MAY 1, SATURDAY, 8:00 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip on Richland Creek near Prospect, Tennessee
Details: The section we will paddle is easy with few obstructions. This is a scenic stream located in a very rural area. This will be our second trip for Southeastern Outings on this creek. We used this outfitter on both our July 11 Elk River and September 12, 2020 Richland Creek kayak and canoe trips and found the quality of their service to be outstanding!
Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their boat.
If you want to rent a kayak or canoe, please call Elk River Adventures 931-468-2444 to reserve your rental boat. When you call to reserve your boat, please be sure to identify yourself as coming with Southeastern Outings on May 1. Please note that the outfitter has 27 canoes, 20 one-person sit-upon kayaks, 18 one-person sit-in kayaks and 5 tandem sit-upon kayaks for rent, so be sure you call to reserve early. Once all their boats of a particular type are reserved for May 1 by Southeastern Outings people or anyone else, there will be no more boats in that category available to rent from that outfitter!
Boat rental charges are:
Solo kayaks $30
Tandem kayaks $45
Canoes $50
If you rent a boat from this outfitter, the outfitter will take you and your rented boat to the put in and meet you at the take out, so you will never need to transport your rented boat at all. Shuttle fee, paddles, and life jacket are included in boat rental fee for those who rent boats from the outfitter.
You may bring your own canoe or kayak on this trip, but you must pay the outfitter to shuttle your privately-owned boat.
Shuttle charges are:
Owned kayak $15 per boat
Owned canoe $25 per boat
The outfitter will give everyone a 10% discount of their rates if we bring 15 or more people in our group.
Children able to swim and age 10 and over are welcome.
After the kayak/canoe trip we plan to go for dinner at an excellent restaurant in Athens, Alabama. If you would like to have dinner with us at the restaurant after the kayak and canoe trip, please bring your things to clean up with and a change of clothes.
Please meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride. We plan to depart from there at 8:15 a.m. For more essential information about this trip, please contact the trip leader.
Reservations Required: You must call Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net if you plan to come on this kayak and canoe trip. You may leave a message on Dan’s voice mail if you wish.
If you want to come on this SEO kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting a boat from the outfitter at the site of the trip, you are required to call BOTH the outfitter to reserve your boat AND ALSO contact the trip leader, too, and notify him that you are coming!
If you are planning to meet the group initially at the outfitter’s instead of at the designated meeting place near Birmingham, please tell Dan Frederick in advance that you are planning to meet the group at the outfitter’s.
Info. and trip leader: If you have further questions, please call Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net.
CHANGED TO MAY 8
MAY 5, WEDNESDAY, 8:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Weekday Hike
Where: Pinhoti Trail from Pine Glen Campground to Sweetwater Lake
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 so there should be good potential for wildflowers. 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.
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.
Please meet at 8:45 a.m. in the Leeds Highway 78 gravel parking lot. We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.
Info. And Leader: Francis Rushton 205/290-5557 or ferushton@gmail.com
MAY 6, THURSDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Leisurely Weekday Hike
Where: Piper Interpretive Trail and the Cahaba Loop Trail in the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge, Piper (near West Blocton), Alabama
Details: Come with us on our leisurely weekday hike. Enjoy an easy 3 or so-mile hike on three trails in the especially lovely Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge. The walking pace for this hike will be moderately easy. We’ll stop often to catch our breath and note views, trees, birdsongs and the trail and woods around us.
The Piper Interpretive Trail is a 2.8-mile, lightly trafficked trail in the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge located near Piper, Alabama. The trail features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round.
This well-maintained trail goes through the forest and ends with a deck overlooking the Cahaba River. The trail passes some interesting ravines and cliffs. If you continue onward after the first overlook, you will reach a second overlook, which is slightly more difficult to reach, due to elevation changes.
The first half of the trail is an old mine railroad right of way along a rocky ridgeline high above the Cahaba River. A stand of pine, mostly loblolly planted to replace the longleaf pines that were clearcut years ago, makes for a beautiful canopy and visually appealing section of the trail—the fallen needles provide soft footing and make the peaceful forest even more quiet.
At mile 1.2, you will find a side trail off to the right that leads downhill to the first overlook. After enjoying the view, you will cross a second bridge over a seasonal stream. From there the trail climbs up the ridge on a rocky old mining road to the final overlook. From the platform you can see the Cahaba River far below.
We’ll then walk back to the Piper Trail parking lot on a different trail which is a pretty logging or mining road through the woods.
We will then drive across the river to walk on the Cahaba River Loop Trail which turns off of the road in the main part of Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge across the river from the Piper Trail.
Children age 9 and older welcome.
