HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — North Alabama is lucky to have lots of great outdoor recreation opportunities. "North Alabama is lucky to have lots of great outdoor recreation opportunities," Marketing Director for Land Trust North Alabama Melanie Manson shares. "The Land Trust in North Alabama offers over 80 miles of trails alone. Then you have the state park and other trail options around the area as well, so outdoor recreation is an incredibly popular activity in our area and luckily, we have lots of great places to go and enjoy that.
Hiking is one of the many reasons people come to places like Monte Sano State Park, and while fun should be the main objective, safety should always be a priority. "So, there's some general safety tips that we always recommend, like taking a trail map, planning your route so you know where you're headed and what kind of trail conditions you might be encountering," Manson shares. "We recommend always taking water, of course, and that becomes more important as it's as the temperature increases."
With seasonal change comes the need for extra safety precautions. "Summertime in particular, we recommend being aware that you could encounter snakes in the outdoors you know, nature preserves and are natural hiking trails," Manson shares. "That's their home and that's where they live so just don't be surprised if you come across one but also, don't let things like that keep you from enjoying your hike. It's not super likely that you'll encounter things like snakes, because generally wildlife wants to stay away from us as much as maybe we want them to stay away from us. If you do encounter them, just back away slowly, and then generally they'll turn around and head the other way."
There is also another one of nature’s creatures you should look out for. "Another kind of summer reminder that we like to point out is ticks," Manson shares. "That's just a matter of staying on mark trails so that you're not maybe walking through tall grasses and that kind of thing where ticks are found and then after you are done with your hike, just check yourself and pets and children to make sure you don't have any that have attached and remove those as quickly as you find them."
Manson also shares to always follow the trail. "We really encourage people to follow the trails as they're marked and just stay away from any areas that might be dangerous. Any particular areas that might have, you know, a steep drop off and that sort of thing are typically marked. So just being aware of your surroundings and going prepared is the best way to make sure you enjoy the experience."
Tuesdays on the Trail:
Head outdoors on Tuesdays in June and July to discover our area’s unique biodiversity protected by Land Trust preserves! Activities include guided hikes, informational sessions and up close and personal experiences with nature's friendliest creatures.
Ages: 6-12 years. An accompanying adult is required for all programs. Find more information here.
