Southeastern Outings Dayhike in Noccalula Falls Park

This will be Southeastern Outings first ever hike to Alabama’s highest waterfall and surrounding area.   When visiting for the day, this unique attraction will quench your appetite for both adventure and history.                                                                                 The falls are a 90-foot drop into the Black Creek gorge.  It is naturally fed by Black Creek alone.  Being a natural waterfall, it is dependent on rainfall to feed the cascade.  When we see high volumes of rain we can see it flood (often in the winter and spring.)  When we see little rainfall in the late summer and fall we may only have a trickle of water.  Regardless of the amount of water, it is always a site to see!

One of the special attractions to Noccalula Falls is that by accessing the Gorge Trail you can pass under the Falls.  In addition, the bridge leading over Black Creek above the Falls allows a 360-degree view of this grand natural waterfall.  Hike rated moderately easy.

Optional dinner after the hike.

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age seven and up able to walk the distance of about 4 miles without complaining and complete the hike are welcome.

Please meet at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Applebee’s in Trussville.  We plan to depart from there at 9:45 a.m.  Or you can meet the group at ­­ Jack’s parking lot, 1502 Noccalula Rd, Gadsden, AL 35901 at 10:30 a.m.

Information and Trip Leader: Marmy Nelson, marstar7@gmail.com or phone 612-245-3036 cell

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Applebee’s Restaurant Trussville (coming from Birmingham)—4711 Norrell Drive, Trussville, AL 35173.  Take I-59 North to Exit #141 (Chalkville Mountain Road Exit).  Exit I-59 at Exit #141.  Drive to traffic light at far end of interstate exit ramp.  This is at intersection of the exit ramp and Chalkville Mountain Road. Turn right at the traffic light at the far end of exit ramp.  Drive to first stoplight you come to on Chalkville Mountain Road and turn left.  Applebee’s Restaurant is on Norrell Drive directly behind the McDonald’s which faces Chalkville Mountain Road.

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.