North Alabama Sierra Club September 2015 Newsletter
Alabama Rivers Alliance for August Meeting
On Thursday night, August 20, Cindy Lowry from the Alabama River's Alliance will present a program on efforts to develop a water management plan for our state that will help ensure the availability of water during dry summer months when the state is under drought conditions and for the long term future of our state.
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. North Alabama Sierra Club meetings are open to everyone. Come join us!
Fiery Gizzard Trail Closing
See the Outings section below for a hike on the Fiery Gizzard Trail this Saturday – it may be one of the last Sierra Club hikes on that trail in its current state.
The mid-point section of the popular Fiery Gizzard Trail in South Cumberland State Park will soon close to hikers, thus cutting the 13-mile trek between Grundy Forest Trailhead and Foster Falls. Interim Park Manager George Shinn has announced that the owner of property near Raven Point, which the trail has crossed for decades, has asked for the removal of the park trail from his property by Dec. 1. “The only practical solution,” Shinn, said, "is to reroute that section of the trail into the cove. But the solution is not easy to accomplish and will significantly increase the difficulty for hikers in the future.” Similar land issues have forced the closing of Raven Point Campground located along the Fiery Gizzard Trail, on Sept. 7.
Backpacker Magazine voted the Fiery Gizzard Trail among the top 25 hiking trails in the U.S. and in 2014 ranked it 6th on the list of Best Fall Foliage Hikes in the nation. The trail is credited with drawing visitors to South Cumberland and enhancing tourism and the local economy in one of Tennessee’s most rural areas.
For more information go to the link for the newsletter of the Friends of South Cumberland http://www.friendsofscsra.org/
Forever Wild Safe for Now
Thanks to Alabama citizens speaking up, the sponsor of SB 38, the bill that would have eliminated the Forever Wild Land Trust, withdrew his support for the bill. This means that, for now, the bill is dead and Forever Wild is protected. Over 900 messages in support of the program were sent to Alabama's legislators in the first few days after the bill was announced. This is proof that your voice does make a difference!
Change to Park Fees for Monte Sano
Until recently, you were on an honor system for paying the park fee at the gate when entering the state park. The system has changed and park rangers are ticketing cars when a fee has not been paid. Now there are envelopes at the entrance gates for your fee. You take an envelope, put your fee in, tear off the receipt and hang it on your mirror, then put the envelope with the money in the receptacle. The park fee is $3 each visit or only $1 if you are 62 years+. You may decide to get an annual pass (senior-$30) which is available at the store in the park if you feel this would pay off.
Reminder of Slower Paced Tuesday Night Hike
Just a reminder that we have added a second Tuesday night hike on Monte Sano. This hike is at a slower pace for those who prefer a more relaxed hike and it is great for beginning hikers. Both hikes will meet at the same time and place as usual - 6:00pm sharp at the hiker's parking lot in Monte Sano State Park. Come join us and bring a friend!
Alabama Sierra Club Annual Retreat October 23-25
Explore, Enjoy, Protect… on 440 acres at the beautiful Living River Center on the Cahaba River. The focus will be on outings with experienced guides, hands-on learning, and exploring the beauty of the river and surrounding area. There will be opportunities to hike, bird, hunt for fossils, and canoe the Cahaba. Lodging and meals will be available on site. Look for your registration form coming soon! The fee goes up after September 9, so register now. Go to https://sierraclub.org/alabama/news and click on the link for August 2015 Alabama Sierran, then click on the link for the registration form.
The Sierra Club Online
web - http://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/north-alabama
email - na.sierraclub@gmail.com
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, Aug 22 - Fiery Gizzard Dayhike. Strenuous.
This may be the one of the last opportunities to hike perhaps one of the most diverse and beautiful trails in Tennessee as the current landowner is planning on closing access to the trail on December 1. The terrain is steep and extremely rocky. We will follow the Fiery Gizzard passing the 500-year-old hemlock, Blue Hole Falls, Sycamore Falls, and the Fruit Bowl rock formation before beginning our arduous climb to Raven Point a spectacular overlook and return via the Doghole Trail. The hike is about ten miles and definitely strenuous. Bring lunch and water and we will dine afterwards at a local restaurant. Meet at 8:00am at the Publix on Winchester Road. For more information contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net RAIN CANCELS
Saturday, Aug 22 - Monte Sano Morning Hike. Easy.
