Saturday September 28, 2024 - Hamburg and the Schuylkill River

6 miles, easy to moderate

We'll hike through the Kernsville Dam reclamation meadow—where there are always interesting
birds, insects, and native plants—then along the Schuylkill River Trail. From this lovely stretch of trail, we'll cross to Hamburg Community Park and then along Franklin Street to Kaercher Creek Park, where we'll make a short loop. We'll finish by walking through downtown Hamburg to the trailhead and back along the river to the starting point. 

Lunch option afterward at Rico Casa, 1343 Hex Hwy, Hamburg, Pa 19526.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at John Bartram Trail & Kernsville Dam Road Parking Lot, Hamburg

DIRECTIONS: Heading north on 61, at traffic light for Cabela Drive, turn right onto Jetson Drive and right again on Industrial Drive. When you get to Kernsville Dam Road, turn left to trailhead. 

GPS: 40.5625527,-75.9946005.

For more information or further directions, please contact: 412-445-7359 or 412-445-7319

Saturday September 21, 2024 - 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 to 2nd meeting place: 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 and further directions, please contact: 610-914-1357

Saturday September 14, 2024 - Ephrata Rail Trail Hike

5 no-hills miles

We will hike through scenic farmland to Warwick Township and back. Steady rain cancels. Optional lunch afterwards. There is a good map of the trail online at “Ephrata Rail Trail.”

1st Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Ollie's (2251 Lanc. Pike, Shillington) and drive approx. 20 miles to the trailhead. 

2nd Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at Meadow Valley Road Trail Crossing

Directions: Go south on 272 to Ephrata. About 1⁄2 mile after passing Rte 322, turn right onto Meadow Valley Road and follow that all the way to the trail crossing. (If you get to Rothsville Road, you went too far.)

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

Saturday September 7, 2024 - Leaser Lake Hike

Approx. 5 moderate miles

We will hike around the perimeter trail of Leaser Lake, just over the northern Berks line in Lehigh County. The terrain will vary from open fields to deep woods and marshy areas. This hike is especially well-suited for spotting many different bird and wildflower species. Lunch will be up to the hikers present. As C J Hummels is now closed for lunches, other choices would be The Westy in Hamburg, or Fiore's in Shoemakersville. Call if weather is questionable.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, 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, please contact: 610-921-3252 or 610-451-5380 morning of the hike.