Resolve to Hike More in 2016
Happy New Year to everyone! It's that time for making resolutions and thinking about getting back in shape. Why not resolve to do more hiking and other outdoor activities this year? We live in an area that is rich in wilderness areas with easy access to many trails, bike paths and rivers for all levels of experience. Take a look at the outings list and plan to get out there more this year. There are hikes this Friday and Saturday - an easy one Friday afternoon on Monte Sano and a longer, more strenuous one on Blevins Gap Saturday morning. Come join us!
And while you're at it, why not think about becoming an outings leader? We can always use more people to lead hikes, backpacks, bike rides and paddling outings. It just takes a few hours of training and a commitment to plan a few outings. Show us a few of your favorite outdoor places. You don't have to be an expert to lead an outing. Short easy hikes are just as welcome as long, difficult backpacks. Contact the Outings leader listed under Excom Members for more information.
Get outdoors more in 2016!
Welcome to new Excom Members
Welcome to the new members of the executive committee for the North Alabama Sierra Club - Patricia Wales, Carolyn Brooks and Judy Burley. The Club would not function without the excom and thanks in advance for all you will do to help keep things running.
Tuesday Night Hikes Resume in April
The Tuesday night hikes have ended for now and will resume in April on Monte Sano after the time change.
Volunteer to Help with Fiery Gizzard Trail Work
If you hike the Fiery Gizzard Trail you probably know about the closure of major portions of this wonderful trail that are on private land. There are plans to reroute the trail down into the canyon and this will take time and a lot of work. The Park Rangers are asking for help with the trail work. If you want to help with the work to reopen this trail, check the Meetup site for the Friends of South Cumberland http://www.meetup.com/ Friends-of-South-Cumberland-State-Park-Hikes/ There will be information about dates for trail work and a way to let them know you are coming to help.
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.
Friday, January 1 - Get Rid of the Hangover Hike. Easy.
Meet at Sam Denham's house, 4333 Chickasaw Dr., at 1:00pm for an afternoon hike in Monte Sano State Park. May include some off-trail hiking and a brief rock-hop. Hot cider and more by the fireplace after the hike. (Please bring finger food to share.) For more information please contact Sam Denham at 256-539-1033.
Saturday, January 2 - Blevin’s Gap Preserve Hike. Moderate.
Approximately 7 miles. Start off the New Year on the right, or left, foot by exploring the trails of Blevin’s Gap Preserve, a Land Trust of North Alabama property. We’ll start and end on the Sugar Tree Trail, looping through forest, passing rock bluffs to scenic overlooks. Bring snacks, lunch, water, dress for the weather, and wear good hiking shoes. We will leave the Home Depot parking lot, (10012 S Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville – look for us at the front of the parking lot facing Memorial Pkwy), at 8:30am sharp. For more info, contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com or Charlie, 256-361-3837. Rain cancels.
Saturday, January 16 - The Annual Mountain Mist Marathon Hike: the Land Trust Side. STRENUOUS.
Approximately 12 – 14 miles. As the super El Nino fires up, so do over 300 registered runners in preparation for a 31-mile run over a rugged, up/down, muddy, sometimes icy snow trail series between Monte Sano State Park and the Land Trust. To avoid flashlight use and total unequivocal exhaustion, we’ve divided their one day event into two hikes with modifications. Because of shorter daylight hours, it will be important to maintain a moderate pace. There’s the potential of mud wallowing, ice, slimy rocks, and stream crossings. This hike is not for the meek of feet. Bring plenty of snacks, lunch, water, dress for the weather, wear hiking boots, and bring a few bucks for the State Park’s entry fee. Hiking poles are recommended but not required. We will start the hike at 7:30 a.m. sharp from the Hiker’s Parking lot in Monte Sano State Park. For more info, contact Sandy, sandykip56@gmail.com or Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. Rain cancels.
Saturday, January 16 - Wade Mountain Hike. Moderate.
5-mile hike on the western end - Pulaski Pike Trailhead. Meet at 1:00pm in the parking lot at the Wade Mountain Greenway trailhead on Pulaski Pike (1/2 mile south of the Toyota Plant). We will do a 5-mile loop with some elevation gain during the first half of the hike. Parts of the trail will be rocky but the first and last mile will be on the paved portion of the greenway. For more information or directions contact Liz at hiker@knology. Inclement weather cancels.
Saturday, January 30 - Sewanee Dayhike. Strenuous. (Postponed from January 23)
This approximately 11-mile hike is the east section of the 21 mile Perimeter Trail which follows the perimeter of the Sewanee Domain. The perimeter trail features beautiful overlooks and interesting geological formations. This section features Morgan’s Steep, the Memorial Cross, and Shakerag Hollow. This hike completes the entire perimeter trail. Bring lunch and plenty of water. Optional dinner afterwards. Meet at the Publix on Winchester Road. We will leave promptly at 8:00am. For more information contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net Rain cancels.
Saturday, February 6 - The Annual Mountain Mist Marathon Hike: Monte Sano State Park. STRENUOUS.
12-14 miles. We’ll complete the trail series of the Mountain Mist Marathon Run, (see January 16 hike), on the Monte Sano State Park side. Although we may have a few more minutes of daylight on the trail, we will still need to maintain a moderate pace to avoid flashlight use. Again, this is not for the meek of feet. Bring plenty of snacks, lunch, water, dress for the weather, wear hiking boots, and bring a few bucks for the State Park’s entry fee. Hiking poles are recommended but optional. We will start the hike at 7:30am sharp from the Hiker’s Parking lot in Monte Sano State Park. For more info, contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com or Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. Rain cancels.