Hike in Bankhead National Forest, June 25
Join Wild South on a hike in the Bankhead National Forest in northwest Alabama
Saturday, June 25
9:00 a.m.
Warrior Mountains Trading Company
Sign up at janice@wildsouth.org or 256-974-6166. Group size is limited and advance sign-up is required.
Destination: Sougahoagdee Falls
Leader: Janice Barrett
Hike distance: 4.25 miles, roundtrip
Rating: Moderately challenging
All ages are welcome
Sougahoagdee Falls is a year-round waterfall located on a tributary of Brushy Creek south of Grayson. The trail begins on Hickory Grove Road and closely follows Brushy Creek through a sandstone canyon cooled by a dense forest of eastern hemlocks, American beech, magnolias, poplars, pines and a rich diversity of hardwoods. The trail is rough and unmaintained, rooty, sometimes rocky and occasionally steep. There are several small, narrow stream crossings but there is little water in these streams this time of year.
Be prepared for
- rocky, rooty forest terrain with slippery rocks (make sure footwear is up to the task – no flip-flops or slick-soled shoes)
- ticks (see “Ticks” below)
- weather (watch the forecast, bring rain gear if needed)
- extraordinary natural beauty (bring a camera)
Bring
- a daypack with lunch, snacks, drinking water
- Epi-Pen if severe allergic reaction to insect stings is a concern
Dogs on Wild South hikes: Only dogs that are well-behaved, peaceable, that get along well with other dogs and humans are welcome on Wild South hikes. Dogs must remain leashed and under owner’s control at all times and not be allowed to mooch food from other hikers at lunch time. If dog poops on trail, poop must be picked up and discarded away from trail and any stream or packed out. There is a danger in Bankhead of dogs contracting Pseudo rabies from feral hogs.
Ticks: The most effective protection against tick-borne diseases is the type of permethrin product that is sprayed on clothing. Permanone (by Repel) and Sawyers are a couple of brands. Spray on clothing (not skin) at least 4 hours before wearing (that) clothing. It has no scent whatsoever.
Wild South hikes are smoke free, and we don’t just mean forest fires. Thank you for not smoking.
Meet up: After signing up, meet at the Warrior Mountains Trading Company at 11312 AL Hwy. 33, Moulton (map link above) at 9:00 a.m.. Park on the south end of the building and come into the store. You will meet your group at the tables toward the back of the store. On a table you will find sign-in sheets and a donation bucket. If it makes sense for you to meet us at the trailhead instead, please indicate that upon sign up.
Wild South hikes are part of our Outreach and Education Program and are free of charge. However, donations to our Outreach and Education Program are gratefully accepted and keep the program going. Thank you.