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 2 - 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. Bring water and snacks. Dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 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 to 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

Thursday, July 11 - Rainbow Mountain Fast Hike. Strenuous.

Join Wayne for a weekly fast hike on Rainbow Mountain. This will be a cardio intensive hike/trail run at a quick pace over rocky terrain with some steep elevation gains and descents. Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the Land Trust if you are not a member. We will meet in the Landtrust parking lot at 233 Stoneway Trail in Madison, AL at 5:30pm. The hike leaves at 6:00pm sharp. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain cancels this event. Questions, contact Wayne at wlr265@me.com

Sunday, July 14 - Virgin Falls Day Hike. Strenuous.

Join Summer on one of the best hikes in Middle Tennessee! The hike features several waterfalls and beautiful scenery. The hike will cover about 8-9 miles with an elevation gain of around 1300ft. The hike should take about 6 hours. This can be a difficult hike on the way out due to the elevation gain. Bring your camera, lunch, and plenty of water. Hiking poles may be helpful on this hike. Meet at the Publix in Meridianville - 12290 US 231. We will carpool from there to the trailhead - 125 miles, about a 2.5 hour drive. Please offer your driver gas money if you choose to carpool. We will leave the Publix parking lot at 6:30am sharp! Please arrive early to sign in. If you wish to meet us at the trailhead, it is at 2080 Scott Gulf Rd, Sparta, TN 38583. Email Summer at summer.rehkop@gmail.com with any questions. Rain cancels.

Sunday, July 14 - Stephens Gap Cave Preserve Hike. Strenuous.

Do you like caves? Do you like waterfalls? How about waterfalls inside caves? Join the Sierra Club on an educational 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, a little over a mile up a steep hillside, we'll access the cave through the 'walk-in' entrance which slopes downward, is 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, based on the rain we receive this month, we may have amazing waterfalls that cause mist and more mud. Even under dry conditions, the cave is scenic. After viewing the cave, we'll continue exploring the property on and off trail which might include more falls and a stream (again, rain dependent). 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 to hold your spot. No special cave equipment required. Bring snacks, a camera, sturdy shoes and plenty of water. A change of shoes and pants might be a good idea. Please contact Aaron immediately at sctrailevents@gmail.com for space availability and to confirm your attendance and receive a link to the online waiver. Once you are confirmed and your waivers are complete I will send you the meeting location and time. Thunderstorms cancel this hike.

Tuesday, July 16 - 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. Please 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. Bring water and snacks. Dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com

Thursday, July 18 - Rainbow Mountain Fast Hike. Strenuous.

Join Wayne for a weekly fast hike on Rainbow Mountain. This will be a cardio intensive hike/trail run at a quick pace over rocky terrain with some steep elevation gains and descents. Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the Land Trust if you are not a member. We will meet in the Landtrust parking lot at 233 Stoneway Trail in Madison, AL, at 5:30pm. The hike leaves at 6:00pm sharp. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain cancels this event. Questions, contact Wayne at wlr265@me.com

Saturday, July 20 - Standup Paddleboard Outing + Instruction.

Beat the heat and join us for a paddle boarding trip on the Tennessee River with Forrest Paddle Boarding. We will meet at 9:30am at the river access point (1000 Hobbs Island Rd Huntsville, AL 35803) which is past Ditto Landing on Hobbs Island Rd. It will be on the right side after you pass Ditto Landing and Hegia Burrow Rd SE. The paddle board fee is $25 for 2 hours. All necessary equipment is included in this rental fee, including life jacket. There will be a short safety course and instructions before hitting the river. Everyone should be able to swim. Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, water shoes (if you prefer), water and a towel. Keys and wallets can be stored inside their storage building. Thunderstorms cancel.

Note: We have a limited number of spots, so please email Kirsten Malone at kmalone123@yahoo.com to hold your spot and receive a copy of the waiver. You must sign and return the waiver to Kristen by Tuesday July 16th to have your spot reserved. If your waiver is not received by the 16th, your spot will be given to the next person on the waitlist.

Monday, July 22 - Monte Sano Land Trust Hike. Moderate.

Vickie Turan is leading a hike on the Land Trust Property of Monte Sano. This will be a moderate hike of about 5 miles. There will be some short, steep climbs over uneven and rocky trails. Along the way, we will be keeping our eyes open for some of the beautiful wildflowers and mushrooms that grow all over this 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 in the Landtrust parking lot at 2442 Bankhead Pkwy NE, Huntsville, AL 35801, at 5:30pm. Leashed dogs are welcome. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Vickie at vtmouser38@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 23 - 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. Please 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. Bring water and snacks. Dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com

Thursday, July 25 - Rainbow Mountain Fast Hike. Strenuous.

Join Wayne for a weekly fast hike on Rainbow Mountain. This will be a cardio intensive hike/trail run at a quick pace over rocky terrain with some steep elevation gains and descents. Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the Land Trust if you are not a member. We will meet in the Landtrust parking lot at 233 Stoneway Trail in Madison, AL, at 5:30pm. The hike leaves at 6:00pm sharp. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain cancels this event. Questions, contact Wayne at wlr265@me.com

Saturday, July 27 - Fiery Gizzard Loop Hike. Strenuous.

Challenge yourself while exploring beautiful Fiery Gizzard Trail in the South Cumberland Recreation Area. We will hike an approximately 10 mile loop following Fiery Gizzard trail to Raven’s Point then back on the Dog Hole Trail. This trail was rated one of the top 25 hiking trails in the country by Backpacker magazine. There will be a 1,250ft elevation gain and lots and lots of rocks. This trail is very challenging and is recommended for experienced hikers only. Limited to 15 hikers. Meet at the Publix at 2246 Winchester Rd. Huntsville, AL 35811 at 7:00am sharp. Depart for trailhead in Tracy City, TN at 7:15am. The drive will take about an hour and fifteen minutes. The hike will begin about 9:00am and we should finish by 4:00pm. Bring lots of water, snacks, and lunch. Thunderstorms cancel this hike. Questions, contact Wayne at wlr265@me.com There will be an optional dinner at Hanks Corner Grill in Tracy City afterwards.

Monday, July 29 - Monte Sano Land Trust Hike. Moderate.

Vickie Turan is leading a hike on the Monte Sano Land Trust property. This will be a moderate hike of about 5 miles. There will be some short, steep climbs over uneven and rocky trails. Along the way, we will keep our eyes open for some of the beautiful wildflowers and mushrooms that grow all over this 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 in the Land Trust parking lot at 2442 Bankhead Pkwy NE, Huntsville, AL 35801, at 5:30pm. Leashed dogs are welcome. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Vickie at vtmouser38@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 30 - 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. Please 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. Bring water and snacks. Dress for the weather. Rain cancels. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com