Saturday November 2, 2024 - Valley Forge

Approx. 5 miles, easy. mostly paved paths

We will trudge through meadows surveying to determine the best place to make camp over this coming 1777 winter as the British have mercilessly driven us from the warmth of our hearths in nearby Philadelphia. The advance surveying party from Berks County will determine defensible positions and cross open meadows where sunblock and/or colonial hats may be appropriate. Bring vittles for lunch at the picnic tables left at the park by friendly patriots. Bad weather cancels. (We are not as tough as our ancestors...)

1st Meeting place: 9:00 a.m. at Boscov’s east parking lot, 4500 Perkiomen Ave

2nd Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at Varnum’s Picnic Area, Route 23 (Valley Forge Rd) - Valley Forge Park 

DIRECTIONS: Take 422 east (about 34 miles from Boscov’s) to exit Rt. 23 Bridgeport/Valley Forge.

(This is approx. 4.1 miles after Oaks exit.) The road expands to three lanes over the bridge. Use the right-most lane and curve right towards Valley Forge at top of exit. There are two traffic lights close together. At second light, turn right onto Rt 23 west. (If you were to go straight at this light you’d go into the Visitor Center.) Go 1.6 miles to parking lot for Varnum’s Picnic area on right - about a half mile past the Valley Forge Chapel. As you approach, there is a slight S turn to the left. As the S straightens, you’ll see SLOW marked on the pavement and a sign on the right warning of pedestrians. Entrance is immediately after the pedestrian sign. (If coming from Phoenixville on Rt 23, Varnum’s is approx. 0.8 miles from Washington Headquarters’ traffic light.)

GPS: 40.10459, -75,44670 No address. Use Von Steuben Monument for nearby address. 

For more information or furtehr directions, contact the Rebel Leader Lou! – 215-514-9016

Saturday October 26, 2024 - Pulpit Rock to View Autumn Colors

5-6 miles, moderately difficult, some rocks 

We will go up to the reservoir and take the Furnace Creek Trail up. Then we will find the Red Trail and cut over to Pulpit Rock. We will descend via the AT. Bring lunch and a chair and we will gather under the trees after the hike.

Meeting place: 9:30 am at Hamburg Reservoir Parking Lot

Directions: Take Route 61 to Hamburg. Turn right onto State St./Old U.S 22 and go 2.2mi. Turn left onto Reservoir Rd. and go 0.9 mi. to parking lot.

For more  information and further directions, contact: 717-376-5289

Saturday October 19, 2024 - Neversink Loop / East Ridge Trail

4-5 miles

There are two brutal hills on Neversink, and we are going DOWN one of them. Everything else is woods and some stony trails with moderate hills. Should be at peak foliage, so it should be a colorful, beautiful hike!

Meeting place: 9:30 am – It’s a residential neighborhood and there is plenty of parking. 

GPS: 27th & Fairview Streets, Mt. Penn

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

Saturday October 12, 2024 - Angelica Greenway Trail

Approx. 4 - 5 easy miles

This trail is paved with gravel for most of the trail. We will park and start at the Brentwood Trailhead of the Schuylkill River Trail. Just southeast of the Brentwood Trailhead, the Angelica Greenway Trail branches off at the western approach of the concrete arched trestle then makes a sharp right and passes under the old railroad bridge used by the Thun Trail and under an active railroad trestle. The trail then makes another hard right and follows the Angelica Creek in Angelica Park, past Alvernia University and neighborhoods until it ends at the Ken Grill Recreation Center. This will be an “in and out” hike going from Brentwood to Ken Grill and back to Brentwood. Afterwards, there will be an option to eat lunch at Mimmo’s Restaurant on route 10.

Meeting place: 9:00 am at the Brentwood Trailhead for the Thun Trail on route 10. 

GPS: 620 Morgantown Road, Reading

For more  information or further directions, contact:  610-823-9023

Sunday October 6, 2024 - Ice Cream Hike / Pennside

2 to 4 easy miles - street walk

Enjoy an early fall walk around the Pennside area and check out any Halloween decorations! We will also walk the trail behind the Antietam Valley Park & Recreation Center. Mostly level streets except for a short, level trail section. Return for ice cream and burgers at the Pennside Drive In.

Meeting place: 4:30 pm at the Pennside Drive-In. Please park on the far lot area to the right of the drive-in. 

GPS: 900 block of Carsonia Avenue, Pennside

For more information or further directions, contact:  610-823-9023 or 610-914-1357

Saturday October 5, 2024 - Antietam Lake

7 Moderate/strenuous miles

The hike will begin at Antietam Lake (parking area), starting promptly at 9:00 a.m. We will go to the Wm. Penn Tower via several trails and then hike further to the Pagoda. Before going to the Tower, we will hike on the Ferndale Trail up the steep hill to Kuechler's Roost. Some road hiking may take place (which I will keep to a minimum). We will return via the Ferndale/Gravity trails and then to the Green trail down back to the parking area. Expect this to last ~3.5 hours (excluding a short break at the Pagoda). Rain cancels. Advised to wear an orange blaze vest and/or hat due to archery activity up there. Hopefully, this time (if they are riding) I will show you some of those bikers riding on those hilly ascents jumping into the air and down. Pretty amazing feats!

Meeting place: 8:45 am, the large Angora Road parking lot, near Hill Road, in sight of Antietam Lake. 

NOTE: There are 2 intersections of Hill Road and Angora Rd but only one is in sight of the lake. 

GPS: 230 Angora Road, Reading

For more information or further directions, contact: 215-205-3923