Pool Party and Potluck at Monte Sano Pool

     On Thursday, August 16, put on your swim suit and bring 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 5:00pm. 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. We will be giving out some fabulous door prizes.

     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.  Make the left turn at the end of Mae Drive, then turn right on Georgetta Ave. For more information, call Sam Denham, 539-1033.

-   Sam Denham

Flint River Featured in TV Documentary

     Across the nation today, numerous rivers and streams are being encroached upon by sprawling growth and development. Such is the case with a beautiful mountain-fed stream in north Alabama. The Flint River has been surrounded by hardwood forests and abundant wildlife. Today, the accelerating growth in Madison county and surrounding areas is rapidly robbing the Flint of its special natural qualities. In this show, host Doug Phillips floats the Flint River from its mountainous headwaters to its juncture with the Tennessee River. Along the way, interviews with various experts and local residents help to highlight the impressive history of the Flint and the pressing changes that threaten the river today.

     The documentary will be aired on Public Television three times later this month:

Tuesday, August 21 at 8:00pm

Wednesday, August 22 at 5:30pm

Wednesday, August 22 at 7:00pm

-   Soos Weber

Former Group Chair Passes Away

     Judy Jones, chair of the North Alabama Sierra Group from 2004-2006, passed away Tuesday, July 31 after a long battle with lung cancer. Judy was an avid hiker and traveler and is remembered by many Sierra Club members in stories of their hikes and backpacking trips with her. Judy served on the local Club executive committee for several years and as chair for two years.

     Memorials may be made to Hospice Family Care, 3304 Westmill Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805 or the Susan G. Koman Foundation for breast cancer research.

-   The Editor

Creation Care Emphasis Growing in Churches

     Over the past year, the issue of Creation Care has been awakened in many mainstream churches. Most now view the Creation as important not only to human survival, but also to the survival of all life. Churches are realizing that they have an important role to play in educating and setting good examples for their members.

     In April, Samford University's Center for Environmental Stewardship and Education hosted a one-day conference titled "The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth featuring E.O. Wilson" who had previously written an open letter regarding what he felt should be a shared concern to address climate change and resultant species extinction. At the conference were Dr. Wilson and the Reverend Sally Bingham, an Episcopal Priest and founder of The Regeneration Project which seeks to "deepen the connection between ecology and faith".

     On July 18, faith and environmental leaders again met in Birmingham to discuss how to collectively address environmental issues within the state. One partial solution would involve the creation of a non-profit that would be referred to as Alabama Interfaith Power and Light and would be affiliated with The Regeneration Project, whose mission involves helping “people of faith recognize and fulfill their responsibility for the stewardship of creation”.

     Locally, the United Methodist Church has established committees that address social policy issues such as this. These committees make available to their congregations speakers to discuss this and other social justice issues - issues well within the interests of Sierra Club members.  For more information, contact Steven Baty at 256-489-0990 and read more at the following web links:

http://alabama.sierraclub.org/northalabama/EOWilisonLetter.pdf

http://www.theregenerationproject.org/

-   Steven Baty

Mayor Spencer Signs Cool Cities Agreement

     Mayor Loretta Spencer recently signed the Sierra Club-sponsored Cool Cities agreement, committing Huntsville to doing its part to help reduce the emissions that contribute to global warming.

     Climate disruption is an urgent threat to the economic health of our communities. Many cities in this country and abroad already have strong programs in place to reduce global warming pollution, but more action is needed at the local, state, and federal levels to meet the challenge.

     On February 16, 2005 the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement to address climate disruption, became law for the 141 countries that have ratified it. Two years later, when over 500 American cities had launched their own initiatives, the US Conference of Mayors launched its Climate Protection Center to administer and track the Agreement. Under the Agreement, participating cities commit to take the following actions:

     Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns;

     Urge their state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol -- 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012;

     Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system.

     Please take a moment to write or call Mayor Spencer and thank her for this important action and ask what you can do to help.

http://usmayors.org/climateprotection/ClimateChange.asp

-   The Editor

Purple Loosestrife Eradication Continues 

    The Flint River Conservation Association has a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grant to try to control this very

invasive exotic plant that has taken hold in the Gurley Area, along Little Cove Road, and Sand Branch, a tributary of the Flint. Volunteers will start spraying Wednesday, August 8 after work. It takes about an hour of your time, and volunteers are desperately needed.

