Wildflower Walks 2020

Shoals Community Clinic shares information about local 2020 Spring Nature Outings

Sunday, March 8 --- Wildflower Hike, Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.

Meet 1:00pm 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. Registering ensures you will
be notified of any last minute changes or cancellation, due to weather, the leader's
work schedule, etc.

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/AjTjALyPkow
------------------------------------
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.
https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Cane-Creek-Canyon-Nature-Preserve-
126802417335447/?view_public_for=126802417335447

_______________________________

Saturday, March 14 --- Wildflower Walk, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation

Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.

Led by Charles Rose.
Meet 1:30pm 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 Clarion Inn) 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 Clarion Inn (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 Clarion Inn (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/9wBmFiUW9gN2

_______________________________

Sunday, March 15 --- Bull Skull Hollow Wildflower Hike
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.
Led by Charles Rose.

This outing is free to the public, but you should register. Registering ensures you will
be notified of any last minute changes or cancellation, due to weather, the leader's
work schedule, etc.

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.

Meet 1:00pm at Jack’s Hamburgers, 3211 Woodward Ave. (US-43) in Muscle Shoals,
AL, on the south side of the building.
Google Map, showing location of Jack's Hamburgers
https://goo.gl/maps/pDx5ArCrems
Bring water and snacks.

The Hicks family hosts this event on their 300-acre tract on Spring Creek, near the
Lagrange community in Colbert County.

We will hike along beautiful Spring Creek, in search of early spring wildflowers.

On this date, expect to see Trout Lily, including White Trout Lily, various Toothworts,
Hepatica, Spring Cress, various Trilliums, Bloodroot, Saxifrage, Spring Beauty, Virginia
Bluebell, native Azaleas and many more.

_______________________________

Wednesday, March 18 --- Lunchtime Wildflower Walk, TVA Muscle Shoals
Reservation
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.
Led by Charles Rose.
Meet 12:00pm 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).

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 an hour and a half.
There should be a large variety of wildflowers blooming on this date.
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 Clarion Inn) 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 Clarion Inn (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 Clarion Inn (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/9wBmFiUW9gN2

_______________________________

Saturday, March 21 --- Wildflower Hike at Monte Sano State Park
Led by Charles Rose.

Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.
The sponsors offer this event free to the public, but the State Park charges an
admittance fee.
Adults and kids 12 or older pay a $5.00 fee.
Kids ages 4-11, seniors 62+, and active military are all charged $2.00.
Kids 3 and under are admitted for free.
It’s not required, but you should register. Registering ensures you will be notified of any
last-minute changes or cancellation, due to weather, the leader's work schedule, etc.
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.

Meet 10:00am at the hiker's parking lot, on the right, just past the lodge at Monte Sano
State Park. (This is also known as the Monte Sano Main Trailhead Parking Lot.)
Google Map, showing location of the hiker’s parking lot at Monte Sano State Park.
https://goo.gl/maps/mCfrRaPmc372

Call Charles Rose (256-366-1937) for carpooling over from the Muscle Shoals
area. We will leave at 8:00am from the Clarion Inn, 4900 Hatch Blvd., Sheffield, AL
35660. (This is the old Holiday Inn)
This hike will include the Sinks Trail and the Stone Cuts Trail. We will also walk
through the impressive limestone rock formations known as the Stone Cuts. There are
also several nice vistas of the terrain below on these trails.
Plants possibly in bloom on this date include Virginia Bluebell, Goldenseal, Wild
Columbine, Dwarf Larkspur, Twinleaf, Bellwort, Squawroot, Phacelia, Blue Cohosh,
Roundleaf Ragwort, Wild Blue Phlox, Trilliums, and many more.
The hike should last about around 4 hours and cover approximately 3-4 miles.
Bring lunch, water & snacks. Wear hiking boots or other sturdy footwear.

_______________________________

Sunday, March 22 --- TVA Rockpile Trail Wildflower Hike
Please note: This meets at the Nature Trails Parking Lot, not at the Dam!
Led by Charles Rose.

Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.

