Wyomissing Creek - Saturday March 29, 2008

5 miles (easy)

This will be a lovely walk along the Wyomissing Creek. Optional lunch at New China Restaurant, Shillington Shopping Center (very reasinable buffet)

Meeting Place: 10:30 am, Reading Museum parking lot

For further information or directions, contact: 620-451-6715

Easter Morning Sunrise Service Hike - Sunday March 23, 2008

4 miles (moderate pace)

We will hike to the Easter morning sunrise service at the Mt. Penn Fire Tower, sponsored by the Greater Reading Council of Churches. This hike is a tradition in honor of hiking club member Paul Lehman who started this hike years ago. Wear warm clothes, sturdy shoes, and bring a flashlight. Easter hat is optional!

Meeting place and time: 5:30 am at City Park, at the former Police Academy parking lot.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-678-5921

Warwick Park (West Side) - Saturday March 3, 2008

4 t0 5 miles (easy)

Meet Les at Warwick Park for an easy 4 to 5 mile loop hike along the creek, fields, and Ryerss Equine Farm.

Meeting Place: 10:00 am, Warwick Park

Directions: From route 345 at route 23, go east 4.5 miles to right turn on Park Rd. to parking lot; from route 100 at route 23, go west 3.5 miles to turn on Park Rd in Knauertown.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-323-1703 or 484-948-0625

Bartrum Trail - Saturday March 15, 2008

5 miles

We will hike on the Bartrum Trail to Landingsville, home of 211 species of birds and an active beaver's dam. Then we will circle the marsh, returning to our starting point.

Meeting Place: 9:30 am, Redner's parking lot on Route 612 North

For further information or directions, contact: 610-926-3415

Happy 100th Birthday Pagoda! - Saturday March 8, 2008

5-7 miles, dependent on weather

This hike will take us to one of the leader's favorite local landmarks. We will take a break to learn a little history about the Pagoda. (Refreshments will be on sale here.) Then we will hike the railroad bed that was used to deliver supplies for the construction of the Pagoda. Come prepared for the weather.

Meeting Place: 10:00 am, parking lot in City Park, next to the white building

For further directions or information, contact: 610-374-2394

Middle Creek - Saturday March 1, 2008

4 miles, varied difficulty

Enjoy this very early 4 mile hike on at least 4 different trails of varied difficulty. Bring hiking boots for any weather condition.

Meeting Place: 10:00 am, Middle Creek Visitor's Center

For further directions or information, contact: 610-589-5575

Bernhardt Dam Walk - Saturday February 23, 2008

5 to 6 miles

Some road, some trail and some "rail to trail" walking gives us an interesting look at parts of Muhlenberg Township and Lauredale Borough.

Meeting place: 9:00 am at Laureldale Recreation park, the 2100 block of Elizabeth Ave., above the nursing home.

For further information or directions, contact: 610-929-9694

Warwick County Park (East Side) - Saturday February 16, 2008

5 miles

For this hike, Martha plans to go from Warwick Park to Northside Road. This will be a shuttle hike with views, woods, and a small amount of road walking. Boots, snacks, and water recommended.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at Warwick Park

For further information or directions, contact: 484-948-0625

Nolde Forest - Saturday February 9, 2008

5 miles

This will be a five mile hike with a long big hill.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, at Church Road parking lot.

For further information or directions, contact: 610-775-7453

French Creek - Saturday February 2, 2008

5 miles

Join Lynn for a five mile loop hike in French Creek.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Route 345 and Shed Road

For further information or directions, contact: 610-582-5220

Shoesmakersville - January 26, 2008

5 miles

Check out the "Shoey" area with Kathy on this road hike. Kathy says it will be only 5 miles - Guess we'll have to do this hike to see!

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at left side of Kuzan's Park

For further information or directions, contact: 610-603-9461

Sadsbury Woods Preserve - Saturday January 19, 2008

4 to 5 miles

Loop hike at Natural Lands Trust's Sadsbury Woods Preserve. This small 500 acres are located in Mid-Chester County near the junction of routes PA 10 & US 30, 15 miles south of the meeting place. Hunting is only allowed by special permit, but be sure to wear your orange jackets.

Meeting Place: 9:30 am, Clock Tower Shopping Center (Routes 10 & 23 on west end of Morgantown) We will carpool at this spot because of limited spaces at the preserve.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-913-0284

Lenhartsville Loop - Saturday January 12, 2008

5 miles

Our "traditional" early January hike along the Maiden Creek and country roads in the hills near Lenhartsville. This is an easy road hike with some nice views of the Maiden Creek and hill country southeast of the town. Eat at Hummel's afterwards.

Meeting place: 1:00 pm, in the rear of the side parking lot at CJ Hummel's Restaurant on route 143 in downtown Lenhartsville.

For information, contact: 610-921-3252

Centre Township - Saturday January 5, 2008

5 to 6 miles

Hike the back roads of Centre Township. Be prepared for hills, some traffic, and questionable weather. Some nice views. Most have never explored this area, so be adventurous!

Meeting place and directions: 10:00 am at the gravel parking lot on Main St. in Centerport, across from the Grange and next to the pizza shop. Go to route 61 North, turn left onto Mohrsville Road, drive 0.7 miles and turn left onto Main St., drive 2.3 miles into Centerport.

For information contact: 610-488-9269

New Year's Hike / Polar Bear Dip / Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner - Tuesday January 1, 2008

Here's the pictures from the dip!

1. Club member, who is now officially a "bear cub", dries off after freezing cold dip! As promised, I posted my own picture! My tootsies were frozen!
2. New Year's Day Revelers Run to Dive into 2008!

5 to 6 miles

We will take macadam country roads between Stouchsburg and Millardsville, going along the Tully 4.3 miles up to view the annual Polar Bear Dip at the Myerstown Quarry at noon. Afterwards, we'll hike back 1.4 miles to our cars, with an optional church stop for pork & sauerkraut, buffet style in Robesonia. Cost: $8.00. Dress in layers, bring your camera, and also a bathing suit and towel if you want to become a bear cub! Outdoor restrooms at the church. Donation requested at the quarry to benefit a Lebanon County charity.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Christ Lutheran Church, route 422 at the west end of Stouchsburg

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

Thun Trail - Saturday Dec 29, 2007

5 to 6 miles, easy

Meet Janet for this end of year hike to RACC or Goggle Works and back. Length of hike will be determined by weather.

Meeting Place: 10:00 am, Thun Trail parking lot on Route 724, near Route 176 and Hafer Petroleum.

For further information or directions, contact: 610-779-0142