     This is a very serious invasive plant in wetlands all over the US. If you would like to volunteer, you will get $15 toward gas costs each time you volunteer.  Call Soos for more information, or schedules at  427-5116 during business days or 509-1219 at other times, or at susan.weber@hsvcity.com . The effort uses only spot spray herbicides that begin to break down as soon as they hit the ground or water.

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

Strenuous- Over 10 miles, substantial elevation change, rough trail

Saturday, August 11 – Monte Sano Wildflower hike. Easy. We will be looking for Spider Lilies on this hike. Meet at 9:00am at the Hikers parking lot. Bring water and bug spray. Call Doug Horacek at 772-6788 for more info.

Saturday, August 11 - Little River Canyon Rockhop/Swim/Dayhike.  Strenuous. Two separate hikes: Wolf Creek and the mile below Hwy35.  Bring lunch, water, sunscreen, hat, and be ready to get wet.  Meet at Garden Cove downtown 8:00am.  Sam Denham, 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).

Tuesday, August 14, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Different location each week.  Meet at Monte Sano Hiker’s Parking lot. Leader: Nancy Dudney, 882-9748.

Fri-Sun, August 17 - 19 Big Hill Pond Car Camp. Easy. We will drive to this state park in West Tennessee Friday afternoon and camp out Friday and Saturday nights at the park campground. A dayhike is planned for Saturday. Park highlights include an eight-tenths of a mile long boardwalk through the Dismal Swamp; a 70 foot refurbished fire tower that offers a panoramic view of Travis McNatt Lake and the swamp; Civil War Earthworks - a railroad guardpost built by Union Soldiers. Return to Huntsville Sunday.  For meeting time/location, contact Liz, 461-5819 or

hiker@knology.net

Tuesday, August 21, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker’s Parking lot. Leader: Liz Poleretzky, 461-5819.

Excom Meeting

Thursday, August 23, 5:30. Liz, 461-5819

Fri-Sun, Aug 24-26 - Mt. Roger’s backpack. Strenuous. Travel to Virginia's Mt. Rogers for some high elevation backpacking among the East's most scenic grassy balds. Encounters with wild ponies are likely as we backpack approx. 12 miles. Blueberries should be in season for our grazing.  Drive time approx. 6 hours. Departure Friday 10:00am.  For info call Lee Hollingsworth, 256-461-3060.

Saturday, August 25 - Wade Mountain Greenway hike. Easy to Moderate.  Meet at 1:00pm at the Wade Mountain Greenway on Pulaski Pike for a 5 mile walk/hike (combo pavement/trail).  Liz @ 461-5819 or hiker@knology.net

Tuesday, August 28, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker’s Parking lot. Leader: Bruce Martin, 256-725-2168.

Saturday, September 1 - Judy Jones Memorial Hike. Moderate. The late Judy Jones was the North AL Sierra Club chair during 2004 and 2006. 3.5 hr hike on a new Monte Sano trail that Judy would have liked. Optional swim in Monte Sano Pool afterwards (bring swim suit). Meet 9:00am at Sam Denham's house. 4333 Chickasaw Dr SE 539-1033(h) or 961-0436(w).

Tuesday, September 4, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker’s Parking lot. Leader: Judy Burley, 883-4267.

Saturday, September 8th - Borden Creek/Big Tree hike. Strenuous. We will begin at the Borden Creek bridge in the Sipsey Wilderness, hiking up the old logging road and down to the Big Tree. We continue along the Sipsey River to Borden Creek and return to the trailhead. Bring lunch – dinner afterwards at a local restaurant.  Meet 8:00am at Cracker Barrel in Madison or 7:00am to join us for breakfast. Or meet us at 9:00am at the Warrior Mountain Trading Post in Wren. Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@knology.net

Sunday, September 9 – Honeysuckle elimination.  Meet at 1:00pm at trail across from Fagan Spring Apartments. Bring loppers, pruners and gloves. Call Doug Horacek at 772-6788 for info.

