Tag Archives: Alabama

Reboot Wilderness in their own words

Posted on August 11, 2017 | Leave a comment

Unplugging from the routine, enjoying scenery and finding community. These are just a few of the common words I’ve heard when we’ve asked the men and women to describe their short journey into God’s creation on a Reboot day hike or camping trip right here in the Alabama wilderness. Spending time unplugging from your day-to-day routine and joining with others to explore the outdoors is a great way for a fresh perspective.  But don’t just take it from us, here are a few words from some past Reboot participants:

Trevor Sipsey group photo

“Reboot Wilderness is such a great way to fellowship and experience God. The hiking trips are well planned out, the lessons are thought provoking, and it’s a great way to get to know other brothers in Christ.”

  • Trevor Anderson, backpacking and day hike participant from Connecticut

Frank Borden Creek crossing

“I have participated in several overnight backpacking trips and day hikes with Reboot. The trips allow a person to get away from the everyday stresses of life and ‘reboot’ with a greater focus on God and Jesus Christ.

“Reboot has helped me to see the presence of God in nature. I would urge anyone to join in. It’s fun, refreshing and spiritually motivating – all at the same time.”

  • Frank Caskey, backpacking and day hike participant from Montgomery, Alabama

Misty Smith Mountain group

“(My husband) Joe and I enjoyed the hike on Saturday! It was such a blessing to be with everyone that was there. We enjoy getting to know other fellow believers in Christ along with hiking through the beauty observed at Lake Martin. It is awesome to take time and enjoy the outside beauty created by our Lord.”

  • Misty Trusell, day hike participant from Wetumpka, Alabama

Noah Cheaha

 “My favorite thing about going on a Reboot trip is the feeling of being out of your routine. You’re with a group, but you’re out with no deadlines or schedules or phone calls. Focusing on God’s creation and the majesty of it, then spending a little time each day discussing it is very powerful and fun. It is surprising how refreshing and rejuvenating such a short trip can be.”

  • Noah Dean, backpacking and father-son camping participant from Montgomery, Alabama

Join us on a fall trip and experience the same thing. Renewal awaits!

Noah Cheaha group

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Announcing Fall 2016 backpacking trips

Posted on August 16, 2016 | Leave a comment

Fall will be here very soon, and we are pleased to offer a couple of men’s backpacking trips for the cooler weather.

I hope you’ll join us in exploring a piece of God’s wonderful creation right here in our own Alabama backyard. As always, we love and welcome first-time backpackers. We can loan you most all of the gear you’ll need. Come join us for a great time of exercise, fresh air and fellowship. Sign up is required but free. All we ask is a small $25 fee to help cover expenses for each trip.

Click here for complete information on both trips. 

PinhotiSeptember2016

SipseyNovember2016promo

 

 

 

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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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Sign up now available for men’s overnight backpacking in Cheaha Wilderness Nov. 7–8

Posted on September 22, 2014 | Leave a comment

Sept 1_Wordpress

This is a two-day, one-night adventure to the Cheaha Wilderness Friday, Nov. 7 – Saturday, Nov. 8 that combines hiking and camping along the trail with Bible study. We’ll unplug from technology, seek some adventure, hang out by the campfire and spend some time with God in His wilderness.

No previous backpacking experience is required. This is a perfect starter trip. Even better, we’ll loan you all the basic gear you’ll need, including backpacks, backpacking tents, compact sleeping bags and sleeping pads.

We’ll hike the 10-mile Odum Scout Trail route traveling along the Pinhoti from the Cheaha Trailhead  and stopping on Friday evening to camp at scenic McDill Point. On Saturday, we’ll continue along the Pinhoti to the Caney Head trail intersection and pick up the Odum Scout Trail to the High Falls Trailhead. The hike is a total of about 10 miles of hiking split over two days.The trail is easy enough that anyone in halfway decent shape should have no problem.

Reboot participants build a campfire near McDill Point in the Cheaha Wilderness.

Camping near McDill Point in the Cheaha Wilderness.

We will leave Montgomery around 11:30 a.m. on Friday morning and return late Saturday afternoon.

There is no cost for the hike; however we ask that you contribute $15 to a pool for gas money and group dinner expenses. We’ll have a pre-trip meeting the Sunday before the hike to go over all the details and get your loaner gear to you.

Space is limited to eight men.

Click here to fill out a quick sign-up form and reserve your spot.

Have questions? Contact Reboot leaders Mike Presley, Chris Bowden and Adam Causey at rebootwildernessadventures@gmail.com.

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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.

Continue reading →

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Going outside is good for your physical, mental and spiritual health

Posted on March 11, 2014 | 1 comment

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.

Time in the outdoors improves your physical health
Backpacking on the Pinhoti Trail.

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.

Time in the outdoors improves your mental health
Spring in Yosemite National Park, California

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.

Continue reading →

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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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Online registration now available for spring trips

Posted on January 31, 2014 | Leave a comment

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.

Smith Mountain Spring 2014 block photo

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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.

Continue reading →

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