North Alabama Sierra Group April 2009

Tuesday Night Mountain Hikes 6:00pm

Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot.

No Monthly Meeting for April

For the May meeting, local meteorologist Dan Satterfield will talk to us about global warming.

     The North Alabama Sierra Club meets at 6:30 the third Thursday of every month at the Huntsville Madison County Public Library in the main auditorium. The library is in downtown Huntsville on Monroe St. just off Governor’s Drive. Everyone is invited.

          - The Editor

Earth Day Events

     There are a lot of activities going on in the North Alabama area to mark Earth Day this year. Earth Day is on Wednesday, April 22, so there are activities both the weekends before and after Earth Day, and the Shoals area is celebrating by holding activities all during the month of April. Come out and show your support for the planet.

Huntsville

Hays Nature Preserve

    There will be hikes and displays of local animals, earth friendly exhibitors and vendors, food and fun for the whole family. Come prepared for hiking and bring your binoculars. Hikes will include guided birding and ecohikes in both the Hays Preserve and in the Goldsmith Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary. Food and drinks will be available as well.

     The Hays Nature Preserve is just south of Hampton Cove on Hwy 431 South. Look for the brown sign that says Hays Preserve. For more information, call Soos Weber at 427-5116.

Marshall Space Flight Center

Tuesday, April 21, 10:00am-1:00pm. The theme for this year is Water Stewardship, with the slogan “Just One Drop” – PRICELESS.” The organizers are inviting vendors and organizations to display their environmentally friendly products and ideas to MSFC employees.

Sci-Quest

Saturday, April 18, 10:00am-2:00pm. 102-D Wynn Drive

Ever wonder how solar power actually works? Want to know your carbon footprint? What exactly is biodiesel? Find out the answers to these & other questions about recycling, alternative energy & other activities that protect our planet. www.sci-quest.org (256) 837-0606

Decatur

Wheeler Wildlife Refuge

Saturday, April 18, 9:00am

Clean and Learn Event – Wildflower Identification

Celebrate Earth Day with us as we explore this bottomland hardwood trail along Flint Creek. We’ll clean up the area then hike the trail to discover the spring wildflowers. Meet at the Visitor’s Center off Hwy 67 east of Decatur. (256) 350-6639.

Collinsville

A View From Earth, 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration at DreamField Outdoor Theatre

Saturday, Apr 25,12:00pm 600 County Road 209

Collinsville, AL - Directions

Great Bands--all day concert! Puppet show and activities for kids early in the day--and we'll rock out at night! Educational Speakers--vendors--all about GOING GREEN and what we each can do! It is outdoors, so bring blankets, chairs and umbrellas in case of rain. Fundraiser for Tigers for Tomorrow Exotic Animal Preserve and Park.

Shoals

http://www.earthday.shoalsonline.com/index.html or 256-740-4141, 256-767-2909 for more information

North Alabama Biodiesel 
Saturday, April 18, 10:00am-3:00pm , Florence Industrial Park. Open House hosted by owner Jeremy Rogers who will lead tours of the plant and explain the process and benefits of converting waste oils and fats into biodiesel fuel. Live entertainment and refreshments served.

Betty Martin Memorial Earth Month Concert

Saturday, April 18, 7:00pm
An Evening of Acoustic Music with Jim and Inge Wood. This family uses solar photovoltaic on their rural farm and will share pointers on using solar power in the home.

Showing of KilowattOurs
Tuesday, April 21, 6:30:30pm
University of North Alabama, Wesleyan Hall Auditorium, North Wood Avenue, Florence

Family Fun Walk & Earth Day Dedication

Friday, April 24, 5:30pm

Officials meet on the Old Railroad Bridge between Florence and Sheffield, acknowledging that the entire area benefits from efforts to save the environment. Bring light picnic and drinks. Dogs welcome!

The Shoals Earth Day Fest 2009

Saturday, April 25, 11:00am-6:00pm,Wilson Park, Florence

Live music, local eco-artists and artisans, children’s tent and activities, displays and vendors from Colbert , Lauderdale and surrounding areas representing the TVA GreenPower, Generation Partners, Pickwick Watershed Team, businesses, hybrid cars, city departments, schools, civic groups and environmental advocacy groups.
Solar Home Tour
Sunday, April 26, 1:00pm
Southern Family Market,990 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence

Meet in parking lot to caravan to the Kalmer and Davis homes. This trip is about 30 minutes north into rural Tenneessee where two very different solar applications can be studied - an earth sheltered, passive solar house and a house that uses the sun's energy to produce electricity using photovoltaic panels. The owners will lead the tour and be available to share their solar know-how.
Call 767-2909 for more information

- The Editor

North Alabama Chapter of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society Forms

The Alabama Hiking Trail Society began in south Alabama in 2001 with the intent of building trails to connect the Florida National Scenic Trail on the Alabama-Florida state line in the Conecuh National Forest to the Pinhoti Trail, with the eventual goal of connecting to the Appalachian Trail. Since then, chapters have formed in the Shoals, the Mobile Bay area and in Birmingham and Montgomery, and trails have been planned and are under construction on both the eastern and western sides of the state. However until recently there were no plans for trails in the north central and northeastern sections of the state.

