Sunday, March 4 — Wildflower Walk, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.
Led by Charles Rose.
Meet 1:00pm in front of the restrooms at the Nature Trails parking lot, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation.
This outing is free to the public, but you should register. This event could possibly be cancelled or postponed due to adverse weather conditions or changes in the leader’s work schedule.
To register or get more info, contact Charles Rose at chuckrivers@comcast.net or 256-366-1937.
Registering is easy; all we need is:
1. Your name.
2. The number of people in your party.
3. A contact phone number, preferably a cell phone.
This walk will include the Hall Memorial Native Plant Garden and the TVA Small Wild Area (First Quarters Ravine).
On this walk we will get a look at some of the earliest blooming wildflowers here in NW Alabama.
This is an easy walk; the total distance covered is less than a mile. The Native Plant Garden is level and the paved trails there are wheelchair accessible. The First Quarters Ravine portion includes some up-hill and downhill. You may leave earlier, if you wish, but this event will take about two hours.
For those wanting to walk a little more, we can continue on to a nearby Civil War earthwork sites, which has been recently cleared of privet. Along the way we will see even more wildflowers.
Wildflowers we hope to see in bloom on this date include False Rue Anemone, Rue Anemone, Harbinger of Spring, Alabama Croton, Giant Chickweed, Trillium cuneatum, Sharp-lobed Hepatica, Cut-leaf Toothwort, Spring Cress, Wild Blue Phlox, Jacobs Ladder and Boodroot.
Directions:The Nature Trails parking lot is just off of Reservation Road on TVA’s Muscle Shoals Reservation.
From Wilson Dam: Go south on Reservation Road for app. 2.5 miles. At the “Nature Trails” sign, turn right into the parking lot.
From Hatch Blvd. (US-43) in Sheffield:Turn at the TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation sign (¼ mile north of the Radisson Hotel) and go app. 1.5 miles. At the “Nature Trails” sign, turn left into the parking lot.
From Birmingham:Take I-65 N for app. 50 miles to Cullman. Take the AL-157 exit (Exit 310). At the end of the ramp, turn left onto AL-157 N (toward Moulton). Continue on AL-157 for app. 55 miles, passing through Moulton on the way. Merging with AL-20 W (alt US-72 W), continue for another 4.3 miles into Muscle Shoals, AL. Turn right onto US-43 N. Go 4.5 miles. Soon after passing the Radisson Hotel (on the left), turn right onto the TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation. (This is Reservation Road.) Go 1.5 miles and turn left at the “Nature Trails” sign into the parking lot.
From Huntsville:Take I-565 W. I-565 will become AL-20 W. Continue on AL-20 W as it crosses the Tennessee River into Decatur. On the other side of the bridge, AL-20 immediately turns right at the light. Continue app. 40 miles more on AL-20 W to Muscle Shoals, AL. Turn right on US-43 N. Continue on US-43 N for app. 4.5 miles. Soon after passing the Radisson Hotel (on the left), turn right onto the TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation. (This is Reservation Road.) Go 1.5 miles and turn left at the “Nature Trails” sign into the parking lot.
——————————
Google Map, showing location of the TVA Nature Trails Parking Lot
https://goo.gl/maps/
******************************
Saturday, March 10 — Wildflower Walk, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.
Led by Charles Rose.
Meet 10:00am in front of the restrooms at the Nature Trails parking lot, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation.
This outing is free to the public, but you should register. This event could possibly be cancelled or postponed due to adverse weather conditions or changes in the leader’s work schedule.
To register or get more info, contact Charles Rose at chuckrivers@comcast.net or 256-366-1937.
Registering is easy; all we need is:
1. Your name.
2. The number of people in your party.
3. A contact phone number, preferably a cell phone.
This walk will include the Hall Memorial Native Plant Garden and the TVA Small Wild Area (First Quarters Ravine).
On this walk we will get a look at some of the earliest blooming wildflowers here in NW Alabama.
This is an easy walk; the total distance covered is less than a mile. The Native Plant Garden is level and the paved trails there are wheelchair accessible. The First Quarters Ravine portion includes some up-hill and downhill. You may leave earlier, if you wish, but this event will take about two hours.
For those wanting to walk a little more, we will continue on to a nearby Civil War earthwork sites, which has been recently cleared of privet. Along the way we will see even more wildflowers.
Wildflowers we hope to see in bloom on this date include False Rue Anemone, Rue Anemone, Harbinger of Spring, Alabama Croton, Giant Chickweed, Trillium cuneatum, Sharp-lobed Hepatica, Cut-leaf Toothwort, Spring Cress, Wild Blue Phlox, Jacobs Ladder and Boodroot.
