OCTOBER 5, SATURDAY, please meet 9:00 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Dayhike
Where: Shoal Creek Park, Montevallo, Alabama
Details: Southeastern Outings has planned a pleasant, easy 2 ½ to 3-mile hike with possible extension through fields and woods on a well-developed loop of trails in Shoal Creek Park, Montevallo's newest city park. This 167-acre park has nine miles of trails already constructed and some less developed trails which we may also hike. One trail does follow Shoal Creek for some distance.
On October 30, 2018, ten people participated in an SEO scouting trip there led by Shane Baugh, the Montevallo Parks and Recreation Director, and we were delighted at what we found. We subsequently had successful hikes there for the entire group on December 22, 2018, March 9, 2019, May 14, 2020, November 21, 2020, March 17, 2021, December 8, 2021, November 12, 2022, and February 21, 2024. We are especially pleased to note that twenty people participated in our November 21, 2020 hike in this park.
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 restrooms and picnic pavilion in the park are now completely constructed and open for your use.
The park is located 1.1 miles south of American Village on AL Highway 119 in Montevallo.
Please bring your picnic lunch, water, and a hiking pole or two with you.
Please meet at 9:00 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 9:15 a.m.
Admission to the park is free!
Information and Hike Leader: Dan Frederick, phone 205-631-4680, or
email southeasternoutings@gmail.com
OCTOBER 10, THURSDAY, please meet 10:00 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Leisurely Weekday Hike
Where: Lakeshore Trail, Western Extension
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Details: Please come with Southeastern Outings on our first hike on this new trail. Take a stroll beside a serene Shades Creek. Unlike the older part of the Lakeshore Trail which runs right along the side of a major highway, Lakeshore Drive,
this new section of the trail is secluded with no road or traffic beside it at all. It is very scenic, running right beside Shades Creek for its entire length.
The new section goes from Columbiana Road to the new Trailhead just west of Wildwood Shopping across from John Carroll High School campus. The creek in Phase 2 undulates through the landscape and offers many attractive vistas of the creek from the trail. The way the landscape presents itself, it is hard to believe the trail is in the middle of a metropolitan area. A detention pond, part of the Wildwood Development, is an attractive amenity along the way.
Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky summed up why this trail matters.
“Homewood is so excited about the new 1.4-mile pedestrian extension of the Greenway Trail. This addition allows more accessibility and further distance to our citizens and brings a trailhead to connect with another neighboring city. Homewood continues to promote pedestrian friendly options, and the Greenway Phase II is just another shining example of why our city is at the forefront of this focus.”
We will hike a total of 2.8 miles round trip on the trail from the Lakeshore Trail Western Extension parking lot to Columbiana Road and back.
Please meet at 10:00 at the Lakeshore Trail Western Extension parking lot. We plan to depart from there at 10:15 a.m.
Information and Trip Leader: Christine Heckemeyer, 205-979-5730
OCTOBER 12, SATURDAY, please meet 8:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip, Flint River near Brownsboro, Alabama
Details: This will be Southeastern Outings’ fifth group trip on the Flint River. This is a scenic stretch of river located in a very rural area. This stretch is fairly easy and without classified rapids. Along the river we’ll see wildflowers and stop to investigate islands and beaches.
Note-To view photos of what we will see on this trip, please click on this link:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/
Please be sure to click on the link and view the photographs.
Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each novice canoeist must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their canoe.
The outfitter, TGL Adventures, has for rent 1 tandem canoe, 50 new one-person sit-upon kayaks, 6 tandem kayaks and 6 sit in solo kayaks.
We thank SEO member Wendy Plash for observing the signs for this outfitter while she was kayaking on the Flint River and then referring us to TGL Adventures.
Here is the schedule of outfitter charges:
1. solo kayaks (both sit-upon and sit-in) each $40
2. tandem (2-person) canoes $60 each
3. tandem sit upon kayaks $60 each
4. shuttle fee per boat for owned rather than rented boats $15
Life jackets, paddles and shuttle fee are included in the rental boat fee for those who rent boats from the outfitter. Also, the outfitter will shuttle for a fee all private boats used on this outing. If you rent a boat from this outfitter, the outfitter will shuttle you and your rented boat from the take out back to the outfitter’s office so you will never need to transport your rented boat at all. You may bring your own canoe or kayak on this trip, but you must pay the outfitter to shuttle your privately-owned boat.
