These lilies are a sight to behold!  The flowers can be observed at Hargrove Shoals, Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge, along the Cahaba River in Bibb County.

In places, it often looks like it has snowed on the river in May.

Over seven miles of the Cahaba River lie within the Refuge boundary. The rolling uplands surrounding the river are forested with mountain longleaf and loblolly pines. Mixed upland hardwood species line ravines and the river’s edge.

The largest known stand of the imperiled shoals lily (known locally as the Cahaba lily) also occurs within the Refuge.  During May and June, this beautiful plant blooms, and people come from across the region to view this magnificent display of nature. Eighteen people participated in a previous Southeastern Outings-sponsored weekday Cahaba lily walk in 2017.  We were pleased with the turnout then.  For your information, in addition to this Thursday, May 20 event, Southeastern Outings has also scheduled an additional Cahaba Lily walk to this area on Saturday, May 22, 2021.

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

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3kI08cAZITdbIhef1

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

The hike is about five miles round trip.  Rated easy.  Wear sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty.  Old sneakers work well.  You’ll want to put on your river shoes so you can walk out into the shallow parts of the river to stroll through and touch the lilies which grow only in the water.  You’ll also need to wear your river wading shoes to wade through Caffee Creek in order to be able to walk to where you can view the largest stand of lilies at Hargrove Shoals.

Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable!! You may wear your sturdy river shoes for the entire trip if you wish.  Please bring picnic lunch and your drink.  Two hiking poles are strongly recommended to provide additional stability when wading in the river.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria.  We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.

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

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.