North Alabama Sierra Group July 2009
Tuesday Night Mountain Hikes 6:00pm
Tuesday Evening hikes leave at 6:00pm from the Monte Sano State Park Hiker's Parking Lot. There is a small hiker fee. We usually walk 3 - 4 miles to different locations on each hike. Although not strenuous, all hikes are vigorous. All dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and while on the trail. Contact: Michael Stewart at 656-5836 or athikerstew@yahoo.com
Cookout and Hike on Monte Sano
For the July 16th general meeting we will meet at 6:00 pm at the overlook in the Monte Sano State Park picnic area for a cookout followed by an optional hike on the mountain at 6:30 pm. The Sierra Club will supply hamburgers, hot dogs, buns and fixings and the grill of course. So bring something to drink, maybe some chips or a side dish or dessert to contribute and come relax on the mountain.
The overlook is at the south end of the Monte Sano State Park picnic area. From the picnic area parking lot, walk past the large pavilion through the trees until you come to the stone wall at the overlook. Remember to bring $3.00 for entrance to the park.
The August meeting will be the annual pool party at the Monte Sano pool, Thursday, August 20.
- the Editor
Alabama Rivers Book Signing
One of Alabama's most accomplished nature photographers, Beth Maynor Young, will be at the Monte Sano Lodge for a book signing for her new book "Headwaters: a Journey on Alabama's Rivers." With 155 full-color photographs, this book shows the incredible beauty of the rivers right here in Alabama. Prints, notecards, a limited edition portfolio, and of course books will be for sale and for Beth to sign. The event is being sponsored by the Flint River Conservation Association.
Beth will give a lecture about Alabama rivers and streams, then there will be time for all to mingle and enjoy the photos. The book signing will be at the Monte Sano Lodge, Thursday, July 16 at 7:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information about Beth Young, including samples of her photographs, visit www.bethyoung.net.
The Flint River Conservation Association (FRCA) is a group of concerned residents, landowners, and recreational users who are working to conserve and improve the water quality, natural resources, and scenic beauty of the Flint River watershed in north Alabama and south central Tennessee. For more information, go to their website http://www.flintriverconservation.org/ or call Jennifer Pinkley at 256-714-79870.
- Jennifer Pinkley
New Tennessee Valley Chapter of the AHTS
The new chapter of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society met in June at Gander Mountain and selected "Tennessee Valley Chapter" as the official chapter name of the Huntsville and Northeast Alabama based chapter. The members also discussed details of the upcoming trail work day in the Walls of Jericho set up a hike for late July.
The main event was the presentation by Andy Prewett, the land manager for The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama. Andy gave a history of the Land Trust and touched on the properties and hiking opportunities that the Land Trust provides. It was a very informative and encouraging presentation. It was great to see what people are already doing in our part of the state. Participants will be enjoying some of these lands in the July hike.
The next meeting of the new AHTS chapter will be July 28th at 7:00pm in the Gander Mountain meeting room on North Parkway in Huntsville. Everyone is invited to attend. The members of the AHTS devote their time to helping maintain existing trails and building new ones. If you do a lot of hiking in Alabama and appreciate the great trails that we have available to us in this state, please consider devoting some time and energy to give back a little. Some of the work is hard but even if you just move a few shovels full of dirt you are helping out.
For more information about the new chapter, check out the
AHTS web site or contact Lucas Veverka, the new chapter leader at 612-709-4431,
or ljverv@yahoo.com.
http://www.hikealabama.org/newseventsmedia.html
- the Editor
New Members Wanted!
Checks ($25.00) should be mailed to:
David Kostowny
116 Pebblebrook Circle, Madison, AL 35758.
Phone: 325-2296. E-mail: daverave@knology.net
Join the Sierra Club or Renew your Membership for $25
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Awe and Advocacy in the Tennessee Forest
When Congress acts to designate new National Forest areas as wilderness, local economic, political and ecological issues come into play. But what if spiritual values also influenced advocacy and decision making? That is what a small group of Episcopalians asked themselves as they set out on a wilderness retreat held June 4 to 7 in the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area of the Cherokee National Forest in southeast Tennessee, just south of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Guided by Jeff Hunter of the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, the group hiked two miles in along the Bald River to a base camp. From there they explored some of the trails in the 9,912 acres of the study area that's under consideration for designation as a wilderness area in the heart of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Many feel it is important to act now on a wilderness designation, since it has been almost a century since the area has been logged and there are many valuable trees here, particularly poplars, which are used for furniture and construction.
Bob Marshall, co-founder of Christians for the Mountains, together with Fred Krueger of the interfaith Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation, led conversations on the spiritual reasons for designating the area as wilderness. Next steps for the participants will be to publish a statement, to be titled "God's Gift of a Beautiful and Bountiful Land." The statement will first be used to raise awareness of the value to religious congregations of the Bald River area and of wilderness generally. As endorsements are gathered from a broad range of Christian individuals and groups, the statement will become the foundation for advocacy in the public policy arena.
