In this video we do a short backpacking trip to the Walls of Jericho wildlife management area on the border of Alabama and Tennessee just north of Skyline/Hytop, AL. This challenging 7.5 mile out and back trail with about a 1000 ft change in altitude, is managed by Forever Wild Alabama Land Trust (#alforeverwild) and makes for a very nice short backpacking destination.
We started this trip at the Alabama hiker's parking area at the top of the ridge right off of State Highway 79. The trail descends steeply into the Hurricane Creek valley. Along the way we passed a couple of sink holes. The boys explored a small cave in the bottom of one of the sink holes adding to the adventure of this trip. At the bottom of the canyon, you cross two nice (and new) bridges across first Hurricane Creek and then Turkey Creek.
Just past the second bridge is the Clark Cemetery and a set of about 8 camp sites. We selected a favorite camp site (a site designed for horse camping that is furthest away from the main trail -- we like the solitude of it when there aren't any horse campers there; but it can have more bugs than the others).
After setting up camp, we hiked past the Clark Cemetery and followed Turkey Creek between massive limestone cliffs to the large natural amphitheater that is the main highlight of the hike. Here we found a large amount of water flowing from a cave and further upstream a waterfall entering the sink hole that feeds the cave. The boys had a great time in the water here both in the amphitheater and at the waterfall into the sink hole (though seeing the video of them entering the water at the sink hole still gives me heart palpitations! VERY dangerous!).
After exploring the amphitheater area and flying the drone around for a while, we returned to our camp site for the evening and had a great time making dinner and relaxing by the fire.
The next morning, after breakfast and getting some amazing sunrise drone footage, we packed up and re-traced our steps, hiking 1000 ft back up to the parking area on the top of the ridge. But the weather was cool and sunny and that made the hiking easy despite the climb.
Amazingly, we didn't run into many people in the valley, or while exploring the amphitheater area, or while camping. I don't think there was another soul in the valley that evening. As popular as the Walls of Jericho has become in recent years, that is a rarity. Usually on a nice weekend, there are a lot of people there. But, on our way out the next morning, we met a steady stream of day hikers and one father-son pair of backpackers flowing in. So, maybe we just got lucky by being early birds.
The Walls of Jericho are as beautiful as any trek through the Smoky Mountains, but be prepared for a strenuous day of hiking. Bring plenty of water or a way to filter the water from the creek and take your time.
Link toTrail info: www.alltrails.com/trail/us/al...
Link to Walls of Jericho info: www.alabamaforeverwild.com/wa...
Title card music by Lobo-Loco: freemusicarchive.org/music/Lob...
Music from KZfaq Audio Library:
Large Smile Mood - Nico Staf
Corndogs in Santa Monica - The Great North Sound Society
Playdate - The Great North Sound Society
#wallsofjericho
#waterfall
#hike
#hiking
#backpacking
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:22 Map
01:25 Descending
03:52 Exploring a Small Cave
09:31 Valley Bottom & Setting up Camp
13:17 Entering Canyon
15:04 The Amphitheater
21:47 At Camp, End Day 1
23:42 Start Day 2
26:52 Ascending to Trail Head