SIERRA OCTOBER MEETING

Bruce Martin

Do you know the difference between a National Park and National Recreation Area? How about a Wilderness Area and a National Monument? Join us for our monthly meeting and we'll try to clarify each of our categories for wild areas in the United States. We'll sort out the rules and requirements and make our membership knowledgeable.

Successful Boundary Marking Party

Sierra Clubbers, Randy Piggott, Carl Sloan, Carl Craig, Steven Baty, Kurt Butefish, and Sam Denham, went to Raccoon Gulf on August 18th to help the TVA mark a 70-year old boundary between its property and the adjacent land which is up for sale. Several other groups from the Sand Mountain area participated, but the Sierra group tackled the steepest part of the line and even conquered the 60ft bluff on top of the mountain, using map and compass to search out the old property markers, most of which have long faded away. The hot day's work was followed by dinner on the way back home at the Mud Creek BBQ...to be highly recommended.

The following note of thanks came from the TVA coordinator of the project, Nancy Fraley:

"Hooray!! I can't believe that we got so much done. We had 17 volunteers who worked a total 102 hours! Thanks to the rock scrambling Huntsville Sierra Club folks we even got more done than planned. The boundaries between the Coon Gulf TVA Small Wild Area and the properties that are now for sale are marked and clearly identifiable. How can I thank you enough?? If I haven't worn out my welcome I will be in touch about a fall clean up possibly combined with more boundary marking on the south side. Please stay in touch and thanks again."
Nancy D. Fraley
Natural Areas Coordinator
TVA Regional Natural Heritage Project
NRB 3B, P.O. Box 1589
Norris, TN 37828
865-632-1535

MEMORIAL STONE FOR TOM MCGEHEE

On Saturday, Sept 15th, the Sierra Club together with the Alabama Trails Association placed a small memorial stone on the Pinhoti Trail near the spot where Tom McGehee died while on a trail construction trip last February. The inscription on the stone was simply "Dr. Tom McGehee, Huntsville, Ala., May 26, 1928, Feb 17, 2001". Marc and Janet Salverson arranged to borrow a stretcher from the Madison County Rescue Squad for carrying the 150lb stone up the mountain just across the Alabama line from Cave Spring, GA. Attending from Huntsville were Rick Riquelmy, Bruce Martin, Bill Oliver, Danny Braswell, Sam Denham, Carl Craig, and Merilyn Osterlund Dabbs. Helping from the ATA were Carroll Wilson, Joe Copeland, and Phillip Alexander. After wiping brows the crew did trail maintenance on the section of the Pinhoti just north of Hurricane Creek.. Carl Craig's 73rd birthday was celebrated on the way home at the Hardee's in Centre, Ala.

Alabama Water Watch Monitoring Workshop

A Request from Soos Weber:

"I am canvassing you to see what the interest may be in having an Alabama Water Watch Monitoring Workshop in early November--probably the second or third (Nov. 9 or 16) or second Saturday. I received from Allison Newell a few pointers for teachers to become water quality monitors with their classes. Also, those of you who have had the course in years past, no doubt need a refresher. PLEASE think of folks that might like to take this workshop (8-9 hours), so that I may get them the information. We have to have at least 10 for a workshop, but I would like to see more than that involved. If enough interest is shown in the area at large, we might be able to have a workshop at Wheeler Refuge Visitor Center. Otherwise, I am checking on a few places here that might allow us the space. IF the response is not there, we will have to put this off until spring. Please write me back with any names you can think of, and a phone number or email address for them.

Thanks so much,
Soos Weber (weber-sf@redstone.army.mil)

Outings Editorial

As the Outings Chair of the N.A. Sierra Club, I am always looking for articles that would be of interest to Sierra Club members. If you have any tales to tell, just send them to me @ jfdomina@juno.com. My real love is the outdoors and promotion of the philosophy of leaving the woods just as we found it or better is contained in the following. - Judy Jones

Conservation on Outings

By Fran Caffee-GCOC

Conservation Outings sounds like a contradictory term, doesn't it. We think of outings as hiking/biking, canoeing, fun stuff. Conservation, well, isn't that the more "serious" side of the Club, the real "tree huggers"? Yes, to both questions, but one yes can also answer both. Yes, an outing can be conservation oriented and still be fun. Lots of members first joined the Sierra Club through outings, but if the only thing they were interested in was an outing, then there are many hiking, biking, skiing clubs. One does not need a membership in the Sierra Club to enjoy the outdoors, so there must be something different about a SC Outing. And there is! Club Outings leaders care about the environment, endangered species, trail erosion, clear cuts, overgrazing, roadless areas..the list is unlimited.