This outing is free to the public, but you should register. Registering ensures you will
be notified of any last minute changes or cancellation, due to weather, the leader's
work schedule, etc.
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.

Meet: 1:00pm at the Nature Trails parking lot at the TVA Muscle Shoals
Reservation.
We will leave some cars here and then carpool the short distance to the Wilson Dam
visitors center parking lot to start our hike.
We will hike one-way on the historic Rockpile Trail from Wilson Dam back to the Nature
Trails Parking Lot.
Description: Moderately-rigorous, with several steep uphills and downhills. The
distance may vary, depending on how much participants want to see, but the minimum
distance will be around 2.5 to 3 miles.

Bring snacks and water. Wear hiking boots or other sturdy footwear.

The emphasis will be on spring wildflowers and local history as we traverse the
Rockpile Trail from Wilson Dam downstream to Southport, once the site of a thriving
steamboat port. Wildflowers of interest will include Red Buckeye, Wild Blue Phlox, Rue

Anemone, Jacob’s Ladder, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, False Rue Anemone, Cut-leaf
Toothwort, Yellow Woodlands Violet and many more.

Our starting point, the Visitors Center parking lot, is also Site #6 on the North Alabama
Birding Trail. Unfortunately, the visitor Center itself has been closed due to Homeland
Security concerns. From this spot, high up on a bluff, many seagulls and other
shorebirds are in view. There is also a fine panoramic view of historic Wilson Dam,
which is listed in the National Register as a National Historic Landmark.

The Rockpile Trail features many scenic vistas of the Tennessee River (Pickwick
Lake).

Eagles, Great Blue Heron and Osprey are regularly spotted in the vicinity of the TVA
Rockpile, so bring your binoculars.

As we hike westward from the dam, we will pass several historic spots, including the
foundations of the old Wilson Steam Plant (once the largest facility of its kind in the
world), the infamous TVA "Slag Pile" and the stone CCC Picnic Pavilion, built during
the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Stone steps, bridge
foundations, check dams, and other erosion abatements, all built in the 1930’s by the
CCC, will also be of interest.

We will also cross Pond Creek, which originally ended in a sinkhole south of the TVA
Reservation. In the 1930’s it was diverted so that it would flow into the Tennessee
River, just a few yards below our crossing.
After resting at the historic CCC Picnic Pavilion on a bluff overlooking the river, we will
continue on into the Small Wild Area, also known as the First Quarters Ravine, chock-
full of blooming spring wildflowers.

The Rockpile Trail concludes at Southport, once the site of a thriving riverboat port in
the 1800’s.

On our return, we will walk through two Civil War earthworks, both constructed by
General John Bell Hood's army while they were encamped here for three weeks,
waiting to cross the swollen Tennessee River while en route to fight the battle of
Franklin.

Next, we will briefly visit the Hall Memorial Native Plant Garden, maintained by
volunteers, which was once the site of the historic First Quarters, originally built as
officers’ quarters while Wilson Dam was being constructed during World War I.

We’ll may also take a quick look at The Animal House (eligible for the National
Register of Historic Places), once a laboratory where scientists studied mosquito-borne
diseases, including malaria.
Google Map, showing the location of the TVA Nature Trails Parking Lot
https://goo.gl/maps/RiSrfc772Eq
Directions: The Nature Trails parking lot is just off 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 Clarion Inn) 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 Clarion Inn (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 Clarion Inn (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.

_______________________________

Saturday, March 28 --- Waterfall Branch Wildflower Hike
Led by Charles Rose.
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.

Free to the public, but you must register.
Group size will be limited to 10. No children under 12.

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.

Meet 10:00am, The Coldwater Mill Restaurant, 814 US-72 W, Tuscumbia, AL. 35674.
Don’t park in the restaurant’s parking lot, but in the vacant lot on the east side (right
side) of the restaurant. (This is the former Rocking Chair Restaurant.)
Moderately-rigorous, sometimes rigorous hike. Distance covered indeterminate. At
times the going might be a little rough. This is mostly off-trail walking, including some
steep grades, downed trees & stream crossings (bring extra socks!).
This hike is in a beautiful canyon in Colbert County, along Waterfall Branch in the Cane
Creek watershed. Of interest are a 90-ft. waterfall (the tallest in these parts), sandstone
rock shelters & bluffs, Big Leaf Magnolias and a great variety of native flora,
including several lesser seen wildflower species, such as French's Shooting Star,
Yellow Lady’s Slipper, Showy Orchis and Yellow Mandarin.

