Backpacker

12 10.The insiderThe Bankhead—whichincludes the Sipsey Wilder-ness—is Janice Barrett’sbackyard. And as outreachcoordinator for the advo-cacy nonprofit Wild South,she takes full advantage of it.Barrett leads hikes exploringthe wilderness’s caves andridges all year.``````Canyon countryThe swimming hole below40-foot Caney Creek Falls isno secret. But most hikers stopat the falls 1 mile in—leavingthe off-trail extension deeperinto the canyon all for you.Continue downstream on thesocial trail along the South``````Fork of Caney Creek another.8 mile to reach a 20-footcascade Barrett calls LowerCaney Creek Falls (there’s noofficial name). From here, thetrail disappears and the sand-stone walls deepen to 50 feet.Hike on and keep your eyespeeled for shallow overhangs;these rock shelters were usedby prehistoric inhabitants10,000 years ago. Turn backat the junction with the NorthFork of Caney Creek for a 5.9-mile out-and-back.``````Golden hour dayhikeToward the end of October,you’ll find a fiery palette offall colors on any trail in theBankhead. But for a view``````that’s next-level idyllic, makelike a photographer and chasethe light: “The Rippey Trailruns north-south, and on afall afternoon, when the sunis shining from the west, it’s abeautiful scene,” Barrett says.For a 7.5-mile out-and-back,follow Rippey Trail 201 alonga ridge thick with northernred oak, hickory, sugar maple,and American beech. Thenhang a left on Trail 206 todescend into the Sipsey Forkcanyon, a short-but-steepdrop with expansive viewsover the forest’s mosaic ofreds, oranges, and yellows.Trace the river for a half mile,then head back on Trail 206to link back to 201.``````Off-trail overnightIn the Sipsey’s little-trackednorthern reaches, “you candrop down any canyon, followa stream, and find beautifulplaces to camp,” Barrett says.Her top pick for those withnavigation chops: the roughly5-mile, partially off-trail looplinking the Lick Branch andThompson Creek areas. Fromthe Braziel trailhead, imme-diately head cross-countryto the southwest and followthe unnamed creek. Pickyour way down into thecanyon, where ankle-deepLick Branch flows betweensandstone walls and lime-stone outcroppings. Scout anestablished campsite underSouthern CharmBankhead National Forest, AlabamaThe hardwood forests, scalped cliffs, and sandstone caves of northern Alabama are good any time of year,but they’re hard to beat with fall’s mild temperatures and electric foliage. It’s time to reap the rewards of theSouth’s best season. BY ELISABETH KWAK-HEFFERANplay list3INSIDER’S``````GUIDE``````PHOTOS BY (LEFT) STEVE MINOR; SCOTT PERRY / AURORA PHOTOS``````See Mize Mill Falls on a short hikefrom the Sipsey Picnic Area.