Cahaba Group
Saturday, Feb 10, 2018. Pinhoti Challenge Dayhike. We will be hiking the northern part of Section 13 of the Alabama Pinhoti between Salem Church Road near Piedmont and the Jackson Chapel trailhead in Georgia. This hike in our Pinhoti Challenge series is rated hard moderate due to the elevation changes and rocky terrain. We'll see a large beaver pond and several old iron ore mines, along with outstanding views from Indian Mountain, Flagpole Mountain, the Alabama/Georgia state line, the Alabama Trails Association shelter, and perfectly quiet winter woods. Make sure to bring a camera. Hiking boots a necessity, as well as plenty of water and a picnic lunch. There will be an optional dinner afterwards. Contact: Ken Hyche at kennethhyche@yahoo.com or call 205-540-3930. We will meet at Bass Pro Shop in Leeds at 7:00 AM, and again at Publix, (115 Commons Way, Oxford, AL 36203) at exit 188 off Interstate 20 in Oxford at 8:00 AM. The hike is about 8 miles with a fairly long shuttle setup.
No monthly meeting in February.
For many Sierra Club, Cahaba Group outings (plus some non-Sierra Club outings), check out the Birmingham Adventure Group on Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/BirminghamAdventureGroup/
Coosa Valley Group
Thursday, February 8th, 2018 6:30 PM. Exploring Wild Alabama-A guide to the state s publicly accessible natural areas Book Signing and Presentation Ken Wills & Larry Davenport
Join Ken Wills and Larry Davenport as they give a photo presentation on some of Alabama’s lesser known publically accessible natural areas featured in their book, Exploring Wild Alabama, which covers over 150 sites across the state ranging from the Walls of Jericho to Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries. Books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors.
Speaker Bios:
Ken Wills has a B.S. in biology from Jacksonville State University and an M.S. in physical geography from the University of Alabama. In the past he worked in natural resource planning and forest research for the Alabama Environmental Council and currently works as an Environmental Health Specialist for the Jefferson County Department of Health. He is President of the Friends of Moss Rock Preserve and a Birmingham Audubon Volunteer Project Director for Limestone Park. He has spent a lifetime exploring and conserving Alabama's natural areas and is coauthor of Exploring Wild Alabama.
A native of Seattle, Washington, Larry Davenport holds a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Alabama. He is the Paul N. Propst Professor of Natural Sciences at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, teaching botany and plant taxonomy in the undergraduate program and Wetlands in the Environmental Management graduate program. He is considered an expert on Alabama’s plant life; aquatic plants; wetlands; and rare, threatened and endangered species, including the Cahaba Lily. In 2007, Dr. Davenport was named Alabama Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Directions to the Joe M. Ford Center: From I-59, take the exit for I-759. Follow I-759 until it ends at George Wallace Dr. Turn right, then take the first left onto East Cardinal Drive. The Joe Ford Center is the first building on the right. Connect with Sierra Club: By phone |256| 459 8177 (get info, text, leave a message) fb.com/CoosaValleySierraClub
Mobile Bay Group
Tuesday evening, February 6. 6 p.m.
Presentation by Kevin Harrison, Director of Transportation of South Alabama Regional Planning Commission. Director Kevin Harrison will share his experience in partnering with the federal study, “Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure," on Mobile, Alabama. The assessment of vulnerabilities for the area’s transportation infrastructure is a main concern.The Transportation Planning Department provides administration of the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Urbanized Area of Mobile County. Staff maintains and develops the 25 year Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), the 5 year short range plan (the Transportation Improvement Program or TIP), the Congestion Management Process (CMP), the carpooling CommuteSmart Program and the annual Unified Planning Work Program.
The Mobile MPO votes on all federal surface transportation dollars to be spent in the Mobile Urbanized Area, and can program close to $10 million a year for transportation improvements through the planning process. The Department also works with the areas of the Region that are not included in the Mobile MPO study area; this program is the Rural Planning Organization (RPO). The RPO includes a strategic planning process among rural participants to identify future transportation improvements in the rural, and is ALDOT’s rural consultation process.
SARPC is the Designated Recipient for several federal transportation funding programs. SARPC receives apportioned funding for the Transportation Alternatives Programs (TAP) for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and is also the designated recipient for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. Both of these federal funding programs are distributed throughout the Urbanized Area through an annual competitive process.
It is the goal of the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization and the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission to not let our infrastructure be an impediment to growth.Refreshments will be served at 6:00 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Where: 5 River, Tensaw Theater, follow the Sierra Club signs.
(The General Public is invited, No Admission)
Location address: 5 River, Alabama's Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527 (entrance is across from Meaher State Park on the Mobile Bay Causeway).