Tuesday, September 11, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker’s Parking lot. Leader:

 Helga Sowa, 534-5656.

Newsletter Labeling

Wednesday, September 12, 5:30pm. Down South Condominiums clubhouse. South Mem Parkway. Entrance on right between Big Ten Tires and Schlotzsky’s. Judy Burley, 883-4267.

Saturday, September 15 – Stonedoor hike. Strenuous. 8-10 mile hike. The Great Stone Door is a 150-foot deep crevice at the crest of the plateau by which we will enter Savage Gulf. We will follow the Big Creek Gulf trail with a side trip to Ranger Falls and return by way of the Big Creek Rim trail that promises spectacular vistas. Bring lunch and water. We will eat at a local restaurant on the way back. Meet 8:00am at Publix on Winchester Road. Tom Burley, 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@knology.net

Tuesday, September 18, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker’s Parking lot. Leader: Virgil DeStefano, 539-0348.

Saturday, September 22 - Collins Gulf hike. Strenuous. This 13 mile loop in the South Cumberland descends into the Collins River Gorge and has many beautiful geological features including waterfalls, overlooks, and rock formations. We will descend into the gorge and climb out by way of the Stagecoach Historic trail and return along the Collins Gulf rim. Bring lunch and water and we will dine afterwards at a local restaurant. Meet 8:00am at Publix on Winchester Road. Tom Burley, 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@knology.net Saturday, September 22 - Elkmont rails to trails. Moderate. Meet 1:00pm at Southern Family Market (old Brunos, where Highway 72 West and Wall Triana intersect). We will walk the 5 miles from Elkmont to Tennessee, leaving cars at one end for a shuttle. Optional dinner afterwards. Please bring plenty of water! Liz @ 461-5819 or hiker@knology.net

Tuesday, September 25, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Different location each week.  Meet at Monte Sano Hiker’s Parking lot. Leader: Nancy Dudney, 882-9408.

Saturday, September 29 - Fiery Gizzard hike. Strenuous. We will hike the trail end to end, 13 miles. For information, contact Sandy Kiplinger at sandykip@juno.com.

Sunday, September 30 – Spragins Hollow Fall Wildflower hike. Easy. Meet at 1:00pm at Wade Mountain at Spragins Hollow parking lot. Bring water, sturdy hiking boots and bug spray call Doug Horacek for more information at 772-6788.

Other Outings / Events

The following are not sponsored or administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning 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 our readers.

 

South Cumberland State Recreation Area

Saturday, August 11

8:00 am   Gizzard Rock Hopping 

Tired of the leisurely Sunday stroll? Then come out with Ranger Jason to Foster Falls for an off-trail hike up the Little Gizzard Creek. This very difficult and technical hike will require a sturdy body and even sturdier boots. Remember to bring plenty of water and a light snack.

9:00 am    Savage Falls Hike  Join Ranger Duane for a 3 mile roundtrip hike to see Savage Falls. Bring plenty of water and don’t forget the camera.

11:00 am    Sycamore Falls Hike  This is a moderate 3 mile hike to sycamore Falls. We’ll learn the local plant life, then, picnic at the falls while those who want to swim can. Meet at the Grundy Forest trailhead.

1:00 pm    Boulder Crossing  Meet Ranger Duane at the Collins West parking lot for a strenuous 3 mile hike to see Collins Creek and Rocky Point Overlook. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
Sunday, August 12

9:00 am    Fiery Gizzard Hike  Join Ranger Duane for a strenuous 10 mile roundtrip hike on one of Tennessee’s most beautiful hiking trails. Meet at Grundy Forest parking lot and bring plenty of water, a lunch, and a sturdy pair of boots. Don’t forget the camera.

1:00 pm    Blue Hole Hike  Come to the Greeter Falls parking lot for a short hike and to discover what kind aquatic creatures live at the Blue Hole. Bring shoes and clothes that you don’t want to get wet.
Saturday, August 18

10:00 am    Canoe Float  Join Ranger Duane for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Learn some basics about canoeing and a little bit about one of our park’s most historic areas. Meet at Grundy Lakes beach parking lot and bring a friend. Due to limited equipment call the office to reserve your spot at 931-024-2980.

