Saturday March 11 - Lower Switchback Rail-Trail / Jim Thorpe

9 moderate miles

We will once again visit the Switchback in JT, where history and nature come together on a trail that dates back to the early 1800s when trains hauled coal from the mines to the Lehigh Canal. Starting at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, we will take the lower trail into town, enjoy lunch, then return on the same trail. There will be a steep descent and ascent into town. Bring water and snacks, along with hiking boots for the rocky and muddy sections. Rain cancels.

1st Meeting place: 8:30 a.m. at Redner's Market, 5471 Pottsville Pike, Leesport (Rt. 61 North)
2nd Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at Mauch Chunk Lake Park

Directions: 61 north for approx. 13 miles, right onto 895 for 6.7 miles, left onto E. Railroad Ave in New Ringgold for another 6.7 miles, left onto W. Penn Pike for 2.2 miles, right onto Owl Creek Road (careful, hard to see this turn) for 8.1 miles to Mauch Chunk Lake Park Office 

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

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

Saturday March 4, 2023 - Gravity Trail To Egelman's

We’ll take the Gravity Trail to Kueschler’s Roost, continue to Egelman’s and then backtrack back. Not for unstable ankles; some rocky stretches. I will point out historical landmarks that I make up as I go. Cancelled for snow, cold rain. Warm rain, ok.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Antietam Lake Trailhead

Directions: Take Carsonia Avenue from Mt. Penn to Stony Creek Mills. At stop sign, bear slight left onto Antietam Road. Halfway up hill, turn left onto Angora Road and proceed to trailhead on left. 

GPS: 306 Angora Road

For more information or further directions, contact: Cell: 610-505-9397

Saturday February 25, 2023 - Ontelaunee Township Road Hike

Approx. 4 miles

We'll hike on some back roads on a circle-with-hills hike. Many good views of the area. Bundle up as it may be windy at this time of year. Snow or steady rain cancels. Eating after for all who wish to go.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Redner’s to drive to hike starting point (1 mile away) 

Directions: North on Rte 61 to Leesport.

GPS: 5471 Pottsville Pike, Leesport

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-750-4097

Saturday February 18, 2023 - Middle Creek Overlook Hike

Approx. 5 miles

This hike will visit two overlooks with several hills to climb to get there. Lunch at the K-Ville Hotel, 2647 Heidelberg Ave.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Visitors Center

Direcvtions: From 272 south, take Rte 897 north for 14 miles to Kleinfeltersville, then take the first left after the stop sign onto Hopeland Road, then travel 2 miles to the Visitors Center.

GPS: 100 Museum Road, Stevens

For more information or further directions, contact:  717-949-2056

Saturday February 11, 2023 - Blue Marsh Lake

Approx. 5 moderate miles

A frosty hike along Blue Marsh Lake, varying hills. Lunch afterward, if interested, at Ganly’s Irish Pub, 500 Brownsville Road, Sinking Spring

Meeting place: 9:45 a.m. at State Hill Boat Launch parking lot

Directions: From intersection of 422/724 in Sinking Spring, travel 422 west approx 1.2 miles to Green Valley Road and turn right. Travel 2.5 miles to Brownsville Rd and turn right. Travel 0.5 mile to Boat Launch entrance on left. Travel approx. 0.75 mile to parking lot. 

GPS: 599 Brownsville Road, Wernersville [40.366057°, -76.03741°]

For more information or further directions, contact: Cell: 610-301-4342