foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Posts: 2,359
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Post by foxalo on Mar 9, 2016 19:35:49 GMT -8
Has anyone ever hiked the Walls of Jericho in northern AL? I'm trying to decide whether to just make it a long day hike or make it an overnight camping trip with my kids. Some things I've read say it's a good six-hour hike. Thoughts?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2016 19:58:55 GMT -8
I am wondering about this trail as well since it is only about 2.5 hours from the house. I have read that it is fairly easy on the way in since it is all down hill, but a pretty good climb on the way out, so it might be worth the overnight so the kids can start fresh-ish.
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foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Posts: 2,359
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Post by foxalo on Mar 10, 2016 4:32:38 GMT -8
I know a few Scout troops that have gone, and it's usually a camping trip for them. I'm about the same distance from there in the opposite direction from you. Welcome to the forum, by the way!
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Post by ashepabst on Mar 10, 2016 9:57:11 GMT -8
The Walls is something I've been meaning to do for awhile but never pulled the trigger. I have in my notes that it's best to do in the winter/spring while the water tables are high and the falls are all running. I know there are foot bridges so the major crossings shouldn't be an issue. I guess the question of whether or not to overnight is best determined by how leisurely of a trip you want. judging by the topo, it's a steep climb down, and then a steep climb back up on the way out. there's a second trailhead on the Tennessee side of the border if you want to add a little more mileage. there's also a horse trail that can be used to fashion a loop. here are a few maps: www.briartech.com/walls.pdfwww.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/alabama/placesweprotect/walls-of-jericho-trail-map.pdf
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Post by starwalker on Mar 10, 2016 11:19:19 GMT -8
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foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Posts: 2,359
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Post by foxalo on Mar 10, 2016 15:02:22 GMT -8
Nice trip report! In thinking that this may be on the agenda for Spring Break.
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Post by happykamper on May 10, 2016 5:57:29 GMT -8
I've been to Walls of Jericho a couple of times (once in a drought and once when it was pretty wet there). It's been a few years, but from what I remember, it's about 7 miles round trip. The climb out at the end takes a while but I don't remember it being super-strenuous, just long. The mile or so at the end nearest the Walls is slow going, though, so yes, plan plenty of time for this hike. There is a big open field for camping just before you get to that last mile nearest the Walls.
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Post by immadman on May 13, 2016 18:55:37 GMT -8
foxaloSo you are in the middle of AL?
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foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Posts: 2,359
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Post by foxalo on May 13, 2016 19:26:43 GMT -8
foxaloSo you are in the middle of AL? Yes, Birmingham area.
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Post by immadman on May 13, 2016 19:41:51 GMT -8
I am tentatively planning a trip up to Desoto State Park in AL sometime this month or the first of next. www.alapark.com/desoto-state-park They have two backcountry sites that are something like 3/4 of a mile and 1-1 1/2 miles from the TH in the park. I believe both have covered platforms. If you have not already been there, it might be a good place to go with kids. Get the camp at Never-Never Land or the CCC Quarry campsite. They will pretty much give you seclusion and you will be close enough to the main camp for the kids if need be. I think Cloudland Canyon is fairly close if you want to go and explore there.
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foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Posts: 2,359
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Post by foxalo on May 14, 2016 8:07:33 GMT -8
We missed the camp out at DeSoto several years ago. My son was not quite 7 at the time. I know a lot of people don't like DeSoto for its primitiveness, but it sounds absolutely wonderful to me. We have a lot of places on our to-do list just within AL. Finding free weekends is the biggest challenge. But with summer here, we may actually be able to a couple days during the week.
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