Chasing Cascades

Decided to go see some cascades. What better place than the Sipsey Wilderness! Rolled into the Thompson TH parking area around nine in the morning. It took about fifteen minutes to realize that I was going to be cascading (perspiring) for the next few days. Boy, was it muggy! Muggy: unpleasantly warm and humid. For what it was in the wilderness, there are not enough letters in muggy. For the weather impact the word should be spelled something like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
After a brief half mile, off the beaten path I went. Up White Oak Hollow, over the ridge and into Bee Branch. The track over the ridge was not as elusive as I had anticipated. After reading many misadventures, I had my concerns. I then trekked a mile or so up the branch to see West Bee Fall and wasn’t disappointed. A mile and then some back downstream and I was at East Bee Branch. Now on familiar ground it was up East Bee Branch to the Big Tree and East Bee Fall. The Big Tree is a Liriodendron tulipifera and is the largest in the state. As I admired the tree and the nearby fall, I contemplated my next move. “It’s three-o-clock, where do I go next?” A long peal of thunder brought the dark overcast sky to the forefront of my thoughts. Staying on East Bee seemed my path forward. The tarp was promptly pitched and camp set up against the western rock face with not a moment too soon. The afternoon was spent reading, listening to the storm, and watching a mini cascade splashing down from 30+ feet within 20 yards of my dry spot.
Come morning the rain had stopped. Packed up my wet gear and hiked up to 204 and headed south. On a high spot (one of the few places with cell signal) I called my wife. Her first question was did I know about the “severe weather” in north Alabama the day before. I informed her that I was and that I had survived the onslaught. After checking in, I made my way to Feather Hawk Creek (Trail Junction 202-209). Set up an early camp to let things dry out. Still having time before lunch, I made the trip up the ravine to Feather Hawk Falls. The track up the creek is well traveled and easy to follow. After lunch I got more adventurous. Walking west for about a mile on Trail 202 I dipped south into a draw leading down to Ugly Creek. I tromped up and down the creek seeing such sights as Deer Skull Falls, Eagle Falls, and many smaller cascades. By the time I reached the mouth of Ugly Creek I realized that I hadn’t brought my sandals for crossing the Sipsey Fork. I shuffled my barefoot self across the Sipsey Fork twice to return to my campsite. Due to the lateness of the day I rushed through an evening meal of three cheese pasta w/ tuna before it got dark.
Morning comes. Yes, I am still damp. Well, nearly wet. Things don’t seem to dry out very well in the Sipsey Wilderness during the month of June. So I once again pack my damp gear and hit the trail. Perspiration becomes inspiration, “I will go home today”. So I set my sights on Thompson TH. Noon I’m at my truck. 2PM brings me to Mugshots in Tuscaloosa. 5:36PM brought me home to my honey!