Could we have a lower south meet and greet weekend?

[edfrank]

The Preserve is a biologically diverse area with a number of rare plants such as the green pitcher plant and Kral’s water plantain. An impressive one thousand sixty-nine vascular plant species are found at Little River Canyon National Preserve. The natural resources of Little River Canyon National Preserve reflect the intense nature of the relationship between the river and the surrounding landscape and, as a result, the characteristics of Preserve resources change dramatically from one area to another. For management purposes, the Preserve has been subdivided into three resource units–each intended to represent the distinct structure and function of the landscape.

The Riverine Unit includes the area delineated by the 100 year floodplain of Little River and its tributaries. The river itself exhibits a wide range of conditions, changing dramatically as it goes over Little River Falls and enters the canyon. Above the falls, the river is surrounded by low wooded hills and is characterized by pool zones with sandy bottoms interrupted by riffles where the rocks are scoured by the stream. The Canyon Unit encompasses the 12 mile length of the canyon, including the canyon rim but not the river and its associated floodplain. The vegetation is mostly second growth trees with a mix of hardwoods and pine, and natural succession is evident in areas where hardwood forests are gradually replacing the pines. Soils are generally very shallow along the cliffs and outcrops making the vegetation mostly second growth trees with a mix of hardwoods and pines. With the exception of Little River and its floodplain, the Upland Plateau Forest Unit comprises most of the Preserve from the vicinity of Highway 35 northward. Topographically, the area is mostly gently sloping, with most of the variation in elevation associated with drainage slopes towards Little River. The soils characteristic of the forested uplands support a mixed oak-hickory/heath community in areas with deeper soils, while shallower soils tend to support a pine/heath community.

[Gary Smith]

Ed aand Gary,

I don't know much about Little River Canyon National Preserve either.  I was looking at location.  I thought it was centerly located.  

As to the montane longleaf I'm not sure of but I did find another place this time in the Northwest part of Alabama.  It is called Sipsey Wilderness and according to Wikipedia it has "Some old-growth forests can also be found in the wilderness. The most significant are about 260 acres (110 ha) along Bee Branch Gorge and Buck Rough Canyon, which include old Eastern Hemlock, American Beech, Sweet Birch, White Oak, and Tulip Poplar.  This wilderness lies within the Bankhead National Forest.  

I would like to suggest that we go here this time.  Does anyone from the deep south have a problem with this location?  Do you have any ideas of your own where to meet?

Beth

The Sipsey Wilderness area would be fine with me for a meetup. It does look like an interesting place with some old growth trees. The largest yellow poplar (tulip tree) in Alabama resides there.

As to the date, I would suggest a time when the leaves are likely to be turning.



p.s. I did a little research and the montane longleaf forest I was vaguely aware of is actually the Mountain Longleaf NWR, a relatively new NWR opened in 2003. It is approximately 120 miles from the Sipsey Wilderness Area/Bankhead NF.

[aniftychic]

If you come down to Florida let me know. I wish I could travel but its hard when you have to small children.

[Zachary S]

Yes, I know this thread has been dead for a couple months, but I just got to reading the most recent posts: Sipsey Wilderness in Sept. or Oct. would be absolutely PERFECT. The family has already planned to head up to the Wilderness again this fall (it's only about 30mins from the house anyway), as well as Dismals Canyon (both can be easily visited in the same day, only a few miles apart), and I was hoping some other ENTS could come along and gather some more Alabama data from those places. Little River Canyon is also very doable, though I don't know if there is any old growth in the area. It's said to have some nice views and waterfalls though. Someone come up with a date and we're all set!

~Z