North Alabama Sierra Club July 2018 Newsletter

 

The Rise Raptor Project, Thursday, July 26 at 6:00pm

Per their website, http://riseraptor.org/, the mission of Rise Raptor Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is “To inspire the public to embrace principles of good stewardship, engage in scientific discovery, and be immersed in the riches of history and culture, by connecting with the most powerful birds in the world.”

Rise Raptor Project is more than a just bird show, although much information is provided about birds of prey and their environment. They also seek to “to instill a desire and ability to “connect the dots.” Dots that lie in history, culture, economics, survival requirements, and many other factors culminating in our methods and ability to steward our world.” They provide 50 to 80 programs annually to organizations and schools all over the state. In addition to education efforts, they are also called upon to rescue injured birds of prey and are currently working on research projects to
contribute to bird population recovery
efforts.
 Come join us for this exciting program. 

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 in Huntsville. Meetings are free and open to everyone. Come join us! For more information, call 256-337-9702 or e-mail covecrawler@gmail.com 

 

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.

 

Tuesday, July  3 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy.   

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 Aaron at
sctrailevents@gmail.com

Tuesday,
July 10 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy. 
 

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 Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com

Saturday, July 14 - Limrock Blowing Cave Trip. Strenuous.

Limrock Blowing Cave is a three-mile long stream cave with large walking passage, pretty rooms, and beautiful rock formations. Limrock Blowing Cave is Alabama’s 15th longest cave, with a surveyed length of 15,505 feet of primarily horizontal passage. This outing is rated strenuous because of terrain conditions. Participants will need to be prepared for some climbing and crawling to navigate the cave.  You WILL end up muddy. No caving experience necessary, helmet and light provided. This outing is limited by permit to 9 people, and requires a permit/waiver that MUST be signed ONLINE, no later than July 12.  Email me to get the instructions to fill out the online waiver and to learn where we will be meeting for this event. I will send you information on items you will need to bring. Please contact Aaron immediately at sctrailevents@gmail.com to confirm
attendance/space availability.

Tuesday, July 17 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy. 

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 Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
 
Saturday, July 21 - Monte Sano Hike. Moderate.

Enjoy Huntsville’s jewel on this 6-7 mile hike. We will explore trails in the State Park, experiencing the beauty of the park in summer.  Dress for the weather, including sturdy shoes. Bring a camera, water, snacks, bug spray and some cash for the park entrance. Meet at the Hikers 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, July 24 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy.  

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 Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com

Thursday, July 26 - North Alabama Sierra Club presents Rise Raptor - Live Bird Presentation.

Rise Raptor Project is a non-profit corporation founded for the purpose of teaching the principles of good stewardship, sound science, conservation, history and culture. Raptors or birds of prey provide a unique avenue by which to communicate these principles in a memorable and meaningful way. In addition to education efforts, they are also called upon to rescue injured birds of prey and are currently working
on research projects to contribute to bird population recovery
efforts. The
presentation will be at 6:00pm at The National Children's Advocacy
Center,
210 Pratt Ave Huntsville, AL and is free to the public.
For
more information call 256 337-
9702 or e-mail covecrawler@gmail.com

Saturday, July 28 - Swimming
Holes and Waterfalls of Lookout Mountain. Easy.

Very little hiking… lots of water. We will visit Little River Falls, Martha Falls and DeSoto Falls with time spent swimming/wading in the Hippie Hole and DeSoto Falls. Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile and to spend time splashing about. Bring trail shoes, swimsuits, sunscreen, water, snacks, camera, chairs and towels. There is no lifeguard, so swim at your own risk. There will be an option for lunch at the Wildflower Cafe in Mentone (http://www.mentonewildflower.com) after Desoto Falls. Meet 8:00am sharp at United Grocery Outlet, 1000 Dekalb Plaza Blvd. Ft. Payne, AL 35967. We will caravan/carpool from there. We should be done by 2:00-3:00pm.  Questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com

Tuesday,
July 31 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy.
   

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 Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com