     On March 19, a number of people met in the Gander Mountain meeting room to discuss the formation of a chapter of the Society in the Huntsville area. Plans were discussed for building more trails in the recently opened Walls of Jericho area which currently only has 10 miles of hiking trails. Long-range goals include a trail following the Tennessee River across the top of the state connecting to trails in the Shoals area. Many of the people present had years of experience planning and building trails in various parts of the country and the group was enthusiastic about getting started on building some new trails.

     The next meeting of the group will be on Thursday, May 21 when Chris Smith, the director of Forever Wild will speak to the group. For more information about the new chapter, contact Lucas Veverka, ljverv@yahoo.com.

     The Alabama Hiking Trail Society also leads hikes all over the state. For more information about the Society and their activities, go to http://www.hikealabama.org/

2009 ExCom Members

Chair   Mirko Rakigjija        772-8548

Vice-Chair   Judy Burley     883-4267

Treasurer Sam Denham     539-1033

Conservation Doug Horacek  772-6788

Fundraising Charlotte Buening 772-7348

Legislative   Charlie Cohen

Membership  Dave Kostowny 682-1233

Outings   Tom Burley          883-4267

Political chair  Joe Imhof    858-3626

Publicity Sandy Kiplinger    498-1023

Secretary  Linda Griffin      772-8653

Tuesday Hikes Nancy Dudney 882-9408

Newsletter  Jack Drost       880-2644

Web Page  Steven Baty    489-0990

North Alabama Sierra Club - Outings and Events Calendar

April – May 2009 

Hike Ratings

General Note: Saturday outings may take all day and last into early evening. The Sierra Club encourages carpooling to save fuel, but you should be prepared to drive your own car on club outings.

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 (1000 ft or more), trail may be rocky, obstructed or nonexistent.

Exploratory- event the leader has not experienced before, may fit any class.

Saturday, April 11 - Sharp/Bingham Mt. Preserve hike. Strenuous. Rain date April 12. Exploratory hike in Sharp/Bingham Mt. Preserve. Rated exploratory and strenuous. This new Nature Conservancy preserve, at the western edge of Paint Rock Valley, is about 3170 acres, on the order of the size of Monte Sano State Park; "There's not a house in sight!" The Sierra Club has been given permission for this hike by the Nature Conservancy and Horace Clemmons, who bought the property to preserve it, and sold it in 2004 to the Conservancy.  Horace still lives adjacent to the preserve and will let us cross his property to access the wilderness. This hike is rated strenuous because it is exploratory and will include a very steep 1200 ft climb over 1/2 mile. Bring lunch and water.  Meet at the Publix Hampton Cove at 8:15am. Call Sam Denham at 539-1033 (h) 961-0436 (w) for more information.

Tuesday, April 14, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Nancy Dudney, 882-9408.

Saturday, April 18 - Walls of Jericho hike, Strenuous. The Walls of Jericho is a large, bowl-shaped natural amphitheater that shoots water out of holes and cracks in the canyon wall during times of high water flow. This is a unique area that consists of more than 21,000 acres of rivers, forested uplands and caves spreading across the Alabama and Tennessee state line. This beautiful tract, which was once the hunting grounds of Davy Crockett, contains an extraordinarily diverse array of plants and animals. We will enter at the Tennessee trailhead and exit on the Alabama side with a side trip to the Mill Creek blowhole. The hike is approximately 10 miles with a 1000 feet elevation gain. Bring lunch and we will dine afterwards at a local restaurant.  Meet at 8:30 am at the Publix in Hampton Cove.  Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net

Sunday, April 19  - The Out of Hibernation series continues.  Moderate, slow pace. Meet at 12:30pm at the Hiker's Parking lot, on Monte Sano Mountain, for a leisurely paced hike into the Hollow. Bring water, snacks, bug spray and good hiking gear. Rain cancels.  Sandy Kiplinger, sandykip@juno.com

Tuesday, April 21, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Ken Shrider, 772-9442.

Thursday, April 23  – Excom meeting 5:30pm. Mirko Rakigjija, 772-8548.

