December 2021 Activitites

 

DECEMBER 4, SATURDAY, Meet 9:15 a.m.

Moderate Dayhike

Porter’s Gap on the Pinhoti Trail              

 

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Details: The Pinhoti is Alabama's long distance trail. The existing trail runs approximately 139 miles from the Tramel trailhead near Sylacauga to the High Rocks trailhead east of Piedmont near the Georgia line.

We plan to hike a rather tame portion of the Pinhoti to the east of Talladega County's Porter’s Gap. We'll climb through pretty Alabama hardwoods on a gentle trail for an elevation gain of about 600 feet over almost 2 miles. Gaining the ridge top we'll be in interesting rock formations with partially obscured views off the Talladega Mountain Ridge to the north and Shin Bone Ridge and Lizard Scrape Mountain to the south. We will eat lunch there. We will return the same way we came up. 

Please bring water and your picnic lunch with you.

Optional restaurant dinner after the hike. 

Please meet 9:15 a.m. at the Leeds Highway 78 gravel parking lot.  We plan to depart from there at 9:30 a.m.  Bring a friend or friends.

Information and Hike Leader: Francis Rushton, 205/290-5557 or email ferushton@gmail.com

 

decEmber 5, SUNDAY, 1:45 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Dayhike on the Montevallo Parks Trail

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Details: Enjoy an easy 4-mile hike on a trail in Montevallo.  The main trail is two miles one way and goes through parks, by two picturesque, flowing streams, and around a beautiful University-owned lake in a wooded park.  Total hiking distance is about four miles. 

        This walk will be Southeastern Outings’ tenth or so hike on the Montevallo Parks trail.  Come with us for a guided tour of an easily walkable trail.  Please bring plenty of water and wear good walking shoes or boots. Dress appropriately for the weather.

Meet 1:45 p.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria.  We plan to depart from there at 2:00 p.m. or you may meet the group at 2:45 p.m. at the parking lot beside the larger bridge over Shoal Creek which is the wide creek that flows through Orr Park between the ball fields and the open recreational area in the park in Montevallo.  The bridge is right beside the parking lot along the creek at the back of the ball fields.  Please email Dan Frederick at the email address below if you would like driving directions from Hoover to Orr Park sent to you before the hike.

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and over able to complete the hike welcome.

Admission to Trail and Park: Free

Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680

 

 DECEMBER 8, WEDNESDAY, Meet 9:15 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Weekday Hike

Where: The new Shoal Creek Park, Montevallo, Alabama

 

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Details: A pleasant 3-mile hike through fields and woods on a well developed loop of trails through Montevallo's newest park.

Southeastern Outings has planned an easy, approximately 3-mile hike in the new Shoal Creek Park in Montevallo.  On October 30, 2018, ten people participated in an SEO scouting trip and we were delighted at what we found.  On December 8, 2021 we’ll ramble through fields, along creeks and through riverine forestland.  Easy walking.  Extra credit trip to Ebenezer Swamp boardwalk for those who prefer a little extra distance.  The total hiking distance if you hike in both places is about 3.5 miles. 

This 167-acre park has some new trails (2.1 miles and 1.6 miles) already constructed and some less developed trails which we will also hike.  One trail does follow Shoal Creek for some distance.

The park is located on both sides of Shoal Creek about 2 miles upstream from Orr Park where we have begun our past hikes on the Montevallo Parks Trail.  The park’s location is 1.1 miles south of American Village on AL Highway 119 in Montevallo.

The restrooms in the park are now completely constructed and open for your use.

Please bring your picnic lunch, water, and a hiking pole or two with you. 

Please meet at 9:45 a.m. in the parking lot behind the McDonald’s on U.S. Highway 31 at the Riverchase Galleria.  We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m. 

Admission to the park is free!

Information and Hike Leader: Francis Rushton, 205/290-5557 or ferushton@gmail.com

 

DECEMBER 11, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Moderately Strenuous Dayhike on the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail System at Lake Martin, near Alexander City, Alabama

 

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Details: Located on the banks of Lake Martin, Alabama’s largest and allegedly most beautiful lake, the area offers linked loop trails.  Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trails are among the most scenic and diverse hiking trails in Alabama.  The trails skirt the shoreline of beautiful Lake Martin, a 40,000-acre, 700-mile-shoreline lake.  Other areas of the trails are high rocky ridges and bluffs, some with vistas of 6 to 8 miles overlooking Kowaliga Bay, Chimney Rock, and others along rocky shoal creeks, and rippling brooks.  The trails are routed through a variety of flora and fauna.  There are high rocky ridges with mountain long leaf pine, mountain laurel, low and high bush blueberry, and lush hardwood forests that include redbud, sourwood, dogwood, native azalea, umbrella and big leaf magnolia.  Large thickets of Catawba Rhododendron are numerous.  Deer, turkey and numerous bird species, including bald eagles, can be seen along the trail. 