Directions:The Nature Trails parking lot is just off of Reservation Road on TVA’s Muscle Shoals Reservation.
From Wilson Dam: Go south on Reservation Road for app. 2.5 miles. At the “Nature Trails” sign, turn right into the parking lot.
From Hatch Blvd. (US-43) in Sheffield:Turn at the TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation sign (¼ mile north of the Radisson Hotel) and go app. 1.5 miles. At the “Nature Trails” sign, turn left into the parking lot.
From Birmingham:Take I-65 N for app. 50 miles to Cullman. Take the AL-157 exit (Exit 310). At the end of the ramp, turn left onto AL-157 N (toward Moulton). Continue on AL-157 for app. 55 miles, passing through Moulton on the way. Merging with AL-20 W (alt US-72 W), continue for another 4.3 miles into Muscle Shoals, AL. Turn right onto US-43 N. Go 4.5 miles. Soon after passing the Radisson Hotel (on the left), turn right onto the TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation. (This is Reservation Road.) Go 1.5 miles and turn left at the “Nature Trails” sign into the parking lot.
From Huntsville:Take I-565 W. I-565 will become AL-20 W. Continue on AL-20 W as it crosses the Tennessee River into Decatur. On the other side of the bridge, AL-20 immediately turns right at the light. Continue app. 40 miles more on AL-20 W to Muscle Shoals, AL. Turn right on US-43 N. Continue on US-43 N for app. 4.5 miles. Soon after passing the Radisson Hotel (on the left), turn right onto the TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation. (This is Reservation Road.) Go 1.5 miles and turn left at the “Nature Trails” sign into the parking lot.
——————————
Google Map, showing location of the TVA Nature Trails Parking Lot
https://goo.gl/maps/
******************************
Sunday, March 11 — Wildflower Hike, Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.
Meet 1:30pm at the preserve, located in Colbert County, about 8 miles south of Tuscumbia, AL.
Led by Charles Rose.
This outing is free to the public, but you should register.
To register or get more info, contact Charles Rose at chuckrivers@comcast.net or 256-366-1937.
Registering is easy; all we need is:
1. Your name.
2. The number of people in your party.
3. A contact phone number, preferably a cell phone.
Bring water & snacks. Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes. Moderately rigorous: at least a 4-mile hike, with up-hills & down-hills. We will be flexible as far as the distance covered; some may choose to go further.
See waterfalls, including the 60-ft. “Big Waterfall”, scenic vistas, huge flower-strewn boulders and cascading creeks.
Our main goal on this hike is The Boulder Garden, featuring huge rocks that we hope will be strewn with hundreds of Trout Lilies.
Other wildflowers expected to be blooming are Hepatica, Bloodroot, Rue Anemone, Jacob’s Ladder, Trillium cuneatum, Toothworts and more.
Directions
From Birmingham:
Take I-65 N for app. 50 miles to Cullman.
Take the AL-157 exit (Exit 310).
At the end of the ramp, turn left onto AL-157 N (toward Moulton).
Continue on AL-157 for app. 55 miles, passing through Moulton, AL on the way.
Merging with AL-20 W (alt US-72 W), continue for another 4.3 miles into Muscle Shoals, AL.
At the large intersection with US-43 (where AL-157 & AL-20 turn right), continue straight onto US-72 W.
Go 3.4 miles on US-72 W.
At the Colbert County Farmers’ Co-Op (on the left), turn left onto the access road & go down the hill to Frankfort Rd.
Turn left (south) on Frankfort Rd. & go 7.25 miles.
After passing Piney Grove Church of Christ (on the right), go another ¼ mile & turn right on Loop Rd. (CR 41).
Go just 1/10 mile & veer left onto the gravel road as Loop Rd. bends to the right.
Follow the gravel road past the chicken houses (on the left) to the Lacefield’s Spanish-style house.
From Huntsville:
Take I-565 W.
I-565 will become AL-20 W.
Continue on AL-20 W as it crosses the Tennessee River into Decatur.
On the other side of the bridge, AL-20 immediately turns right at the light.
Continue app. 40 miles more on AL-20 W to Muscle Shoals, AL.
At the large intersection with US-43 (where AL-20 W turns right), continue straight onto US-72 W.
Go 3.4 miles on US-72 W.
At the Colbert County Farmers’ Co-Op (on the left), turn left onto the access road & go down the hill to Frankfort Rd.
Turn left (south) on Frankfort Rd. & go 7.25 miles.
After passing Piney Grove Church of Christ (on the right), go another ¼ mile & turn right on Loop Rd. (CR 41).
Go just 1/10 mile & veer left onto the gravel road as Loop Rd. bends to the right.
Follow the gravel road past the chicken houses (on the left) to the Lacefield’s Spanish-style house.
