The weather is perfect for hiking and we are looking to take advantage by having a couple hikes and some trail work in October. Everyone is invited to join Connie for hikes on October 16th and 30th as well as to join us for trail work in the Walls of Jericho on October 22nd. The hikes will be easy to moderate and the trail work will be mainly light trash cleanup, clearing leaves and debris from the trail, and trimming back brush. If you want to give back to the trail or even just want to join us for the hike down into the Walls, please come out!
We had our initial planning committee meeting for the Tennessee Valley portion of the Alabama Trail on Tuesday, September 27th and made some good progress laying out the scope of the project and putting together ideas on how to get from the Tennessee border in the Walls of Jericho to the Tennessee River in south Huntsville. If you would like to join the committee and be a part of this momentous project, just let me know! On that note, AHTS President Joe Cuhaj is working hard on putting together a time in November where we will host a public meeting here in Huntsville describing the Alabama Trail and what each of us can do to help. I will send more info along on that meeting as it comes together.
This coming weekend is AlaRuck 2011 (Oct 8-9, 2011 at the Open Pond Recreation Area, Conecuh National Forest). AlaRuck is a family friendly campout under the stars. It’s a celebration of hiking and the outdoors, a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new, hike the many trails at Conecuh, win prizes with the Camp Decoration Contest, and so much more. ADMISSION IS FREE and the event is OPEN TO EVERYONE!!! We only ask that you register if you plan to attend and if you can, bring something for the BIG Pot Luck Supper Saturday night. Get more details and register online today at http://alaruck.hikealabama.org
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 at 6:00pm at a location TBD in Huntsville. The Nook was too loud and crowded our last meeting and the meeting rooms in the library appear to be reserved. If you have any suggestions or requests, please let me know or I will find a quieter spot for us to meet. For the meeting, we will be talking about the trail work coming up on the 22nd, the progress of planning our portion of the Alabama trail, upcoming hikes, news from around the state, and anything else you would like to discuss. Please bring all your ideas for what you want to see the AHTS do this fall.
If you have not renewed your membership for 2011 yet or would like to get a jump on 2012, please go to http://hikealabama.org/membership to renew your membership or to become a member and to help our organization and our voice grow. Notice that we have moved into the digital age and now allow you to get your membership online!
For updated news, links and events, please visit our website or Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alabama-Hiking-Trail-Society-Tennessee-Valley-Chapter/186097912151
Statewide News and Events
- AlaRuck 2011 will be held October 8-9 at the Open Pond Recreation Area in the Conecuh National Forest and YOU’RE INVITED! AlaRuck is a weekend filled with hiking and fellowship and IT’S FREE! Complete details and registration information can be found at alaruck.hikealabama.org, by emailing us at ahts@hikealabama.org, or by phone at 251-279-0801.
Upcoming Events
-Sunday, October 16th, 8:00am: Fagan Springs Hike
We will be doing an easy to moderate hike on Land Trust land leaving from the Owens Drive trailhead on the morning of Sunday, October 16th. The hike will include the following trails: start trailhead at end of Owens Drive–Fagan Springs–Alms House–Wagon Trail–Wildflower Trail–Fagan Springs–Alms House–Old Railroad Bed–Toll Creek-Fagan Springs back to trailhead. Please be at the trailhead at 7:45am and make sure to wear good shoes and bring water. The hike will last from 1 to 1.5 hours. Please contact Connie with any questions.
-Tuesday, October 18th, 6:00pm: October Meeting
The October meeting will be on Tuesday, October 18th at 6pm at a location TBD in Huntsville. The topics will include the trail work coming up on the 22nd, the progress of planning our portion of the Alabama trail, upcoming hikes, news from around the state, and anything else you would like to discuss.
Saturday, October 22nd, 8:00am (leaving at 7:00am): Walls of Jericho Trail Work
We will be doing a full day of trail work in the Walls of Jericho on Saturday, October 22nd. We will be doing general cleanup, maintenance and trash pickup on the main Walls trail. There will be something for hikers of any level to do, so please come help us keep north Alabama beautiful. We will wagon train and carpool up to the Walls from the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 72 in Gurley, leaving at 7:00am, or you can meet us in the hikers parking lot at 8:00am. Please email or call Lucas by 8pm on Friday, October 21st if you would like to help out so that I know how many people to expect. Make sure to bring plenty of water, a lunch to get you through the day, and any gloves, loppers or other equipment you may have. We are starting early and will be done by mid-afternoon (4pm) if not earlier.
-Sunday, October 30th, TBD: Huntsville Hike
We will be doing a hike on Sunday, October 30th with specific times and trail information to come.
-Tuesday, November 15th, 6:00pm:November Meeting
The November meeting will be on Tuesday, November 15th at 6pm at a location TBD in Huntsville.
I hope to see you all at our upcoming events and thank you for your dedication to our hiking pastime! Please do not hesitate to call or email if you have any questions or ideas.
Lucas Veverka
Alabama Hiking Trail Society
Tennessee Valley Chapter – Chair
