Cahaba Group
Saturday March 3 - Cheaha Trailhead to High Falls - 10.5 miles - Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Publix, 115 Commons Way, Oxford, AL.
Hike starts at the Cheaha Trailhead and goes South on the Pinhoti Trail/McDill Point for 6 1/2 miles to the Little Caney Head Intersection. From there we will hike the Odum Scout Trail 4 miles to the waterfalls at High Falls to complete this 10 1/2 mile hike.
During this hike we will be stopping at various overlooks along the Pinhoti Trail section, two of the most popular along this section are Hernandez Peak and Mc Dill Point, both offer very beautiful scenes and great pic opportunities any time of the year, We will also see the plane crash wreckage on our way to McDill Point.
This is a very beautiful hike so be sure to pack your camera to get those Great scenics along the Pinhoti Trail section and of the Gorgeous falls at High Falls.
Also be sure to bring plenty water and trail snack.
This will be a moderate/difficult hike because of the rugged terrain and distance. Optional dinner afterwards... (tbd)
Please contact me if ya need additional information... Daniel 205-369-7309.
Sunday March 4 - Pinhoti Challenge Hike in northern part of Section 13 - Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Bass Pro Shop, 5000 Bass Pro Blvd, Leeds, or at 8:00 a.m. at Publix, 115 Commons Way, Oxford.
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 gains a rating of hard moderate due to the elevation changes and rocky terrain. Along the 8 mile trek, 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.
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 (March 8th) at 6:30 pm. Earthscapes: Exploration, Investigation, and Interpretation of Earth Imagery in a United States Stamp Series. The Earthscape postal stamp series depicted fifteen remote sensing images of cultural or natural landscapes of the United States. The aerial imagery presented by these stamps shows a less familiar perspective of places on our planet. In some cases, the places depicted were unique and identified while other places were significantly more generic and unspecified. The challenge put forth was to identify the location of these places using resources including promotional data, geographic knowledge, image interpretation skills, and geographic information science (GIS). Dr. Miriam Hill tells stories from each stamp and discusses the results of the geographic scavenger hunt to find the locations and topographic map images.
Miriam Helen Hill received her Ph.D. in geography after two previous degrees in earth science education and has earned two additional Masters degrees in Emergency Management and in Criminal Justice. She is a professor of geography and geographic information science (GIS or computer mapping and analysis) at Jacksonville State University. The earth science and geography that Dr. Hill teaches is closely related to the concerns of the Sierra Club. Her research has included gathering spatial and environmental data to study issues such as stream water quality and to map animal feeding operations. These data are available at http://www.aegis.jsu.edu, a website that she manages. Her publications include physical geography laboratory manuals, a study guide, articles on environmental perception, and numerous thematic maps. She has a long history of teaching about environmental issues, remote sensing and GIS, and spatial analysis.
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, March 6. 6 p.m. "A Night of Paddling Films" featuring the screening of Rediscovering North America: A Journey from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean.
The Mobile Bay Sierra Club invites you to attend... What: "A Night of Paddling Films" featuring the screening of Rediscovering North America: A Journey from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. The Mobile Bay Sierra Club and The Mobile Bay Canoe & Kayak Club join together to present the third annual “A Night of Paddling Films”. The purpose of A Night of Paddling Films is to share our love of paddling and the outdoors, to inspire people to get out and explore waterways both local and afar, and to encourage others to appreciate the wild places and the heritage and culture associated with those places. Our feature film, Rediscovering North America: A Journey from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, is about six friends attempting a canoe expedition from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. They battle against the current on the Mighty Mississippi, weathered a winter of snow and ice, traversed massive lakes, dodged constantly shifting forest fires, and shot challenging whitewater. It took eight long months to complete the journey (10 states, 5 provinces, 11 rivers, 5200 miles, one continent).
Three additional award-winning short films will also be screened.
Refreshments will be served at 6:00 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Where: 5 Rivers, 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
These trips can change at any time, so contact Roger Wolczek, 334-361-7354, rwolczek@knology.net, for the latest information.
Sat. 3/17. Smith Mountain Trails Day Hike, AL. Winter is a good time to hike these trails near Dadeville since Lake Martin’s water is usually low enough to make the Island Hop Trail accessible. We will hike all the trails (about 6 miles) and visit the tower. Wear good hiking shoes and bring at least 2 liters of water and trail snacks. Rated strenuous due to steep climbs. Meet 9 AM at the north entrance to Chantilly Walmart on Hwy 110 just south of I-85, Exit 11. The drive is about 1.5 hours. Free.
Sat. 4/21. Cherokee Ridge Trail Day Hike, AL. This area has 7 miles of hiking trails along scenic Lake Martin. At this time of year, wild Azalea, Rhododendron, and Mountain Laurel should be blooming. We will hike the loop trails until we get tired. Bring trail snacks and plenty of water. Rated moderate. Meet 9 AM at the Hwy 231 Winn Dixie parking lot (near the Laundromat) just south of Wetumpka. It takes about an hour to drive there. Free.
Sat. 5/19. Little River Canyon Preserve Tour and Hike, AL. This canyon has numerous overlooks and a trail to the bottom. Wear good hiking shoes and bring trail snacks and water. Rated moderate. Meet 7:30 AM at the entrance to the Prattville Target, just west of I-65, Exit 179. The drive is about 3 hours.
Sat. 6/23. Hike Tumbling Rock Cave, Scottsboro AL. This trip is an introduction to caving and will be the only time I will offer it. No rope work is required, but you will get dirty. Hard hats and head lamps are required. I will provide more information later. Rated moderate. Meet 7 AM at the entrance to the Prattville Target, just west of I-65, Exit 179. The drive is over 3 hours. There is a $10 fee to access the cave. If you are interested, let me know at least a month in advance.