Bring lunch, water and snacks. Wear hiking boots or other sturdy footwear.
Long pants, walking stick, a change of socks & insect repellent are advised.
After the hike, we will visit the nearby Rattlesnake Saloon, which is built underneath a
shelter bluff!
Info and photos of the Rattlesnake Saloon
https://www.rattlesnakesaloon.net/s
Google Map, showing the location of The Coldwater Mill Restaurant
https://goo.gl/maps/TEuPbTeaWNo

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 2.4 miles on US-72 W.
The Coldwater Mill Restaurant will be on the right, just past the Alabama Music Hall of
Fame, on the left.

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 2.4 miles on US-72 W.
The Coldwater Mill Restaurant will be on the right, just past the Alabama Music Hall of
Fame, on the left.

From US-43 (Woodward Ave.) in Muscle Shoals:
Go 2.4 miles on US-72 W.
The Coldwater Mill Restaurant will be on the right, just past the Alabama Music Hall of
Fame, on the left.

_______________________________

Sunday, March 29 --- Borden Creek to Fall Creek Falls Wildflower Hike
This hike is in the Sipsey Wilderness of the Bankhead National Forest.
Led by Charles Rose.
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family & Shoals Environmental Alliance.

This outing is free to the public, but you must register.
Group size is limited to 10 in the Sipsey Wilderness, so I can only take nine people
on this one.
If you register and then change your mind, please let me know, so someone on the
waiting list might be able to attend.
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.
4. Whether you are going to meet us at the Clarion Inn in Sheffield, or the Warrior
Mountains Trading Company store in Moulton.
There are two choices for meeting us:
1. Meet us 8:00am at the Clarion Inn, 4900 Hatch Blvd., Sheffield, AL 35660.
2. Meet us 9:00am at the Warrior Mountains Trading Company store, 11312 AL-
33, Moulton, AL 35650. The store is about three miles south of the square in Moulton,
at the intersection of AL-33 & AL-36. If you are coming south on AL-33, it is on the left,
just before AL-36.
This is a challenging, app. 4 mile through-hike. Age limit: 12 years and over.
Description: After carpooling down to the trailhead on Borden Creek, we will hike down
the west bank of the creek to the Sipsey River, then hike upstream to Fall Creek and
beautiful Fall Creek Falls. After eating lunch there, we will return. On the return, we will
have the option or crossing the mouth of Borden Creek and returning up its east bank,
where at one point the trail enters a short natural tunnel through the rock. Expect many
early spring wildflowers.

Bring lunch, snacks & drinking water. Shoes need to be sturdy hiking boots or
sneakers with good tread. Hiking sticks and an extra pair of socks are advised.
Directions to the Warrior Mountain Trading Company store

From Muscle Shoals:
From Woodward Ave. (US-43) in Muscle Shoals:
Take Al-157 south toward Moulton. Go about 26 miles.
Turn right (south) on Al-33. go 5.6 miles (this will pass through the Moulton town
square).
The store is on the left, just before Al- 33 & 39 intersection with Al-36.
Warrior Mountain Trading Company, 11312 AL-33, Moulton, AL 35650
From Birmingham:
Take I-65 north.
At Cullman, take exit 310, AL-157.
Follow AL-157 headed north (toward Moulton) for 23 miles.
Take a left onto AL-36 and go 8 miles.
When AL-36 dead-ends at AL-33, the trading post will be on your right.
Warrior Mountain Trading Company, 11312 AL-33, Moulton, AL 35650

_______________________________

Wednesday, April 1 --- Lunchtime Wildflower Walk, TVA Muscle Shoals
Reservation
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.
Led by Charles Rose.
Meet 12:00pm 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).
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 an hour and a half.
There should be a large variety of wildflowers blooming on this date.

