FEBRUARY 6, THURSDAY, Meet 9:30 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Leisurely Weekday Hike
Where: Beeswax Creek Park, Lay Lake, Wilsonville, Alabama
Details: Beeswax Creek Park, bordered by Beeswax Creek to its north and Lay Lake (Coosa River) to its east, is located in the Columbiana/Wilsonville area in Shelby County, Alabama. Beeswax Creek Park has many amenities including two picnic pavilions, three fishing piers, a 2.8- mile multi-use trail for hiking, two restroom facilities and a huge parking lot. A caretaker provides security for the park. Alabama Power Company, through its "The Preserves" program, has added a boardwalk and a bridge to the trail system, created a pollinator plot with interpretive signs, and Alabama Power has also built two gazebos overlooking Lay Lake.
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.
Please meet at 9:30 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria. We plan to depart from there at 9:45 a.m.
Admission to the park is free.
Info. and trip Leader: Christine Heckemeyer, 205-979-5730
FEBRUARY 8, SATURDAY, please meet at 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Dayhike
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 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 views of the Cahaba 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.
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 pine 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 from the first overlook, you will continue onward to a second overlook which is slightly more difficult to reach, due to elevation changes. 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, repark our cars and then 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.
Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria parking lot. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com, phone 205/631-4680
FEBRUARY 16, SUNDAY, please meet 12:45 p.m.
Southeastern Outings Third Sunday Dayhike in Oak Mountain State Park
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.
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.
Information and trip leader: Randall Adkins, 205-317-6969
FEBRUARY 22 SATURDAY, please meet 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Picnic Lunch and Moderate Dayhike
Where: Paul Grist State Park near Selma, Alabama
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 your picnic lunch and also $3 per person ($2 for children age 2-6 and seniors age 62 and older) park admission 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. Please bring your picnic lunch and drink and 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. And Trip Leader: Dan Frederick email southeasternoutings@gmail.com or telephone 205-631-4680
