Saturday July 27, 2024 - Merrill Creek Reservoir (New Jersey)

6.5 mile loop hike – Easy to moderate

Beautiful views with the distinct possibility of seeing an eagle or two along the trail route. There is at least one stream crossing that will involve rock hopping and the potential of wet boots, so plan accordingly. Bring your lunch and a camp chair and we can eat lakeside after the hike.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at the Visitor’s Center of Merrill Creek Reservoir

DIRECTIONS: Take route 22E into New Jersey. Stay on 22E for about 2.1 miles. Bear left onto NJ 57 east for about 4.8 miles, then left on Montana Road for 2 miles. Left on Richline Road for .3 miles and another left onto Merrill Creek road for .3 miles. Right onto Visitor Center Road. (Your destination is only about 15 minutes into New Jersey after crossing the bridge from Easton, PA to Phillipsburg, NJ.)

GPS: 34 Merrill Creek Road, Washington, NJ 078 

For more information and further directions, please contact: 484-284-0946

Saturday July 20, 2024 - Annual BCHC Club Picnic

 See club flyer for details of picnic and hike

Sunday July 14, 2024 - ICE CREAM HIKE! - Gibraltar Area

🍦“ICE CREAM HIKE” – GIBRALTAR AREA🍦

Approx. 3 miles

Evening walk on the Schuylkill River Trail to Old River Road to the Viaduct and then to Scoupe Deville for ice cream!

Meeting place: 5:30 p.m. at Gibraltar Road and 724 (small parking lot, more parking across from Turkey Hill) 

DIRECTIONS: From Reading, take 422 East (West Shore Bypass) toward Pottstown. Exit at I-176 and take immediate next exit to 724 East. Turn left and proceed 3-4 miles. At Gibraltar Road traffic light, turn right (opposite Turkey Hill), and immediately turn right again into parking lot. If full, go across intersection on Gibraltar Road and use the parking lot at the park.

GPS: 3326 Main Street, Birdsboro 

For more information or further directions, please contact: 484-948-5084

Saturday July 13, 2024 - Exeter Scenic Trail

Approx. 5 miles, easy to moderate

This is a flat gravel out-and-back trail that parallels the Schuylkill River. There is an optional rockier trail at the end that leads to the Klapperthal Trailhead at the base of Neversink Mountain. Heavy rain cancels.

Meeting place: 9:00 am at Gibraltar Rd. trailhead

Directions: Traveling east on Route 422, turn right at the traffic light (Rite Aid on right) onto 47th Street which turns into Gibraltar Road. Travel approx. 1 mile and pass through 2 stop signs. Shortly after the 2nd stop sign and just before the river, the parking lot will be on your right. 

GPS: 1018 Gibraltar Road, Birdsboro [N 40 17.412 W 75 52.066}

For more information or further directions, please contact: 973-879-7080

Saturday July 6, 2024 - John B. Bartram Trail

Approx. 6 miles

Our hike will be on a flat, gravel surface. We will walk as far as the Blue Mountain Railroad and watch the trains for a bit before returning. The trail will be busy on a Saturday morning, so we will need to remind ourselves not to bunch up on the width of the trail. Those who want an early lunch after the hike can decide where to eat. There are numerous places around Cabela's or in Hamburg.

Meeting place: 9:00 a.m. (let’s hike while it’s a bit cooler) at the Kernsville Dam Trailhead

Directions: From Route 61N, turn right at Jetson Drive, right at Industrial Drive, left at Kernsville Dam Road. After crossing single railroad tracks, look for desilting monument. 

GPS: 25 Kernsville Dam Road, Hamburg

For more information or further directions, call or text: 610-451-0821

Saturday June 29, 2024 - Phoebe Village and Adjacent Trails

3 OR 5 miles, as you choose - Easy to moderate

After hiking the trails at Phoebe, everyone is invited to enjoy a PAID FOR LUNCH as a guest of the leader. The menu is varied and has gluten-free choices: soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, etc., desserts and drinks. If planning to stay for lunch, please call Fran ahead of time so she has a head-count.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at main entrance to Phoebe Village Community Center (awning out front) DIRECTIONS: There are three parking areas.

#1. Enter Phoebe from Penn Ave. Proceed up hill, bear left, then make a right BEFORE going under the overpass walkway bridge. Park in available slots.

#2. Enter Phoebe from Penn Ave. Proceed up hill, bear right, follow signs to Health Care Center. 

#3. From North Church Road, enter Phoebe Village BEFORE you actually see the PV houses. Go down road 100 yards and see Phoebe buses parked in lot. Park in any of the slots available. If all else fails just drive to my house at address below.