2:00 pm    Big Bluff Hike
Meet Ranger Dave at the Greeter Falls parking lot for this scenic 2 mile hike out to Big Bluff.

3:00 pm   Slideshow  Meet Ranger George at Savage Gulf Ranger Station for an informative slideshow on Stone Door/Savage Gulf area.

8:30 pm    Owl Prowl  Meet Ranger Anthony at the Grundy Lakes beach area for an owl prowl around the lakes.
Sunday, August 19

8:00 am    Morning Meadow Walk   Come out early to beat the heat and to get a preview of the meadow’s showiest summer flowers. Meet Ranger Jason at the Visitor’s Center for this 2 mile easy stroll.

 

Sierra Middle Tennessee Group

Thursday, August 26 - Ultra-light/Beginning Backpacking Class  Have you wanted to learn how to backpack or change to ultra-light backpacking? This class will teach the fundamental principles of backpacking using ultra-light gear. Backpacking cooking will also be discussed during this class. For additional information and meeting time and place contact Katherine Pendleton at 615-943-6877 or email Katibug1959@aol.com.

August 31-September 3 Labor Day Weekend Car Camping Trip - Join us for our 2nd Annual Labor Day Car Camping trip to Meriwether Lewis National Park on the Natchez Trace. There are no campsite fees at Meriwether Lewis Campground. Come at your leisure and stay for part or the whole weekend. Bring your own camping gear, food, and beverages. Hiking, biking, and swimming activities available. Plan on a weekend of fun and relaxation. For additional information contact Katherine.pendleton@sierraclub.org or 615-943-6877.

September 1 Training Bike Ride for Jack & Back - During our Labor Day Camping weekend at Meriwether Lewis we will have a training ride on the Natchez Trace for the TN Chapter bike team riding in the "Jack & Back." Meet at the Meriwether Lewis campground at 7:30 a.m. Length of ride will depend on the participants present. The ride will take place on the Natchez Trace Parkway. For additional information contact Katherine Pendleton at 615-943-6877 or email Katibug1959@aol.com. Please read below for information regarding the Jack & Back bike ride.

September 6 Cedars of Lebanon Dayhike - Would you like to see a grove of Juniper trees? Considered unusual by early botanists, we will hike the five mile Hidden Springs Trail, discovering the natural rock gardens called "cedar glades." We will try to spot one (or more!) of the nineteen indigenous rare and endangered species of plants that grows here, and no where else in the world. Loop trail is easy to moderate. Cedars of Lebanon State Park is located approx. 31 miles East of Nashville in Wilson County. For exact directions and registration, contact Celeste Dye at greyceleste@yahoo.com or 323-828-8892.

September 10 Outings Leader 101  Outings Leader 101 is a requirement of the Sierra Club to become an outings leader. This class covers the basics of being an outings leader. There is no charge for the training. A light supper will be served. For meeting place and time contact Katherine Pendleton at 615-943-6877 or email Katibug1959@aol.com.

September 14-17 AT Section Backpacking Trip - Plans are in the works for a section hike on the Appalachian Trail on the section from Max Patch to Hot Springs. Rated strenuous. For additional information contact Katherine Pendleton at 615-943-6877 or email Katibug1959@aol.com.

October 6-7 Jack & Back Bike Ride - The TN Chapter is participating as a team riding in the Jack Daniel's "Bike to Jack & Back" October 6-7. The ride starts in Franklin, TN at Page High School and finishes at Motlow State Community College in Lynchburg, TN. This is a beautiful, scenic ride through Tennessee's countryside just on the brink of fall. Enjoy a tour of the incredible Jack Daniel's Distillery, and feast on all of the Jack Daniel's fixin's that you can eat, as well as some Lynchburg Lemonade during the program and party on the hill! The National MS Society and local sponsors will provide rest stops every 10-12 miles, supplied with refreshments to support you along the route. SAG trucks, Bike Mechanics and Medical staff are also there to help you throughout the weekend. To register, visit http://www.msmidsouth.org and sign up under TN Chapter Sierra Club. You can also contact Katherine Pendleton for more information at 615-943-6877 or Katibug1959@aol.com. Come on out and join Sierra Club in this ride to help our community and let our community see who we are.