Some leaders may take a more active lead in discussing conservation issues on most of their outings, while others may choose to lead "conservation outings", which will be listed a such. But whatever approach you take, remember, someone, somewhere is working to protect that most special place you like to go when you need to get away. Someone is writing a letter or calling a member of Congress to protect a wilderness area. Someone is building and maintaining trails and campsites. Why not join the growing list of "someones" who are doing their share to explore, protect and preserve the wild places on earth.

"To sign up for Green Power for $4 a month or more, call Huntsville Utilities at 535-1255"

Little River Canyon-Powell Trail Hike

What a beautiful day!!!

It started off very overcast, but I had great hopes that today the Weatherperson would be right. Five of us, Sam Denham, Roger Coupland, Kathryn Palmore, Charlie Cohen, and I, left Garden Cove in Huntsville and headed to Scottsboro where we picked up Perry Gray, Carl Sloan from Birmingham, Freddie Deplacido and Darryl Edwards and then to Fort Payne to pick up Dorris Linsay of Carrolton, GA, before heading to Little River Canyon. By this time we had made so many stops it didn't seem that we would ever start hiking. After arriving at Little River Canyon, the stopping was not over, we couldn't begin the hike as we had to do the car thing, which vehicles to go where. We headed off to the hike terminus, the Powell Trail, where two cars were dropped off and then the Johnny's Creek were the hike began. I hadn't been hiking, really rock hopping, in a long time and it was really great - you know "the hike that refreshes". There were beautiful wild flowers, Asters, "Hearts a Bustin", I hope I have that right, Carl and Kathryn. Some folks saw a Black Racer, not I. I was back pulling my foot out of a hole that should have been a rock. You've got it, I went in the water! There were no trails to speak of, every once in while we hit a bit of a trail, maybe a deer trail. It was great!! We covered approximately 3 mi. I believe Sam said it took about 6 ½ hrs. We were all bushed, but re-invigorated and ready to do battle Monday in the corporate world.- Judy Jones

TUESDAY NIGHT HIKES MOVE TO LAND TRUST BEGINNING OCT 23RD. Meet in Huntsville Land Trust parking lot, 907 Franklin St. at 6 p.m. Directions: From Memorial Parkway, exit onto Governor's Drive heading east (toward hospital). Franklin is the first left (north) after Whitesburg Drive. Proceed about one and half blocks, office is on your right (east) side of street. For info, contact Dan Scott, 650-5128, dandeescott@juno.com. Ask about joining the Sierra Club on a Hike.

Thursday, October 18th, 6:30 p.m., General Meeting, Huntsville Public Library Meeting Room - See Front Page for Program Details

Friday - Sunday, Oct 19, 20, 21 Cold Mountain Backpack Departure Friday 2 p.m. We return this year to a great high mountain camping spot located in the Shining Rocks Wilderness near Waynesville, NC. The route is one of the least traveled routes in the area, partially because of the amount of climbing required. The views from the top should be worth it though. Rated strenuous, we will be backpacking approximate 15 miles. There will be 3500 ft. of climbing elevation Saturday to reach our campsite at nearly 6000 ft. Campground stay Friday night. Group limit is 8. Call to preregister: Steven Baty 489-0990.

Ask your hike leader about the "Outings Program" to Join or Renew your Sierra Club membership during an outing at a reduced rate. New members receive a "Take A Hike T-shirt

Saturday, October 20, Pinhoti Trail Construction and Maintenance. Call Sam Denham for time and meeting place. 539-1033 (h), 961-0436(w)

Saturday, 20 October, 7:00 a.m. Mt. Cheaha Fall Color Hike- Hike 8 miles total, from Cheaha trailhead (parking lot) along the ridgeline on the Pinhoti trail to Caney Head. Beautiful panoramic views of the mountains and valleys in their autumn splendor. Then descend on the Chinnabee trail to Turnipseed campsite where we will have left a shuttle vehicle. Bring water, lunch, sturdy boots or strong ankles. Meet 7:00 Hampton Cove Publix parking lot. Combined outing with the Cahaba group, will meet at 9:30 at Oxford Shoney's. Optional car-camp afterwards Saturday night at Turnipseed. Contact Lee Hollingsworth, lee.m.hollingsworth@boeing.com or bakpakn@hotmail.com , (wk) 256-461-3060, (hm) 256-772-7392.