GPS: 47 Philadelphia Dr. Wernersville

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-256-7619 (Please RSVP if staying for lunch.)

Saturday June 22, 2024 - Jacobsburg State Park

8-9 moderate miles
Group will explore the chosen trails by the leader at this site. Henry's Woods, an old growth forest surrounding Bushkill Creek, is part of the hiking trails at the center. Should take just under 3 1/2 hours on the trail for the areas that the hike leader has chosen. Lunch options afterward.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center

Directions: Take I-78E to 22E to 33N (approx. 7.5 miles on 33 toward Stroudsburg). Take the exit toward Belfast, then left on Belfast Rd. Meet at the large triangular parking lot, just southeast of the park's Environmental Education Center on Belfast Road. 

GPS: 426 Belfast Road, Nazareth [40.782614, -75.29254] 

For more information and further directions, contact: 484-284-0946

Saturday June 15, 2024 - Easternmost Tip of Lake Ontelaunee

4-5 miles, moderate 

Hike is on mostly maintenance trails around the lake and runs along the stream feeding Ontelaunee. There are some hills but it's a relatively easy hike. Might be swampy if there were recent rains. There are some sharp grades at the end. Lunch after the hike at Saucony Creek Brewery, 15032 Kutztown Road, Kutztown.

Meeting place: 9:00 a.m. on Lake Ontelaunee Trails parking lot.

Directions: From Reading, take 222N. At Moselem Springs traffic circle go left on 662. Continue past the Golf Club, cross the bridge; parking lot is on the left. 

GPS: 1564 Moselem Springs Road, Hamburg [40.50175 -75.88768] 

For more information and further directions: W:610-944-5775 or C:484-880-8140

Saturday June 8, 2024 - Daniel Boone Homestead

Approx. 4 miles - Rain cancels

This hike involves following the equestrian trail and then up to the North picnic area and seeing some of the historical buildings. I am still awaiting word from Jim Lewars, former administrator, if he can join us and throw some history into the mix. There are tours available after if he cannot join us, if requested. A ride over to the historical Exeter Quaker Meeting is not out of the question. May be muddy if rain was recent.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Daniel Boone Homestead Bridle Trailhead
Directions: Bridle Trailhead is on the left immediately after entering the park. 

GPS: 400 Daniel Boone Road

For more information and further directions: 610-914-3411

Saturday June 1, 2024 - Appalachian Trail at Port Clinton

Approx. 7.5 miles, moderate to strenuous 

This is not our typical hike but will offer great views and appreciation for the trail. This is an in-and-out hike with 50/50 ups and downs. We will also be doing some minor A.T. trail maintenance. Bring your hand nippers in your backpack if you would like to assist, or just enjoy the view! Bring enough water and snacks for during the hike. Lunch will take place afterwards at a local eatery to be decided by the group.

Meeting place: 9:30 A.M. At the Port Clinton Ball field

Directions: Route 61 North to Port Clinton, turn left from 61 onto Broad Street. At 2/10 mile, take second left on Pine Street. Ball field will be 400 feet ahead. 

GPS: Port Clinton Softball/Baseball Field (Port Clinton Recreation Park and Playground - 1001-1099 Schuylkill St, Port Clinton) 

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-223-6952

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Do not park on ANY railroad property or you will be towed away!

Saturday May 25, 2024 - State Hill Loop Hike from the Holl Trailhead

 6 miles

It is very hilly. Be aware this is a mountain biking trail.

WEAR ORANGE TO BE SAFE. 

Heavy rain will cancel. 

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Holl’s Trailhead off Highland Road.

Directions: From State Hill Road turn Left onto Brownsville Road. Turn RIGHT onto Highland Road at Spitler’s Collision. (Approx. 1.7 miles) The road is not maintained and very rutty. The Holl Trailhead is on the right.

GPS: Blue Marsh Lake Holl’s Trailhead 

For more information or further direc tions, contact: C:484-557-7854

Saturday May 18, 2024 - Warwick County Park

4 moderate miles, can extend to 6 miles

This hike will take us into forests that long ago provided timber used to make charcoal for the region's iron furnaces. We'll take the Horse-Shoe Trail onto the Charcoal Trail and the Connecting Trail back to HST. The 2-mile extension includes a trail along the French Creek. There are 4 to 5 hills. Lunch option at the Inn at St. Peter's Village.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at the parking lot for Warwick County Park

Directions: Take I-176 South to Morgantown. Take exit 2 toward PA-10N/PA-23 E. Turn left ontoPA-10 N /PA 23 E for 9.3 mi, then right onto County Park Rd. and left into Warwick County Park. 

GPS: 191 County Park Road, Pottstown

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-750-3115