North Alabama Club Updates

The Chapter is currently working on a Green film series that will show various films with a focus on conservation and education. We may be partnering with Southern Exposure Films and the UAH Green Club to do this. The films will be shown at a few different locations in the county. Stay posted as to where, when and the films to be shown. These will be free to the public.

Our Quarterly Programs Series will continue this year with various speakers. Hopefully we will continue to have these at the National Children's Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Al. If the Venue changes we will post in on the website. Look for some exciting programs this year!

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, April 6 - Five Fat Man Squeezes Hike. Moderate.

Join Steve Jackson for a unique adventure on Monte Sano!  We will have to tighten up our belts to make it through some of these stone squeezes/narrows as we explore some of the beautiful sandstone formations found throughout the park. (But you can go around if you have to.) Most of hike will be off trail to see some seldom visited areas of the Monte Sano State Park. Hike is approximately 5 miles total. Leader recommends long hiking pants, water, headlamp(optional). Rain cancels. Meet at 9:30am at the Hikers Parking lot in Monte Sano State Park. Questions, contact Steve Jackson, 256 337- 9702 or covecrawler@ gmail.com

Sunday, April 7 - Wade Mountain Wildflowers and Mushrooms Hike. Strenuous.

Vickie Turan is leading a hike on one of her favorite Land Trust properties. This will be a strenuous hike of about 12 miles with about 1500 feet of elevation gain. There are also some short, steep climbs over uneven/rocky trails. Along the way, we will  keep our eyes open for some of the beautiful wildflowers and mushrooms that grow all over the Wade Mountain property.  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 10130 Spragins Hollow Rd NW, Huntsville, AL 35810, at 8:30 am. The hike leaves at 9:00am sharp. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Vickie at  vtmouser38@gmail.com  

Tuesday, April 9 - 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 -5 miles, depending on the sunset. Bring water and snacks. Dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com

Sunday, April 14 - Fanning/Stevenson Trail Hike. Moderate.

Join us for a hike up the Stevenson and Fanning Trails on the north side of the Land Trust Blevins Gap Preserve. Enjoy great views of Jones Valley as Kirsten leads the group over steep and rocky terrain on this beautiful hike. This will be a moderately challenging hike of about 4.5 miles with about 700 feet of elevation gain. There are some short, steep climbs over uneven/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 2275 Cecil Ashburn Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35802, at 12:30pm. The hike leaves at 1:00pm sharp. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Kirsten at kirsten.malone@genisysgroup.com  

Tuesday, April 16 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.

Everyone is welcome on 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 3-5 miles, depending on the sunset. Bring water and snacks. Dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com

Saturday, April 20 - Keel and Calloway Hike. Strenuous.

Join Steve Jackson for a unique off-trail adventure.  We will hike half of this trip off trail so expect uneven terrain - boots are recommended. The trail has an initial steep ascent. We will visit a waterfall, a cave and then the Sinks on Nature Conservancy Property. We will be hiking to a remote location that will have little or no cell coverage most of the time. Hike is about 9 miles with 2400 feet elevation gain and 2400 descent. Rain cancels.

Note: This is a limited participant hike and hike leader approval is required.  You will need to email or call Steve and he will tell you where the group will be meeting at 8:45am. We will then drive about 25 minutes to the trailhead. Bring water (there will be limited water sources to filter) and lunch. This hike is rated Strenuous,for experienced hikers in good condition. Contact Steve Jackson at 256 337- 9702, or covecrawler@gmail.com

Tuesday, April 23 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.

Everyone is welcome on 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 3-5 miles, depending on the sunset. Bring water and snacks. Dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com

Saturday, April 27 - Big Cat Tract Hike. Moderate.

Come explore some of the Land Trust property on the south side of Monte Sano. We will follow the Arrowhead trail out to the Big Cat Tract and on through McKay Hollow, then past the Natural Well and then back to the trailhead. This will be a moderately challenging hike of about 8 miles with about 1000 feet of elevation gain. There are some short, steep climbs over uneven/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 1970 Monte Sano Blvd SE, Huntsville, AL 35801 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, April 30 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.

Everyone is welcome on 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 3-5 miles, depending on the sunset. Bring water and snacks. Dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact 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