JUNE 18, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Waterfall Walk, Stream Wade and Long Swims
Where: South Caney Creek in the Bankhead National Forest
Details: Join us for hikes to two beautiful waterfalls on South Caney Creek. We’ll swim at both of the falls. These falls are exceptionally lovely. We’ll walk through the woods to one waterfall, stop, have lunch overlooking the waterfall and swim there and get underneath the waterfall if you wish. Then we’ll wade for about a mile IN the creek to a second, larger waterfall where we’ll swim and stand under the waterfall again if you like. Then we’ll walk from that second waterfall through the woods back to the cars.
As you can see from the photos, you are assured of staying cool when you swim in the two stream pools, stand or lie down under one or both of the waterfalls and wade in South Caney Creek! Twenty-two people participated in this very popular outing in July, 2017.
This outing is rated moderately strenuous because the walks through the woods from the cars to the first waterfall we’ll see and from the second waterfall back to the cars are completely off trail through the woods and there are some short, steep hills to climb up and go down along the way.
If you think that you may want to come home before the group outing is completed, please don’t come on this outing. In order to prevent traffic congestion at the usual public trail head, our vehicles will be parked at a remote location during the entire outing. Outing participants will probably not be able to walk unguided back to their cars before the outing is completed. The walk through the woods portion is completely off trail.
For the hikes through the woods we recommend that you wear long pants. This will reduce your contact with ticks and chiggers and prevent your legs from being scratched. You may wear hiking boots or sturdy water or wading shoes for the in-woods walks. We strongly recommend that you bring two sturdy hiking poles for wading in the creek. Using poles as you walk in the stream will substantially reduce the chance of your falling!
For the creek wade portion of this trip please wear old shorts or a swim suit and sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty. Old sneakers work well. Bare feet, flip-flops, loose slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable! Also bring a towel along with your picnic lunch and water.
After the outing we are planning to go to a restaurant for an optional dinner. If you would like to have dinner with us at the restaurant and if you would like to wash up and change clothes for dinner, we suggest that you bring soap, a washcloth, towel and a complete change of clothes with you to be kept in the car during the hike. After the outing is completed, you can wash up and change clothes in the spacious restrooms at the restaurant in Double Springs.
Well-behaved, properly-supervised children age 7 and over welcome. Please meet 8:45 a.m. at the Floor and Décor Store on Green Springs Highway in Homewood. We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m. or you may meet the group at 10:30 a.m. at Jacks in Double Springs.
Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680
JUNE 25, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings River Float, Picnic, Swim on the Locust Fork River from Taylor’s Ford through Cornelius Falls in Blount County near Royal, AL
Details: Easy river float on the Locust Fork River. Float in the river from Taylor’s Ford through Cornelius Falls and below. We’ll float downstream to the widest waterfall on the Locust Fork River. Enjoy eating your picnic lunch sitting on the rocks overlooking the waterfall. This is one of the prettiest lunch spots we have ever seen in Alabama. As we float we’ll also view sheer cliffs that rise high above the river. So enjoy a flowing river, high rock bluffs and a gorgeous waterfall—all along a nearly uninhabited stretch of this river. Please bring a picnic lunch, drink, sunscreen and something to float on such as a fabric-covered, inflatable vinyl float. See Float Note below for additional information.
Please wear swimsuit and sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty. Old sneakers work well. Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable! You must be able to swim to participate in this outing!
Have fun swimming in the pools in the river and just sitting in Cornelius Falls. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 8 and up able to swim welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children.
Please bring a friend or several if you wish. Meet 9:45 a.m. at the Cleveland Chevron. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Info. and trip leader: Dan Frederick, email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call 205/631-4680