The key to advocacy, feels Jeff Rossini, volunteer webmaster for the Diocese of Tennessee's Living in Creation ministry, is education. His experience as a communication professional leads him to believe that the public often is not aware of conservation initiatives. "Faith communities can be a fantastic jumping block for that education to spread," he said. Hunter hopes that more groups will visit the Cherokee National Forest and see the blessing of wild public lands for themselves.
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 837-3622
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 Michael Stewart 656-5836
Newsletter Jack Drost 880-2644
Web Page Steven Baty 489-0990
North Alabama Sierra Club - Outings and Events Calendar
June - July 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, July 11 - Keith Trail hike on Monte Sano. Moderate. We will be going through the Sinks, the Stone Cuts, Logan's Point, and the Supercuts. We will see wildflowers and geologic formations. It should be a fun summer day on the trail. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot at 10:00am. Bring snacks, plenty of water and wear sturdy boots. For more information call Doug Horacek at 772-6788.
Tuesday, July 14, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Alan Greene, 534-7849.
Saturday, July 18 - Sewanee Dayhike. Strenuous. 13 mile hike of the northwest and southwest sections of the 21 mile Perimeter Trail around the Sewanee Domain. The trail features beautiful overlooks and interesting geological formations. The southwest section features Elliot, Otey, Polk, and Armfield Bluff. This northwest section features Rutledge, Cherry, and Dotson points plus the forestry cabin. This is one of two hikes to complete the entire perimeter trail. Strenuous due to length of hike. Bring lunch and plenty of water. Optional dinner afterwards. Meet at the Publix on Winchester Road at 8:30am. Contact Tom Burley at883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net
Tuesday, July 21, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Gerdi Keyser, 922-2251.
Thursday, July 23 – Excom meeting 5:30pm. Mirko Rakigjija, 772-8548.
Saturday, July 25- Sewanee Dayhike. Strenuous. This approximately 11 mile hike is the east section of the 21 mile Perimeter Trail which follows the perimeter of the Sewanee Domain. The perimeter trail features beautiful overlooks and interesting geological formations. This section features Morgan's Steep, the Memorial Cross, and Shakerag Hollow. This hike completes the entire Perimeter Trail. Strenuous due to length. Bring lunch and plenty of water. Optional dinner afterwards. Meet at the Publix on Winchester Road at 8:30am. Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net
Tuesday, July 28, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Nancy Dudney, 882-9408.
Saturday, Aug 1 - Little River Canyon Rockhop. Strenuous. Two separate hikes: Wolf Creek and the mile below Hwy 35. We will be hiking rockhopping and swimming. Bring lunch, water, sunscreen, hat, and be ready to get wet. Meet at the Publix in Hampton Cove at 8:30am. Sam Denham, 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).
Tuesday, Aug 4, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Ken Shrider, 772-9442.
Saturday, Aug 8 - Fiery Gizzard hike. Strenuous. Perhaps one of the most diverse and beautiful trails in Tennessee the terrain is steep and extremely rocky. We will follow the Fiery Gizzard passing the 500-year-old hemlock, Blue Hole Falls, Sycamore Falls, and the Fruit Bowl rock formation before beginning our arduous climb to Raven Point a spectacular overlook and return via the Doghole Trail. The hike is about ten miles and definitely strenuous. Bring lunch and water and we will dine afterwards at a local restaurant. Meet at 9:00am at the Publix on Winchester Road. Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net
Tuesday, Aug 11, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Michael Stewart, 656-5836.
Newsletter Labeling
Wednesday, Aug 12, 5:30pm. Stanlieo’s Sub Villa, corner of Monroe St. Governors Dr. Contact Jack, drostj@bellsouth.net.
Saturday, Aug 15 - Spider Lily Walk. Moderate. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's parking lot at 9:00am. We will walk the Mountain Mist and Sinks trails looking for Spider Lilies and other late summer flowers. Bring water and sturdy hiking boots. Call Doug Horacek for more information at 772-6788.
Tuesday, Aug 18, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Charlotte Buening, 772-7348.
Saturday, Aug 22 - Water Falls & Swimming Holes. Moderate. The South Cumberland Recreation Area is located near Tracy City, TN, and has several beautiful waterfalls and hiking areas. We'll explore the Grundy Forest Area and Blue Hole Falls. A short drive away is the Foster Falls Small Wild Area where we'll hike and enjoy Foster Falls. Picnic areas and restrooms are located at each trailhead. Total hiking mileage for the day should be around 5 miles. Swimming is allowed at the waterfalls so come prepared to hike and cool off in the water. Bring lunch, water, appropriate footwear, towel, and sun protection. Rated moderate due to rocks in and around waterfalls. Meet at 9:00am at the Publix in Hampton Cove on Hwy 431. Contact Michael Stewart at 256-656-5836 or athikerstew@yahoo.com
Tuesday, Aug 25, 6:00pm - Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. 3-4 mile hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker’s parking lot. Judy Burley, 883-4267.