The Saltpeter Cave

The saltpeter cave in the Sipsey Wilderness was used for mining saltpeter during the Civil War. Saltpeter is potassium nitrate. It was used for making gun powder. Today it is used for a food preservative and additive. The small cave is nestled deep in the ground behind a waterfall! I read that this was actually called Saltpeter Falls but I could be wrong. I have read a little about this cave and we've talked about finding it before so we decided we should cross it off the bucket list. Last Sunday Thomas and I searched a good 5 miles of just bluff lines because we weren't sure exactly where it was but we had a pretty good idea. We ended up doing a total of 8 miles when we made it back to the truck. We were bummed because it was getting dark and had to leave and never found it. This Sunday we came back and were determined we would find it this time. We made it to Eye of the Needle from trail 206 in about 45 minutes which is amazing considering it's about 2 miles there (if I'm correct). We decided instead of going through White Oak Hollow this time it would be closer for us to start right at the Sipsey River. We came up to where a small stream ran into the Sipsey River and headed up following it to the top of a pretty good hill...Oh the dreaded hills but B I N G O first bluff line we went up to- we found the cave.

Thomas and his brother Justin climbed down to the entrance and finally talked me into going down and taking a peek. I am not a fan of tight spaces or bats and this place has both. I made it down to the entrance and literally right in front of me at the mouth of the cave slept this little guy.  (I just want to note we didn't disturb them, we know they are important in the food chain because they eat pesky insects we don't like.) I really do appreciate the woods. Anything you pack in you pack out. No  matter what. We don't leave messes laying around.The momma always feels the need to probably pack too much when I go but somebody has to bring the first aid kit along for these boys ha ha.

It's probably only about 3 foot or so from top to bottom in the cave.

The sun was shining right in on us and you can barely make out Thomas' headlamp way down at the entrance of the saltpeter cave.

Thomas and Justin packing up as we get ready to leave. While we were eating a bite Justin looked at his map and said if we went straight up the mountain and over, Auburn Falls wasn't too far away. I knew it was going to require a lot of major effort and bushwhacking. I wish that looking back down after climbing up the mountain I would have taken a picture of what we climbed up it was a good 50 degree incline. It was UP and it got thick and hilly but it was amazing because we were so high up and had amazing views on the afternoon sun and sky and the best part was the fact that you could tell no people had traveled up on that ridge in a long long time. That's what we like- untouched wilderness. I found an old glass bottle that was broken that had been laying up there for no telling how long! We seen many old "roads" wore, a ton of MASSIVE trees blown over by a tornado and some HUGE hog tracks. We tend to follow the paths the hogs have wore a lot- or game trails I guess is a better term for it. Mostly everything good that I've seen out here is way away from the trails thank goodness. We came right out at the trail in White Oak Hollow! I was proud of them boys for getting us through there exactly where they did and I was so glad we didn't have to back track and were going downhill instead of up!!

While looking around the cave, back behind the waterfall nestled where nobody can see you sat this make shift bridge leading over to an old fire ring under a shelter bluff. The coolest part about this piece of wood that it's cut almost perfect. Someone had to of cut it out in the wilderness because surly nobody is crazy enough to hike that 3 miles into the woods. We hiked a total of 7.2 miles by the time we got back to the truck. It was an overall successful day in the woods. 

Turkey Foot Falls and Mize Mill in the Sipsey Wilderness

Story goes as far as I know this old 1936 Ford wrecked off what was the old run that ran near what we know as Cranal Road now. I don't believe anyone died but I could be wrong. I can't believe this thing is still here. Kenadi tells me this is one of her favorite spots in the forest. So today she had a long weekend at school so we came to eat lunch at Turkey Foot Falls and see Mize Mill Falls along the way too. 

It's always good when you can get your family out there with you! My nana is almost 68 I believe and she still loves coming out here. 

Turkey Foot Falls

A cascade along Turkey Creek that runs into the Sipsey River

Mize Mill Falls

Apparently most people have no idea these are carved above the old Mize mill site on both sides of the creek. 

Pictures don't do it justice until you hike yourself into the wilderness and see whats left of this old 1936 Ford that is buried there! 

Drove through an are where they did a controlled burn on the way home. 

Remembering Indian Tomb Hollow

My family is descendants of the Brooks, Brown, Bates, Waldrop, and Riddle Families that settled in the Black Warrior Mountains that make up what is now the Bankhead National Forest. I once read that it was a shame that the name of the land was changed to honor a white politician and I will have to second that! It will always belong to our Indian ancestors! Jenny Elizabeth Brooks Bates Johnson AKA "Aunt Jenny" is my great great great great grandmother! I am so proud to be able to know my family history and am still learning about it. I can't wait to be able to pass all of this knowledge down to my daughter. We can't rely on the internet always being there for us because one day it isn't going to be! One of my favorite places in Bankhead is Indian Tomb Hollow- I was heartbroken when I got into it and seen the clear cut the greedy lumber company did to that sacred place. It being known to be the place of a very significant Indian war between two different Indian nations. Not to mention burial grounds to so many of our ancestors!!! I cannot believe that anyone would carelessly clear cut an area without as much as researching or taking into consideration how important that land is people and history. But money is the only thing on a lot of peoples minds..enough ranting...this place is so awesome! The Indian marker tree was like nothing I have ever seen. If I remember correctly one pointed directly north and the other was nearly directly south. 

