Spring is here! The wildflowers are blooming and the waterfalls are rushing. Come out and join us on some hikes!

Earth Day Celebrations

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/

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.

Follow the North Alabama Sierra Club Online

On our website:  http://alabama.sierraclub.org/na.html

On 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 3 - Hiking Basics 101. 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