For more information, please contact Carol Adams-Davis, 702-496-5050 or email: mcadamsdavis@earthlink.net
Montgomery Group
The Montgomery Group meets monthly on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Room 25, at 6610 Vaughn Road in Montgomery (next to St. James School).
North Alabama Group
Sunday, February 11 - The Annual Mountain Mist Marathon Hike Part I: Monte Sano State Park. Strenuous.
This will be a 12-16 mile hike. In mid-winter, after the dead leaves on the ground have been flattened, as many as 500 registered runners embark on a 31-mile run over a rugged, up and down, muddy, sometimes icy or snowy trails between Monte Sano State Park and the Land Trust property in the Mountain Mist Marathon. We will follow their path at a slower pace. To avoid flashlight use and total exhaustion, we’ve divided their one-day event into two 12-16 mile hikes with some modifications. Because of shorter daylight hours, it will be important to maintain a moderate pace. There’s the potential of mud wallowing, ice, slimy rocks, and stream crossings. This hike is not for the meek of feet. Bring plenty of snacks, lunch and water. Dress for the weather, wear hiking boots, and bring a few bucks for the State Park’s entry fee. Hiking poles are recommended but not required. We will start the hike at 7:30am sharp from the Hiker’s Parking lot in Monte Sano State Park. For more info, contact Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. Rain cancels
Saturday, February 17 - The Annual Mountain Mist Marathon Hike Part II: the Land Trust Side. Strenuous.
This will be a 12-16 mile hike. We’ll complete the trail series of the Mountain Mist Marathon Run, (see February 11 hike), on the Monte Sano State Park side. Although we may have a few more minutes of daylight on the trail, we will still need to maintain a moderate pace to avoid flashlight use. Again, this is not for the meek of feet. Bring plenty of snacks, lunch and water. Dress for the weather, wear hiking boots, and bring a few bucks for the State Park’s entry fee. Hiking poles are recommended but optional. We will start the hike at 7:30 am sharp from the Hiker’s Parking lot in Monte Sano State Park. For more info, contact Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. Rain cancels.
Saturday, February 24 - Monte Sano Hike. Moderate.
Enjoy the winter weather on Huntsville’s jewel. We will explore trails in the State Park. Dress for the weather, including sturdy shoes. Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the park entrance. Meet at the Hikers Parking Lot at 8:30am; the hike leaves at 9:00 am sharp. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain Cancels this hike. Questions, contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com
Saturday, March 3 - Hiking 101 Class and hike. Easy.
Are you interested in hiking but not sure where to start? Join us for this Hikers’ 101 Basic Hiking event. We will start with a brief talk about how to get started hiking. We will talk about equipment needed and what to expect. We will then talk about some of the local hiking opportunities and about some training plans to get in shape to tackle some of the tougher hikes. After the talk we will hike on the Land Trust’s Jewel in Madison, Rainbow Mountain. It will be about a 3-mile hike with some limited elevation gain. You will need to have sturdy, comfortable shoes, at least 1 liter of water. You may want to bring some snacks, walking stick/trekking poles, sunscreen, bug spray, a camera, some friends. Dress for the weather. Dogs on leashes who like hiking are welcome. Meet at 10:00am near the Rainbow Mountain Trailhead at the picnic pavilion. 201 Stoneway Trail, Madison, AL 35758. Any questions email Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
Saturday, March 3 - Off-Trail Tennessee Hike. Strenuous.
The Sierra Club will join with the Tennessee Trails Association for a 6-7 mile strenuous, off-trail hike, to see caves, waterfalls and views. Bring lunch and water. For possible short cave excursions you should bring 2 sources of light. Meet at 8:30am at the Publix on Winchester Road, near the McDonald’s. For more information, contact Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837.
The North Alabama Sierra Club meetings start at 6:00pm in the training room of the National Children’s Advocacy Center at 210 Pratt Avenue. This is at the corner of Pratt and Meridian streets. Meetings are free and open to everyone. Come join us! For information call 256-337-9702
West Alabama Group
Thurs. 2/15. Update on the Alabama Hiking Trail. Jeff Hayes. University Lutheran Church, 911 5th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
Sat. 2/17. Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge Hike. Come enjoy the nearest national wildlife refuge to Tuscaloosa. We will hike on the bluff side of the refuge. Most of the hike will be through a recently reclaimed strip mine. We will end up at a viewing platform on the bluff which is about 100 feet above the Cahaba River! The hike will be only about 2 miles round trip. Meet us at 9:30a.m. at the old Books-a- Million lot. We should be done with the hike around noon.