Southeastern Outings dayhike at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve 1214 81st Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35206
Join SEO for a moderate, approximately four-mile, big loop 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 see remnants of old iron ore mining operations which took place on the mountain. We’ll stop by and visit three old iron ore crushers, stop by the entrances to three, different types of iron ore mines, walk around the new wetlands area, see a real artesian well which still emits copious amounts of water, and view foundations for ore car hoists and various water tanks.
Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 and up able to walk five miles without complaining welcome.
Note-To view photos of what we will see on this trip, please click on this link:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1NPiqRynl15UExl43
Please be sure to click on the link and view the photographs.
This trip will involve some elevation gain hiking between the lower sections of the park to the top of Ruffner Mountain.
Please bring your picnic lunch and drinking water with you.
Meet 9:45 a.m. at the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center Pavilion. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Info: David Shepherd, davidshep2@yahoo.com 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.