Fri-Sun, Apr 24-26 - Silver Comet Bike Trip. Moderate. The Silver Comet is a paved rails-to-trail running 60 miles from the AL/GA border to Smyrna, GA. Highlights include a tunnel and a 700 ft long, 100 ft high trestle. Depart Friday at 7:00am and set up camp near the trail (campground has restrooms & showers). Or make your own arrangements for a nearby motel. We will bike 45 miles on Friday and 75 miles Saturday, Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net

Saturday, April 25 -Return to Guntersville State Park. Moderate, slow pace. This is the upper half of the map hike.  We will hike 7 - 8 miles at a leisurely pace.  Meet at the Wal-Mart parking lot (by the gas station), 11610 South Memorial Pkwy, at 9:00am.  Bring lunch, snacks, water, hiking gear and bug spray. Contact Sandy Kiplinger, sandykip@juno.com or Charlie Cohen at 837-3622 (home) or 961-7901 (work).

Tuesday, April 28, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Michael Stewart, 656-5836.

Saturday, May 2 - Sharp Mt. hike. Strenuous. Rain date May 3. Hike over Sharp Mountain from Sharp's Cove (the Cade's Cove of Madison County) to The Nature Conservancy's Calloway Sinks in Jackson County.  We'll start at the home of Sierra Club member Steve Jackson at the foot of Sharp Mt. Steve will cook breakfast for us before we start the climb. The hike will be about 8 to 9 miles round trip, 6 hours, 1000ft climb, then 700 ft descent, then 700ft ascent, then 1000ft descent, much off trail. Since the Preserve is a sensitive area for flora and fauna, dogs must be on leash.  Leader approval required, limited to 12 people.  Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).

Sunday, May 3 - Hibernator's hike; the other side of the mountain. Moderate.  Meet at 12:30pm at the Land Trust Parking lot, (Bankhead Parkway, Hsv).  Bring water, snacks, bug spray and good hiking gear. Rain cancels.  Sandy Kiplinger, sandykip@juno.com.

Tuesday, May 5, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot Charlotte, Buening, 772-7348.

Saturday, May 9 - A Mother's Day Special. Easy. In 1864, after witnessing the Battle of Franklin, TN,  the Carnton Antebellum home was converted into a field hospital for wounded and dying Confederate soldiers.  The owners, John and Carrie McGavock, later designated two acres as the final resting place for 1500 soldiers who had fought in that battle.  After touring the home and grounds, we'll explore Werner Park in Nashville, and time permitting, check out one of their trails.  A firm commitment is required by April 24. The admission is $12.00 and may be reduced given enough participants.  Bring lunch, water, snacks, comfortable hiking shoes and admission fee. Optional dinner afterward.  For more info, contact Sandy Kiplinger at sandykip@juno.com.

Tuesday, May 12, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Judy Burley, 883-4267. 

Newsletter Labeling

Wednesday, May 13, 5:30pm. Stanlieo’s Sub Villa, corner of Monroe St. and Governor’s Dr. Liz, 461-5819.

Sunday, May 17 - Rainbow Mountain wildflower hike. Easy. We will be in search of Carolina Larkspur. Meet at 2:00pm at the Rainbow Mountain trail head by the water tower at the top of the mountain. Bring water and sturdy hiking boots. Call Doug Horacek at 772-6788 for more information.

Tuesday, May 19, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Randy May, 687-7558. 

Monday, May 25- Memorial Day Lake party.  Carter Mt, Tennessee. Bring lunch, water, drinks, etc. for picnic lunch around 12:30. Gas grill available. There are paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, swimming, and an optional 5 to 6 mile easy hike at 1:30 pm.  Arrive anytime after 11:00am. Directions from Huntsville.  Take Winchester Road (from North Memorial Pkwy) to Huntland, Tennessee, turn left at stop sign, go about 2 miles and turn right at next stop sign onto 4 lane highway 64, follow until you go UNDER an overpass and then take next right onto highway 16, go approximately 10 miles and turn left onto Jehovah Jireh Lane between mile markers 22 and 23 on hwy 16, follow paved road to lake.  For more information, call Joette (256) 776-3551 before Monday May 25th. 

