Saturday September 18, 2021 - Jim Thorpe Switchback/ Rail-Trail!

 12 difficult miles with rewards in the middle!

The Jim Thorpe Switchback is a must see! History and nature come together on this trail that dates back to the early 1800s when trains hauled coal from the mines to the Lehigh Canal. We will start the hike with a short but steep ascent onto the upper switchback trail passing Indian Springs. Then we will traverse another short but steep ascent to enjoy a picturesque view of the Lehigh Gorge and Glen Onoko Falls. In the middle of this adventure, we will hike into Jim Thorpe for an enjoyable lunch then return to Mauch Chunk Lake beginning with a short but steep hill road, then a lower and easier switchback trail.Bring PLENTY of water and snacks along with hiking boots for the rocky and muddy sections.

1st Meeting place: 8:00am at Redner's Market, Rte 61 in Leesport

2nd Meeting place: 9:30am at Mauch Chunk Lake Park

Directions: 61 North, right onto 895 for 16 miles, left onto E Railroad Ave in New Ringgold for 6.7 miles, left onto W. Penn Pike for another 6.7 miles, right onto Owl Creek Road (Careful! Hard to see this turn!) for 8.1 miles to Mauch Chunk Park Office.

GPS: 625 Lentz Trail, Jim Thorpe [40.843472, -75.805361]

For more information or further directions, contact 610-914-1357

Saturday September 11, 2021 - Leaser Lake Hike

 Approx 5 moderate miles

The hike will travel around the perimeter trail of Leaser Lake, just over the northern Berks Line in Lehigh County. There will be varying terrain from open fields to deep woods and marshy areas. This area is especially suited to spotting many different bird and wildflower species.Possible lunch at CJ Hummels afterwards for those comfortable eating inside.

Meeting place: 9:30am, parking lot at end of Pleasure Court (South parking area and boat launch)

Directions: Take Rte 143 north out of Lenhartsville. Drive about 8 miles, make a left turn onto Pleasure Court, just before the large stone church in Jacksonville (about a mile past Wanamaker's General Store)

GPS: Pleasure Court, Kempton [40.671195, -75.832145]

For more information or further directions, contact 610-921-3252 or call 610-451-5380 on morning of hike 

Saturday September 4, 2021 - Birdsboro Watershed & Climbing Area

 5-6 easy miles (unless you decide to join the rock climbers!)

We will traverse the closed portion of the Hay Creek Road to look for new interesting graffiti, then circle the dam and lake off on a dirt road. We will then return to Hay Creek Road to watch anyone climbing the old quarry area, then return to the cars.A great end to a Happy Labor Day Weekend.

Meeting place: 9:30am at the dead-end on Hay Creek Road. Nearest cross street is Elk Trail Lane.

Directions: From the traffic light in Gibraltar at the Turkey Hill, make a left on Rte 724 East. Take the first right (about 1.2 miles) then cross the RR tracks and turn left onto Rock Hollow. Drive 2.8 miles on Rock Hollow, cross Cocalico Road then wind around another 1.1 miles to Hay Creek Road.Turn left and proceed to the dead-end. There is road parking and a small parking lot available.

GPS: 2 Elk Trail Lane, Birdsboro & continue on to Hay Creek Road [40.235530, -75.839574]

For more information or further directions, contact 610-223-4568

Saturday August 28, 2021 - Middle Creek

 Approximately 5-6 miles, moderate to difficult

You will be led through trails in the Middle Creek Wildlife Refuge starting at the visitors center. Lots of nicely wooded areas and views. There will be some ups and downs on the trails that are chosen.

Make sure to bring water & snacks. There are several places nearby to stop for lunch afterward if anyone wants to.

Meeting place: 9:30 amp at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitors Center

Directions: From Rte 272 South, take Rte 897 North for 14 miles to Kleinfeltersville, then take the first left after the stop sign onto Hopeland Road, then 2 miles to the Visitors Center on the right. Go up the road to the Visitors Center to the parking lot.

GPS: 100 Museum Road, Stevens, PA 17578 [40.27169, -76.25075]

For more information or further directions, contact 484-824-2740

Saturday August 21, 2021 - BCHC Annual Picnic

 Please see schedule flyer for details. 

Hike will take place at 1:00pm - Meet at picnic site for hike!

Saturday August 14, 2021 - Blue Marsh

4 easy miles - A very easy in-out hike!

This will be an easy relaxing in-out hike.

Meeting place: 9:00am at Blue Marsh North Boat Launch just past old Church Road.

