Geocaching at Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve II
This is a Geocaching event at the beautiful Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve. The event and all of the geocaches in the Preserve are with permission from the owners.
Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve is a 700+ acre privately-protected scenic natural area located in the Little Mountains region of Colbert County, Alabama. It was founded to provide a sanctuary for native plants and animals, as well as outdoor educational and recreational opportunities for people of the Shoals area. The preserve is open to the public year-round, except on special program and activity days sponsored by local environmental, civic, or natural history groups, at no charge.
In the preserve, there are more than 15 miles of hiking trails, a picnic area, several waterfalls, beautiful bluffs and a multitude of flora ranging from common to rare. I have seen turkeys, snakes (including rattlesnakes), deer, armadillos and other wildlife in this beautiful preserve and there have been two Mountain Lion sightings, as well.
CAUTION!! Enter this area at your own risk!
Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve is a privately owned and maintained nature preserve which provides a sanctuary for all living things. The Preserve is maintained as closely as possible to its natural state, and visitors are advised that this commitment to “naturalness” offers many potential hazards that must be considered in order to be safe while on the preserve. Please use caution at all times. Always monitor children carefully. Please be sure to take water and snacks along with you. I don’t recommend drinking from the streams you will encounter nor do I recommend drinking from the Big Spring although it is probably safe. Please wear good hiking boots or shoes since the footing is precarious in many places. Please remember, other than the cache contents, “Leave only footprints and take only memories and photos”. Follow “Leave No Trace” Outdoor Ethics guidelines. Please leave no signs of your visit (trash, etc.). Information about "Leave No Trace" is available from the Lacefields, on the CCCNP information kiosk and on several online sites.
Location:
Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve – see directions below.
Schedule:
9:00 AM to 9:30 – Sign the event log and the Preserve Guest book. Brief presentation about the Preserve.
9:30 (approximately) to 12:30 – Hiking and caching in the Preserve
12:30 PM – Lunch at the Small Point camping and picnic area. We will have barbeque from Rick's. Feel free to bring any additional food, snacks or drinks, except alcohol. Bring enough to share. Water will be available at the Small Point.
After lunch – Hiking and caching in the Preserve.
Caches currently at Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve:
Currently, there are a total of 11 active caches in the Preserve. However, there are additional caches in the reviewer's queue awaiting publication. Assuming that all are published, there will be a total of 22 geocaches in the Preserve.
To do all of the current caches in the Preserve would require a round trip hiking distance of more than 10 miles with terrains of 1.5 to 4. For those geocachers unable to hike these distances over terrains of 1.5 to 4, please accept my apology because transportation down into the canyon will not be available.
For some geocachers, it will be difficult to complete all of the caches in one day. A limited number of primitive campsites are available on the Preserve for those that wish to camp at the Preserve on Friday and/or Saturday night. Camping on the preserve is by permission only. Arrangements must be made with the property owners at least 24 hours in advance but I would recommend contacting the owners as soon as the decision is made to attend the event. If you wait, all of the campsites may be reserved.
Camping rules and permit can be obtained from the Preserve owners, Jim and Faye Lacefield, who may be contacted by phone at 256-381-6301, or by email at lacefiel@hiwaay.net.
Directions to Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve:
From Hwy 72 in Tuscumbia, go south on Frankfort Rd. Please note that Frankfort Rd. runs under Hwy 72. The ramp to Frankfort Rd. (N34 42.711, W87 43.236) is immediately west of the Co-op. At the end of the ramp, turn left onto Frankfort Rd at N34 42.676, W087 43.378. Go 7.5 miles to Loop Rd. (N34 37.391, W87 46.974). About 700 feet after turning west onto Loop Rd., the road forks with the paved road curving to the right and a gravel road veering off to the left. Take the gravel road. Follow the gravel road about 2500 feet to the entrance to Cane Creek Nature Preserve. Hold your breath as you pass the chicken houses on the left if you want to avoid the odor. Continue on into the Nature Preserve and park in the designated area at N34 37.335, W87 47.662.
Maps of the Preserve:
Maps of the Preserve are available in the mailboxes on the front porch. These vinyl maps may be used while at the preserve but are to be returned to the mailboxes when you leave. An information sheet and a paper version of the Preserve map will be provided for the event and are yours to keep. In addition, the links, top and bottom, will take you to online maps, top and bottom, which may be copied and printed.