From US-43 in Muscle Shoals:
Take US-72 W.
At the Colbert County Farmers’ Co-Op (3.4 miles west of US-43), turn left onto the access road & go down the hill to Frankfort Rd.
Turn left (south) on Frankfort Rd. & go 7.25 miles.
After passing Piney Grove Church of Christ (on the right), go another ¼ mile & turn right on Loop Rd. (CR 41).
Go just 1/10 mile & veer left onto the gravel road as Loop Rd. bends to the right.
Follow the gravel road past the chicken houses (on the left) to the Lacefield’s Spanish-style house.
—————
If you get confused, call owners Jim and Faye Lacefield at 256- 381-6301 or Charles Rose at c. 256-366-1937.
————–
Google Map, showing location of Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
https://goo.gl/maps/
——————————
About Cane Creek: Jim & Faye Lacefield own and maintain Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve and offer it free of charge to the public all year round for hiking, camping and other activities. With the new addition on its north side, the preserve now totals more than 700 acres. It contains 12 miles of hiking trails, with another 3 miles currently under construction in the new addition. The preserve features canyons, huge boulders, waterfalls, scenic vistas and rare wildflowers, such as French’s Shooting Star.
Visit the Friends of Cane Creek Nature Preserve page on Facebook to see photos of the preserve, learn more about its geology and read visitor comments.
******************************
More Upcoming Outings (Full details in attachment.)
Saturday, March 17 — Walls of Jericho Wildflower Hike
Meet 10:00am at the Walls of Jericho’s Alabama hikers parking lot in Jackson County, AL, or 7:00am at the Radisson Hotel parking lot, 4900 Hatch Blvd, Sheffield, AL.
Sunday, March 18 — Bull Skull Hollow Wildflower Hike
Meet 1:00pm at Jack’s Hamburgers, 3411 Woodward Ave. (US-43) in Muscle Shoals, AL, on the south side of the building.
Saturday, March 24 — Wildflower Hike at Monte Sano State Park
Meet 10:00am at the hiker’s parking lot, on the right, just past the lodge at Monte Sano State Park, or 8:00am, Radisson Hotel parking lot, 4900 Hatch Blvd, Sheffield, AL.
Sunday, March 25 — TVA Rockpile Trail Wildflower Hike
Meet 1:00pm in front of the restrooms at the Nature Trails parking lot, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation.
Saturday, March 31 — Waterfall Branch Wildflower Hike
You must register for this one. Group size will be limited to 10. No children under 12. Meet 10:00am at The Coldwater Mill Restaurant, 814 US-72 W, Tuscumbia, AL.
Saturday, April 7 — Shoals Earth Day Fest 2018
Time: 11:00am-6:00pm
Location: S. Main Street & 6th, Tuscumbia, AL
Rain Location: The Roundhouse. 204 W. 5th St., Tuscumbia, AL
Sunday, April 8 – Thompson Creek Wildflower
You must register! Group size is limited to 10 in the Sipsey Wilderness, so I can only take nine people on this one. Meet 9:00am at the Warrior Mountains Trading Company store in Moulton, 8am at the Radisson Hotel in Sheffield, or at the trailhead.
Sunday, April 15 — Wildflower Hike at Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
Meet 1:00pm at the preserve in Colbert County, 8 miles south of Tuscumbia.
Sunday, April 22 — Shoal Creek Preserve Wildflower Hike
Meet 1:00pm at the preserve, near St. Florian, just north of Florence, AL.
Saturday, April 28 – Rock Spring Nature Walk & Visit to Tom Hendrix’s Wall
Co-sponsored by the Natchez Trace Parkway Association. Meet 10:00am at the
Rock Spring parking lot, Natchez Trace, north of Florence, in Lauderdale County, AL.
Sunday, April 29 — Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk at the TVA Reservation
Led by Darryl Patton, author, master herbalist, and Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND). Meet 1:00pm in front of the restrooms at the Nature Trails parking lot, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation.
Sunday, May 13 — Wildflower Hike & Americana Exhibits at Bull Skull Hollow
Meet 1:00pm at Jack’s Hamburgers, 3411 Woodward Ave. (US-43) in Muscle Shoals, AL, on the south side of the building.
Sunday, May 20 – Tree Identification 101 Nature Walk
Led by forester Jack Paul. Joe Wheeler State Park Multi-Use Trail. Meet 2:00pm at the trailhead, west side of AL-101, Lawrence County, AL, one mile south of Wheeler Dam.
Saturday & Sunday, May 26-27 — Camp Out at Cane Creek Canyon
Meet Saturday, between 10am-12:00pm at the preserve. If you don’t want to camp out, you are welcome to just come out for the hikes at 1:00pm Saturday and 10:00am Sunday.
