September and October Activities
SEPTEMBER 25, SATURDAY, 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Saturday Dayhike
Where: Moss Rock Preserve
Details: This outing represents a postponement of this same hike which was originally scheduled for Saturday, September 18 and has now been postponed to Saturday, September 25 as a result of the very heavy rainfall in the Moss Rock Preserve on September 18.
Explore a section of this 350-acre forested park in Hoover on a moderately strenuous several 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 should 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. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age seven and up able to walk the distance and complete the hike without complaining are welcome.
Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Moss Rock Preserve Parking Lot on Patton Chapel Road. We plan to depart from there promptly at 10:00 a.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
Info. and Trip Leader: David Shepherd, 205/ 240-4681, email davidshep2@yahoo.com
SEPTEMBER 26, SUNDAY, Meet 1:45 p.m.
Easy Southeastern Outings Dayhike
Where: New Freshwater Land Trust Site on Turkey Creek near Pinson, Alabama
Details: This will be a new hike for Southeastern Outings at a new place where we have never hiked before. The site is a scenic area along Turkey Creek in North Jefferson County. The site is called Turkey Creek CU 1. Please note that although this site is on Turkey Creek, is NOT, repeat NOT, the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve where we have hiked many times previously.
Please note that this hike is NOT listed in your September newsletter. I just learned about it yesterday.
This hike is organized and led by the Freshwater Land Trust.
The property is located at the intersection of Goodwin Road and Lea Anne Circle in Pinson.
For COVID safety the Land Trust asks that everyone properly practice social distancing on the hike. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water, insect repellent, sunscreen and whatever else you may want to bring with you on a hike.
Well-behaved, properly supervised children age ten and over are welcome.
Reservations are not required. The outing is free.
Please meet 1:45 p.m. at the intersection of Goodwin Road and Lea Anne Circle in Pinson. We will probably depart from there to start our hike shortly after 2:00 p.m.
Information and Hike Leader: Sam McCoy, Land Steward, Freshwater Land Trust, 205-417-2777
DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE
Freshwater Land Trust Property Turkey Creek CU 1, Intersection of Goodwin Road and Lea Anne Circle, Pinson, Alabama
From Birmingham drive to Exit 128 on I-20/I-59. This is one exit west of the Birmingham Airport exit off I-59/I-20. It is marked Tallapoosa Street which IS AL Highway 79. Coming from downtown Birmingham, as you get to the bottom of the exit ramp, get in the right lane. The ramp curves to the right and then actually merges with AL Highway 79 headed north towards Pinson. So bear slightly to the right at the end of the ramp. If you are coming westbound from the Birmingham Airport area to exit 128, you will make a right turn onto Tallapoosa Street at the light at the end of the exit ramp. Regardless of the direction from which you come, STAY ON THE VERY WIDE, MAIN CITY STREET WHICH IS TALLAPOOSA STREET. In either case, do not make any turns off of Alabama Highway 79 until you get to Pinson. Take AL 79 about 12 miles to the traffic light in Pinson, Alabama at intersection with AL 151. Shell service station is at far left of intersection of Alabama Highways 79 and 151. For your information, the address of the Pinson Shell Station is 6710 New Bradford Rd, Hwy 79, Pinson, AL 35126.
Turn right from the Shell Station onto AL-151 North.
Drive 4/10 miles on AL 151 to intersection with AL Highway 75, Pinson Boulevard and turn right.
Pass by McDonald's (on the right)
Drive 4/10 miles on AL 75 to intersection with Bud Holmes Road/Pinson Main Street and turn left.
Follow Bud Holmes Road 1.6 miles.
Turn right onto Goodwin Road.
Drive 6/10 miles.
You will then be at the intersection of Lea Anne Circle (on your right) & Goodwin Road. Please park along Goodwin Road.
From Dan Frederick
OCTOBER 2, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Outing, Big Wills Creek near Gadsden, Alabama.
Details: This will be Southeastern Outings’ eleventh kayak and canoe trip on Big Wills Creek. 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. Forty-six SEO people participated in this very popular outing in 2015. Estimated distance we’ll be paddling on the creek on October 2 is about 6.6 miles.
Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each novice canoeist must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their canoe.
Please note that for this trip you may rent canoes and one or two-person (tandem) sit-upon plastic kayaks and paddles from Big Wills Outfitters.
Here is the schedule of outfitter charges:
1. solo kayaks each $30
2. canoes and tandem kayaks $50 each
3. shuttle fee per boat for owned rather than rented boats $10
Rental fees include paddles, life jackets and shuttle service. Also the outfitter will shuttle for a fee all private boats used on this outing. If you wish to rent a boat from Big Wills Outfitters, please call the outfitter BEFORE Saturday, October 2 at 256/538-3226 to reserve your boat. Tell the outfitter you are boating with Southeastern Outings. Please note that the outfitter has only 5 canoes and 57 one-person sit-upon kayaks and 5 tandem (2-person) sit-upon kayaks for rent, so be sure you call to reserve early. Once all their boats of one type or the other are reserved for October 2, there will be no more boats of that type available to rent!
