Meeting/Pool PartyThursday
Evening, July 21th, 5:30 p.m.
Pool party/meeting at Monte Sano pool. $2 admission. Bring a covered dish and lawn chair. Details on the Outings page.
Tuesday Night Monte Sano Hikes
Join us at 6:00 pm. at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot for an evening mountain hike
Website For South Cumberland Recreation Area
If you are looking for more scheduled outdoor activities in the North Alabama area, then you might want to check out the new web page put up by the Friends of the South Cumberland Recreation Area. The current schedule has hikes to Foster, Ranger, Horsepound and Savage Falls, along with canoeing and hikes that focus on tree identification, wildflowers, geology, map orientation and more. Those of us who have been up to the Gulfs in South Cumberland know what a spectacular area this is. And for those who have never been but have been wanting to go, there is sure to be something on the schedule to entice you up to this beautiful area.
The new website also has links with information about the various Gulfs and Falls, guides for hiking and camping in the area, photos and a link to check the weather before you head up to the South Cumberland. Check out the new website and you might discover something new about the wonderful wild resource we have just to the north of us.
http://www.friendsofscsra.org/activities.htm
- the Editor
Questions?
Web page - email natberry@yahoo.com.
Want the newsletter by email? Email Tom at
Newsletter questions or comments - Email the editor at
New Website for the Monte Sano Greenway
There is a new website devoted to the status of the closed portion of the upper Bankhead Parkway. This stretch of road is starting to be referred to as the Monte Sano Greenway, in an effort to emphasize the fact that so many walkers, runners and bikers now use it and view it the same way they do the other greenways in the city.
If you are interested in the status of this portion of Monte Sano, the new website will reflect the interests of those who want to keep the roadway in it’s present state as another greenway in an increasingly developing city.
Note that the North Alabama Sierra Group has not taken an official position on the status of the closed portion of Bankhead Parkway.
http://www.montesanogreenway.com/
- the Editor
Alabama Water Watch
Earlier this month, Alabama Water Watch held it's
annual meeting at Camp ASCCA near Alexander City. One of the strongest
and most diverse volunteer water monitoring groups in the nation, the following
are some of the "vital statistics" about this remarkable group.
77 citizen groups from nearly every major watershed in
Alabama submitted water quality data in 2004.
In 2004, Eighty-four (84) training sessions were
attended by 407 people. Eighty-three (83) percent of the sessions were
conducted by or with citizen trainers. Trainings included water chemistry,
bacteriological and stream biomonitoring workshops.
Since 1993, Water Watch has received over 32,000 water
chemistry and 6,530 bacteriological data records. Approximately 1,700
sites have been monitored on 600 waterbodies.
In the organization's first 10 years, more than 200
citizen groups and 4,000 certified monitors have participated.
To learn more about Alabama Water Watch and how to
become a part of this impressive movement, go to http://www.alabamawaterwatch.org
- Bama Environmental News, June 24, 2005 #246
New Members Wanted!
The new member contest is still under way! Remember, the club member who signs up the most new recruits will receive a cash prize of $100.00. The period of the contest is from June 1, 2005 thru June 1, 2006.
The membership coordinator will be keeping statistics on this contest and all new checks ($25.00) must be mailed to him. Send all checks for this contest to:
David Kostowny
116 Pebblebrook Circle, Madison, AL 35758.
Phone: 325-2296.
E-mail: divadlk@msn.com
Join the Sierra Club or Renew your Membership for $25
Name______________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
City/State____________________________Zip____________
Phone___________________Email______________________
Contributions, gifts and dues to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible; they support our effective citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. Your dues include $7.50 for a subscription to Sierra magazine and $1.00 for your chapter newsletter.
Enclose check and mail to:
David Kostowny
116 Pebblebrook Circle
Madison, AL 35758.
Backcountry Adventure in the Southeast
Hire a backcountry guide to explore the Southeast US? Alaska maybe, but the Blue Ridge Mountains? Along with the guides and tour packages you find around the whitewater stretches there are numerous guides to introduce outdoor enthusiasts to the beauty of the North Carolina Mountains and even Mt. Cheaha. One such outfit, based in Scottsboro, AL is called Nomad Backcountry Adventures. Two guides with experience in everything from the Appalachian Trail to the Peruvian Andes lead local groups on backpacking trips and day hikes. Meg Letson and Rachel Pomerantz have both taught school age children about the outdoors, so their trips can be geared toward children and they even offer birthday campouts.
