Shoal Creek Preserve Wildflower Hike  

Led by Charles Rose. Sponsored by Fresh Air Family.

This outing is free to the public, but you should register. Registering ensures you will be notified of any last-minute changes or cancellation, due to weather, the leader's work schedule, etc.

To register or get more info, contact Charles Rose at [chuckrivers@comcast.net](mailto:chuckrivers@comcast.net) or 256-366-1937.

Registering is easy; all we need is:

1. Your name.
2. The number of people in your party.
3. A contact phone number, preferably a cell phone.

Meet 10:00am at the preserve.

This is a moderately rigorous, approximately 5-mile hike, with up-hills, down-hills and one quite steep grade.

Bring lunch, water and snacks. Wear hiking boots or sturdy footwear. A hiking pole and insect spray are recommended.

Expect to see many spring wildflowers, including Virginia Bluebell, White Trillium, Twisted Trillium, Wild Geranium, Doll’s Eye, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, native azaleas, several species of Bellwort, Eastern Blue Star, Yellow Mandarin, and many more.

Shoal Creek Preserve is in Lauderdale County, just north of Florence, AL. Its 298 acres feature 4.5 miles of hiking trails, horse trails, pristine, cascading creeks and a great variety of flora. It was purchased by the State of Alabama under the Forever Wild program.

Directions
From Birmingham: Take I-65 N for app. 50 miles to Cullman. Take the AL-157 exit (Exit 310). At the end of the ramp, turn left onto AL-157 N (toward Moulton). Continue on AL-157 for app. 55 miles, passing through Moulton, AL on the way. Merging with AL-20 W (alt US-72 W), continue for another 2.3 miles into Muscle Shoals, AL. Turn right onto Wilson Dam Rd. (AL-133). Go app. 7.5 miles, crossing over the Tennessee River. Take the first exit after the bridge, turning right onto Veteran’s Drive (AL-133). Go 1.5 miles. At the dead-end, turn left onto Cox Creek Parkway (AL-133). Go app. 2 ¾ miles and turn right onto Old Jackson Hwy (CR-47) toward St. Florian. (There is a Martin’s store on this corner.) Go app. 2.5 miles and turn left on Butler Creek Road (CR 61). Go 3 miles, then turn right at the Shoal Creek Preserve sign to the parking lot.

From Huntsville: Take US-72 W to Florence, AL (app. 55 miles). Turn right onto Cox Creek Parkway (AL-133). Go app. 1.5 miles and turn right onto Old Jackson Hwy (CR-47) toward St. Florian. (There is a Martin’s store on this corner.) Go app. 2.5 miles and turn left on Butler Creek Road (CR 61). Go 3 miles, then turn right at the Shoal Creek Preserve sign to the parking lot.

From Cox Creek Parkway in Florence: Go north on Old Jackson Hwy (CR 47) to St. Florian, about 2.5 miles. (This is the continuation of Hermitage Dr.) Turn left on Butler Creek Road (CR 61). Go 3 miles, then turn right at the Shoal Creek Preserve sign to the parking lot.

Google Map, showing the location of Shoal Creek Preserve
https://goo.gl/maps/j3YLBrXh6vE2