The trails are built to blend into nature, free of bicycles, motorized vehicles, horses or other pack animals.  All trails are built on Alabama Power Company land that is set aside as naturally undeveloped. 

The trails are well-marked and maintained, the terrain is varied, and the scenery on a clear day is spectacular.  We will hike about 4 miles.  We will see longleaf pine and mixed hardwood forests, open airy sections, and other trail sections under fuller forest canopy.  We also will see pristine lake views, boats, birds, boulders and deer tracks. 

Please wear hiking boots!  Please meet 8:45 a.m. at Publix in the Village at Lee Branch in Greystone.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.

        Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age ten and over welcome.

Optional restaurant dinner after.

Information and Hike Leader: Dan Frederick, email seoutings@bellsouth.net or phone 205/631-4680

 

DECEMBER 12, SUNDAY, Meet 12:45 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Second Sunday Dayhike in Oak Mountain State Park

 

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Details: Enjoy a moderate 4-mile walk in the woodlands near Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon.  This is an excellent outing for introducing your friends to Southeastern Outings and for making new friends who enjoy the outdoors.  Parts of this hike may be off the color-coded trails.  There will be some ups and downs.  

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age eight and up able to walk the distance of about 4 miles and complete the hike are welcome. 

Share an adventure!  Bring a friend.  Optional dinner after the hike. 

Please meet at 12:45 p.m. in the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot.  We plan to depart from there at 1:00 p.m.

Please bring $5/person ($2.00 seniors) park admission fee plus your drink.

Info: Randall Adkins, 205-317-6969

 

DECEMBER 26, SUNDAY, Meet 1:45 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Easy Walk

Where: Vulcan Trail inside the City Limits of Birmingham

 

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Details: Enjoy an easy walk in the woodlands overlooking Birmingham on the day after Christmas.  The trail is level, as it is on an old mining railroad right of way just below the crest of Red Mountain.  This walk is an ideal activity for those Christmas guests who have been in your house for several days and with whom you are looking for something to do to get them out of the house.  A previous walk on this trail drew one of the highest number of participants, 67, on any outing SEO has ever sponsored.  Don’t miss it!

Please meet at 1:45 p.m. in the Vulcan Park and Museum Parking Lot where you would normally park to visit the statue and Vulcan Park.  We plan to depart from there at 2:00 p.m.  We will walk from the big parking lot a short distance down some new stairs to the trail head and then on the trail to Green Springs Highway and back.  The formerly unpaved section of the Vulcan Trail has recently been widened and resurfaced. 

There is no charge to participate in this hike and there is no charge for admission to either Vulcan Park or the trail.

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and older able to walk 4 miles welcome.  After the walk is completed, there will be an optional dinner at Jim 'N Nick's 11th Avenue Grill at Five Points South.  

Share an adventure.  Bring a friend or friends.

Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680

 

November 2021 Activities

 

NOVEMBER 3, WEDNESDAY, Meet 9:00 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Weekday Hike

Red Mountain Park

Please Note-All participants on this hike shall have made a good faith attempt to be vaccinated against the Covid 19 virus provided that the vaccine is available to them.

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Details:  This will be a moderately strenuous loop hike of about 4.5 miles in Red Mountain Park beginning at the Park’s Jones Valley parking lot on Venice Road on the north side of Red Mountain. We plan to use a combination of the 12, 16 and 17 trails to loop up and down through beautiful hardwood forests, past mine ruins, down old railway rights of way and across mine tailings. 

Would it excite you to hear that Birmingham has secured a recreational, public park space of 1,400+ acres—an area twice as large as New York's Central Park?  Could you, your friends and family find a use for more than 18 miles of new hiking and biking trails, open fields and picnic areas, all within 15 minutes of downtown Birmingham? 

In March, 2012 The Red Mountain Park Commission opened the eastern section of this park to the public, offering folks a chance to walk the property and get a feel for the location and scale of the land.

