missed a sign and veered onto the wrong trail.

We were early into our overnight backpacking and Bible study trip in northwest Alabama’s Sipsey Wilderness with some guys from my former Bible study group. This trip in late September was only my second time in the Sipsey and the first time at Thompson Trailhead. Our plan was to follow Trail 206 along Thompson Creek and continue east on Trail 209 along the Sipsey Fork and explore the Bee Branch area before turning around and heading home the next day. These are all official and well-worn paths.

That was the plan. But about 15 minutes into the hike we reach a campsite and an apparent crossing of the then bone-dry Thompson Creek. There are no blazes to mark the official Sipsey trails, only signs at pivotal intersections on official trails. To further complicate things there are many “unofficial” trails made by hikers over the years. These trails are unmaintained and not recognized by the U.S. Forest Service, but they are easy to confuse with official trails if you are not careful.

On this hike, we missed a turn across Thompson Creek very early and took us on a 4 or 5 mile detour on a faint “unofficial” path up an area called White Oak Hollow. We were never in any danger and it ended up being a fun side adventure, but it served as an important spiritual reminder to me.

We followed a creek bed for about 30-45 minutes through some beautiful canyons, but the narrowness of the path and amount of overgrowth gave me the sneaking suspicion that this was not the well-traversed Trail 206.  Still, we walked on, hopeful to find a sign we were on the right path.  As we ascended a ridge, I was encouraged to see bright orange tape marking the trail as it briefly joined a faint road and jogged right back into the woods.  Someone had been here before! Continue reading →

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A journey into the heart of the Sipsey Wilderness

Posted on May 27, 2014 | Leave a comment
East Bee Branch Canyon

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 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.

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Fellowship, fresh air and fun at Smith Mountain

Posted on March 4, 2014 | Leave a comment
The group from the day hike to the Smith Mountain area of Lake Martin on March 1, 2014

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.

Sharing some of God’s word at our first break on the trail up to the Smith Mountain Fire Tower.
The 90-foot tall Smith Mountain Fire Tower.
At the base of the Smith Mountain Fire Tower.
Mike climbs to the top of the tower.
It’s a long way down from the top.
The view from the top of the Smith Mountain Fire Tower on March 1, 2014
Sharing a story from the Bible about a fisherman, Peter from Luke 5, on the shores of Lake Martin.
Some real hiking on the Little Smith Mountain Trail.
Hiking the hillside of Little Smith Mountain.
Sharing a brief devotional and discussion at the top of Little Smith Mountain.
Taking a rest break at the top of Little Smith Mountain

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Gaining a new perspective from the Smith Mountain fire tower at Lake Martin

Posted on February 6, 2014 | Leave a comment

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.

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.

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As we plan for spring, a look back at an outstanding fall

Posted on January 3, 2014 | Leave a comment

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.

Cheaha backpacking
Taking a rest during our September Cheaha backpacking trip.

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.

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Hiking the Deadening Trail at Lake Martin

Posted on September 12, 2013 | Leave a comment
The high point of the trail offers a great view of Chimney Rock, Acapulco Rock and the lake.

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.

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An Unexpected Adventure: Reboot’s May 2013 Cheaha Wilderness trip (part 2)

Posted on June 16, 2013 | 4 comments

This is the second of a two-part series about encountering many surprises during our May 2013 backpacking trip, including 7 inches of rain.. Read the first part here.

Part 2: 9 p.m. Friday – Saturday

Another storm rolls in.

Another storm rolls in.

It’s close to 9 p.m. when we emerge from the tent to assess the situation and our gear. The storm blew the rainfly about halfway off my tent leaving behind a huge puddle of water in the center and soaked gear. We reluctantly decide to pack our waterlogged gear, return to the car and rent a room at the nearby Cheaha State Park Lodge. Though I think Josh and I would have been probably been game to take our chances on the trail, God granted Jeff the wisdom to push for staying at the lodge.

The storm left the trail a muddy mess, and a heavy fog only enhanced the eerie atmosphere as we hiked the remaining 20 minutes to the car by headlamp.

We make it to our room at the lodge and cook our Conecuh sausage and rice dinner outside using our butane backpacking stoves (I’m not sure if we are technically allowed to do this at the lodge but it was 10 p.m. and the restaurant was long closed). Though we are not out in the wilderness, we continue our discussion well into morning hours about the meaning of adventure and how God is calling us to do much greater things than the 8-5 routine. Then we turn in for the night. At this point, it has rained only slightly since we rented the room.

At about 2 a.m., I wake up to what sounds like cannon fire outside of our room. Another vicious storm is upon Cheaha. This time, the lightning and thunder are striking simultaneously. The storm is right on top of us. A couple of times the power surges as lightning strikes. At this point, we all realize we made the right call about the lodge room. The rain continues to pour the rest of the night.

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An unexpected adventure: Reboot’s May 2013 Cheaha Wilderness trip (part 1)

Posted on June 13, 2013 | 1 comment

This is the first of a two-part series about encountering many surprises during our May 2013 backpacking trip, including 7 inches of rain. Click here for part 2.

Part 1: Friday, May 18

The basic idea behind Reboot Wilderness Adventures is to help people reconnect with God while studying His word and exploring His creation in the Alabama wilderness. It’s designed to be a short overnight backpacking/camping adventure where we are just enough removed from civilization that we experience a real sense of wilderness but close enough to assistance if any emergencies arise. While I usually plan the route, take precautions and plan what themes and Bible passages I feel like God is calling me to share, I always leave room for and expect that we will encounter God’s presence on the trail during our trips.

The view from our planned campsite along the Pinhoti on a much sunnier day.

The view from our planned campsite along the Pinhoti on a much sunnier day.

On our May 17-18 overnight backpacking trip to the Cheaha Wilderness in east Alabama, we expected to hike the 7.5 mile Cave Creek Loop and spend a night on the trail. But God gave much more of an adventure than we ever thought possible. It was an adventure full of lightning, storms, soaked gear and washed out roads and trails. About 7 inches of rain later, we loved every minute of it.

The Reboot ministry is very new. We are still spreading the word about our men’s trips around Frazer and around Montgomery. While many expressed interest, May seemed to be a busy month. Two men joined me on the first trip, my old friends Jeff Thomas and Josh Razavi. This is a key fact and something that God in his wisdom and much greater ways had obviously planned.

Jeff and I have been backpacking in Cheaha several times, but this was the first time for Josh. The three of us were roommates for a couple of years in college.

Earlier this year, Josh committed his life to Christ after straying from his faith for several years. We reconnected soon after, and I remain in awe of how strong his faith is even after the deaths of his mother and stepfather within weeks of each other earlier this spring. Jeff and I were excited to hang out with Josh and hear about how God is working in his life.

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