Meet 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria parking lot.
Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, email seoutings@bellsouth.net, phone 205/631-4680,
Changed to May 5
MAY 8, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Dayhike
Where: Pinhoti Trail near and beside Coleman Lake in Shoal Creek Ranger District, Talladega National Forest. Cleburne County, Alabama
Details: A moderate 6 mile hike in one of the interesting parts of the Talladega National Forest, mostly on the Pinhoti Trail. This year's route will vary from most of our previous hikes there and excludes visiting the historic Shoal Creek Church. Instead, we'll combine a loop south of the trailhead around beautiful Coleman Lake with a visit to the "woodpecker farm" and then visit spectacular longleaf pine forest areas north of the trailhead on Forest Service Road 500.
The Pinhoti Trail guide describes the woodpecker farm as follows: "The Woodpecker Farm is basically what 92,000,000 acres of the Southeast looked like before Europeans arrived. The area was formerly completely dominated by very mature longleaf pines up to 400 years old and old growth oak, hickory and tupelo as the canopy over a grass understory". The area is one of several maintained by the U.S. Forest Service to help preserve the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Our route will take us along the Coleman Lake trail, providing a different view as we return to the trailhead. Then we will walk across Forest Service Road 500 and hike through the longleaf forest in that area.
Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 and older welcome.
This hike is relatively flat but rated moderate because of its length. Please bring picnic lunch and water with you on the hike.
Optional dinner after the hike.
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.
Please meet at 8:45 a.m. in the Leeds Highway 78 gravel parking lot. We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.
Info. And Leader: Francis Rushton 205/290-5557 or ferushton@gmail.com
MAY 15, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip, Locust Fork River
Details: A fun Southeastern Outings kayak and canoe trip on Section 1 of the Locust Fork River in Blount County. This stretch, which several of us have canoed and kayaked many times previously, is fairly easy and without classified rapids. Along the river we’ll see lots of wildflowers and stop to investigate islands and beaches.
Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their canoe.
Please note that for this trip you may rent one person sit-upon plastic kayaks and paddles for $30 each at the put-in from River Beach Outfitters. Rental fees include shuttle service. Also the outfitter will charge a $15 fee for all private boats, be they canoes or kayaks, used on this outing. If you wish to rent a kayak from the outfitter, please notify Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE May 15 to reserve your boat. Dan will then inform the outfitter how many rental kayaks he will need to provide to SEO people for this trip. Please note that the outfitter has only 70 one-person kayaks for rent, so be sure you call to reserve early. Once all their solo kayaks are reserved for May 15, there will be no more kayaks available to rent!
This outfitter does not have canoes to rent. However, Dan Frederick’s daughter, Aree, currently has two canoes which she is offering to rent to people who want to canoe on this trip and who do not have their own canoes. The charge for renting a canoe from Aree is $50 per boat. Southeastern Outings will pay the $15 per boat shuttle service fee for people renting canoes from Aree. Again, please notify Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE May 15 to request a rental canoe if that is what you want. We will do our best to fulfill your request.
Please do NOT just show up at the meeting place on May 15 without making an advance reservation with Dan Frederick!! And if you have made a reservation to participate and then decide to cancel, please be absolutely sure to call and notify the trip leader. Don’t just tell your friend if you intend to cancel!!
Life jackets are required and must be worn. You are responsible for finding your own boat. Bring your own, borrow one, paddle with a friend, or rent from the outfitters listed.
Please bring with you in the boat your picnic lunch, something to drink and a towel. Put your belongings in a waterproof dry bag in the boat. Wear old, thick-soled shoes you don’t mind getting wet (old sneakers work well). Also bring at least 6 feet of sturdy cord to tie up your canoe if you don’t already have rope attached to your own canoe. If you have further questions, please call the trip leader.
For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips at the end of this calendar.
Please meet at 9:45 a.m. at the Cleveland Chevron Service Station. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Reservations Required: You are required to contact Dan Frederick by email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call 205/631-4680 if you plan to come on this kayak and canoe trip. Please advise your name, telephone number, skill level, whether you are bringing a canoe or kayak and whether you need a paddling partner. You may leave a message on Dan’s answering machine if you wish.
If you want to come on the May 15 SEO kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting a boat from the outfitter at the site of the trip, in this instance you are required to call or contact ONLY the trip leader and notify him that you are coming! Dan will inform the outfitter how many rental kayaks he will need to provide to SEO people for this trip.
Info. and Trip Leader: If you have further questions, please contact Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680.