This will be Southeastern Outings’ twenty-second hike in the Park.  Please come with us for a 3-4 hour hike on a walkable portion of this noteworthy place.  Hike rated moderately strenuous since it is a fairly long hike and there are some hills to climb.  This is one of the largest city parks in the United States!  For considerably more information about the park, please visit the park’s website:

 http://www.redmountainpark.org.

 Please bring plenty of water to drink and wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking 4.5 miles.  Dress appropriately for the weather.  We expect to complete the hike about lunch time.        

For those who would like to enjoy lunch with their fellow hikers, you may join the group for lunch at the Subway sandwich restaurant on Lakeshore Parkway on the drive back.       

Please meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Jones Valley parking lot for Red Mountain Park, 2109 Venice Road, Birmingham, Alabama.   We plan to depart from there at 9:15 a.m.

 Information and Trip Leader: Francis Rushton, 205/290-5557 or email ferushton@gmail.com

 

NOVEMBER 6, SATURDAY, 9:00 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Weekday Hike

Where: Pinhoti Trail from Pine Glen Campground to Sweetwater Lake

Please Note-All participants on this hike shall have made a good faith attempt to be vaccinated against the Covid 19 virus provided that the vaccine is available to them.

 Details: This will be a more ambitious weekday hike for Southeastern Outings.  Beginning at Pine Glen Campground, this 5.6-mile out-and-back hike, located near Heflin, Alabama, is mostly flat with Shoal Creek guiding your way over rolling hills to Sweetwater Lake, a large, pretty lake that makes a great place to hang out and relax before the walk back.

The trail is lovely and all along Shoal Creek.  For most of the way, the trail skirts Shoal Creek, and at 2.3 miles a bridge takes you over the seasonal stream.   After you walk another 0.3 miles, you’ll cross a dam spillway and skirt the left side of Sweetwater Lake.  At 2.8 miles, the path crosses a peninsula where a camping area provides the perfect place to hang out before the walk back.  The trail is good for all skill levels, is primarily used for hiking and is easily accessible.            

Optional dinner after the hike.                                                         Please meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Leeds Highway 78 gravel parking lot.  We plan to depart from there at 9:15 a.m.                                                  

Info. And Leader: Francis Rushton 205/290-5557 or ferushton@gmail.com

 

NOVEMBER 7, SUNDAY, Meet 1:45 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Moderate Dayhike Along Buck Creek in Helena, AL

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Details: Come explore the wilder side of Helena.  Hike with SEO on a lovely creekside trail in Helena in Shelby County.  Total hiking distance is less than four miles.  Hike rated moderately easy.  We will be walking briefly off trail and walking up some hills when the trail routes us away from the creek.  Well-behaved, properly supervised children age eight and up welcome. 

Please meet at 1:45 p.m. in the parking lot for the Helena City Park on AL Highway 261by the bridge over Buck Creek in Helena.  We plan to depart from there at 2:00 p.m.

Directions to Meeting Place: Take I-65 to Exit #247, the Shelby County Route 17, Valleydale Road exit.  Go to end of ramp and turn right regardless of whether you come from the south or the north.  Take Co. 17, which changes from Co. Route 17 to AL 261, all the way into Helena.  You will cross one railroad and then drive over a bridge with a dam and waterfall on the left.  Immediately past the bridge, turn sharply back to the right just before you cross a second railroad and then drive into the parking lot for a city park right on the shore of the creek.  Distances on Valleydale Road, (Shelby County Route 17) and then Alabama Route 261 from I-65 exit number 247 to driveway into Helena Park parking lot are 5.5 miles from bottom end of southbound ramp and 5.9 miles from bottom end of northbound ramp.

Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680

 

NOVEMBER 11, THURSDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Weekday Walk Very Near Birmingham

Where: Turkey Creek Nature Preserve near Pinson in Jefferson County, Alabama

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Details: You are invited to participate in a moderate but leisurely-paced, fun Southeastern Outings short dayhike in the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve near Pinson.  There will be some gradual climbing for a while at the beginning. 

Come walk with us through this heavily-wooded area.  We’ll hike on a new trail on which we have not hiked previously.  The trail extends through the woods from the parking lot at the main park gate.  Along the way we will stop to enjoy our lunches by a large creek with a beautiful, long, sloping waterfall in the middle of the preserve.  Total hiking distance is about 3.2 miles.  Please bring picnic lunch and drinking water with you.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve Main Gate parking lot on Turkey Creek Road.  We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.

