Alabama Wildlife Center at June Sierra Club Meeting
Have you ever wondered how sick, injured, and orphaned wild birds take flight into the Alabama skies again? At the June 30th Sierra Club meeting, Scottie Jackson from the Alabama Wildlife Center will talk about how their patients regain their ability to survive in the wild. You will also get to meet AWC's live raptor ambassadors up close! The Alabama Wildlife Center, founded in 1977, is Alabama's oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation and education facility. AWC rescues, rehabilitates, and returns to the wild almost 2,000 native birds from over 100 different species annually. The Center is also a state educational resource, reaching over 30,000 participants every year through wildlife and conservation education programs.
On Thursday, August 18, Darryl Patton, the Southern Herbalist will give a fascinating talk on medicinal and edible uses for local plants. The meetings start at 6:00pm and will be 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 open to everyone. Come join us!
Fri-Sun, June 10-12 - Wilderness First Aid Training.
The North Alabama Sierra Club is offering a comprehensive two and one half day course June 10th -June 12th that will teach you the wilderness medicine skills you need to handle backcountry emergencies. Instructor approval is required to enroll in this course and class size is limited. The cost is $100 which includes both CPR/AED and WFA certification and must be paid in advance. You are not guaranteed a slot until payment is received. Payment may be made beginning now but is due no later May 20. There will be no refunds after June 1 due to materials having been purchased. From the Patient Assessment System through traumatic, medical, and environmental emergencies, you'll experience a wide variety of topics designed to prepare you to act if an accident occurs. This is a 20 hour course over two days and one half days. The course begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday with Adult CPR/AED certification and at 8:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and runs through 5:00 p.m. You will have both classroom time and hands on practice scenarios. Practice scenarios may take place outside in various weather conditions; be prepared for inclement weather. Participants will have to pass both a written and a practical test. Successful completion results in an American Red Cross Wilderness & Remote First Aid certification valid for two years. For further information and payment instructions contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net
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.
Sat-Sun, Apr 30-May 1 - Big Frog Wilderness Backpack. Strenuous.
We will leave Huntsville early on Saturday, traveling to the Big Frog Wilderness, where we will hike the Big Frog trail to the top of Big Frog Mountain and camp for the night (approximately 8 miles). We will return to our cars Sunday on the Big Frog, Benton MacKaye and Rough Creek trails (approximately 10 miles). This hike involves several thousand feet of elevation gain on Saturday and as much elevation loss on Sunday. Big Frog Mountain is the most westerly 4000 foot peak in the Appalachian chain, and temperatures this time of year can easily reach freezing. Hikers should be self-sufficient, with adequate clothing, food and shelter for the weather. Water will be required to be filtered or treated and food hung. We will likely have the option of dining afterward at a local restaurant. Group size is limited and hike leader approval is required. For information contact Bob Eastburn at reast09@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 3 - Monte Sano 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 Suzanne Cawthon at atirawolf@yahoo.com
Saturday, May 7 - Sharps and Bice Mountain Hike. Strenuous.
We will get views of Jackson County and the Paint Rock water shed to the east then hike west to get views of Madison County. We will visit an old coal mine and a sink. Hike is 8 miles round trip with half of the hike being off trail; it has an initial steep ascent with the hike having a total 1700 feet elevation gain and 1700 feet elevation decent. Depending upon your condition and ability to hike off trial this could be either a moderate or difficult rating. Bring Lunch and Water, there should be water sources for filtration. Bring water, snacks, lunch and dress for the weather. Wear hiking boots. Hiking poles are optional but may be advantageous due to off trail hiking. This outing is limited in participant number. You must contact the hike leader for approval and if you reserve a spot, please commit to showing up. Hike leader will notify you of meeting location. We will meet at 8:30 and carpool to trailhead, hike starts at 9:00 and we will return about 1:30. Contact Steve Jackson at covecrawler@gmail.com RAIN CANCELS.
Tuesday, May 10 - Monte Sano 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 Richard Williams at rbwilliams67@gmail.com or Judy Burley at jcburley@bellsouth.net
Saturday, May 14 - Return to the Fiery Gizzard! Strenuous.
RSVP does not guarantee you a slot. You must contact the hike leader for a space. Located in the South Cumberland State Park, TN, the Fiery Gizzard trail has been listed as one of the Nation’s top 25-hiking trails. Join me, Charlie and Aaron for an incredibly scenic trail series which includes the Fiery Gizzard trail. We’ll begin our hike by descending into a gorge to follow a stream with waterfalls, cascades, rock formations, and colorful plant life. We will be crossing several rock fields which require steady feet to an eventual steep climb up to the top of the plateau. From there, we will hike the new section of trail which is very steep but in areas has a rope to hold onto, stone and wooden steps. It will be well worth the climb up even more stone steps to our early afternoon lunch place which offers a view of an incredible waterfall. We’ll back track on this trail up to the plateau and finish on the more rolling Dog Hole loop, dropping back into our original gorge and up to the parking area. Again, this is a STRENUOUS hike and limited in number. Bring snacks, lunch, lots of water, bug spray, hiking boots, poles (optional but highly recommended), and dress for the weather. For more information, contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com RAIN CANCELS.
