Dayhike on the Piper Interpretive Trail and the Cahaba Loop Trail

The walking pace for this hike will be moderately easy.  We’ll stop often to catch our breath and note views, trees, birdsongs and the trail and woods around us.

The Piper Interpretive Trail is a 2.8-mile, lightly trafficked trail in the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge located near Piper, Alabama.  The trail features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round.

This well-maintained trail goes through the forest and ends with a deck overlooking the Cahaba River. The trail passes some interesting ravines and cliffs. If you continue onward after the first overlook, you will reach a second overlook, which is slightly more difficult to reach, due to elevation changes.

The first half of the trail is an old mine railroad right of way along a rocky ridgeline high above the Cahaba River.  A stand of pine, mostly loblolly planted to replace the longleaf pines that were clearcut years ago, makes for a beautiful canopy and visually appealing section of the trail—the fallen needles provide soft footing and make the peaceful forest even more quiet.

At mile 1.2, you will find a side trail off to the right that leads downhill to the first overlook.    After enjoying the view, you will cross a second bridge over a seasonal stream. From there the trail climbs up the ridge on a rocky old mining road to the final overlook. From the platform you can see the Cahaba River far below.

We’ll then walk back to the Piper Trail parking lot on a different trail which is a pretty logging or mining road through the woods.

We will then drive across the river to walk on the Cahaba River Loop Trail which turns off of the road in the main part of Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge across the river from the Piper Trail.

Children age 9 and older welcome.

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

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qAhR8V4TXXHFuGDR8

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

Meet 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria parking lot.

Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, email seoutings@bellsouth.net,  phone 205/631-4680,

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

McDonald’s Galleria-1731 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, AL 35244. Parking lot behind the McDonald’s Restaurant across U.S. 31 from the main entrance to the Riverchase Galleria Shopping Mall.

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 scheduled seventy-four events during calendar year 2020 for an average of 6 fun 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.