Alabama Sierra Chapter News
Gorgas Coal Plan Shutting Down in April
Coal Mine Pollution from Contaminating Birmingham Drinking Water Source
Coosa Riverkeeper and State Reach Settlement Agreement
and more at https://www.sierraclub.org/alabama
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.
Sunday, March 3 - Stephens Gap Cave hike. Strenuous.
Do you like caves? Do you like waterfalls? How about waterfalls inside caves? Join the Sierra Club on an educational 3-mile hike to Stephens Gap Cave. Featured in National Geographic magazine, Stephens 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. After a short hike, we'll access the cave 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, given rain this month, may have amazing falls that cause mist/more mud. Even under dry conditions, the cave is scenic. After viewing the cave, we'll continue exploring the property on/off trail which might include more falls, a stream bed (again, rain dependent), etc. This hike is rated strenuous because of terrain conditions. This outing is limited in participant number and requires a permit/waiver that needs to be signed online, in advance. Rain cancels. Please contact Aaron immediately to confirm attendance/space availability at sctrailevents@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 12 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
It’s back! Everyone is welcome to the Sierra Club Tuesday Night Hike! We depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue (get there early to sign in). 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, depending on sunset time. Bring water and snacks and dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
Sunday, March 17 - St. Patrick's Day Hike. Easy.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day, hiking some of the beautiful trails in the Green Mountain Nature Preserve in South Huntsville. These trails have a variety of features, waterfalls, ancient human habitation sites, interesting geology and river views. This will be a fairly easy hike of about 3 miles with about 200 ft. of elevation gain. There are some short, steep climbs over uneven and rocky trails. Dress for the weather, including sturdy shoes. Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the Land Trust if you are not a member. We will meet at 13800 South Shawdee Road, Huntsville, AL 35803, at 8:30am. The hike leaves at 9:00am sharp. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 19 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
Everyone is welcome to the Sierra Club Tuesday Night Hike! We depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue (get there early to sign in). 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, depending on the sunset time. Bring water and snacks and dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 26 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
Everyone is welcome to the Sierra Club Tuesday Night Hike! We depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue (get there early to sign in). 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, depending on the sunset time. Bring water and snacks and dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
Saturday, March 30 - Beginners Campout on Monte Sano. Easy.
Join us for the second event in our Camping/Backpacking 101 series. This will be a campout only, no backpacking required. We will be group camping on a primitive (no water or electrical hookups) campsite in the Monte Sano State Park. This is a tent/hammock camping event, designed to give beginners and returning campers a chance set up and try out their gear in a safe environment with some experienced campers to help with anything tricky. There will be a camp cooking demonstration covering dutch oven cooking on a campfire and using embers to cook food in foil packets. We will meet at 3:00-4:00pm at the Park Office at Monte Sano State Park, 5105 Nolan Ave, Huntsville, AL
At a minimum you will need:
Tent/sleeping-pad/sleeping-bag or hammock system
Light source and/or headlamp
Food/snacks/beverages
Weather appropriate clothes
$5 per person for the State Park camping fee
You may also want to bring: pillow, camp chair, cooler
I will email full details and a checklist to everyone who RSVPs for this event. Questions or comments, email Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
Saturday-Sunday, May 11-12 - Backpacking Trip to Cathedral Caverns. Easy.
Sierra Club will host an overnight backpacking trip at the Cathedral Caverns State Park to allow people to have a fun, low risk backpacking experience. The hike to the camp-site is about 1 mile from the trailhead. Again we will have experienced backpackers to help with camp/tent set up. Questions or comments, email Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com