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 Clarion Inn) 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 Clarion Inn (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 Clarion Inn (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.
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Google Map, showing location of the TVA Nature Trails Parking Lot
https://goo.gl/maps/9wBmFiUW9gN2

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Sunday, April 5 --- Thompson Creek Wildflower Hike
This hike is in the Sipsey Wilderness of the Bankhead National Forest.
Led by Charles Rose.
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family & Shoals Environmental Alliance.
This outing is free to the public, but you must register.
Group size is limited to 10 in the Sipsey Wilderness, so I can only take nine people
on this one.
If you get registered and then change your mind, please let me know, so someone on
the waiting list might be able to attend.
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.
4. Whether you are going to meet us at the Clarion Inn in Sheffield, the Warrior
Mountains Trading Company store in Moulton, or the Thompson Creek Trailhead.
Moderately rigorous: at least a 5-6 mile hike, with up-hills & down-hills.
Bring lunch, water & snacks. Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes. A hiking pole or stick
is recommended.

Meet us 9:00am at the Warrior Mountains Trading Company store, 11312 AL-33,
Moulton, AL 35650. The store is about three miles south of the square in Moulton, at
the intersection of AL-33 & AL-36. If you are coming south on AL-33, it is on the left,
just before AL-36.
Google Map for the Warrior Mountains Trading Company store
https://goo.gl/maps/Q9qyALAWmsQ2

For those coming from the Muscle Shoals area, we will meet 8:00am at the Clarion
Inn, 4900 Hatch Blvd., Sheffield, AL 35660.
We will caravan to the Thompson Creek trailhead on the west side of the Wilderness.
We will hike south, generally along the east bank of Thompson Creek, on Trail #206
(Thompson Creek Trail) down to the Sipsey River and back again, about 5-6 miles
total. There will be several small creek crossings, but this should be accomplished
without getting our feet wet.
At this time of year the wildflowers will be spectacular. Expect a bounteous display.
Also of interest will be numerous small waterfalls, bluff-lines, shelter bluffs and other
interesting rock formations.
Near the end of the trail we will arrive at Ship Rock, resembling the bow of a large
ship. Here we will ascend the hill to reach a gap or crevice in the bluff known as The
Eye of the Needle, which will enable us to take a short-cut down to
the Sipsey River on the other side. After walking upstream to the mouth of Thompson
Creek, we will return by the same trail.

_______________________________

Sunday, April 12 --- Shoal Creek Preserve Wildflower Hike
Led by Charles Rose.
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance.
This outing is free to the public, but you should register. Registering ensures you will
be notified of any last minute changes or cancellation, due to weather, the leader's
work schedule, etc.
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.
Meet 1:00pm at the preserve.

This is a moderate, app. 4.5 mile hike, with up-hills and down-hills.
Bring water and snacks. Wear hiking boots or sturdy footwear.
Expect to see many spring wildflowers, including White Trillium, Twisted Trillium,
Bellwort, Eastern Blue Star, Trillium, Yellow Mandarin, and more.
Shoal Creek Preserve is in Lauderdale County, just north of Florence, AL. Its 298
acres feature 4.5 miles of hiking trails, horse trails, pristine, cascading creeks and a
great variety of flora. It was purchased by the State of Alabama under the Forever Wild
program.