But Nomad trips are not just hiking and camping. The guides offer training in orienteering, yoga, international backcountry cooking, astronomy, team-building challenges, and cultural outings. The Nomad web site states that “by honoring the simple things: beautiful surroundings, good friends, delicious food, and the challenges of the trail, our trips invite trekkers to take part in journeys of personal development and growth.”
Currently scheduled are backpacking trips to Cheaha State Park, Grandfather Mountain, the Shining Rock Wilderness and an 8-day Blue Ridge Adventure. For more information, go to
http://www.nomadbackcountryadventures.com/index.htm
Madison County Heritage Festival
While the rest of the area will be celebrating the Bicentennial of the city of Huntsville, visitors to the Hays Nature Preserve can learn about the founding and history of Madison County. The Madison County Heritage Festival will be Saturday, October 8th, from 10am to 4pm at the Hays Nature Preserve. Learn about the history (and pre-history) of Madison County, the good, bad and ugly. One of the highlights will feature the Surrender of Bushwacker Johnston to Union troops at Trough Springs. There will be booths, demonstrations, food and drink and plenty for the kids to do and see. The festival is free and open to the public.
For more information, call Soos Weber at 427-5116 or look on the website www.hsvcity.com and find Hays
Preserve under Tourist Info.
North Alabama Sierra Club - Outings and Events Calendar
July - August 2005
2005 ExCom Members
Chair - Judy Jones 852-6179
Vice Ch/Treas. Sam Denham 539-1033
Web Page - Nat Berry 461-8107
Newsletter editor - Jack Drost 880-2644
Membership - Dave Kostowny 325-2296
Conservation - Bruce Martin 256-725-2168
Outings - Lee Hollingsworth 461-3060
Publicity - Liz Poleretzky 461-5819
Programs Logistics Coordinator
- Doug Horacek 772-6788
Secretary – Judy Burley 883-4267
Fund Raising - Freddie DiPlacido 533-0651
Tuesday Hikes - Nancy Dudney 882-9408
Programs - Brenda Cummings 881-7447
General Meeting and Pool Party!
Thursday, July 21, 5:30pm. Monte Sano Pool. Bring a lawn chair and a covered dish; the club will furnish drinks, plates, cups and napkins. Details below.
Hike Ratings
Easy-Less than 5 miles, no serious elevation changes, no trail obstacles.
Moderate-5 to 10 miles, some elevation changes and/or rough trail (rock hopping), or trail obstacles such as creek crossings.
Strenuous-More than 10 miles, substantial elevation change (1000 ft or more), trail may be rocky, obstructed or nonexistent.
Exploratory-any event the leader has not experienced before, may fit any class above.
Saturday, July 16, Pinhoti Trail Work. The Georgia Conservancy just purchased the property along the trail corridor between Cave Spring, GA and the Alabama line, so we're ready to start extending the trail eastward where we "planted" the state-line milepost three years ago. Bring water, lunch, work gloves, and loppers. Other tools will be
provided. For time and meeting place, call Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).
Tuesday, July 19, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Bring $1 trail fee.
Info: Nancy Dudney 882-9408.
Thursday, July 21, 5:30pm. General Meeting and Pool Party! Bring a lawn chair and a covered dish to share. Drinks, ice, paper plates, and plastic forks will be provided. We'll start eating at 6:30 but you can arrive and relax or swim as early as 5pm At the entrance window, explain that you are with the Sierra Club; YOU MUST SIGN IN AND PAY $2, even if you don't plan to swim. Please do not bring any glass bottles. Beer cans must have koozies or brown bags. Directions from Bankhead Pkwy: At top of mountain, continue straight ahead on Fearn at 4-way stop. Turn left onto Nolen Ave at next stop sign. After one block turn right onto Cooper. After two blocks turn left onto unnamed street. From Governor's Dr.: Turn onto Monte Sano Blvd. After passing the school and fire station on right, turn right on Mae Dr. then turn left on Georgette.
Saturday, July 23, Greeter Gulf Creekwalk and Swim. Strenuous. Walk through Tennessee's Garden of Eden. Rated strenuous because of slick rocks and walking through water up to waist deep. Must wear boots in the water for ankle support---river sandals are NOT OK. Bring water and lunch. Meet 8:30am at Winn Dixie on Winchester Rd. For more information, Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).
