Saturday August 31, 2019 - Union Canal Trail Hike

4-5 easy miles

Hike with leader along the well maintained trail between the Blue Marsh Park Office and the restored locks on the extended Union Canal Trail. This section has been sown with wildflower seeds and is usually ablaze with early blooming plants. We will make a short stop at the Blue Marsh Museum along the way. There are some hills, but few rocks. Lunch after is an option.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at the Blue Marsh Museum by the park office off of Palisade Road (follow the sign from Palisade Road to the park office)

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-252-9493

Saturday August 24, 2019 - Historic River Trail Hike / Schuylkill River Hike

Approx. 6 mod miles

Follow Kay as we hike the Historic River Trail alongside the Schuylkill River. We will hike to the Betzwood Picnic Area and return via the Schuylkill River Trail. If it rains the trail may be muddy, so dress appropriately for conditions.

1st Meeting place:9:15 am, Clock Tower parking lot in Morgantown (approx. 23 mile drive through Phoenixville to the 2nd Meet location)
2nd Meeting place: 10:00 am, Schuylkill River Trail parking lot at Pawlings Road and Station Avenue. There is a traffic light at this intersection.

GPS: approx. 1369 Pawlings Road, Phoenixville

Note: There will be a short shuttle to the start of the hike

For more information and further directions, contact:  610-796-7602 with questions or if planning to meet at Pawlings Road

Saturday August 17, 2019 - Mt Gretna Outdoor Art Show

6+ moderate to difficult miles

For anyone who wants to check out this very popular art and craft show we will hike there via the Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail and beat the heavy traffic. Instead of meeting at the “Root Beer Barrel” trailhead as we did in prior years, the hike has been shortened by meeting at the Alden Way trailhead. From there we will hike about two flat easy miles to the art show, where you are free to explore the art and craft show in beautiful Mt. Gretna. Art show hours are 9am to 6pm; admission is $12 per person, 11 and younger free. You can hike the 2 miles back to your car whenever you please. The hike is rated moderate to difficult given the time of year and the extra miles you will be walking at the art show, in addition to the 4 miles to and from the Alden Way trailhead. 

Note: bring a flashlight to walk back to your car if you will be staying in Mt. Gretna past sunset.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, at the Alden Way trailhead

Directions: 222 South, take PA Turnpike (I-76) west to exit #266 Lebanon- Lancaster. Left onto 72 North/Lebanon Road for 2 miles, exit right for Rt. 117 North, then make a left turn onto Rt. 117 North and immediate right turn to Alden Way trailhead

GPS: 1141 Alden Way, Lebanon, PA

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-914-1357

Saturday August 10, 2019 - Horseshoe Trail - Schuylkill River Trail

6.5 mod miles

This shuttle hike begins on the Horseshoe Trail as it leaves French Creek State Park. We will enter the Birdsboro watershed and hike to Kulptown, then take the connector trail with a great view of Amity Township which leads us to the Schuylkill River Trail and the hike’s end.

Meeting place: 9:45 am, Schuylkill River Trailhead on Rt. 724 in Monocacy, behind the Fork and Ale Restaurant where the Schuylkill Trail crosses Rt. 724

Directions: go east on Rt. 724, just east of Center Road take the first left
GPS: Approx. 1273 East Main Street, Birdsboro

for more information and further directions, contact:  610-323-1703

Saturday August 3, 2019 - Furnace Hills / Rannels - Kettle Run Nature Preserve

5 to 6 moderate miles

This will be a shuttle hike along some nice wooded trails with one big hill to go up and one really big hill to go down on the Horseshoe Trail leading to Pumping Station Road. We could see the Blue Heron Rookery. Bring water and snacks. There are several places in the area for lunch later.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Furnace Hills Pumping Station Trailhead off of Rt. 322, then we will shuttle some cars to an upper Horseshoe Trail lot
GPS: 80 Pumping Station Road, Lititz, PA

For more information or further directions: 717-949-2056, leave message on answering message