Ruffner Mountain Nature Center: Hawk's View Overlook

This short little trail is deceptively short, because it requires a much longer round trip than the length of this tiny trail might suggest. After hiking the full length of the Quarry Trail, you come to the marked trailhead of the Hawk's View Trail. Following the signs, head uphill, watching for wildflower's along the way if you are visiting in spring. I've seen Fire Pink, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and many others along this short trail.

At the top of the first climb you'll be facing the old quarry, and the size of the hole will impress you. Continuing along the trail as it winds uphill you'll come to the first overlook, the Cambian Overlook, which offers and excellent view of the enormous quarry. If you look to your right, you can see exposed rock along with vegetation that looks a lot like a scene out of a dinosaur movie. If you look down, you can see the bottom of the quarry. And if you look left you can see an outcropping with a fairly large tree that looks somewhat out of place.

Heading away from this vertigo-inducing spot, the trail continues uphill past some large boulders. Among the boulders are some deep pits, so keep an eye on children and pets in this area. After a short walk you'll come to the second overlook, the Hawk's View Overlook. If the weather is clear, the view of downtown Birmingham should be spectacular, and it really is a shame that the park closes well before sunset most of the year. From this overlook you can see all the way from Vulcan to the airport. The overlook looks like an excellent place for a picnic. From here there is a little more trail heading up to Sloss Point. Return is the reverse of how you came.