When we arrive at the outfitter’s, you will sign a waiver, pay your shuttle or boat rental fee, use the restrooms, and then we’ll put in the river at the outfitter’s. We will then paddle down the river to the take out, stopping as often as we want to. The outfitter’s vehicles will meet us at the take out and transport us and our boats back to the outfitter’s office where our cars are.
Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 10 and over welcome.
After the canoe and kayak trip we are going to a nearby restaurant for an optional dinner. If you would like to wear dry clothes for the drive home or to go to dinner, please bring a change of clothes to be kept in the car. The outfitter has changing rooms. There is a shower you can use in one of the changing rooms.
Reservations Required: You must contact Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com or call 205/631-4680 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 the October 12 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 and what type of rental boats he will need to provide to SEO people for this trip. Also, if you decide to meet us at some place other than the meeting place specified in this announcement, please notify Dan in advance and directly of this fact.
Please do not just show up for this outing without making advance reservations! Please meet 8:45 a.m. at the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride. We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m. For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips below.
Information and Trip Leader: If you have questions or would like additional information about this trip, please email Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680.
DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE
Hayden/Corner Park and Ride—171 State Highway 160, Warrior, AL 35180. Exit 284 off I-65 North, take right on AL 160 at end of exit ramp, immediate right on U.S. 31 and then enter fenced parking lot on right.
Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips
The kayak and canoe outing listed in the announcement above is suitable for beginner/novice canoeists and kayakers, but each beginner canoeist must paddle with an experienced canoeist. Life jackets are required and must be worn. You are responsible for finding your own boat. Bring your own boat, borrow one, paddle with a friend, or rent from the outfitter listed.
Please bring in the boat your picnic lunch, something to drink, and a towel and complete change of clothes including underwear. If you get wet during the day, just slip off back into the woods and change into your dry clothes. You’ll be very grateful that you brought them with you. Put your belongings in a waterproof dry bag in the boat. Wear old 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 or especially if you are renting a canoe. If you have further questions, please call the trip leader.
When you make your reservation with the trip leader, please be absolutely certain to provide ALL of the following information:
1. Whether you want to kayak or canoe
2. Whether you are renting a boat from the outfitter or bringing your own boat
3. Your name
4. Your telephone number or email address
5. If you are also making a reservation for someone else coming with you, please give the NAME of that person. Don’t just say, “My daughter, my friend, my wife”.
6. If you are canoeing, please give your skill level.
7. If you have already selected a canoe partner and you are making a reservation for your partner, too, please give the name and skill level of your partner.
8. Please do NOT just show up at the meeting place without making an advance reservation!!
9. 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!!
If you have made a reservation for a friend whom you have invited to come on this trip and your friend is not coming, you must notify the leader
OCTOBER 13, SUNDAY, please meet 1:45 p.m.
Southeastern Outings Second Sunday Dayhike in Oak Mountain State Park
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 19, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings 10.6-Mile Bicycle Ride
Where: Chief Ladiga Trail, Piedmont, Alabama
Click for More Pictures
Details: Join friendly folks for a 10.6-mile bicycle ride on the Chief Ladiga Trail in the Piedmont, Alabama area. Ride on Alabama’s first extended rails-to-trails conversion route on an old railroad right of way. The trail we’ll be riding on is smooth, 8-10 feet wide and even paved. There are no hills on this trail. The trail is suitable for road bikes plus mountain, hybrid and urban bicycles. Ride through towns, fields and picturesque woodlands. No motorized vehicles are allowed on your trail!
Bicycle helmets are required and must be worn. Please bring a picnic lunch and drink.
