General Club Facts:

Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Membership in the BCHC is $10.00 per person per year in order to receive the quarterly newsletter. Further information on membership can be obtained when attending a scheduled hike. Other subgroups within the BCHC are the "Thursday Wanderers." Most hikes are followed by a dinner stop. We call ourselves "The Eating Club with a Hiking Disorder"! ****Hiking and Trail Guidelines: ** Be courteous & stay behind the leader unless directed otherwise.** Offer $.10/mile to driver when carpooling. * *In the event of inclement weather, the hike may be canceled.** Please leave your pets at home.**If unable to keep a club commitment, please find a replacement. * Wear blaze orange during hunting season (Sept 1 to last day of Feb). * Appropriate footwear and attire should match the type of hike.** If you leave the hike early, notify the hike leader or ask someone to do that for you.** Bring water and food as the hike description and weather demand.* * Hiking involves risk. Come out prepared and know your capabilities. Each hiker is responsible for their own safety and well-being.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Bernhardt Dam Walk - Saturday February 23, 2008

5 to 6 miles

Some road, some trail and some "rail to trail" walking gives us an interesting look at parts of Muhlenberg Township and Lauredale Borough.

Meeting place: 9:00 am at Laureldale Recreation park, the 2100 block of Elizabeth Ave., above the nursing home.

For further information or directions, contact: 610-929-9694

Warwick County Park (East Side) - Saturday February 16, 2008



5 miles

For this hike, Martha plans to go from Warwick Park to Northside Road. This will be a shuttle hike with views, woods, and a small amount of road walking. Boots, snacks, and water recommended.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at Warwick Park

For further information or directions, contact: 484-948-0625

Nolde Forest - Saturday February 9, 2008


5 miles

This will be a five mile hike with a long big hill.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, at Church Road parking lot.

For further information or directions, contact: 610-775-7453

French Creek - Saturday February 2, 2008

5 miles

Join Lynn for a five mile loop hike in French Creek.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Route 345 and Shed Road

For further information or directions, contact: 610-582-5220

Shoesmakersville - January 26, 2008

5 miles

Check out the "Shoey" area with Kathy on this road hike. Kathy says it will be only 5 miles - Guess we'll have to do this hike to see!

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at left side of Kuzan's Park

For further information or directions, contact: 610-603-9461

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Sadsbury Woods Preserve - Saturday January 19, 2008
















4 to 5 miles

Loop hike at Natural Lands Trust's Sadsbury Woods Preserve. This small 500 acres are located in Mid-Chester County near the junction of routes PA 10 & US 30, 15 miles south of the meeting place. Hunting is only allowed by special permit, but be sure to wear your orange jackets.

Meeting Place: 9:30 am, Clock Tower Shopping Center (Routes 10 & 23 on west end of Morgantown) We will carpool at this spot because of limited spaces at the preserve.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-913-0284

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Lenhartsville Loop - Saturday January 12, 2008

5 miles

Our "traditional" early January hike along the Maiden Creek and country roads in the hills near Lenhartsville. This is an easy road hike with some nice views of the Maiden Creek and hill country southeast of the town. Eat at Hummel's afterwards.

Meeting place: 1:00 pm, in the rear of the side parking lot at CJ Hummel's Restaurant on route 143 in downtown Lenhartsville.

For information, contact: 610-921-3252

Centre Township - Saturday January 5, 2008

5 to 6 miles

Hike the back roads of Centre Township. Be prepared for hills, some traffic, and questionable weather. Some nice views. Most have never explored this area, so be adventurous!

Meeting place and directions: 10:00 am at the gravel parking lot on Main St. in Centerport, across from the Grange and next to the pizza shop. Go to route 61 North, turn left onto Mohrsville Road, drive 0.7 miles and turn left onto Main St., drive 2.3 miles into Centerport.

For information contact: 610-488-9269

New Year's Hike / Polar Bear Dip / Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner - Tuesday January 1, 2008




























Here's the pictures from the dip!
  1. Club member, who is now officially a "bear cub", dries off after freezing cold dip! As promised, I posted my own picture! My tootsies were frozen!
  2. New Year's Day Revelers Run to Dive into 2008!
5 to 6 miles

We will take macadam country roads between Stouchsburg and Millardsville, going along the Tully 4.3 miles up to view the annual Polar Bear Dip at the Myerstown Quarry at noon. Afterwards, we'll hike back 1.4 miles to our cars, with an optional church stop for pork & sauerkraut, buffet style in Robesonia. Cost: $8.00. Dress in layers, bring your camera, and also a bathing suit and towel if you want to become a bear cub! Outdoor restrooms at the church. Donation requested at the quarry to benefit a Lebanon County charity.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Christ Lutheran Church, route 422 at the west end of Stouchsburg

For information or directions, contact: 610-678-5245