Update on Alabama State Park Funding
Our voices are being heard. Sen. Clay Scofield (R-Arab) and Rep. Kerry Rich (R-Guntersville) introduced a bill to the state legislature that calls for a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment. The amendment would specify that any funding earned by or designated for Alabama’s state parks can only be spent on parks and block attempts to move them into the state general fund. Thanks to people like you who voiced their concern about our parks' future, the legislature will now debate a bill to protect them. Your voice can make a difference. If you are concerned about funding for Alabama's state parks, please take a few minutes to contact your legislators and let them know.
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
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, March 5 - Chasing Waterfalls and Photo Ops: 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.
Saturday, March 12 - Fat man squeeze and Hillbilly quiche breakfast on Monte Sano. Moderate.
We will travel to several lesser visited areas of the mountain so tighten up your belts because we will have to go single file thru these narrow rocky places. Route will be a figure eight so those that only want to go half way can stop at our starting point. Total distance is approximately 5 miles and hike is considered moderate, we will be off trail about half of the time. Come early as hike leader will make a Dutch Oven Breakfast AKA Hillbilly Quiche at the trailhead, will have enough to feed about 10 hungry Hikers, first come first serve no cost though you are welcome to bring a side dish. Meet at the small pavilion (the overlook) at Monte Sano State Park. Breakfast at 8:30am, Hike departs at 9:00am. Contact Steve Jackson at covecrawler@gmail.com RAIN CANCELS
Tuesday, March 15 - Monte Sano Tuesday Evening Hike. Moderate.
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ 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 Pete Luther at pluther@knology.net
Saturday, March 19 - Hike Leader Training.
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 19at 9:00am 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
Sunday, March 20 - Chasing Waterfalls and Photo Ops: Stephen's Gap Callahan Cave Preserve. Strenuous. Featured in National Geographic magazine, Stephen's Gap Cave in Jackson County and its surrounding property is an explorer's dream. To preserve it in its wild state, the Southeastern Cave Conservancy purchased the property a few years ago. We'll hike a short distance to the cave and will access it through the 'walk-in' entrance which is sloped down, rocky and most likely, muddy. We will only explore the main chamber of the cave. The cave floor is rocky, continues to slope down and due to all the amazing falls (including a double one through the second entrance, the pit) is muddy/slippery. After viewing the cave, we'll continue exploring the property on/off trail which includes more falls, a stream bed, etc. This outing is limited in participant number and requires a permit. Special arrangements have been made. You must contact the hike leader for approval and if you reserve a spot, please commit to showing up. For more information, contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com or Charlie, charlie.cohen@att.net, 256-361-3837. RAIN CANCELS.
Tuesday, March 22 - Monte Sano Tuesday Evening Hike. Moderate.
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ 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 3-5 miles. For directions or questions contact Judy Burley at jcburley@bellsouth.net
Saturday, March 26 - Walls of Jericho Dayhike. Strenuous.
The Walls of Jericho is a large, bowl-shaped natural amphitheater that shoots water out of holes and cracks in the canyon wall during times of high water flow. This is a unique area that consists of more than 21,000 acres of rivers, forested uplands and caves spreading across the Alabama and Tennessee state line. This beautiful tract, which was once the hunting grounds of Davy Crockett, contains an extraordinarily diverse array of plants and animals. The hike is approximately 7 miles with a 1000 feet elevation gain. Bring lunch and we will dine afterwards at a local restaurant. Depart at 9:00am from the Publix in Hampton Cove. For more information contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net RAIN CANCELS
Tuesday, March 29 - Monte Sano Tuesday Evening Hike. Moderate.
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ 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 3-5 miles. For directions or questions contact Rick Gates at rgates@knology.net
Saturday, April 2 - Chasing Waterfalls and Photo Ops: Short Springs Natural Area and Old Stone Fort. Strenuous. The last of this year’s Waterfall series. We’re rating this hike strenuous not because of distance but areas that are technically difficult. This is a camera must. The falls and streams are spectacular and the wildflowers should be in bloom as well! To reach one of the main waterfalls, dependent on water level, we will be wading in the stream and or crossing rocks. There is also a steep ascent on a narrow trail to access another view. Group size is limited. Bring snacks, lunch, water, water shoes (optional), towel (optional), wear good hiking boots, and dress for the weather. For more information, contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com or Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. RAIN CANCELS.
Tuesday, April 5 - Monte Sano Tuesday Evening Hike. Moderate.
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ 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 Steve Jackson at covecrawler@gmail.com RAIN CANCELS.