The pace of this bicycle ride will be leisurely. From time to time we will stop bicycling just to enjoy the scenery and views from the four bridges over the creeks. However, please note that this ride is 10.6 miles long. We recommend that participants intending to come on this outing have bicycled at least a few times during the 30 days prior to October 26. In order to be assured that you can ride comfortably on this trip you should probably be able to ride at an average speed of 8-12 miles per hour on level terrain.
There will be an optional restaurant dinner after the bicycle ride. You will have an opportunity to wash up and change clothes in the Eubanks Welcome Center restrooms after the bicycle ride. If you’d like to clean up and/or change clothes, please bring your soap and towel and/or change of clothes with you.
Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Applebee’s Restaurant in Trussville. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m. or meet 11:20 a.m. at the Eubanks Welcome Center on the Chief Ladiga Trail in Piedmont.
Reservations Required: If you want to come on this bicycle ride, please make a reservation with Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone
205-631-4680. Also, if you have a bike rack which can hold more than one bicycle, please bring it with you to Piedmont in order to facilitate the required car shuttle and advise Dan that you are doing so. We probably need to leave about two vehicles at the Eubanks Welcome Center in order to transport the drivers of all the remaining vehicles from the end point of the ride back to the start point to pick up their vehicles after the ride is concluded.
Information and Ride Leader: Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com
OCTOBER 20, SUNDAY, please meet 2:00 p.m.
Southeastern Outings Weekday Hike
Where: Moss Rock Preserve
Click for More Pictures
Details: Explore a section of this 350-acre forested park in Hoover on a moderately strenuous 2-3 hour hike with some climbing up and walking down hills on Shades Mountain. We’ll experience the preserve’s diverse natural features which include longleaf pine forests, huge boulders, grassy areas, outstanding views and several beautiful streams and waterfalls which hopefully will be running bountifully when we are there. We recommend that you bring hiking poles with you on this hike if you have them.
Please bring water to drink.
Please meet 2:00 p.m. at the Moss Rock Preserve Parking Lot on Patton Chapel Road. We plan to depart from there promptly at 2:15 p.m.
Below is a link to the website for Moss Rock Preserve, where you can print a map of the trails in Moss Rock Preserve for use on this hike or on future hikes there on your own,
http://www.hooveral.org/219/Hiking-Map-Trail-Guide
Information and Trip Leader: David Shepherd, 205/240-4681
OCTOBER 26, SATURDAY, please meet 8:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Dayhike: Cahaba River Park in Western Shelby County north of Montevallo
Details: The Cahaba River is among the most scenic and biologically diverse waterways in the United States, and the public now has access to a portion of the river in Shelby County. Work is underway on the Cahaba River Park, a 1,500-acre site near the Bibb County line in western Shelby County. Please come with us for our fifth, moderately easy 3 to 5 mile-long hike in this newly created park.
Cahaba River Park includes two sectors: a larger sector on the north side of the river and a sector on the south side of the river that allows for motorized access.
The river splits the park into two sites with different amenities. The north side, which is called the Helena/Hoover Sector, includes most of the park’s acreage. The sector comprises 1,212 acres of Forever Wild property and 127 acres of county property. The south side of the river, which is called the Boothton/Montevallo Sector, comprises 188 acres of Shelby County property.
Cahaba River Park is a Shelby County venture that is being developed in conjunction with Forever Wild Land Trust, an initiative of the Alabama
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Improvements to Shelby County 251, or River Road on the north side of the Cahaba River, are now complete. The Park offers about 15 miles of professionally designed and constructed trails for mountain biking, hiking and trail running; multiple parking locations at trailheads; several canoe launch sites that will allow for short trips or runs as long as 7 miles; 2 sets of pavilions and restroom facilities; and a caretaker’s house for a law enforcement officer.
Our hike in the Helena/Hoover Sector on October 19 will include walking on several trails. The park’s trails offer a nice blend of forest, river and creek views including a good view of the area’s elevation.
Please bring your picnic lunch and water with you on the hike. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and older able to walk up to five miles without complaining are welcome to participate in this trip.
Please meet at 8:45 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 9:00 a.m.
Admission to the park is free.
Information and Trip Leader: Tim Vann, telephone 205-515-8566, email tvann25@hotmail.com