Thursday, October 25th, 5:30 p.m. Outings Meeting, 6:00 p.m. ExCom Meeting For info call Freddie Deplacido 533-0651

Friday - Sunday, October 26th - 28th Annual State Retreat - Join us for this year's annual Sierra Club Retreat at Camp Mac, nestled in the foothills of the Appalachians near Alabama's highest point - Mt. Cheaha. For info. call Lisa Lamb home: 205-621-3660, work: 205-403-9621. Or mail your check to Lisa Lamb, P.O. Box 944, Pelham, AL 35124

Saturday Oct 27, 9:00 a.m. - Landtrust- Fall Color Hike Meet at the Landtrust Parking Lot on Bankhead 4-5 miles - rated moderate. Oddly enough one of the prettiest places to see fall colors is in our own backyard. The Bluffline Trail is full of sugar maples that turn bright orange, red, and yellow.- Contact Perry Gray 852-3939 (h) or 603-0646 (cell).

Thursday, November 1. 5:30 pm. Day After Halloween Full Moon Hike. Meet at Sam Denham's on Monte Sano 4333 Chickasaw Dr. .539-1033 (h), 961-0436(w).

Saturday, November 3, 7:00 AM - Monte Sano Long Loop. 16 miles. Strenuous. This hike will follow the second half of the route used for the Annual Mountain Mist 50K Trail Run. The loop links numerous Monte Sano and Land Trust trails including Railroad Bed, Water Line, and McKay's Hollow. Steep ascents and descents, stream crossings. Expect a brisk pace (to make sure we finish before dark). This should be a long but exhilarating day. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Wear sturdy hiking shoes. Meet at the Monte Sano hiker's parking lot. Danny Braswell, 880-1354 (evenings) or danny.braswell@home.com.

WE NEED YOU!!!! Wednesday, November 7th, 5:30 Stanlieo's Sub Villa, 602 Governor's Drive, SW Help put address labels on the Sierra Club Newsletters. The more folks we have the faster it goes. Should take less than an hour. For Info. call Judy Jones 852-6179.

Saturday, Nov 10, 9:00 a.m.- Monte Sano/Land Trust Hike - We'll start at the hikers parking lot in Monte Sano State Park for a tour of the mountain ending at the Three Caves on Monte Sano Preserve. Bring lunch and water for an 8 mile, moderate hike (all downhill). Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.

Sunday, November 11, 8:00 a.m. - Sewanee Hike - Just for Fun 7-10 miles of trail - rated moderate +. We will do part of the perimeter trail and maybe cut across campus and take in the architecture. Meet at the Winn-Dixie on Winchester Road Contact Perry Gray 852-3939 (h) or 603-0646 (cell).

Saturday-Sunday, Nov 17-18, 7:00 a.m., Pinhoti Trail Building and Backpack - We'll spend part of Saturday working to complete the newly extended Pinhoti then make a short trip into the backcountry for a campout and marshmallow party. Rated strenuous for the trail building. Meet at the Publix on Hwy. 431 near Hampton Cove for carpooling at, Saturday. Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.

Other Outings:

"The following activities are not sponsored nor administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has not information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality, safety, or supervision or management of such activities. They are published only as a reader service because they might be of interest to the readers of the publication."

The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama

For more information on the following hikes call 256-534-5263. No Charge.

Sunday, October 21 - Wildflower Discoveries, 2:00 P.M., Rainbow Mountain in Madison. Discover the beautiful Fall wildflowers on this slow and easy 1 mike hike. Directions-North on Hughes Rd, turn right on Thomas, turn left on Concord, turn right on Stoneway to end of road. Turn right to park.

Sunday, October 28 - Fall Foliage Hike, 2:00 PM, Wade Mountain. Three mile moderate hike. Meet at Wade Mountain Land Trust parking area off Spraggins Hollow Rd.

Saturday, November 3 - Autumn Colors Hike, 10:00 AM, Monte Sano, Moderate 3 mile hike on the historic Alms House Trail. Meet at the Land Trust Parking lot off Bankhead Parkway.

Sunday, November 4 - Old Logging Road Hike, 2:00 PM, Green Mountain. 6-mile hike for experienced hikers on some beautiful preserved land. Meet at Camelot Pool corner of Bailey Cove and Green Mountain Road.

Nature Wanderers

Saturday, October 27. Sipsey Wilderness/ Bankhead Forest Meet at Trading Post in Wren at 9:00 am. for an easy/moderate outing in the Sipsey or Bankhead Forest. Bring lunch and water. Call Ted Kuzma 974-7771.

Thursday, November 1. Full Moon Hike - Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Meet in the parking lot of Mr. Primes in Greenbriar at 5:30 p.m. Bring water and a snack along on an easy 5-6 mile hike along the north side of the Tennessee River. Call Teresa Young at 773-1945 if you plan to attend