Tuesday, July 26, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Bring $1for Trail Fee. Info: Liz Poleretzky, (wk) 461-5819.
No Excom meeting for July
Saturday, July 30, Tennessee Lake Party 11 am until ? Bring picnic lunch/supper (gas grill and bonfire provided). Optional black and blue berry picking/eating. 5 mile hike around 1:30 pm (easy). Swimming, kayaking, paddle boating. Directions: Winchester Rd to Tennessee, continue to Huntland, TN and take a left when road deadends. Go about 2 miles and turn right onto Hwy 64. Go to Winchester, TN and turn right onto Hwy 16 South.(just after you go under an overpass) continue about 10 miles and turn left onto Jehovah Jireh Lane (between mile markers 22 and 23). Follow gravel drive to lake. Info: Joette 776 -3551 before Friday, July 29th.
Sunday, July 31, Monte Sano dayhike. Moderate. Meet at the hiker's parking lot at 1:00 pm for a moderate 5 mile hike. Bring water! Liz Poleretzky, 461-5819 (w) or hiker@knology.net
Tuesday, August 2, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Bring $1 for Trail Fee. Info: Nancy Dudney 882-9408.
Saturday, August 6th, Signal Point Hike. Moderate. Signal Point is the highest point on Signal Mountain. The hike from Signal Point to Edwards Point is part of the Cumberland Trail with striking overlooks of the Tennessee River Gorge. The hike is about eight miles and rated moderate. Bring lunch and we will eat dinner afterwards in a local restaurant. Meet at 8 a.m. at Winn Dixie on airport road. Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburley@knology.net
Tuesday, August 9, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Bring $1for Trail Fee. Info: Judy Burley, 883-4267.
Newsletter Labeling
Wednesday, August 10th, 5:30pm. Barbara
Martin's office, Holmes Ave at Church St.
Info: Judy Jones 852-6179 (h).
Sunday, Aug 14, Spider Lily walk. Easy. 2:00pm. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's
Parking Lot, Cost $1.00 Bring water and sturdy hiking boots. Call Doug Horacek for more information at 772-6788.
Tuesday, August 16, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Bring $1for Trail Fee. Info: Virgil DeStefano, 539-0348.
Thurs-Sunday, August 18-21, Appalachian Trail Backpack. Strenuous. Standing Indian Loop, 27 miles. Trailhead Standing Indian campground, Franklin NC. Climb Standing Indian Mountain, Albert Mountain, circling the Nantahala Basin. Self sufficient backpacking gear required. For info- Lee
Hollingsworth, 461-3060 or 520-6659.
Saturday, Aug 20, Pinhoti Trail Construction. Help build the trail that will eventually connect Alabama's Blue Ridge Mountains to the AT in Georgia. Bring loppers, lunch, water, and work gloves. Other tools provided. Free early supper afterwards for everyone who shows up! Meet
at Publix, Hampton Cove at 7:00am. Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).
Other Outings / Events
The following activities are not sponsored or administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality, safety, supervision or management of such activities. They are published only as a reader service because they might be of interest to the readers of our newsletter.
Hays Nature Preserve
Fri-Sat, August 12-13th, View the Perseids. Wee morning hours, observe the Perseid Meteor Shower at the Hays Nature Preserve. Soos is keeping an eye on the best of those two mornings for sky clarity. Call to find out more. 427-5116.
Saturday, September 17th, Flint River Clean Up for National Public Lands Day. Bring your own canoe or rent a seat for a $5 donation. A half day paddle. Sponsored by the Flint River Conservation Association. Call Soos for more information 427-5116.
Cahaba Group
Sunday, July 24, Day Hike/Swim Chinnabee Silent Trail. Hike through part of the Talladega National Forest and along Cheaha Creek. Bring lunch, water, some shoes and clothes for swimming if you wish to do so. Info, Audrey Alverson at 681-6654.
Saturday, August 6, Hike to Sinkholes and Blowing Wind Cave. Hike to two
spectacular sink holes; Neversink and Stephens Gap, then proceed to Blowing Wind Cave to witness hundreds of thousands of Gray Bats emerge from the cave to feed at dusk. Info, Joe Copeland at 256-287-1652