MAY 20, THURSDAY, 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Leisurely Weekday Cahaba Lily Walk
Where: Hargrove Shoals, Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge, along the Cahaba River in Bibb County
Details: Please come with us on a THURSDAY to see the largest display of blooming Cahaba lilies in the world, acres and acres of them spread out over the water in the river. These lilies are a sight to behold! In places, it often looks like it has snowed on the river in May.
Over seven miles of the Cahaba River lie within the Refuge boundary. The rolling uplands surrounding the river are forested with mountain longleaf and loblolly pines. Mixed upland hardwood species line ravines and the river's edge.
The largest known stand of the imperiled shoals lily (known locally as the Cahaba lily) also occurs within the Refuge. During May and June, this beautiful plant blooms, and people come from across the region to view this magnificent display of nature. Eighteen people participated in a previous Southeastern Outings-sponsored weekday Cahaba lily walk in 2017. We were pleased with the turnout then. For your information, in addition to this Thursday, May 20 event, Southeastern Outings has also scheduled an additional Cahaba Lily walk to this area on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
The hike is about five miles round trip. Rated easy. Wear sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty. Old sneakers work well. You’ll want to put on your river shoes so you can walk out into the shallow parts of the river to stroll through and touch the lilies which grow only in the water. You’ll also need to wear your river wading shoes to wade through Caffee Creek in order to be able to walk to where you can view the largest stand of lilies at Hargrove Shoals.
Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable!! You may wear your sturdy river shoes for the entire trip if you wish. Please bring picnic lunch and your drink. Two hiking poles are strongly recommended to provide additional stability when wading in the river.
Meet 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Info. and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net
MAY 22, SATURDAY, 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Cahaba Lily Walk, Hargrove Shoals along the Cahaba River in Bibb County
Details: Please come with us to see the largest display of blooming Cahaba lilies in the world, acres and acres of them spread out over the water in the river. These lilies are a sight to behold! In places, it often looks like it has snowed on the river in May.
Over seven miles of the Cahaba River lie within the Refuge boundary. The rolling uplands surrounding the river are forested with mountain longleaf and loblolly pines. Mixed upland hardwood species line ravines and the river's edge.
The largest known stand of the imperiled shoals lily (known locally as the Cahaba lily) also occurs within the Refuge. During May and June, this beautiful plant blooms, and people come from across the region to view this magnificent display of nature. There is even an annual Cahaba lily festival that draws thousands of visitors to the area in May.
Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 and over welcome.
The hike is about five miles round trip. Rated easy. Wear sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty. Old sneakers work well. You’ll want to put on your river shoes so you can walk out into the shallow parts of the river to stroll through and touch the lilies which grow only in the water. Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable!! You may wear your sturdy river shoes for the entire trip if you like. Please bring picnic lunch and your drink. Hiking poles are strongly recommended to provide additional stability when wading in the river.
Please meet at 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Info. and hike leader: Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or seoutings@bellsouth.net
MAY 29, SATURDAY
Southeastern Outings Dayhike and Beautiful Creek Wade
Where: Quillan Creek, Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest
Details: This outing will be exciting, scenic and lots of fun! Those who participated in this outing in years past found it to be one of the most beautiful natural areas we have ever seen anywhere! There are numerous (about twelve) beautiful, small falls in Quillan and various side creeks. We can actually walk up and right through an extensive, gently sloping cascade easily. Quillan Creek is located in a heavily-forested area with hemlock trees and high banks alongside.
Participants on this hike must: be able and willing to walk at least 4 ½ miles off trail over rugged terrain including wading 1½ miles in a creek which is sometimes knee deep, wear hiking boots and long pants to hike to and from the creek, and bring and wear shorts or swim suits and wading shoes for the creek wade. Sturdy foot protection is required. Old sneakers work fine, but please no bare feet, flimsy beach shoes, flip flops or loose slip-ons! Please don’t come if you are unwilling to get wet! Also please do bring a large plastic bag with twist tie or large Ziploc bag in which to put your wet shoes and also bring a hand towel to dry your feet before putting your socks and hiking boots back on for the walk out. Hiking poles are strongly recommended!
Please bring picnic lunch, drink, and daypack. A change of clothes (dry underwear also advised) to be left in the car is also recommended. Rated moderately strenuous due to the entire hike being off trail, some elevation gain, and the need to walk in the creek a good portion of the time. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 10 and over welcome.
Please come with us May 29 and help count waterfalls.
Reservations Required: If you wish to participate in this outing, you are required to call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 27.
Please do not try to reserve a place on this outing after 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 27. When you contact Dan, please be sure you leave your phone number and email address. This outing is limited to 10 people in order to comply with U.S. Forest Service regulations. We hope the limitation will not prove to be a problem. At a later date leader will advise meeting time and place only to those who are confirmed for this trip.