Saturday, May 30 - Borden Creek/Big Tree hike. Strenuous.  This 14 mile hike is in the Sipsey Wilderness and we will begin at the Borden Creek Bridge hiking up the old logging road and down to the Big Tree. We continue along the Sipsey River to the intersection with Borden Creek and return to the trailhead. Bring lunch and we will dine afterwards at a local restaurant.  Meet at the Cracker Barrel in Madison at 8:00am, or 7:00am if you want to join us for breakfast. An optional meeting place is at the Warrior Mountain Trading Post in Wren at 9:00am, but call or email me before Saturday if you plan on meeting there so we will know to expect you. Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net

Sunday, June 14 - Honeysuckle Elimination. Meet at 2:00pm at the Land Trust across from Fagan Spring Apartments. I will bring water, loppers and gloves, but bring your own tools if you have them. Call Doug Horacek at 772-6788 for more information.

Thu-Sun, June 18-21 - Max Patch to Hot Springs Backpack. Strenuous.  This is a 20-mile backpack with significant elevation changes over two days.  We will depart on Thursday at 8:00 a.m. arriving in Hot Springs around 3:00 p.m. and take a shuttle to Max Patch.  It is a gentle climb across the southernmost bald on the AT and abounds with wildflowers that is reminiscent of the opening scene from the Sound of Music. We will spend Saturday night at the Hot Springs Campground on the French Broad River with a one-hour soak in the mineral hot springs.  The cost will be approximately $30 per person to cover shuttle, campsite, and hot tub and must be paid in advance.  Group size will be limited to a maximum of eight and participants must commit by June 1.  For further information contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net

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.

Nature Wanderers

Sunday, April 19 - Bike ride at Shiloh Battleground, TN. 9:00am. Will ride at leisurely pace thru the battle grounds, stopping at will for monument study, pictures, lunch.  Aprrox 20 miles, mostly on road, but will venture off road a bit.  Plan to carry lunch and drinks with you.

Meet 9am at Decatur Library, 6th ave.  May be able to carpool.  For more info, call Lee Hollingsworth, 461-5901 (wk) or 520-6659 (hm)

Saturday, April 25 - Hike Sipsey Wilderness.  9:00am. Coordinated hike with Wild South.  Meet 9am at Wren trading post (Marathon gas/convenience store).  For More info, call Ted Kuzma, 256.974.7771

Saturday, May 2 - North Caney off trail hike. Meet 9:00am at the Trading Post in Wren. Rated moderate with one fairly steep climb.  Unusual, but tried and true hike, hopefully with a couple of cascades, a multi step fall, and a high fall.  2 1/2 miles. Bring snacks, lunch, and water.  Shoes with good ankle support preferred.  HIke at your own risk.  Doug Felton  256 830 2271   feltond@knology.net 

Saturday, May 30 - Hike Sipsey Wilderness. Coordinated hike with Wild South.  Meet 9:00am at Wren trading post (Marathon gas/convenience store).  For More info, call Ted Kuzma, 256.974.7771

Alabama Trails Association

www.alabamatrailsasso.org

Pinhoti Trail Construction The third Saturday of each month.  Contact Phillip Alexander trailtuner@earthlink.net

Sierra Cahaba Group

www.alabama.sierraclub.org/cahaba

Saturday, April 18. Pinhoti Trail dayhike (Challenge Hike). This month, we’ll hike the 7.0 mile section from FS531 near the Lower Shoals Shelter to the Pine Glen campground. This section is known for its wildflowers, which should be in their prime! Rated moderately difficult. Make sure to bring a camera. Hiking boots a necessity. Bring plenty of water and a picnic lunch. Optional dinner afterwards. Call or e-mail for meeting place and time. Jay Hudson, 205-907-6879, jay_hudson@bellsouth.net.

Shoals Environmental Alliance

www.shoalsenvironalliance.netfirms.com

Saturday, April 18 - Wildflower Hike, Shoal Creek Preserve.  10:00am. Led by John Grinstead & Charles Rose. White Trillium, Yellow Mandarin, Virginia Bluebell, Fairy Wand, Green Dragon, Mountain Laurel, Wild Ginger, Squaw Root. (256) 366-1937.
Directions: From Cox Creek Pkwy. in Florence, take Old Jackson Hwy. (CR 47) to St. Florian. Turn left on Butler Creek Rd. (CR 61) & go 3 miles. Turn right at Shoal Creek Preserve sign to the parking lot.
Sat-Sun, April 18-19 - Sipsey Wilderness Backpacking Trip. Led by Norma Glascock for Alabama Outdoors. Call AO at (256) 764-1809 for details and registration.
Sunday, April 19 - Wildflower Hike, Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve.
1:30pm. Led by Charles Rose (256-366-1937) & Tim Martin for Alabama Outdoors (256-764-1809). Cane Creek hosts Ala.’s only known population of the rare French’s Shooting Star! See Dwarf Crested Iris, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Showy Orchis, Fire Pink, Eastern Blue Star, Native Azalea & Yellow Lady’s Slipper. Canyons, scenic vistas, shelter bluffs & waterfalls!

