| The Wild Places at Your Backdoor |
 |
 |
|
A Wild South Special Event: Learn outdoor skills, hike in a wild place and support Wild South Saturday and Sunday, January 23-24, 2010 The Wild South office in Wren, Alabama and the Bankhead National Forest
There is nothing quite like the beauty, peace and wonder of wild, natural places. A special place in the Warrior Mountains of North Alabama, which answers perfectly these qualities, is the William B. Bankhead National Forest. Bankhead's 180,000 acres contain within its boundaries the incomparable Sipsey Wilderness Area through which the Wild and Scenic Sipsey River flows. Even outside the Sipsey Wilderness, this forest is rich in biodiversity, breathtaking scenery, history, canyons, waterfalls and more. There are arborglyphs, petroglyphs, many miles of canoe and hiking trails, rockhouses (bluff shelters used by Native Americans), and more places to see and explore than can be accomplished in a lifetime! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it now and come join us for two fun days of learning as Bob Crow teaches how to explore this magical and mythical place! Class size is limited to 10, so sign up now. The fee for this educational event, which includes lunch on Saturday, is only $75 per person. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Your entire donation will stay right here in Alabama and be used to continue the forest protection work being done by the local Wild South staff.
Saturday, January 23, 2010 Warrior Mountains Trading Company, 8:30 a.m. A learning experience in the class room as Bob Crow shares:
Sunday, January 24, 2010 8:30 a.m. A day of exploration! Bring your own backpack lunch and come prepared for a day hike. We will visit a little known place called The Arches. During the hike to The Arches we will see some large interesting fossils in the solid rock of the stream. A short distance away are the two, graduated-in-size, free-standing arches used for shelter by the Native Americans who lived in this area long ago. Petroglyphs are carved into stone under the arch and steps are carved into the rock bluff across the stream from the arches. Just a few feet down-stream you will see the remains of a still where a bootlegger made whiskey during the days of prohibition. This lovely tributary leads to Capsey Creek, one of the major waterways in Bankhead National Forest. We will explore downstream to the creek and view a spectacular waterfall and summertime swimming hole.
Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Warrior Mountains Trading Company in Wren, Alabama (11312 AL Hwy. 33, Moulton, AL). We will carpool to the area of exploration. For this adventure, bring your own backpack lunch, water and a hiking stick. This hike is about 4 miles round trip and is rated moderate to strenuous.
Again, lunch on Saturday will be provided and we will be inside for the day. You will need to provide your own backpack lunch and water on Sunday as we will be exploring off-trail all day. Your camera will be an asset to preserve memories of this adventure!
To sign up or ask questions, contact Janice Barrett at 256-974-6166 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Bob Crow, Wild Places instructor Barbara (Bob) Crow is a naturalist and certified yoga instructor. A native of North Alabama's Warrior Mountains, Bob has spent many years exploring the forests and canyons of the Bankhead National Forest and Sipsey Wilderness. She has worked with Wild Alabama and Wild South as a volunteer and an employee, has taught wilderness survival courses, led countless hikes and is the founder of Wild South's hiking program. Bob was secretary of the Warrior Mountains Historical and Cultural Society which procured permanent protection for Kinlock Historical District and Indian Tomb Hollow, and is a dedicated activist for the protection of our forests on public lands. Bob is a member of Wild South Board of Directors. She lives with her husband, Jim, in the Bankhead National Forest.
|
