Randolf, Sipsey River, Rippey Loop in Bankhead National Forest, AL

Hike Randolf, Sipsey River, Rippey Loop Bankhead National Forest, AL

Class 1 9.3 miles 1200 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Aug 2, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Randolf, Sipsey River, Rippey Loop GPX Track

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The Sipsey River Wilderness is a charming little area of Alabama, and I was looking forward to hiking along the river. This loop leads counter-clockwise, starting on the trail numbered 202 (Randolf Trail). This section is a boring dirt road, but along the Randolf Trail is a sign that points to an old cemetary, worth checking out. Shortly after the cemetery, the road turns into a trail as it slowly leads down to the Sipsey River. Trail 202 met up with Trail 209 (Sipsey River Trail). I took a little extra time to explore a side canyon just before reaching the Sipsey River and found a grotto with a dripping spring. A pretty mini excursion.

The Sipsey River Trail follows the mellow, pretty Sipsey River west, certainly the highlight of the hike. The trail crosses the river a couple of times along the way. Trail 201 (Rippey Trail) leads away from the river and heads back south to complete the loop. There wasn't anything particularly notable on the way back, I thought.

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Starting from the trailhead, a dirt forest road leads to a split. The left side is trail 201, where I came back from to complete the loop. The road continues as trail 202 on the right.
Starting from the trailhead, a dirt forest road leads to a split. The left side is trail 201, where I came back from to complete the loop. The road continues as trail 202 on the right.
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Johnson Cemetery along the way.
Johnson Cemetery along the way.
Shortly after the cemetery, the road turns into a trail.
Shortly after the cemetery, the road turns into a trail.
The trail leads down slowly toward the Sipsey River.
The trail leads down slowly toward the Sipsey River.
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A pretty alcove along the way.
A pretty alcove along the way.
Junction with 209.
Junction with 209.
A short detour to check out another alcove. There was a use trail on the left leading away from the Sipsey River.
A short detour to check out another alcove. There was a use trail on the left leading away from the Sipsey River.
Dripping waterfall in a pretty alcove. I turned back here and joined back on the Sipsey River Trail (209).
Dripping waterfall in a pretty alcove. I turned back here and joined back on the Sipsey River Trail (209).
The trail makes you cross the Sipsey River.
The trail makes you cross the Sipsey River.
The trail follows the north bank of the river for a while, the highlight of the hike. Really gorgeous and lush.
The trail follows the north bank of the river for a while, the highlight of the hike. Really gorgeous and lush.
The trail swerves into he forest and back to the river, crossing little streams occasionally.
The trail swerves into he forest and back to the river, crossing little streams occasionally.
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I took a ton of photos along the riverbank. The Sipsey River makes me happy.
I took a ton of photos along the riverbank. The Sipsey River makes me happy.
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Eventually, there is a spot where you have to cross back over the Sipsey River to get onto trail 201, the Rippey Trail.
Eventually, there is a spot where you have to cross back over the Sipsey River to get onto trail 201, the Rippey Trail.
It's a little confusing, but the trail follows the Sipsey River to the west briefly before curving up and away.
It's a little confusing, but the trail follows the Sipsey River to the west briefly before curving up and away.
It gets fairly boring after this point as the trail leads pretty directly through the forest to complete the loop.
It gets fairly boring after this point as the trail leads pretty directly through the forest to complete the loop.
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Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!