Here are upcoming Outdoor Chattanooga news and events:

Nickajack Cave Kayak Trip July 25
Adults and kids ages 14 and older can join us on this specially scheduled kayak trip to Nickajack Cave on Wed., July 25, 7 p.m.  We’ll launch at sunset to paddle for a little while, then watch the gray bats emerge from the cave at dusk. Cost is $35 and includes all equipment and guides. Reservations are required.

To reserve, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Beginning Birding Kayak OutVentures July 28 and Aug. 4
Outdoor Chattanooga will host two very special beginning birding kayak trips to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge on Sat., July 28 or Aug. 4, at 6:30 a.m. in Dayton, TN. Outdoor Chattanooga staffer and field biologist Angie Langevin will help beginning birders learn about and identify the numerous bird species that make the Refuge their temporary and permanent homes. Cost is $45 per person and includes all equipment and guides. Reservations are required. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Family Nickajack Cave Canoe Trips July 26 and Aug. 4
Adults and kids ages 5 and older are invited to join Outdoor Chattanooga for a couple of special, family canoe trips to the Nickajack Cave on Thurs., July 26 and Sat., Aug. 4. We’ll launch at the Maple View Recreation Area and canoe over to the mouth of the cave to watch thousands of endangered gray bats come out to forage at dusk. Trips begin at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $8 per person and includes all gear and guides. Reservations are required. To reserve or learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Rapid Learning Roll Practice July 17
Come join us for our weekly Rapid Learning Whitewater Program roll practice, this evening, Tues., July 17, at Hamilton County’s Chester Frost Park. Two sessions: 5:30 to 7 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. (Map of the new program site.) Participants can come for either session, first come, first served. As always, members of the public who want to try the program may visit the first time for free. After that, membership is $50 per year for individuals, $75 for adults. Kayakers with their own boats, PFD’s, paddles and skirts may join the practice for $5. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Free Fitness Class Continues July 19 - Aug. 2
Outdoor Chattanooga and Greenlife Grocery will host a series of free, public fitness classes, using the Px90 and Insanity programs on Thursday evenings, 6 p.m., continuing through Aug. 2 at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The classes will be led by instructor Paul Mason and are geared toward people of all fitness levels. Greenlife Healthy Eating Specialist Morgan Walley will provide healthy snacks.  No pre registration is required. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Ultimate Hike on the Foothills Trail – Information Meeting July 17
Outdoor Chattanooga will host a public meeting about the Ultimate Hike, a 28.3 mile hike benefitting Cure Search for Children’s Cancer, on Tues., July 17, 6:30 p.m., at our Coolidge Park facility, 200 River St. Interested members of the public are invited to learn how they can train for the Chattanooga Ultimate Hike on the Foothills Trail, which happens on Sat., Oct. 13, 2012. Leah Bartlett, from Cure Search, will be here to answer questions about training, fundraising and the hike experience. No pre-registration is required for the meeting. Additional information meetings will be held on July 18 at Rock/Creek and July 20 at Cloudland Canyon State Park.

Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Suspensions July 19
The Trek Store of Chattanooga will host a free, public bicycle maintenance clinic on Thurs., July 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The public is invited to come learn how to maintain the various types of suspensions used on mountain and road bicycles. No reservation or bicycle required. Bring your bike if you’d like some expert advice. For more information, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Adult Bicycle Ride at Heritage Park July 19
The downtown Chattanooga YMCA and Outdoor Chattanooga will host an adult bicycle ride at Heritage Park on Thurs., July 19, at 9 a.m. Outdoor Chattanooga will bring our mobile bicycle fleet for this leisurely ride through the 22 acre park. Reservations are required. Call Kym Gibson at 931.205.9454 to reserve a bicycle and helmet.

Downtown Kayak Adventures July 21 & 22
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our weekly Downtown Kayak Adventures on Sat. and Sun., July 21 and 22, from 9 to11:30 a.m. The beginner friendly trips take paddlers around the Passage, Maclellan Island and Ross’ Landing. Reservations are required. No experience is necessary. Cost is $35 per adult and $25 per child ages 8-13 and includes all equipment and instruction. Trips will continue through Aug. 26. For reservations or to learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

More Events
Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic July 22
Cyclist Beth Miller will host the second in her series of beginner mountain bike clinics, just for women, on Sun., July 22, 2 p.m., at Harrison Bay State Park. Miller will instruct the class on shifting, braking, climbing and descending on the state park's beginner friendly trail. Participants must have a mountain bicycle and helmet, and appropriate footwear. Bring enough water and snacks to keep going for a two hour ride. A folding chair and towel are also recommended. Email Beth Miller by July 20 to attend. There will be one more clinic on Aug. 26.

Audubon Acres Owl Prowl July 28
The Chattanooga Audubon Society will host a special owl prowl at Audubon Acres on Sat., July 28, from 8 to 10 p.m. Participants will receive a short review of common owl calls, followed by a night time walk on the Audubon Acres trails to listed for birds. Bring a flashlight and comfortable walking whoes. Cost is $10 ($5 for non-members). Registration is required by emailing ksimpson@chaas.org.

Web Hit of the Week
The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program has a new system of National Water Trails. Our neighbor to the south, the Alabama Scenic River Trail, just got a designation. Congratulations!
Last Week’s Web Hit
Payton’s story.

Upcoming Events . . .
August
4         Still Hollow Half Marathon/10K
           CANC Family Mud Day  
11       Chattanooga Mud Run
           Missionary Ridge Road Race
16       Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Wheels
24-26  Outdoor Knoxfest
25       Raft for the Cure
25/26  Village Volkswagen River Gorge Omnium
26       Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic

September
20       Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Fix a Flat
20-23  Southeast Foot Trails Coalition Conference
21-23  Marie Humphreys Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale
22-23  Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championships

October
5-14    RiverRocks Chattanooga
6         Swim the Suck
           Rock/Creek Stump Jump
           UTC Intra-Squad/Alumni Regatta
           Sequatchie Valley Century
           River Rocks Canoe and Kayak Race
           SUP Splash
           TN River Rescue
13       Chattanooga Head Race
           Triple Crown Bouldering Competition – The Stone Fort
18       Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Prepping for Winter
21       7 Bridges Marathon

November
3-4      Head of the Hooch
10       Upchuck 50K/11-Miler
           Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon/Half Marathon/Jr. Marathon

December
15       Lookout Mountain 50-miler/10k