Please note that this is a different parking lot from where we have always parked on all of our previous hikes in the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve.  Share an adventure.  Bring a friend or friends.

Info. and trip leader: Bonnie Black, 205-994-5434

 

NOVEMBER 13, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Dayhike, Turkey Foot and Borden Creeks, Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest

 

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Details: Enjoy an especially beautiful, moderate 3 ½ mile hike along Turkey Foot and Borden Creeks.  We will see several waterfalls on this trip.  There are always three fine waterfalls on the ¾ mile walk along Turkey Foot Creek and its tributary creek.  Please note that to facilitate going up or down the possibly slippery bank beside one of the Turkey Foot Creek tributary waterfalls we will provide hikers with the opportunity to use an assist rope.  You are not required to use the rope.  You will not be climbing a vertical cliff on a rope.  Your feet will always be on the ground.  It is just that having the rope gives you something solid straight in front of you to hold on to instead of scattered rocks and roots as you go up or down the short, about 20 foot distance.

After we hike to the end of Turkey Foot Creek, we’ll then walk beside the Sipsey Fork River a short distance to Borden Creek. Our hiking route then follows Borden Creek where we will see several additional waterfalls and admire the gorgeous cliffs.  Along Borden Creek the trail runs through a short, but very dark tunnel.  You can stand up through the entire length of the tunnel.  Please bring a small, bright flashlight with you to light your way through the tunnel.

        Optional dinner after.  Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 and older able and willing to walk 3 ½ miles without complaining are welcome.

Reservations Required: If you wish to participate in this outing, you are required to call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email your reservation to seoutings@bellsouth.net by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 12.  When you contact Dan, please be sure you leave either your phone number or email address.  This outing is currently limited to a total of 20 people.  We hope the limitation will not prove to be a problem.  We will add a second group and break up into two separate groups of up to a maximum of ten people each with its own separate leader in order to comply with U.S. Forest Service regulations.  The second group will visit all the same sites as the first group, but Group Two will be walking in the opposite direction from the first group.  In order to eliminate the need to take time to run two car shuttles at the start of the hike, the drivers from each group will exchange car keys when the two groups cross paths with each other on the trail.  People who sign up for this outing after the first twenty will be placed on a wait list.

At a later date principal leader (Dan Frederick) will advise meeting time and place to those who have signed up for this trip.  If you make a reservation with Dan to come on this trip and then for any reason decide later to not come on this outing, you are required to telephone Dan, 205/631-4680 right away. 

Information and Trip Leader of Group 1: Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net

 

NOVEMBER 14, SUNDAY, Meet 12:45 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Second Sunday Dayhike in Oak Mountain State Park

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Details: Enjoy a moderate 4-mile walk in the woodlands near Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon.  This is an excellent outing for introducing your friends to Southeastern Outings and for making new friends who enjoy the outdoors.  Parts of this hike may be off the color-coded trails.  There will be some ups and downs.  

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age eight and up able to walk the distance of about 4 miles and complete the hike are welcome. 

Share an adventure!  Bring a friend.  Optional dinner after the hike. 

Please meet at 12:45 p.m. in the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot.  We plan to depart from there at 1:00 p.m.

Please bring $5/person ($2.00 seniors) park admission fee plus your drink.

Info: Randall Adkins, 205-317-6969

 

NOVEMBER 20, SATURDAY, Meet 10:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Dayhike, Richard Martin Trail (previously named Limestone Rail Trail), Elkmont, Alabama

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Details: This trail is located in extreme North Alabama just to the west of I-65 and a few miles south of the Tennessee-Alabama border.  The hike is rated easy.  We will hike a total of 5.3 miles.  There is much lovely scenery along the path that was once a part of the Tennessee and Alabama Central Railroad. 

The trail winds through wetlands with wildlife and a great variety of birds.  On the trail you will pass the site of the Civil War Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle.          Please bring your picnic lunch and drink with you.

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 8 and over able to walk 6 miles without complaining are welcome.  Absolutely delicious optional dinner afterwards at Terranova’s Restaurant in Athens, Alabama.                         

Please meet 10:45 a.m. at the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride.  We plan to depart from there at 11:00 a.m.

