Saturday December 1, 2012 - Mount Pisgah Plane & Jim Thorpe's "Olde Time Christmas"

Approx. 4 Short but Steep and Strenuous Miles - Difficult

For the adventurous or the just plain foolish, we will climb the 2,322 foot, 29 degree Mount Pisgah Plane of the former Switchback Gravity Railroad, in Old Mauch Chunk (aka Jim Thorpe), Carbon County. This long climb, though strenuous, abounds in history. The switchback was Pennsylvania’s first railroad, and the second in the USA. We will see the remains of the original “wagon road” and continue down Packer Hill into town for lunch. The group may split up here depending on size, meeting an hour later in front of the Mauch Chunk Opera House. While in town, enjoy J. Thorpe’s” Old Time Christmas” celebration. After lunch it’s up Broadway onto the former, now abandoned “bus road,” returning to the parking area. This hike is short, but steep and strenuous and is rated difficult for that reason.

NOTE: Snow on the ground does not cancel, but falling ice or snow will cancel! 

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at the parking area at the top of Hill Road, Jim Thorpe

Directions: Hill Road is the only right hand turn off Broadway heading west from downtown Jim Thorpe, and is located right next to the Mauch Chunk Opera House 

For further information and directions, contact:  610-921-3252 or cell# 610-451-5380 on the day of the hike

Saturday November 24 - Blue Marsh Hike

Approx.5.5 miles with a few small hills

Trekkers will lead a hike from mile marker 19 to mile marker 24 on the Blue Marsh Lake trail, mostly through fields and wooded areas. Some parts may be muddy along creek banks. After meeting at the Mt. Pleasant parking lot on Rt. 183, we will shuttle to the starting place near mile marker 19. Call if weather is questionable. 

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Mt. Pleasant parking lot. WEAR BLAZE ORANGE. 

Directions: From Reading, take Rte. 183 North. After crossing the bridge at Mt. Pleasant, immediately look for parking lot on the right.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-603-9461 or 610-796-7602 

Saturday November 17, 2012 - Virginville Loop

Approx. 5 - 6 miles

This is mostly a road hike which will include some hills and views of the surrounding countryside. Afterwards, come to Linnae’s house to celebrate National Homemade Bread Day. If you have a favorite loaf you’d like to share, please bring it with you (bread machine bread is allowed!)

Meeting place: 9:30 am, back parking lot of the Virginville Grange, Rt. 143

For further information or directions, contact:  610-562-0207 

Saturday November 10, 2012 - Valley Forge Park

Approx. 5-6 moderate miles with a few hills

Share the misery of the winter of 1777 and look to the joy of spring 2013 as we hike Mount Misery and Mount Joy in Valley Forge Park. Maps: www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/upload/mt joy 2010.pdf www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/upload/mt-misery 2009.pdf

Meeting place: 10:00 am at the parking lot near George Washington’s Headquarters 

Directions: take 422 East to the Valley Forge exit for Rt. 23 North. Make a right at the bottom of the ramp. Almost immediately, make another right at the light. Your are now on Rt. 23 North. Follow for about a mile and a half, past the Chapel on your right and past Von Steuben statue on the left. Make a right onto Inner Line drive and Washington’s Headquarters parking lot is about 150 yards on the left.

For more information or further directions, contact:  610-631-0459 

Saturday November 3, 2012 - Nolde Forest Hike

Approx. 5 miles
Follow the two leaders over the hill and through the woods, tra la! Expect quite a few hills. 

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Saw Mill parking lot, Rt. 625

For more information or further directions, contact:  610-777-4223 

Saturday October 27, 2012 - Halloween Camping & Hike at French Creek

Approx 5 .1 miles according to new trail maps which will be available

Don’t be scared to join leaders for camping at the yurts in French Creek State Park on the last weekend in October. The hike will end with a Soup & Sandwich gathering by the boat ramp parking area. Folks can bring a dish (please no roasted snail toes or pickled spider eggs) to go with caldron soup and finger sandwiches. One of the cooks promises not to over-cook and make the noodles disappear into oblivion like last year! Anyone else who would like to camp can check for cabin/yurt availability. 

Meeting place: The hike will start at 9:30 am @ Hopewell village parking lot with shuttling of needed vehicles to end point. The hike will end @ the parking lot on Fire Tower Road. We will then move everyone to the boat ramps by Scotts Run Road to Hopewell lake for soup and sandwiches.

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-223-6952 or 610-823-9023 (cell #s) 

Saturday October 20, 2012 - Monocacy Hill

Approx. 4-5 woodland miles. 

Hills & rocks simultaneously. Boots/ pole(s) highly recommended. We’ll explore four trails on this beautiful knob in Amity Twp., and finish in plenty of time for the “Gastronomical Tour.”

Meeting place: 11:00 at the trailhead (Geiger Rd between Monocacy Hill Road & Hill Road.) 

For more information or directions, contact: 610-779-2963 (www.monocacyhill.org for map/directions) 

Saturday October 13, 2012 - Hibernia County Park Loop

Approx. 5 - 6 miles, fairly flat easy scenic walk.

How about a fall hike through the forests and fields of Hibernia! We will see the lake, mansion and historic buildings of a once thriving community. This walk is partly along the meandering Brandywine River and could be in full autumn color if we are lucky. A lunch break after the walk is optional.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking lot across from the Windmill Restaurant, Rt. 10, Morgantown or at the park office at 10:30


For more information or directions, contact: 610-286-6886