Wild & Scenic Film Festival
The Alabama Rivers Alliance, Energy Alabama, Flint River Conservation Association and Tennessee Riverkeeper are excited to bring Wild & Scenic Film Festival to Huntsville for the fourth year! The festival lands in Huntsville Friday, January 20 from 6:00-8:00pm at Straight to Ale Campus 805 location (2620 Clinton Ave, Huntsville, AL 35805). Admission is $10 for general public, $5 for students, military and senior citizens (70 or over). Get your tickets in advance at http://alabamarivers.org/wsffhuntsvilletickets/
Join us for an evening of celebrating the great outdoors through film that will leave you feeling inspired and engaged. The program will feature short films and documentaries highlighting adventures to be had as well as important issues to be addressed. Experts from across the state will be on hand to help answer any questions and provide guidance on how you can get involved locally and throughout Alabama. Plus we’ll have door prizes and great beer from Straight to Ale!
The January 201 Issue of the Alabama Sierran is now online
• ADEM wants EPA out but hasn't proved it can protect environment without them
• ACT: January Actions to Resist Trump
• SAVE THE DATE: People's Climate Mobilization, April 29, 2017, Washington DC
• 5 Species You Can Only Find in Alabama
• Northport sewage spills raise concerns
• Coal ash controversy on the Mobile River
• New Guide to Fracking Available
• Defend Rivers Legislative Meeting
• End of 114th Congress/end of Year Report/Update on Campaign to reauthorize Land & Water Conservation Fund
https://sierraclub.org/alabama/blog/2016/12/december-2016-alabama-sierran
Cleaning Up Our Database
We recently went through the club membership database and did some cleanup, and one of the things we did was add emails to the list for distribution of this newsletter. If you do not want to receive the newsletter or are already getting it at another email address, please respond back and let us know. Thanks!
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, January 7 - Where Eagles Fly: Lake Guntersville State Park hike. Strenuous.
Join us for a 10-12 mile hike in Guntersville State Park. Enjoy a great hike, lake views and Bald Eagle viewing. The Bald Eagle stands 2 to 3 feet tall, has a wingspan of about 6 feet and can fly up to 40 mph when dive-bombing its prey. Let's not only look for eagles on this trail series but spend some time talking about our national symbol as well. Bring snacks, lunch, water, hiking boots, and dress for the weather. Group size is limited. For hike meeting location and more information, contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com Rain cancels.
Saturday, January 14 - Sougahoagdee Falls hike. Moderate.
Sougahoagdee Falls is located in Bankhead National Forrest, and is part of the Brushy Creek Watershed. This hike is approximately 5 miles and is rated moderate. Along the way to the main falls we will see cascades and visit several smaller falls. Bring water, snack or lunch and dress appropriately. We will meet at Books-A-Million parking lot at Memorial Parkway and University Drive at 8:00am then drive to the second meeting point at Warrior Mountain Trading post in Moulton. Individuals meeting us there, please be ready to leave by 9:15am. We will then drive to the trailhead. Contact Steve Jackson at covecrawler@gmail.com or 256-337-9702.
Saturday, January 21 - Monte Sano Winter Hike. Moderate.
Enjoy this jewel of Huntsville on a 6-7 mile winter walk in the woods. We will explore trails in the State Park. Experiencing the park in a very different way than spring and summer hikes. Dress for the weather, including sturdy shoes. Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the park entrance. Meet at the Hikers Parking Lot at 8:30am. The hike leaves at 9:00am sharp. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com
Sunday, February 5 - The Annual Mountain Mist Marathon Hike: the Land Trust Side. STRENUOUS.
This will be a 12-14 mile hike. In mid-winter, after the dead leaves on the ground have been flattened, as many as 500 registered runners embark on a 31-mile run over a rugged, up and down, muddy, sometimes icy or snowy trails between Monte Sano State Park and the Land Trust property in the Mountain Mist Marathon. We will follow their path at a slower pace. To avoid flashlight use and total exhaustion, we’ve divided their one-day event into two 12-14 mile hikes with some 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 and 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 7:30am sharp from the Hiker’s Parking lot in Monte Sano State Park. For more info, contact Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. Rain cancels.
Sunday, February 12 - The Annual Mountain Mist Marathon Hike: Monte Sano State Park. STRENUOUS.
This will be a 12-14 mile hike. We’ll complete the trail series of the Mountain Mist Marathon Run, (see February 5 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 and 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 Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. Rain cancels.