Info: Randall Adkins, 205/317-6969

 

NOVEMBER 28, SUNDAY, Meet 1:45 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Easy Walk

Where: Vulcan Trail inside the City Limits of Birmingham

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Details: Enjoy an easy walk in the woodlands overlooking Birmingham on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  The trail is level, as it is on an old mining railroad right of way just below the crest of Red Mountain.  This walk is an ideal activity for those Thanksgiving guests who have been in your house for several days and with whom you are looking for something to do to get them out of the house.  A previous walk on this trail drew one of the highest number of participants, 67, on any outing SEO has ever sponsored.  Don’t miss it!

Please meet at 1:45 p.m. in the Vulcan Park and Museum Parking Lot where you would normally park to visit the statue and Vulcan Park.  We plan to depart from there at 2:00 p.m.  We will walk from the big parking lot a short distance down some new stairs to the trail head and then on the trail to Green Springs Highway and back.  The formerly unpaved section of the Vulcan Trail has recently been widened and resurfaced. 

There is no charge to participate in this hike and there is no charge for admission to either Vulcan Park or the trail.

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and older able to walk 4 miles welcome.  After the walk is completed, there will be an optional dinner at Jim 'N Nick's 11th Avenue Grill at Five Points South.  

Share an adventure.  Bring a friend or friends.

Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680

 

October 2021 Activities

 

OCTOBER 10, SUNDAY, Meet 1:45 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Second Sunday Dayhike in Oak Mountain State Park

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Details: Enjoy a moderate 4 to 5-mile walk in the woodlands near Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon.  This is an excellent outing for introducing your friends to Southeastern Outings and for making new friends who enjoy the outdoors.  Parts of this hike may be off the color-coded trails.  There will be some ups and downs.  

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age eight and up able to walk the distance of about 4 miles without complaining and complete the hike are welcome. 

Share an adventure!  Bring a friend.

Please meet at 1:45 p.m. in the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot.  We plan to depart from there at 2:00 p.m.

Please bring $5/person ($2.00 seniors) park admission fee plus your drink.

 Info. and Trip Leader: Randall Adkins, 205/317-6969

 

OCTOBER 16, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Dayhike

Where: Payne Lake, Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee Division near Moundville, Alabama

 

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Please Note-All participants on this hike shall have made a good faith attempt to be vaccinated against the Covid 19 virus provided that the vaccine is available to them.

Details: This will be Southeastern Outings second dayhike to this lovely lake in the Talladega National Forest.  Payne Lake offers the outdoor enthusiast solitude and a 110-acre scenic lake brushed by numerous nature trails.  Payne Lake could be described as a microcosm of the Oakmulgee National Forest, with its mixed hardwood-pine forest, cattail swamp and rolling hills in close proximity.  

We plan to walk on a pleasant, well-built, well-marked but poorly maintained trail along the east side of the lake, returning by a slightly different route. Distance is about 5 miles round trip.  Long pants are recommended as some parts of the trail are overgrown. Hike rated moderate.

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age nine years and over able to hike five miles without complaining are welcome to participate in this hike.

Please bring picnic lunch and water with you.

Please meet 8:45 a.m. at the parking lot behind the McDonald’s Galleria on U.S. Highway 31 in Hoover.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m. 

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 9 and over welcome.

Please bring three dollar exact change admission fee per person for honor box to gain admission to parking in Payne Lake Recreation Area.

Information and Leader: Francis Rushton, 205-290-5557. 

 

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

McDonald’s Galleria-1731 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, AL 35244. Parking lot behind the McDonald’s Restaurant across U.S. 31 from the main entrance to the Riverchase Galleria Shopping Mall.

 

OCTOBER 21, THURSDAY, 8:45 a.m.

Moderate Weekday Hike

Where: Bull’s Gap and Bull’s Bluff near Sylacauga

 

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Please Note-All participants on this hike shall have made a good faith attempt to be vaccinated against the Covid 19 virus provided that the vaccine is available to them.

Details: We'll proceed about an hour’s drive to the Bull's Gap trailhead at the southern part of Section 4 on the Pinhoti Trail where the trail crosses AL Highway 148.  A great view at the trailhead portends other wonders to follow. We'll climb a little less than a mile to good views off the top of Bull's Bluff looking out towards Sylacauga to the west and Rebecca Mountain. We continue climbing up the south shoulder of Horn Mountain on a gradual trail. Several years ago this area was hit by a tornado and there are a lot of blow downs. Fortunately the forest service has cleared this stretch of the Pinhoti Trail.  We'll reach a power line crossing at the 2 mile mark where there are more views to the west. From this point we will return to our cars all down hill.  Estimated hike distance 4 miles.  Hike rated moderate.

