Today's field trip will take place at Ruffner Mountain which is a nature preserve located in Birmingham, Alabama. Ruffner Mountain was an iron ore mining community from the 1880's to the 1950's. This mountain has also yielded sandstone, limestone and timber which helped further develop the surrounding areas. Ruffner Mountain is open to the public from 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday from 1 PM to 5PM. There is no charge for the general public to come to the facility, but donations are encouraged. We will be participating in a special program today for which the cost is $10 per person.
Schedule
8:30-8:45 Morning Weather Analysis
8:36- 9:05- Travel to Back side of Ruffner Map and Directions
9:06-9:26- Hike to Mine #1
9:27-11:00- Mine Presentation by Ruffner staff naturalist
11:01- 11:16- Hike to Kudzu and mimosa field
11:17- 11:35- Exotic Species discussion
11:36- 11:46- Hike to Artesian well
11:46- 12:15- Water Quality testing at the Artesian well
12:16- 12:45 Box Lunch
12:46- 1:10- Hike to Red Pond
11:11-1:41 Water Quality testing at Red Pond
1:42-2:12 Hike back to Van
2:13-2:23- Drive to Main entrance of Ruffner Map and directions
2:24-2:34- Take temperature, relative humidity and find elevation using topographic map (confirm with GPS)
2:35- 2:40- Walk to Geology trail
2:41-3:05 Geology Trail
3:06- 3:40 Hike to Quarry Trail Map
3:41-3:51- Take temperature and relative humidity readings and find elevation.
3:52- 4: 52 Fossil Hunt and Identification
4:53-5:17 Hike to Hawk's Peak
5:17- 5:45 Hawk's Peak
5:46-6:30 Hike back to Ruffner main entrance
6:32- 6:37 Rest room and water break
6:38 Depart for Hotel