I just got back from a solo camping trek in the Sipsey Wilderness. It was a single night stay with about a 11 mile hike, shorter than I thought it would be. Although it rained early the first day, I had a great time, and the weather improved quickly. I even found a great, dry alcove under some rocks to pitch my tent. Here’s a pic.

For others hiking Sipsey, here’s a detail of my hike using trail numbers and trail map (PDF):

Starting at 6:50 am, I hiked from T2 Randolph trailhead up 202 (made it to Johnson cemetery by 7:20.)

From 202, I crossed the Sipsey River to 209. On this side, the Sipsey was about calf deep and I removed my shoes, socks and pants to get across.

From 209, I took 204 north half-way then went west to Big Tree, which I reached by 11:30. I went back south to 209 via the East Bee Branch Trail.

I had lunch at 12:00 in a large campsite where Bee Branch meets the Sipsey River.

I continued west on 209 until 2:00 when I camped directly next to 209. There were a ton of campsites along 209. However, many of them quickly filled up between 2:00 and 4:00.

I broke camp at 4:00 am the next morning and was hiking again by 5:00. It was still dark when I set out, so I hiked by headlamp. The trail was fairly easy to follow in the dark.

I took Trail 209 back across the Sipsey River. Crossing the river in the dark gave me pause, but this side was more shallow and had a good set of rocks that got me across dry.

I then took the remainder of 209 and in the dark missed the 209/201 junction. (I went about 15 minutes north when I realized my mistake and doubled back.) This northern trek takes you along a scenic part of the river with a campsite at the end. I hope I didn’t wake whoever was camped there.

Shortly after crossing the Sipsey, 209 takes a steep climb to reach 201. I then traveled south on 201 reaching my car by 7:30.