Southeastern Outings Waterfall Walk, Stream Wade and Long Swims

These falls are exceptionally lovely.  We’ll walk through the woods to one waterfall, stop, have lunch overlooking the waterfall and swim there and get underneath the waterfall if you wish.  Then we’ll wade for about a mile IN the creek to a second, larger waterfall where we’ll swim and stand under the waterfall again if you like.  Then we’ll walk from that second waterfall through the woods back to the cars.

Note-To view photos of what we will see on this trip, please click on this link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7FEiGXYKCCrMoqY33

Please be sure to click on the link and view the photographs.

As you can see from the photos, you are assured of staying cool when you swim in the two stream pools, stand or lie down under one or both of the waterfalls and wade in South Caney Creek! Twenty-two people participated in this very popular outing in July, 2017.

This outing is rated moderately strenuous because the walks through the woods from the cars to the first waterfall we’ll see and from the second waterfall back to the cars are completely off trail through the woods and there are some short, steep hills to climb up and go down along the way.

If you think that you may want to come home before the group outing is completed, please don’t come on this outing.  In order to prevent traffic congestion at the usual public trail head, our vehicles will be parked at a remote location during the entire outing.  Outing participants will probably not be able to walk unguided back to their cars before the outing is completed. The walk through the woods portion is completely off trail.

For the hikes through the woods we recommend that you wear long pants.  This will reduce your contact with ticks and chiggers and prevent your legs from being scratched.  You may wear hiking boots or sturdy water or wading shoes for the in-woods walks.  We strongly recommend that you bring two sturdy hiking poles for wading in the creek.  Using poles as you walk in the stream will substantially reduce the chance of your falling!

For the creek wade portion of this trip please wear old shorts or a swim suit and sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty.  Old sneakers work well.  Bare feet, flip-flops, loose slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable!  Also bring a towel along with your picnic lunch and water.

After the outing we are planning to go to a restaurant for an optional dinner.  If you would like to have dinner with us at the restaurant and if you would like to wash up and change clothes for dinner, we suggest that you bring soap, a washcloth, towel and a complete change of clothes with you to be kept in the car during the hike.  After the outing is completed, you can wash up and change clothes in the spacious restrooms at the restaurant in Double Springs.

Well-behaved, properly-supervised children age 7 and over welcome.  Please meet 8:45 a.m. at the Floor and Décor Store on Green Springs Highway in Homewood.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m. or you may meet the group at 10:30 a.m. at Jacks in Double Springs.

Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACES

Floor and Décor Store–230 Green Springs Highway, Homewood, AL 35209. In front of the far left side (as you face the front of the store) of the old KMart building, now the Floor and Décor Store, between I-65 and Green Springs Highway just off Oxmoor Road in Homewood.  Next to the Burger King on Oxmoor Road.

Jack’s Double Springs—15266 U.S. Highway 278, Double Springs, AL 35553. On U.S. Highway 278 about ¼ mile east of stoplight at intersection of Highways 278, 33 and 195.

River Float Note

Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf work best.  This year trip leader Dan Frederick finally has 60- inch floats for sale for $15 each ONLY at the start of the river float.  We regret that at this time we have been unable to find a source where we can buy more of the 72-inch canvas-covered floats.  Please pay either with exact change or a check made out to SEO.  First come, first served.

Since we have been unable to locate a source for the 72-inch canvas surf riders for the past 5 or so years, recreational vinyl tubes and truck tire tubes may also be used as your flotation device on this trip.

Dan will provide three hand float pumps to pump up your float or tube at the start point of the river float.

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 about 300 members.  We have scheduled forty-nine fun events for you to enjoy in the first six months of 2022.  This is an average of EIGHT fun outdoor events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.

SEO does not charge for participation in any of its outings.  You do not have to be a member to participate in one or two SEO activities.  Dues are only $10 per family or household.  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 most of our outings.

Thank you.