Sierra Club Meetings for 2015
Mark your calendars for meetings of the North Alabama Sierra Club. Meetings start at 6:00pm and will be 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. The North Alabama Sierra Club meets quarterly and meetings are open to everyone. Come join us!
- May 21 – Darryl Patton, Wilderness Survival and Medicinal/Edible plants in the woods.
- August 20 - Adam Johnston, Alabama Rivers Alliance
- November 19 - Program to be determined
- December - Holiday Party. This will be held in the auditorium of the public library downtown.
Earth Day 45th Anniversary
The first Earth Day was held in 1971. Thanks to grassroots efforts there has been a lot of positive change on environmental issues. Join an Earth Day festival this year to celebrate the progress of the last 45 years and help keep the momentum going. The North Alabama Sierra Club will be at the Earth Day observance at the Hayes Nature Preserve on Saturday, April 18 from 10:00 to 2:00. More details to follow.
Follow the North Alabama Sierra Club Online
On our website: http://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/north-alabama
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 7 - A Hike in Time: The CCC at Monte Sano State Park. Strenuous.
Join us for a historical adventure that will take us from the plateau of the mountain to its base and back up, an approximately 8-10 mile hike. We'll be going down the majority of the mountain by way of trails and returning off-trail using a streambed, the mountain, and stairs. En route, we'll talk about the Civilian Conservation Corps, their role in developing the Park, and look at remnants of their work. Bring snacks, lunch, water and a few bucks for the Park's entrance fee. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy hiking boots. Meet at the Hikers' parking lot on top of Monte Sano at 8:30am. Contact Charlie at 256-361-3837 or charlie.cohen@att.net, or Sandy at sandykip@juno.com, for more information. RAIN CANCELS.
Tuesday night hikes return to the mountain!
Tuesday, March 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 Alan Greene at agreene256@comcast.net
CANCELLED: Saturday, March 14 - Walls of Jericho Dayhike. Strenuous.
The Walls of Jericho is a large, bowl-shaped natural amphitheater that shoots water out of holes and cracks in the canyon wall during times of high water flow. This is a unique area that consists of more than 21,000 acres of rivers, forested uplands and caves spreading across the Alabama and Tennessee state line. This beautiful tract, which was once the hunting grounds of Davy Crockett, contains an extraordinarily diverse array of plants and animals. The hike is approximately 8 miles with a 1000 foot elevation gain. Bring lunch and we will dine afterwards at a local restaurant. Meet at 9:00am at the Publix in Hampton Cove. For more information contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net RAIN CANCELS
Sunday March 15 - Monte Sano Early Afternoon Hike. Easy.
Hike will be approx. 4 miles. Depart at 1:00 pm 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. For directions or questions contact Liz at hiker@knology.net INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELS.
Tuesday, March 17 - Monte Sano Evening hike. Easy.
Depart at 6:00 pm 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 Michael Stewart 256-656-5836
Saturday, March 21 - Stonedoor Dayhike. Strenuous.
This ten mile rugged hike is in the South Cumberland. The Great Stone Door is a 150-foot deep crevice at the crest of the plateau by which we will enter Big Creek Gulf. We will follow the Big Creek Gulf Trail with a side trip to Ranger Falls and return by way of the Big Creek Rim Trail that promises spectacular vistas. Bring lunch and water. We will eat at a local restaurant on the way back. Meet at the Publix on Winchester Road at 8:00am. For more information contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net RAIN CANCELS
Tuesday, March 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 Carolyn Brooks at dr_c_brooks@msn.com
Saturday, March 28 - Thompson Creek Hike. Strenuous.
This 10-12 mile hike is in the Sipsey Wilderness. We'll begin the hike at the Thompson Creek trailhead, hike up 206 to the White Oak Trail and from there to the Bee Branch Trail which we will follow to the Big Tree. We will then go back down Bee Branch and pick up a trail along the Sipsey back to Thompson Creek. Meet in Wren at the trading post at 9:00am. For directions or questions please contact Chris Bolton at chris.bolton69.cb@gmail.com or Sandy at sandykip@juno.com
Tuesday, March 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 David Jackson at 256-603-9081.
2015 Excom Members
Chair /Membership Liz Poleretzky hiker@knology.net
Vice Chair/Programs Steve Jackson covecrawler@gmail.com 337-9702
Secretary/Chapter Delegate Jennifer Gresham jgresham98@gmail.com
Treasurer Charlie Cohen 837-3622
Environmental Education Charlotte Buening charlotte.r.buening@gmail.com
Outings Tom Burley tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net
Energy Consultant Gretel Johnston gretel@best-matrr.org
Political/Conservation chair Joe Imhof enviroman88@earthlink.net
Programs Steve Jackson covecrawler@gmail.com
Publicity Jayanthi Srikishen signalmtn@hotmail.com
Social Media Michael Stewart/Sandy Kiplinger sandykip@juno.com
Newsletter Jack Drost drostj@bellsouth.net
Web Page Steven Baty 489-0990