Explore a section of this 350-acre forested park in Hoover on a moderately strenuous 2-3 hour hike with some climbing up and walking down hills on Shades Mountain.  We’ll experience the preserve’s diverse natural features which include longleaf pine forests, huge boulders, grassy areas, outstanding views and several beautiful streams and waterfalls which hopefully will be running bountifully when we are there.

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

https://photos.app.goo.gl/lPpyQ7X4jwjQp5ag1

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

We recommend that you bring hiking poles with you on this hike if you have them.

Please bring water to drink.  Well-behaved, properly supervised children age seven and up able to walk the distance and complete the hike without complaining are welcome.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Moss Rock Preserve Parking Lot on Patton Chapel Road. We plan to depart from there promptly at 10:00 a.m.

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age eight and over welcome.

Below is a link to the website for Moss Rock Preserve, where you can print a map of the trails in Moss Rock Preserve for use on this hike or on future hikes there on your own,

http://www.hooveral.org/219/Hiking-Map-Trail-Guide

Info. and Trip Leader:  David Shepherd, 205/ 240-4681, email davidshep2@yahoo.com

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Moss Rock Preserve Parking Lot on Patton Chapel Road-1575 Patton Chapel Road, Hoover, AL 35226. Proceed to Cadillac dealership on U.S. 31 in Hoover about ½ mile north of U.S. 31 interchange with I-459 near the Riverchase Galleria. Turn onto Patton Chapel Road at stop light directly across U.S. 31 from the Cadillac dealer. Go 1.6 miles. See fire station and two schools, one on each side of the road. Pull into preserve parking lot on left shortly after you pass Preserve Parkway, the road which goes left to the fire station.  This left turn into the Moss Rock Preserve Parking lot at Simmons Middle School is before you come to the driveway which goes uphill to the Simmons Middle School.  The preserve parking lot where we’ll meet usually has a substantial number of yellow school buses in it.  There should be a sign for preserve parking beside the driveway into the parking lot.

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 250 members.  We scheduled forty-six events during the six months ending May 31, 2021 for an average of EIGHT 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.