If you rent a boat from this outfitter, the outfitter will take you and your rented boat to the put in, and you will take out at the outfitter’s property 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 $10 to shuttle your privately-owned boat. For more information about the outfitter and photos of the creek, please visit their website www.facebook.com/bigwillsoutfitters
When we arrive at the outfitter’s, you will sign a waiver, pay your shuttle or boat rental fee, use the restroom, and then eat lunch in the picnic area at the outfitter’s. After you finish lunch, the outfitter will transport ALL the boaters and their boats, both rented and owned, to the put in. We will then paddle down the creek to the take out, stopping as often as we want to.
Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 10 and over welcome.
After the canoe and kayak trip we are hopefully planning to go to a restaurant in Gadsden for dinner. Our going to dinner depends on what time we finish boating. If you would like to have dinner with us at the restaurant after the kayak and canoe trip, please bring a change of clothes. A changing room is available at the outfitter’s.
Reservations Required: You must contact Dan Frederick, email seoutings@bellsouth.net 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 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.
Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Applebee’s in Trussville. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m. For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips below.
Info. and trip leader: If you have questions or would like additional information about this outing, please call or email Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680.
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 or personal flotation devices are required and must be worn. Bring your own boat, borrow one, paddle with a friend, or rent a kayak from the outfitter(s) listed.
Please bring 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 boat if you don’t already have cord attached to your own boat. 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 and what kind or bringing your own boat (kayak or canoe)
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. If you have made a reservation to participate and then decide to cancel, please be absolutely sure to call and notify the trip leader 1 ½ hours or more before the event departure time. Don’t just tell your friend if you intend to cancel!!
10. 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 of this cancellation 1 ½ hours or more before the event departure time! No-shows cause considerable logistical complications for both the trip leader and for the outfitter!
OCTOBER 9, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Dayhike
Where: Chief Ladiga Trail, Piedmont, Alabama
Details: Join friendly folks on an easy seven-mile dayhike and picnic on the Chief Ladiga Trail east of Piedmont, Alabama. Walk on Alabama’s first extended rails-to-trails conversion route on an old railroad right of way. This smooth trail is wide and level. Absolutely no hills—guaranteed! On this particular hike you will be walking on the most scenic section of the trail. This newly-paved part goes through mostly wooded terrain.
No motorized vehicles are allowed on your trail! Note this is a relatively easy outing, one which should be lots of fun for everyone. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age eight and up able to walk seven miles without complaining are welcome on this walk.
Please bring a picnic lunch and drink. From the trail you can see Dugger Mountain, one of the newest national wilderness areas in Alabama.
There will be an optional restaurant dinner after the hike. You will have an opportunity to wash up and change clothes in the Eubanks Visitor Center restrooms after the hike. If you’d like to clean up and/or change clothes, please bring your soap and towel and/or change of clothes with you.
Meet 8:45 a.m. at the Applebee’s Restaurant in Trussville. We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m. or meet 10:20 a.m. at the Eubanks Visitor Center on the Chief Ladiga Trail in Piedmont.
Trip Leader and Info: Sean Boogaard, 256/365-6321.
OCTOBER 9, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings 11-Mile Bicycle Ride
Where: Chief Ladiga Trail, Piedmont, Alabama
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 9. 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.
Meet 8:45 a.m. at the Applebee’s Restaurant in Trussville. We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m. or meet 10:20 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 seoutings@bellsouth.net 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 Leaders: Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680, email seoutings@bellsouth.net and Wimberly Scarbrough, 571-235-5899, email scarbrowl@hotmail.com
OCTOBER 10, SUNDAY, 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 16, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Dayhike
Where: Payne Lake, Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee Division near Moundville, Alabama
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
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
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
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.
Revised Southeastern Outings Covid 19 Pandemic Information
Most of you are already familiar with the stay-at-home
orders issued by the Governor of Alabama.
The Governor stated, “A person may leave his or her place of residence to participate in outdoor activity so long as the person maintains a consistent six-foot distance from other persons.
Notice of Southeastern Outings Precautionary Measures Concerning Covid 19 Virus
Southeastern Outings assures all our outings participants that we strongly desire to protect your health during this critical time. You may make your own decisions about what to do to protect yourselves, but the following measures are what we strongly suggest. We recommend taking the following measures.
We ask our participants to maintain a reasonable social distance, usually 6 or more feet, between yourself and other people. We recognize that this may not always be possible, but we encourage you to keep some distance from others as much as possible.
We will have outing announcements, but we ask you to try insofar as possible to maintain a distance of six feet between yourself and others while the announcements are given. Dan will try to project his voice effectively in such instances, and please, please do not converse with others while announcements are being made.
Optional potluck dinner parties will be cancelled until further notice.
In any case, of course, if you have flu-like symptoms (fever, aches or pains in the joints and respiratory system problems) please stay at home and do not come on outings with us! This is just common sense.
We want to point out that walking in the woods outdoors where there are not many other people present is considerably safer at this time than being in crowds of people or in heavily populated public places. Participating in our events will give you opportunities to be in the outdoors, get some beneficial exercise, and do something you enjoy with other people while still allowing you to easily and conveniently maintain safe social distancing.
