Join SEO for a moderately strenuous, 3.4 mile hike on the lovely, well-maintained trails in the 1000+-acre Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, one of the largest in-city nature preserves in the country.  We’ll pass remnants of old limestone quarry operations which took place on the mountain, and we’ll hike on the back (south-facing) side of the mountain on several trails on which Southeastern Outings has not hiked previously. We may have splendid views from the overlook where you can see all the way to the Miller Steam Plant on the Locust Fork River on a clear day.  We’ll also have several beautiful scenic views overlooking the Birmingham skyline and views to the hills to the north.  This trip will involve considerable elevation gain hiking from the lowland section of the park to the top of Ruffner Mountain. Please bring water with you.  Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 8 and up welcome.

The hike leader has assured us that we will finish our hike in time for you to go watch the Super Bowl Game that evening.

          Depart 1:00 p.m. from the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center Pavilion.

 Info: David Shepherd, davidshep2@netscape.net or 205-240-4681

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE Ruffner Mountain Nature Center—1214 81st Street South, Birmingham. Take I-59 from downtown to Exit #131, Oporto-Madrid Boulevard (which is also 77th Street). Turn right at end of ramp and go about 9 blocks to 4th Avenue South. Turn left. Go four blocks to 81st Street South. Turn right and go to end of road which becomes Ruffner Mountain Nature Center’s driveway. Park in large parking area a little further up hill, to the right of the new nature center building itself and right next to the covered deck with picnic tables. Or from the Eastwood Mall area take Oporto-Madrid north to 4th Avenue South. Turn right. Then follow directions above.

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 ninety-one events during calendar year 2015 for an average of 8 fun events per month. We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year. Seventeen people on average have participated in each outing since January 1, 2016. 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. 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.