10:00am. Hike will be approx. 4 miles. Depart at 10:00am 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. Bring plenty of water and maybe a snack. For directions or questions contact Liz at hiker@knology.net
Tuesday, Aug 25 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
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 Pete Luther at pluther@knology.net
NOTE: There will also be an optional easy hike for new hikers or those that prefer an easier slower hike. For further information contact Liz at hiker@knology.net
Saturday, Aug 29 - Limrock Blowing Cave. Strenuous.
Limrock Blowing Cave, a SSCi property, is a 3-mile-long stream cave with a large walking passage, pretty rooms, and nice formations. Join myself with our SSCi guide, Jennifer Pinkley, for an adventure down under. Group size is limited. Although cave experience isn't required, this is for strenuous hikers only. For more info, contact Sandy at sandykip@otelco.net
Tuesday, Sept 1 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
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 Judy Burley at jcburley@bellsouth.net
NOTE: There will also be an optional easy hike for new hikers or those that prefer an easier slower hike. For further information contact Michael Stewart at 256-656-5836.
Tuesday, Sept 8 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate. 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 Suzanne Cawthon at atirawolf@yahoo.com
NOTE: There will also be an optional easy hike for new hikers or those that prefer an easier slower hike. For further information contact Liz at hiker@knology.net
Saturday, Sept 12 - Canoe, Hike and Hillbilly Quiche Breakfast. Moderate.
Come early at 8:30 for Dutch Oven Breakfast- enough to feed first 12 eaters, no cost, you are welcome to bring a side dish. We will meet at NACK (North Alabama Canoe and Kayak) and leave promptly at 9:00, so get there early to do your rental if you do not have a boat. We will go from the put in on Hwy 72 at NACK and take out at Little Cove Road. We will stop for a lunch break (bring some lunch, snack, and plenty of water) and have an optional hike to the top of Sublet’s Bluff. If doing the hike bring insect repellent and good shoes or boots. The hike is ¼ a mile and off trail. Trip will take around 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Contact Steve Jackson- 256 337- 9702 or covecrawler@gmail.com
Tuesday, Sept 15 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
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 Steve Jackson at covecrawler@gmail.com
NOTE: There will also be an optional easy hike for new hikers or those that prefer an easier slower hike. For further information contact Michael Stewart 256-656-5836
Tuesday, Sept 22 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
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 Patricia Wales at pwales77@gmail.com
NOTE: There will also be an optional easy hike for new hikers or those that prefer an easier slower hike. For further information contact Michael Stewart 256-656-5836.
Saturday, Sept 26 - “A Ghost of a Hike.” Strenuous.
12 to 14 miles. Join us on a TVA trail that begins near the Guntersville Dam, winds through a wooded mountain area with views of the lake, and eventually brings us to what local lore deems a ‘haunted’ cemetery. We will leave the Wal-Mart parking lot (across from the gas station, 11610 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville) at 8:00am sharp. Bring water, snacks, lunch, bug spray, and wear good hiking shoes for this spooky adventure. T-Storms and excessive paranormal activity cancel. For more info, contact Sandy at sandykip@otelco.net or Charlie, Charlie.cohen@att.net, 256/361-3837.
Saturday, Sept 26 - Elkmont Rails-to-Trails hike. Easy.
Part 1 - North section. 4.5 mile hike. Meet at 10:00 am in the parking lot on the Northwest corner where Highway 72 West and Wall Triana intersect (parking lot by Planet Fitness). From there we will drive to downtown Elkmont where we will begin our hike on this historic railroad walking trail. Optional lunch in downtown Elkmont or Athens. For more information or directions contact Liz at hiker@knology.net
Tuesday, Sept 29 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
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 Alan Greene at agreene256@comcast.net
NOTE: There will also be an optional easy hike for new hikers or those that prefer an easier slower hike. For further information contact Liz at hiker@knology.net