Optional dinner after the hike is concluded.
         

 Meet 8:45 a.m. at the Publix Super Market in Lee Branch.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.

Information and Trip Leader: Francis E. Rushton, Telephones 843-441-3368 Cell, 205-290-5557 Home

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Publix in The Village at Lee Branch in Greystone-- 410 Doug Baker Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35242-2682.  Take U.S. Highway 280 East going away from Birmingham to intersection with AL Route 119, Cahaba Valley Road.  Continue on U.S. 280 through that intersection 9/10 more miles and turn right on Doug Baker Boulevard.  This turn is right after the very large Driver’s Way used car dealer which you’ll see on your right.  Drive 3/10 miles on Doug Baker Boulevard and then see the Publix Super Market on your right.  Please park in front of the Publix, but fairly far out towards 280, not right by the front door.

 

OCTOBER 23, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Picnic Lunch and Moderate Dayhike

Where: Paul Grist State Park near Selma, Alabama

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Details: Paul Grist State Park is one of the state’s most uncrowded, yet scenic state parks containing hills, forests, fields and a large, beautiful, tree-lined lake. 

Prior to the dayhike we will get together at the smaller pavilion right near the Park Office to eat our picnic lunches.  Please bring $3 per person ($2 for children age 2-6 and seniors age 62 and older) park admission, your picnic lunch and a beverage for yourself. 

Dayhike Details: Hike rated moderate.  There are only a few ups and downs.  Total hiking distance is approximately 5.5 miles.  We plan to walk all the way around the lake and then also walk on some additional trails in the park to make the drive time down and back worthwhile.  Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age nine and over able to walk 6 miles without complaining are welcome.  Note-To view photos of the exceptional beauty of Paul Grist State Park, please click on this link:

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2stdm6XTk7Ia2LfB2

 

Please be sure to click on the link and view the photographs.

Wear sturdy footwear. 

Optional group restaurant dinner after the hike.  Reservations not required for this outing.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.

Info: Greg Richards, 205/ 317-8176 cell, 631-5000 home

 

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

McDonald’s Galleria-1731 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, AL 35244. Parking lot behind the McDonald’s Restaurant across U.S. 31 from the main entrance to the Riverchase Galleria Shopping Mall.

 

OCTOBER 30, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Moderate Dayhike

Where: Cloudland Canyon State Park, Trenton, Georgia

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Details: Hike along the highly scenic rim trail around this lovely canyon in Northwest Georgia.  Lunch will be on a large, flat rock outcropping from where we’ll have beautiful, panoramic views across the canyon.  After we complete the canyon rim hike, we will offer an optional walk down into the bottom of the canyon itself.  The rushing stream in the bottom of the canyon has two good-sized waterfalls which those who walk down into the canyon will view close up.  Fall color should hopefully be at its peak. 

        Please bring picnic lunch, plenty of water, and $5.00 per vehicle park entry fee.  Delicious, optional restaurant dinner afterwards.  You may wish to bring in the car a change of clothes for dinner, but this is not required.

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age ten and up welcome.  Parents, please be aware that there are very high, steep cliffs with no guard rails adjacent to the rim trail. 

Note-To view photos of what we will see on this trip, please click on this link:

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sgynvD8L7Po3zZnU2

 

Please be sure to click on the link and view the photographs.

Please meet 8:45 a.m. at the Applebee’s Trussville. We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.

 Info. and Trip Leader: Doris Hatch, 205-901-8367

 

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Applebee’s Restaurant Trussville (coming from Birmingham)—4711 Norrell Drive, Trussville, AL 35173.  Take I-59 North to Exit #141 (Chalkville Mountain Road Exit).  Exit I-59 at Exit #141.  Drive to traffic light at far end of interstate exit ramp.  This is at intersection of the exit ramp and Chalkville Mountain Road. Turn right at the traffic light at the far end of exit ramp.  Drive to first road you come to on the left when you are on Chalkville Mountain Road. This is immediately after you pass a Texaco gas station on your left and a Shell gas station on your right.  Turn left there onto Norrell Drive.  Applebee’s Restaurant is on Norrell Drive directly behind the McDonald’s which faces Chalkville Mountain Road at the far left corner of that intersection.  There is no longer a stoplight at this intersection