General Note: Saturday outings may take all day and last into early evening. The Sierra Club encourages carpooling to save fuel, but please be prepared to drive your own car on club outings.
Note: Participants of Sierra Club outings are required to sign a waiver, and you do not have to be a member of the Sierra Club to participate
North Alabama Group
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 and at least 1 liter of water. You may want to bring some snacks, a 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 at the Rainbow Mountain Trailhead, 201 Stoneway Trail, Madison, AL 35758. Look for us at the picnic pavilion. 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 to 7-mile, strenuous, off-trail hike to see caves, waterfalls and views. Bring lunch and water, and for possible short cave excursions bring 2 sources of light. Meet at 8:30am at the Publix at 2246 Winchester Road in Huntsville, near the McDonald’s. For more information, contact Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837.
Saturday, March 17 - Fat Man's Squeeze Hike with Hillbilly Quiche Breakfast. Moderate.
We will have tighten up our belts to make it thru some of these stone squeezes (optional) in Monte Sano State Park. Most of the hike will be off-trail to see some seldom visited areas of the park. This route is a figure eight so you can do half and peel off (sign out) at the half-way mark. Hike is approximately 5 miles and is rated moderate in difficulty. Leader recommends long hiking pants, water and a snack. Rain cancels. There will be a waiver to sign. Breakfast at 9:00am, hike at 9:30am. Join us at 9:00am for some dutch oven blueberry cobbler at the McKay Hollow Trailhead stone pavilion, at the overlook in the picnic area. Potluck breakfast items welcome! Or meet us for the hike at 9:30am at the Hiker's parking lot. Monte Sano State Park. Questions, contact Steve at covecrawler@gmail.com or 256 337-9702.
Tuesday, March 20 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy.
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hiker's parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
Saturday, March 24 - Monte Sano 6-7 mile Hike. Moderate.
Enjoy the warm weather on Huntsville’s jewel. We will explore trails in the State Park, experiencing the beauty of the park in spring. Dress for the weather, including sturdy shoes. Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the park entrance. Meet at the Hiker's Parking Lot at 8:30am - the hike leaves at 9:00am sharp. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 27 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy.
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hiker's parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com
Saturday, March 31 - Sougahoagdee Falls, Bankhead Forest Hike. Moderate.
We will travel up a sandstone canyon beneath an impressive bluff line. On the way to the main falls we will pass several lesser falls. The main falls has a consistent water flow and is located in a large cirque. Though seldom visited it is one of the nicer falls in the Bankhead National Forest. We will meet in the parking lot of the Cracker Barrel in Madison at the corner of Wall Triana and I-565 at 9:00am or you can meet us at the Warrior Trading Post (Intersection of AL Route 33 and AL-36) about 10:15am. For those who wish to eat afterwards, we will stop at a local restaurant in Decatur on the way back. The hike is about 4.5 miles and will last about three hours. The average hiker should have no problem. Rain cancels. Bring water and a snack. Contact Steve Jackson at 256-337 9702 or at covecrawler@gmail.com
Saturday, April 7 - Keel and Calloway Sinks Hike. Strenuous.
We will hike half of this trip off-trail so expect uneven terrain. Boots are recommended. There will be an initial steep ascent. We will visit a waterfall, cave and then the Sinks on the Nature Conservancy Property. This is a remote location that will have little or no cell coverage most of the time. The hike will be about 9 miles with approximately 2500 feet elevation gain and 2500 descent. Meet at the Publix at 2246 Winchester Rd. in Huntsville at 8:45am and we will drive to the trailhead in Sharps Cove, about a 25-minute drive. Bring water (there will be water sources to filter) and lunch. Rated strenuous and hike leader approval is required. Limited to 12 hikers. Rain cancels. Contact Steve Jackson at 256 337- 9702 or covecrawler@gmail.com
April 21. Hays Nature Preserve Earth Day Event Huntsville: Mark your calendar for April 21st! From 10am to 2pm at Hays Nature Preserve, we’ll celebrate Earth Day and Operation Green Team will have plenty for you to do, like a morning birding hike and two butterfly releases! Click the link below for more information about all the activities, vendors and so much more! https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-calendar-event/earth-day-2018/
April 7. Tuscumbia. Shoals Earth Day Fest 2018. The 11th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest 2018 will be held on Saturday, April 7, from 11am until 6pm in historic, downtown Tuscumbia, Alabama! Family-friendly activities are highlighted, including a children’s activity tent, eco-entertainer Steve Trash, all-day live music, art and crafts vendors, food, juggling, recycling drop off, pet adoption, and Earth-friendly booths with information on solar energy, organic gardening, and much more!
Rain location is the Roundhouse, 204 W 5th Street,Tuscumbia, AL. For more information please call 256-767-2909 or visit www.ShoalsEarthMonth.com for continuing updates.
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. 3/22. Prairies. Michael R. McKain, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences; Curator, The University of Alabama Herbarium (UNA). University Lutheran Church, 911 5th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
Sat. 3/24. Payne Lake Recreation Area Hike and optional campout. Near Tuscaloosa there is a wonderful place to enjoy nature. It is the Oakmulgee Ranger District of the Talladega National Forest. A majority of the types of trees and other plants that grow in most of Alabama can be found there. We should be able to see an active Bald Eagle nest. We will do one to two shorter hikes, separated by a few miles of driving, in order to experience different habitats. For those participants wishing to go on Saturday only, please meet at the old Books-A-Million lot at 9:00a.m. Bring water, lunch, sturdy shoes, etc. For those participants wishing to camp the evening of Friday March 23, 2018, please have your gear and reserve a camping site at the Payne Lake Recreation area.