Alabama State Parks Under Threat Again
In recent budget hearings for 2016, the Alabama State legislature referred to state park funding as one of the areas funds could be cut to help balance the state budget. More than likely, legislators will once again look at taking Forever Wild funds for the state general fund as well. There will be budget cuts again this year, and in the next few months legislators will be deciding where to make those cuts. If Alabama State parks and Forever Wild are important to you, take some time now to let your legislators know. Alabama citizens spoke up last year about this and the legislature listened.
If you do not know who your state legislators are or how to contact them, use the following link. http://www.conservationalabama.org/action/#/legislators
Hike Leader Training, Saturday March 19
The North Alabama Sierra Club needs new hike leaders at all skill levels. Most of our new members come from our outings. You must be a Sierra Club member to lead hikes and membership will be verified prior to the training. Your help would be appreciated in introducing people to hiking. This is an opportunity to share your favorite hike with others. Hike Leader Training will be held Saturday March 19th at 8:30am in Huntsville at the Huntsville/Madison county public library to certify new hike leaders to lead dayhikes. Basic Red Cross First Aid certification will be covered in the morning. Hike leadership, hike planning, and hiking etiquette will be covered during the remainder of the day. We have to pay a certification fee to the Red Cross so please do not sign up if you do not plan on leading outings. You will be asked at the training to sign up as an assistant leader on one of the upcoming outings for your provisional hike. Bring your lunch but drinks will be provided. For more information contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net or 256 883-4267.
The Sierra Club Online
web - http://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/north-alabama
email - na.sierraclub@gmail.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/254833822112/
Outings
Hike Ratings
Easy - Less than 5 miles, no serious elevation changes, no trail obstacles.
Moderate - 5 to 10 miles, some elevation changes or rough trail (rock hopping), or trail obstacles such as creek crossings.
Strenuous - Over 10 miles, substantial elevation change, rocky, obstructed or nonexistent trail.
Exploratory - any event where the leader has not experienced the event; may fit any class above.
Note. Participants of Sierra Club outings are required to sign a waiver.
Saturday, January 30 - Sewanee Dayhike. Strenuous.
This hike was postponed from January 23 because of the snow. This approximately 11-mile hike is the east section of the 21-mile Perimeter Trail which follows the perimeter of the Sewanee Domain. The perimeter trail features beautiful overlooks and interesting geological formations. This section features Morgan’s Steep, the Memorial Cross, and Shakerag Hollow. This hike completes the entire perimeter trail. Bring lunch and plenty of water. Optional dinner afterwards. Meet at the Publix on Winchester Road. We will leave promptly at 8:00am. For more information contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net Rain cancels.
Saturday, February 6 - The Annual Mountain Mist Marathon Hike: Monte Sano State Park. Strenuous. 12-14 miles. We’ll complete the trail series of the Mountain Mist Marathon Run, (see January 16’s 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, water, hiking poles are recommended but optional, dress for the weather, wear hiking boots, and bucks for the State Park’s entry fee. We will start the hike at 7:30am sharp from the Hiker’s Parking lot in Monte Sano State Park. For more info, contact Sandy, sandykip56@gmail.com or Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. Rain cancels.
Saturday, February 13 - Stonedoor Dayhike. Strenuous. This ten mile rugged hike is in the South Cumberland. The Great Stone Door is a 150-foot deep crevice at the crest of the plateau by which we will enter Big Creek Gulf. We will follow the Big Creek Gulf trail with a side trip to Ranger Falls and return by way of the Big Creek Rim trail that promises spectacular vistas. Bring lunch and water. We will eat at a local restaurant on the way back (optional). Meet at the Publix on Winchester Road at 8:00am. For more information contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net rain cancels.
Saturday, February 20 - The Land Trust: Monte Sano Nature Preserve. Moderate. Join us for an approximately 9-mile hike on this scenic Land Trust property. Our series of trails will take us past rock bluffs, waterfalls, by a stream bed, the historic remnants of a rail line, and more. As we want to minimize our impact, we are limiting the group size. Dress for the weather, wear good hiking shoes, bring snacks, water and lunch. For more information, to include meeting time/location, contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com or Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net, 256-361-3837. Inclement weather cancels.
Saturday, February 20 - Monte Sano Early Afternoon Hike. Easy. Hike will be approx. 4 miles. Depart at 1:00 p.m. from the Monte Sano State Park Hiker’s parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash. For directions or questions contact Liz at hiker@knology.net. Inclement weather cancels.
Saturday, March 5 - Chasing Waterfalls and Photo Opts: Desoto State Park and Falls. Moderate. This ambitious day involves a number of short trails in a few different locations with the potential of visiting and photographing six waterfalls. We’ll start our adventure outside Desoto State Park on a lesser known trail that leads to a birds-eye view of Desoto Falls. Afterward, we'll descend from the mountaintop to the West Fork of the Little River. The trail following the river is in fairly good shape but does have areas of medium sized boulders and fallen trees that we will need to climb up/over. It will be well worth the effort when we arrive at the base of the scenic and powerful Desoto Falls. Returning to Desoto State Park, we’ll follow the Boy Scout trail past remnants of CCC construction to another section of Little River that offers a smaller set of falls with amazing scenery. Time permitting, we will take a trail within the Park to two seasonal falls and possibly visit more falls located close and beyond our parking area. Bring water, snacks, lunch and dress for the weather. Wear hiking boots. Hiking poles are optional but recommended. Group size is limited and hike leader approval is required. RSVP will not guarantee you a slot. You must contact the hike leader. For more info, contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com or Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. Rain cancels.