Southeastern Outings River Float on the Locust Fork River in Blount County, Alabama

Please note that the Southeastern Outings river float on the Locust Fork River previously scheduled for Saturday, June 27 has been rescheduled to take place on Sunday, June 28 provided that there is sufficient water flow in the river to float comfortably. 

We initially changed the section of the river on which we’ll float because of the low water level, and now we are also changing the date of the float in order to avoid the 80% probability of rainfall predicted on Saturday and to give the rainfall the opportunity to replenish the water level in the river.  Meeting time and place remain unchanged.

Included below are revised descriptive details of the event.

We hope to see many of you on this real fun activity this coming Sunday, June 28!

Float in the river from Swann Covered Bridge to Powell Falls.  We’ll view a genuine, old but newly refurbished wooden covered bridge.  Then we’ll float under the bridge and further, about a mile and a half, downstream to the waterfall.  We’ll also view the sheer cliffs that rise about 60 feet above the river.  So enjoy a flowing river, covered bridge, high rock bluffs and at least one waterfall—all along a one mile stretch of this river.  Bring something to float on such as an inflatable vinyl float or air mattress.  Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf work best.  See float note below for information about acquiring floats.

Also please bring a picnic lunch, drink, towel and sunscreen. Pack these items in 2 plastic garbage bags with twist ties, one bag over the other.  Then put the bags in your daypack and strap the pack to your back.  This keeps your things dry and prevents them from floating away.  Wear swimsuit and sturdy foot protection.  Old sneakers work well.  Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable! 

Lunch will be on the huge flat rock in the middle of the river beside the waterfall.  Have fun swimming in the pools at the base of the rock, jumping into the larger pool, climbing up and down or just sitting in Powell Falls.  We will walk back to the bridge on a trail along the river.  You must be able to swim to participate in this outing!

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 and up able to swim welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children. 

Spring floats, passenger car and pick up truck tire tubes and inflatable boats are not permitted on SEO river floats!  A spring float is a flotation device consisting of an inflatable outer oval with a small, few inch diameter cross section and a large mesh interior.  The last time a woman tried to float down this river with us on a spring float (now that I know what it is called), I had to order two high school football players in our group to wade out into the river immediately to seize her and her spring float in order to prevent her from being swept over the big waterfall.  Those spring floats are meant for floating in swimming pools and on lakes in still water, not for floating the Locust Fork River.  They are difficult to steer and therefore unsafe for use on Southeastern Outings river floats.

Bring a friend or several if you wish.  Please be at the Cleveland Chevron Service Station no later than 8:45 a.m. ready to depart promptly at 9:00 a.m.  Arriving 15 minutes before departure time will allow time to use the restroom at the service station, hear announcements concerning the day’s event, and form carpools from the Chevron.  Parking is extremely limited at the put in point on the river. 

Please note that we still may have to cancel this outing if the water level Sunday morning in the Locust Fork River is too low to float.  So please be sure to check your emails or call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 the evening of Saturday, June 27 or the morning of Sunday, June 28, to ascertain whether we are going on June 28 or not.

Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 631-4680

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Cleveland Chevron-36320 AL Highway 79, Cleveland, AL 35049. Please note that the meeting place for this outing is thirty-four (34) miles northeast away from the Birmingham Airport.  Please allow at least 45 minutes driving time from near the airport plus whatever time it would normally take you to drive from your home TO the airport in order to arrive in Cleveland, Alabama by 8:45 a.m. this coming Saturday morning!

Please note that I-59 northbound (i.e. going from downtown Birmingham towards the Birmingham Airport and Trussville) is reported to be closed to traffic Saturday morning, June 27.  The closed section, which will be short, will extend from 17th Street North to the interchange with the Red Mountain Expressway, U.S. Highway 31 and U.S. Highway 280. 

It is possible that the same road closure will be in place on Sunday morning, June 28.  We suggest you check the Alabama State Highway Department website to see if I-59 Northbound in that area is to be open or closed on Sunday morning before you plan your route to the meeting place and decide on your departure time from your home Sunday morning.

Now here are specific directions to the meeting place. 

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 Cleveland.  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 Cleveland.  Take AL 79 about 34 miles to the traffic light in Cleveland, Alabama at intersection with AL 160. Chevron service station is at far right of that intersection.

Float Note

Southeastern Outings has substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf for sale.  Adult size floats (72 inches long) are $20 each and children’s floats (60 inches long) are $12 each at the start of outings Dan Frederick attends.  Please pay either with exact change or a check made out to SEO.  First come, first served.

Here is an alternative to carrying your lunches, water, towel and sunscreen in a pack on your back.  You can bring with you two 6-7 foot lengths of sturdy cord.  Place your pack with your things in it in the middle of the foot of your float.  Lash the pack to your float with the two cords, one passing around the float and through the top of the straps and the other passing around the float and through the bottom of the straps of your pack.  Then lie on your float with the pack sort of between your knees with your feet splayed out at the bottom corners of your float.  Using this method eliminates your having to float down the river for several hours with a pack on your back, and it also gives you the option of turning over and lying on your back in the slower-moving sections of the river in order to change your body position.  Either method of transporting your pack is satisfactory and acceptable.  But I learned that people like it when you give them choices. 

In any case, your lunches, etc. should be double bagged (or placed in a waterproof canoe bag) inside your pack.

          Inflatable boats are not permitted on SEO river floats!

DESCRIPTION OF SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS Do you wish you had friends who share your active lifestyle and enjoyment of outdoor activities?  Then become active with Southeastern Outings (SEO), a nonprofit organization committed and created to serve people who enjoy being active in the outdoors.  The organization plans, organizes and leads outings such as dayhikes, easy kayak and canoe trips, stream and waterfall walks, bicycle rides, lake events and other fun activities to beautiful sites in our natural environment.  From time to time we also sponsor potluck suppers and other socials.  All events and activities of the group are open to the public.  Participating in SEO activities is a splendid, simple way to make congenial new friends who enjoy the outdoors.

NO DOGS OR SMOKING ALLOWED, PLEASE, ON ANY SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS EVENTS.

The organization currently has over 440 members.  We scheduled ninety-two events during calendar year 2014 for an average of 8 fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.  28 people, on average, have participated in each outing during the first five months of 2015. SEO does not charge for participation in any of its outings.  You do not have to be a member to participate in SEO activities.  Dues are only $10.  Please contact Dan Frederick, President, 205-631-4680, or seoutings@bellsouth.net for more information and to obtain three free monthly newsletters with membership application and a complete description of all our outdoor events. Southeastern Outings now has a website.  Just go to seoutings.org to find announcements of all our upcoming outings scheduled plus some brief, general information about Southeastern Outings, a membership application and 1500 lovely photographs from several of our outings. Thank you.