Alabama Sierra Club Retreat at Camp McDowell October 28-30
The annual retreat for the Alabama Sierra Club is coming up the weekend of October 28-30, and will be held at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, Alabama. Go to the following link for more information and to register http://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/blog/2016/08/august-2016-alabama-sierran
This year the Alabama Sierra Club will partner with the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network to help focus on how our food choices affect the planet. There will be hikes in the woods around Camp McDowell and in the Bankhead Forest, tours of the Camp McDowell Farm School, a geothermal outing and a farm-to-table feast followed by dancing to Red Mountain White Trash. Camp McDowell has lodges with common rooms, kitchens and a wonderful porch for sitting and enjoying the woods and there is good camping as well. Meals are provided at the camp dining facility.
Come down for the weekend and find out what is going on in Sierra Clubs around the state and meet some new friends.
Amendment 2 on State Park Funding
Funding for Alabama state parks has been in jeopardy with the recent shortfalls in the state budget. Alabamians spoke up when some parks were threatened with closure and now you have the opportunity to permanently protect state funding for the parks where many of us spend time hiking and enjoying the Alabama outdoors. On Tuesday, November 2, the ballot for the general election will have an amendment which will block the transfer of park funds into the general budget. There will be a lot of amendments on the ballot - the one for state park funding will be Amendment 2. Note that a second portion of the amendment gives state parks the option of hiring contractors for some work and services in the parks. The full text of the amendment is below.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to prohibit any monies from the State Parks Fund, the Parks Revolving Fund, or any fund receiving revenues currently deposited in the State Parks Fund or the Parks Revolving Fund, and any monies currently designated under law for use by the state parks system from being transferred to any other public account, fund or entity or used for any purpose other than the support, upkeep, and maintenance of the state parks system; and to propose an amendment to Amendment 617 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 213.32 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended; to provide exceptions to the requirement that all state park system land and facilities be exclusively and solely operated and maintained by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. (Proposed by Act 2016-145)
Tuesday Night Hikes Resume in Spring
Note that there will be no more Tuesday night hikes on Monte Sano until the spring. Thanks for joining us this year!
Annual Christmas Party
Mark your calendars now for the annual North Alabama Sierra Club Christmas Party, to be held Tuesday, December 6, 2016. Details to follow later, but there will certainly be plenty of good food and fellowship!
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, October 1 - McKay Hollow Hike/Rockhop. Moderate-Strenuous.
Hike down Monte Sano into McKay Hollow on standard trails, then go off trail for a one-hour rockhop. Total time about 4 hours. Rated moderate-strenuous due to off trail and nearly 900 ft elevation gain. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 9:30am at Sam Denham's house, 4333 Chickasaw Dr.
Rain date Sunday, October 2. For Info call Sam @ (256) 539-1033.
Saturday, October 8 - McMullen Cove Hike. Moderate.
Explore the trails around McMullen Cove. This trip will explore a few of the lesser known trails in the mountains surrounding McMullen Cove. We will connect several smaller trails and end up hiking 6-8 miles. This trip will be a moderate one, but should be an adventure since not all trails are well marked. This trip is limited to the first 10 people who contact me, Richard Williams, at rbwilliams67@gmail.com
Saturday, October 15 - Fall Splendor Hike at Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area. Strenuous.
Approximately 10-mile hike on the Mullens Cove Loop Trail. Enjoy the solitude of a trail that winds through a forest and eventually opens up to scenic views of the Tennessee River Gorge. The second half of the trail is more visited as it follows the river for a distance and includes rock formations, overlooks and a stone door. Group size is limited. Dress for the weather, wear good hiking shoes, and bring snacks, lunch, and water. Optional dine-out afterward. For meeting location/time and detailed info, contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com
Saturday, October 22 - Pinnacle Point and Pisgah Gorge Hikes. Moderate.
Meet at 8:30am at Piggly Wiggly in Gurley. The Pinnacle Point Trail at Camp Jackson is rated moderate, with a steep initial elevation gain to the point, then a descent of approximately 2 miles. We will have an excellent view of the Tennessee River from the top of the bluff. We will take a short drive to Pisgah Gorge where we will hike 1.5 miles. The hike at the Gorge is rated easy to moderate (this can be a longer and more strenuous hike if you hike to the lower falls). We will get a good view of the Gorge and waterfall if there has been rain. On our return there will be an optional stop at Stevarino’s Pizza - a hike leader favorite. Bring water and a snack. Contact Steve Jackson at covecrawler@gmail.com
Saturday, October 29 - Alum Cave Trail Hike. Moderate.
We will hike the New Alum Cave Trail on Green Mtn. in South Huntsville. This 5 mile hike will explore the new trails leading down to the Alum Cave ancient human habitation site. Dress for the weather, wear good hiking shoes, and bring snacks and water. Meet at the Publix at Mountain Gap Rd and Bailey Cove at 9:00am. For info email Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com