I was so angry- still am that some punks carved profanity on nearby trees...when I say profanity I mean it...someone deserves an ass kicking for doing that but I'll leave that to the Indian Spirits and Karma ;)

We hiked Gillespie Creek out and seen old whiskey still sites that the revenuers had busted up. 

The ax marks can be seen from the revenuers in the old barrel. 

We seen a couple of small waterfalls along the way out and a spring! I love getting water from the forest...hopefully it doesn't have any of that N A S T Y fluoride in it. I specifically drive out to Bankhead and fill up gallon jugs for drinking water at home! 

Small waterfall along Gillespie Creek

We seen a carving in a tree of a compass that me and Thomas have seen in the forest before. It's really neat to find the same thing like that the same person did...And It's really amazing to think at what how many people use to occupy and use the land that we know today as the forest. 

Thomas, Justin, and Leroy enjoying the Indian Marker tree

Bigfoot or nah?

After exploring Eagle Creek, since it still hadn't rained we drove to a different part of Bankhead- I'm not naming names on this one because sometimes you just know others cannot appreciate things like you can! After reading up on a blog I follow we all decided to explore, bushwhack and walk the bluff line off a creek that flows into Brushy Creek. We knew it would be rough but did not quite prepare ourselves for this trip! We park empty out our backpacks (because who wants to carry unnecessary weight in your pack when you're not camping?! We get down to the creek and decide to cross it- after doing so we immediately regretted the decision. We stopped and grabbed some lunch and decided that we would need to cross the creek again because the terrain was getting unbearable. Before crossing we walk up a stream that empties into the creek we are following. We were surprised by beautiful waterfall.

It's one thing to cross a creek to the other side but when that creek is moving and about 5 foot deep in some places it really changes the game. Sometimes you just gotta make the best of the situation and play the cards you got so we took our shoes off said screw it and started walking up the creek. We like to thank Leroy for that bright idea. After walking up the creek a ways looking for shallower water, I walk by a massive print that stopped me and made me turn back around- I motioned everyone toward me and asked them if they saw what I did? We always joke about Bigfoot and how bad we would like to find proof of him by seeing him for ourselves. We believe we have found a possible bigfoot print! Look at the picture and decide for yourselves. 

Thomas' foot beside it is a size 13...not the greatest picture but it's definitely like nothing we have ever seen! 

Who knows what it is but in this forest there is no telling what is deep inside of it! But we will keep exploring and loving this beautiful place. 

Sipsey Wilderness

The Sipsey Wilderness is an area within the Bankhead National Forest that is some 24,900 acres in size. Our Destination: The above waterfalls starting at Eagle Creek. We don't like the trails :) 

Eagle Creek Falls

We parked off of Cranal Road and went in a little over half a mile into Eagle Creek, following a stream most of the way. About half way in there was a rattlesnake carved into one of the trees. We made it to the top of Eagle Creek Falls which was our destination to set up camp. There was a big chance for rain that night- but loving the outdoors as much as me and my camping buddies we could have cared less. We were prepared- most of us anyway- Leroy...good ole Leroy is rarely prepared for anything- bless him. I wouldn't say we have a group that goes every time but usually it's me- my boyfriend Thomas- his brother Justin and their good friend Leroy. I feel like I just had to familiarize you with some names because they're pretty important in all of my significant trips in the Bankhead. Long story short: Any of the good shit I post on here usually involves them! Back to the trip- We prepared for rain by setting up "tarp city" with our hammocks hanging under them- Justin however brought his tent to set up. After setting up camp we gathered firewood and discovered some really old barbed wire growing out of three different trees across the creek. We set out down Eagle Creek Falls and into the canyon. The terrain in this area is pretty rough and rocky. We seen so many beautiful waterfalls, I'm terrified of heights and didn't climb up this massive waterfall but the boys did- they discovered in a n old chelter bluff behind the waterfall an old tea pot, and remnants of a possible whiskey still. There are A LOT of old whiskey stills lying around the forest- rusting away and full of holes from axes made by the "revenuers." Each one of them still fascinates me even though they may all look the same; each one has its own story. We continue along the creek- crossing it- climbing up to shelter bluffs and then back down- waterproof hiking boots saved my life.) The hikes get tough sometimes but they are so worth it! We come up to Deer Skull Falls- this is a really pretty waterfall because two different ones are right next to each other! 

 Deer Skull Falls A- the other waterfall is to the right of this one.

Second Deer Skull Falls

A really tall waterfall I snapped a picture of on our way back to camp. It started getting dark on us and we we had walked about 2 1/2 miles to walk back to camp and a night hike in this terrain isn't really what you want to have to do (unless you're wanting to night hike of course.) Crossing the creek on the way back- we literally climbed up a rock to get out of the middle of the creek because it got deep- I slipped into the water and submerged one of my boots up to my shin. It's February so the water was freezing! Luckily the temp was in the 60s and weren't expected to get below the upper 40s that night. We made it back to camp right before dark. I was able to dry out my shoes and pants! That night it never even rained- go figure- we were so prepared for it!! Oh well it definitely made the hike out to the truck a lot more pleasant the next day.

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