Southeastern Outings has planned an easy approximately 4.1-mile hike in the new Shoal Creek Park in Montevallo.  On October 30, 2018, ten people participated in an SEO scouting trip there led by Shane Baugh, the Montevallo Parks and Recreation Director, and we were delighted at what we found.  We subsequently had highly successful hikes there for the entire group on December 22, 2018, on March 9, 2019 and again on May 14, 2020.

This 167-acre park has some new trails (2.1 miles and 1.6 miles) already constructed and some less developed trails which we will also hike.  One trail does follow the creek a good ways.  Total hike distance is about 4.1 miles.

The park is located on both sides of Shoal Creek about 2 miles upstream from Orr Park where we have begun our past hikes on the Montevallo Parks Trail.

For those concerned about having to cross the slippery log over the creek, please be advised that the trail now crosses the creek on a brand new, sturdy, concrete bridge and on a wooden bridge in yet another location in the park.  Also please note that the restrooms in the park are now completely constructed and open for your use.

We are pleased to advise that this hike will be led by Bill Ennis.  Bill has basically adopted this lovely park as a pet project.  He has laid out and built some of the trails on which we will hike on November 21, and he has designed and constructed the wooden bridge in the park as well.

The park is located 1.1 miles south of American Village on AL Highway 119 in Montevallo.

Please bring your picnic lunch, water, and a hiking pole or two with you.

Please meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot behind the McDonald’s on U.S. Highway 31 at the Riverchase Galleria.  We plan to depart from there at 9:15 a.m.

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and older able to walk 4 miles without complaining are welcome.

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

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WabCFiCHg4CLKJpMA

AND

https://photos.app.goo.gl/d6AkyswTowepEGrd6

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

Admission to the park is free!

Info: Bill Ennis, 205/405-4636 cell or email billennis47@gmail.com

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 over 250 members.  We scheduled eighty-seven events during calendar year 2019 for an average of 7 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.  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.