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 2.3 miles into Muscle Shoals, AL. Turn
right onto Wilson Dam Rd. (AL-133). Go app. 7.5 miles, crossing over the Tennessee
River. Take the first exit after the bridge, turning right onto Veteran’s Drive (AL-133).
Go 1.5 miles. At the dead-end, turn left onto Cox Creek Parkway (AL-133). Go app. 2
¾ miles and turn right onto Old Jackson Hwy (CR-47) toward St. Florian. (There is a
Martin’s store on this corner.) Go app. 2.5 miles and turn left on Butler Creek Road
(CR 61). Go 3 miles, then turn right at the Shoal Creek Preserve sign to the parking lot.
From Huntsville: Take US-72 W to Florence, AL (app. 55 miles). Turn right onto Cox
Creek Parkway (AL-133). Go app. 1.5 miles and turn right onto Old Jackson Hwy (CR-
47) toward St. Florian. (There is a Martin’s store on this corner.) Go app. 2.5 miles and
turn left on Butler Creek Road (CR 61). Go 3 miles, then turn right at the Shoal Creek
Preserve sign to the parking lot.
From Cox Creek Parkway in Florence: Go north on Old Jackson Hwy (CR 47) to St.
Florian, about 2.5 miles. (This is the continuation of Hermitage Dr.) Turn left on Butler
Creek Road (CR 61). Go 3 miles, then turn right at the Shoal Creek Preserve sign to
the parking lot.
Google Map, showing the location of Shoal Creek Preserve
https://goo.gl/maps/j3YLBrXh6vE2

_______________________________

Sunday, April 19 --- Wildflower Hike at Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve

Meet 1:00pm at the preserve.
Led by Charles Rose.
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family and Shoals Environmental Alliance,
This outing is free to the public, but you should register. Registering ensures you will
be notified of any last minute changes or cancellation, due to weather, the leader's
work schedule, etc.
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 lunch, water and snacks. Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes.
Moderately rigorous: our exact route is indeterminate at the moment, but expect
around a 5-mile hike, with a 300 ft. elevation change and several up-hills & down-hills.
Participants may choose to leave earlier if they don't want to hike the full 5 miles. There
are good, well-marked trails the whole way.
Blooming wildflowers on this date will include the rare French’s Shooting Star, native
Azaleas, Yellow Ladies Slipper, and much more. The Preserve includes waterfalls,
including the 60-ft. “Big Waterfall”, scenic vistas, flower-strewn boulders & cascading
creeks.

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/AjTjALyPkow
----------------------------------------------
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 15 miles of hiking trails. The
preserve features many streams, canyons, huge boulders, rock shelters, waterfalls,
scenic vistas, a great diversity of flora and fauna and rare wildflowers, such as
French's Shooting Star.

Visit the Friends of Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve page on Facebook to see
photos of the preserve, learn more about its geology and read visitor comments:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Cane-Creek-Canyon-Nature-
Preserve/126802417335447

_______________________________

Sunday, April 26 --- Wildflower Hike at Bull Skull Hollow
Sponsored by Fresh Air Family, Shoals Environmental Alliance and Shoals Wildflower
Society.

Led by Charles Rose.

This outing is free to the public, but you should register. Registering ensures you will
be notified of any last minute changes or cancellation, due to weather, the leader's
work schedule, etc.

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.

Meet 1:00pm at Jack’s Hamburgers, 3411 Woodward Ave. (US-43) in Muscle Shoals,
AL, on the south side of the building.
Google Map, showing the location of Jack’s Hamburgers

https://goo.gl/maps/75prTRzkGW72
Bring water and snacks.

The Hicks family hosts this event on their 300-acre tract on Spring Creek, near the
Lagrange community in Colbert County.

We will hike along beautiful Spring Creek, in search of spring wildflowers.

This will probably be a 4-5 mile hike, but if you are not up for that distance you can
return a little sooner. We will walk downhill to the creek, then our route is pretty level
until our return back up the hill.
If participants or willing to take a little more strenuous route back up the hill, we may
visit an impressive rock outcropping variously known as "The Rockpile" or "The
Castle"

On this date, expect to see in bloom native Azaleas, Mountain Laurel, Green Dragon,
Sessileleaf Bellwort, Barren Strawberry, Large-flowered Bellwort, Eastern Blue Star,
Wild Comfrey, Blue-eyed Grass, Fire Pink, Southern Stoneseed, Solomon's Seal,
Toothworts, Trilliums, and much more.

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
(Woodward Ave.) and go 1.2 miles. Jack’s Hamburgers will be on the right. Meet on
the south side of the building.

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 (Woodward Ave.) and go 1.2 miles. Jack’s Hamburgers will be
on the right. Meet on the south side of the building.

_______________________________

Shoals Community Clinic shares information about local 2020 Spring Nature Outings

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