Directions: North on Rte 183 from Reading, approximately 3 miles from the Blue Marsh Inn

GPS: 5950 Bernville Road, Bernville [40.412544, -76.086856]

For more information or further directions, contact 610-378-1477

 

Saturday August 7, 2021 - Neversink Mountain

 6 miles, strenuous & difficult

The hike will start 1/2 mile through the streets of Mt Penn from the Antietam Valley Shopping Center. We will then travel to the start of the East Ridge Trail and continue hiking the Neversink Trails for 5 miles, finally retracing our steps back to the parking lot for a 6-mile hike in length. Wear comfortable hiking shoes! Bring water.

Meeting place: 9:30am at the northwest corner of the Antietam Valley Shopping Center parking lot.

Directions: Take US 422 East to the Mt Penn exit.Turn left onto E Neversink Rd (signs for St Lawrence/Mt Penn) After 0.6 miles, turn left onto US 422 BUS W / Perkiomen Ave, then make a sharp right onto PA-562 E / St Lawrence Ave. After 0.2 mile, make a right into the Antietam Valley shopping Center parking lot. The northwest corner of the parking lot is next to the bank.

GPS: 2962 St Lawrence Ave, Reading [40.328170, -75.878955]

For more information or further directions, contact 484-467-8976

Saturday July 31, 2021 - Mt Penn Sites

 5-6 Miles, moderately difficult

Begin at the base of Mineral Spring Park, then walk to Egelman's Park, and take the wooded trails to Rotary Park with a stop off at Kuechler's Roost. More wooded trails follow to the William Penn Fire Tower, Drenkel Field, and finally the Pagoda. First half of the hike is up, the second half is down!

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. on South 19th St. between Pendora Park & Mineral Spring Park, next to the former East End Athletic Association in sight of Lindberg Viaduct.

Directions: From Perkiomen Ave, take South 19th St under the Lindberg Viaduct, proceed about 1/10 mile where there is parking.

GPS: S. 19th Street, Reading [40.332433,-75.897637] 

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-323-1703

Saturday July 24, 2021 - Monacacy Hill Hike

5 Miles, moderately difficult

 Join our group as we hike through some of the well-marked trails of the Monacacy Hill's 428 acres. We will be going down to the creek and up to the peak with beautiful views of the valley.Hiking boots and poles are recommended as the climb is a bit rocky. An alternative path for some: stay on the lower trail and meet up with those who climbed to the peak afterward. Bring lunch

1st Meeting place: 9:15am to carpool (4 miles) from 1 Arrowhead Drive, Douglasville

Directions: South on 562 from Stonersville, turn right onto Limekiln Rd, them immediate left onto Gulin Lane, right on Agata Drive, left on arrowhead. 

GPS to first meeting place: [40.321178, -75.761196]

2nd Meeting place: 9:30am at Geiger Road parking lot. If lot is full park on road on the park side.

Directions: east on 422 from Reading, use jug-handle to turn left onto Limekiln Rd. Turn right onto Monocacy Hill Rd, right again onto Geiger Rd and right onto parking lot (space is limited)

GPS: 54 Geiger Road, Douglasville [40.280888, -75.754048]

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-468-5039

Saturday July 17, 2021 - French Creek State Park - Scott's Run Lake

 6 Miles, difficult but enjoyable

We will hike the green-blazed Lenape Trail so expect a few hills, rocks and roots. Bring lunch and a chair.

Meeting place: 9:30am at Scott's Run Lake

Directions: From Birdsboro, go south on Rte 345 to east entrance of the state park. Bear right on Park Road, then second Scotts Run Road, then left to boat launch parking.

GPS: Scotts Run Road, Elverson [40.209659, -75.796196]

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-678-5245

Saturday July, 10, 2021 - Womelsdorf & Conrad Weiser Park

 4 easy miles

We will hike uphill to the cemetery and Conrad Weiser Park. Using some alleys, we'll loop around town. Depending on time & weather, we will go another mile to see the oldest bridge in Berks County. We will be giving a lot of history, showing old pictures and maybe a quiz or two?

Meeting place: 9:30am at large lot next to McDonald's on Rte 422 West in Womelsdorf.

Directions: Go west from Reading on Rte 422 West to Womelsdorf. At light at Rte 419 turn left (south) on 419, go about 25 yards and turn right into large parking lot to start hike.

GPS: 3400 Conrad Weiser Parkway, Womelsdorf [40.369548, -76.189899]

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