Friday, April 24 - Earth Day Ceremony, Old Railroad Bridge, Sheffield (north end of Ashe Blvd.).

5:30pm - Earth Day Ceremony - Call (256) 767-2909.

6:00pm - Family Fun Walk led by Summer McCreless for Alabama Outdoors (256) 764-1809.

Saturday, April 25 - Earth Day Celebration, Wilson Park,  Florence. 11:00am-6:00pm. Music, environmental exhibits, kid’s activities, art. More info: 256-767-2909 or http://shoalsearth.com

Sunday, April 26 - Wildflower Hike, Borden Creek to Fall Creek Falls, Sipsey Wilderness. Group size limited: call leader Charles Rose (256) 366-1937 to register. Meet 9am-Jack’s, Woodward Av., Muscle Shoals or 10am-Warrior Mtn. Trading Co., AL-33, south of Moulton. Moderate, 6-miles. Take lunch-water-snacks. Wear sturdy footwear.
Saturday, May 2 - Spring Birding Walk, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation. Led by our State Malacologist Jeff Garner  for Alabama Outdoors. Registration required: call (256) 764-1809. Meet 8:00am, in front of the restrooms at the TVA Nature Trails parking lot. Bring binoculars, water and snacks.
Saturday, May 2 - Wildflower Saturday at Desoto State Park. DSP’s 17th annual wildflower day features 3 different, short hikes; it’s possible to do them all. To carpool, meet 6am at Alabama Outdoors (call 764-1809 to register), or join us later. Optional buffet & program. http://www.desotostatepark.com
Sunday, May 3, 1:30pm --- Nature Hike, Shoal Creek Preserve. Led by UNA’s Dr. Paul Davison, our expert on “all things small”. Learn about Mosses, lichens, leaf litter arthropods & stream invertebrates. They’re cool! Great event for the whole family. Call (256) 366-1937.
Saturday, May 9, 8:00am - Birding for Spring Migrants, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation.  Led by UNA's Dr. Tom Haggerty for Shoals Audubon. Meet in the first parking lot at the TVA Nature Trails. (256) 765-4432.
Sunday, May 10 --- Wildflower Hike, Devil’s Racetrack at Wade Mountain Preserve.  Meet 11:00am-Florence K-Mart parking lot (by Wachovia Bank). Led by Doug Horacek for Huntsville Wildflower Society. Expect to see American Columbo, which blooms only once in 7 years! (256) 366-1937.
Saturday, May 16 --- Big Tree Hike, Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest. Sponsored by Alabama Outdoors. Group size is limited: call (256) 764-1809 to register. Led by Charles Rose & Bill Zuelke. Meet 8am-Alabama Outdoors, or 9am-trailhead. Choose 5 or 9 mile route. Strenuous, creek crossings. Take lunch-water-snacks.

South Cumberland State Recreation Area www.friendsofscsra.org

Saturday, April 18 - Buggy Top Cave Program. 1:00pm. Discover the strange but beautiful world blow the surface of the park. Come to the Carter State Natural Area parking lot for this strenuous five-mile round trip hike. Bring two sources of light, long pants, boots, water and a light snack. Seasonal intern Airen will be your interpreter on this informative nature program.
Sunday, April 19 - Buggytop Cave Program. 11:00am.  Discover the strange but beautiful world below the surface of the park. Come to the Carter State Natural Area parking lot for this strenuous five-mile round trip hike. Bring two sources of light, long pants, boots, water and a light snack. Ranger Jason will be your interpreter on this informative nature program.

Savage Gulf Slide Show. 2:00pm. Join Ranger George for a relaxing end to Natural Areas Week with an informative slideshow on the Stone Door/Savage Gulf Area. This area is full of natural and historical significance.

Saturday, April 25, 2009 Spring Volunteer Workday. 10:00am at Stone Door. In the morning, we will have a number of projects assigned to us by the Ranger (some of the activities include trash pick-up and digging out water bars.) A picnic lunch will be served. In the afternoon, one or two ranger-led activities will be planned.  Please contact Peggy Cregor by April 20 if you will be able to join us. 931-692-6289

pcregor@cregoradventures.com

Sunday, April 26 - Collins Gulf Wildflower Hike. 10:00am. Friends Board Member and wildflower expert, Mary Priestley, will lead a wildflower hike into Collins Gulf.  The hike will depart from the Collins West parking lot at 10:00 am.  Bring your camera!
Meadow Trail Hike. 2:00pm. Meet Ranger Brent at the Visitor Center parking lot for an easy 2-mile stroll around our Meadow Trail.