Tuesday, May 17 - Monte Sano 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 contact Aaron Lesky at aaronlesky22@gmail.com or Judy Burley at jcburley@bellsouth.net
Saturday, May 21 - Blevins Gap Preserve Hike. Moderate.
This hike is approximately 8 miles and involves some climbing. Bring water, snacks, lunch and dress for the weather. Wear study hiking boots. We will break for lunch with a great view of South Huntsville. Depart at 9:00am sharp from the Huntsville Mountain Trailhead Land Trust parking area at the Southeast Church of the Nazarene on Cecil Ashburn Drive. For directions or questions contact Richard at rbwilliams67@gmail.com RAIN CANCELS.
Tuesday, May 24 - Monte Sano 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 or Sue at sierraboot@yahoo.com
Saturday, May 28 - Canoe, Cave and Cliff Hike. Moderate.
Dutch Oven Breakfast (Hillbilly Quiche) for 12 people (first come, first serve, no cost). You are welcome to bring a side dish (fruit, etc.) if you wish. We will Canoe/Kayak from Hwy 72 access to Little Cove Road, approx. 5 miles. We will stop to visit a small local cave, then do lunch riverside with an optional ¼ mile hike to the top of Sublets Bluff with a great view of Northern Madison County (this is an off trail hike, foliage may be thick so you may wish to bring long pants or zip offs especially if you are sensitive to poison ivy). We will meet at NACK (North Alabama Canoe and Kayak) on the corner of Moontown road and Hwy 72. They have Kayak and Canoe rentals if you do not have a boat. I recommend them as they will put you in and pick you up at the takeout. Contact NACK for rental details. Optional Breakfast starts at 0830. We depart for river at 0900. We will leave promptly at 0900 so get there early if you need to get a boat. Trip is rated easy to moderate and will last about 3.5 hours. PFDs are a requirement for this outing. For directions or questions contact Steve Jackson at covecrawler@gmail.com or 256 337-9702. RAIN CANCELS.
Saturday, May 28 - Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve hike. Moderate.
8-10 mile hike. This privately owned pristine property has been preserved in its natural state and added to since its original purchase in 1979. Join Charlie, Jerry and me on an adventure of exploration to rock shelters, sandstone bluffs, streams, glades, a variety of plant life, and other attractions. Bring snacks, lunch, water, bug spray, good hiking shoes and dress for the weather. For more information, contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com RAIN CANCELS.
Tuesday, May 31 - Monte Sano 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, June 4 - Sipsey Wilderness Hike. Strenuous.
The hike will include two creek crossings. Join Chris and Tom for a challenging hike in the Sipsey Wilderness. It will consist of trails 203 207 and 208 and is 10 to 12 miles. We will follow the 203 trail pass beautiful rock formations, one rock shelter which has what looks to be the remnants of an old whiskey still and a Native American stone bowl worn in one of the boulders. We'll follow 203 all the way to the bridge at Borden creek. We will continue to Flannigan creek and cross there to trail 207. We will follow 207 along Flannigan creek to 208 and 208 to the trailhead. This hike has beautiful scenery along the way. Bring plenty of food and water, your bug spray, water shoes and a foot towel. There is a 10-person limit for Sipsey Wilderness hikes so you must reserve a slot. For directions or questions contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net
Fri-Sun, June 10-12 - Wilderness First Aid Training. The North Alabama Sierra Club is offering a comprehensive two and one half day course June 10th -June 12th that will teach you the wilderness medicine skills you need to handle backcountry emergencies. Instructor approval is required to enroll in this course and class size is limited. The cost is $100 which includes both CPR/AED and WFA certification and must be paid in advance. You are not guaranteed a slot until payment is received. Payment may be made beginning now but is due no later May 20. There will be no refunds after June 1 due to materials having been purchased. From the Patient Assessment System through traumatic, medical, and environmental emergencies, you'll experience a wide variety of topics designed to prepare you to act if an accident occurs. This is a 20 hour course over two days and one half days. The course begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday with Adult CPR/AED certification and at 8:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and runs through 5:00 p.m. You will have both classroom time and hands on practice scenarios. Practice scenarios may take place outside in various weather conditions; be prepared for inclement weather. Participants will have to pass both a written and a practical test. Successful completion results in an American Red Cross Wilderness & Remote First Aid certification valid for two years. For further information and payment instructions contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net