Wildflower Hike at Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve

Led by Charles Rose. Sponsored by Fresh Air Family.

Meet 9:00am at the preserve, located in Colbert County, about 8 miles south of Tuscumbia, AL.

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.

Bring lunch, water & snacks. (There are many sites along the way to replenish your water.)
Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes. A hiking pole or stick is strongly recommended, as is a good tick spray.

This is a rigorous, hike, with many up-hills & down-hills, several stream crossings and many steep grades. I estimate it to be somewhere around 6 miles, but we will be stopping many times to discuss wildflowers & plants we encounter. You must stay with the group for at least the first section of the hike. After we get to the main trail along Cane Creek, you may choose to return earlier, if you desire.

After meeting at the main parking lot, we will carpool to the north entrance.
Hiking in on the Behel Lane Trail we will visit Laurel Falls, then enter Devil's Hollow on the Devil's Hollow Trail, visiting Johnson Falls, Yellowwood Falls Rock Shelter and Karen's Falls, returning out of the hollow on the Under Bluff Trail, passing underneath Malone Falls.
We will then head down to Cane Creek via the Devil's Hollow Trail and the Fossil Trail.
Hiking upstream on the East Cane Creek Trail, we will visit the Blue Hole, to see if the Redhorse fish are spawning, then continue onward, passing along the scenic Narrows section of Cane Creek to the Boulder Garden, featuring many huge wildflower-strewn boulders. After taking a break at Linden Meadows, we will hike upstream on the West Cane Creek Trail, in search of more wildflowers. We will then hike out of the canyon, via Tree Fern Cave, the Canyon Rim Trail, Lacefield Point, and the 60-ft. Lacefield’s Falls.

Blooming wildflowers on this date will include the rare French’s Shooting Star, native Azaleas, Southern Lady’s Slipper, Ohio Buckeyes, Red Buckeyes, Wild Blue Phlox, Downy Phlox, Wood Anemone, Forest Lousewort, Violet Wood Sorrel, and much more.

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 4.3 miles into Muscle Shoals, AL.
At the large intersection with US-43 (where AL-157 & AL-20 turn right), continue straight onto US-72 W.
Go 3.4 miles on US-72 W.
At the Colbert County Farmers’ Co-Op (on the left), turn left onto the access road & go down the hill to Frankfort Rd.
Turn left (south) on Frankfort Rd. & go 7.25 miles.
After passing Piney Grove Church of Christ (on the right), go another ¼ mile & turn right on Loop Rd. (CR 41).
Go just 1/10 mile & veer left onto the gravel road as Loop Rd. bends to the right.
Follow the gravel road past the chicken houses (on the left) on to the preserve.

From Huntsville:
Take I-565 W.
I-565 will become AL-20 W.
Continue on AL-20 W as it crosses the Tennessee River into Decatur.
On the other side of the bridge, AL-20 immediately turns right at the light.
Continue app. 40 miles more on AL-20 W to Muscle Shoals, AL.
At the large intersection with US-43 (where AL-20 W turns right), continue straight onto US-72 W.
Go 3.4 miles on US-72 W.
At the Colbert County Farmers’ Co-Op (on the left), turn left onto the access road & go down the hill to Frankfort Rd.
Turn left (south) on Frankfort Rd. & go 7.25 miles.
After passing Piney Grove Church of Christ (on the right), go another ¼ mile & turn right on Loop Rd. (CR 41).
Go just 1/10 mile & veer left onto the gravel road as Loop Rd. bends to the right.
Follow the gravel road past the chicken houses (on the left) on to the preserve.

From US-43 in Muscle Shoals:
Take US-72 W.
At the Colbert County Farmers’ Co-Op (3.4 miles west of US-43), turn left onto the access road & go down the hill to Frankfort Rd.
Turn left (south) on Frankfort Rd. & go 7.25 miles.
After passing Piney Grove Church of Christ (on the right), go another ¼ mile & turn right on Loop Rd. (CR 41).
Go just 1/10 mile & veer left onto the gravel road as Loop Rd. bends to the right.
Follow the gravel road past the chicken houses (on the left) on to the preserve.

Google Map, showing location of Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
https://goo.gl/maps/AjTjALyPkow

Visit the Friends of Cane Creek Nature Preserve page on Facebook to see photos of the preserve, learn more about its geology and read visitor comments.
https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Cane-Creek-Canyon-Nature-Preserve-126802417335447/?view_public_for=126802417335447
*********************************************