Saturday October 29, 2011 - Let's Try it Again - Delaware Water Gap

8.5 miles

Appalachian Trail Hike along top of ridge with some “ups” and rocks, but great views (no leaves) winding down a steep and rocky decent to gap. Recommend sturdy hiking boots, water and we will stop on the trail for lunch. This is the leader’s 4th attempt to lead this hike without being rained or snowed out! As before, snow or rain cancels.

Meeting place: 8:00 am, left of Walmart, behind McDonald’s, Bus Rt. 222, 5th St Hwy, Temple

For further information or directions, contact: 610-775-2677

Saturday October 22, 2011 - Middlecreek Wildlife Area

6.5 miles

Parts of the Horseshoe Trail are included in this hike. Enjoy the fall scenery and wildlife in this favorite hiking spot.

First meeting place:: 9:00 am Ollie’s parking lot in Shillington

Second meeting place: 10:00am Middlecreek Visitor’s Center

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

Saturday October 15, 2011 - Horseshoe Trail, Valley Forge Style

7+ miles

This will be the first leg of the Horseshoe Trail Series. We’ll start at George Washington’s Headquarters in Valley Forge. It will be a great time for a walk in the park and to see the HQ where Georgy slept! This will be a shuttle hike with vehicles.

Meeting place: 9:00 am at Boscov’s East parking lot, start time at Valley Forge will be 10 am

For further information or directions, contact: Lou Velez – 215-592-3037

Saturday October 8, 2011 - Mount Pisgah Plane

4 Short but Steep & Strenuous Miles – Difficult

For the adventurous or the just plain foolish, we will climb the 2322 foot, 29 degree Mount Pisgah Plane of the former Switchback Gravity Railroad, in Old Mauch Chunk (aka Jim Thorpe), Carbon County. This long climb, though strenuous, abounds in history. The Switchback was Pennsylvania’s first railroad, and the second in the USA. We will see the remains of the original “wagon road” and continue down Packer Hill into town for lunch. The group may split up here depending on size, meeting an hour later in front of the Mauch Chunk Opera House. After lunch it’s up Broadway onto the former, now abandoned “bus road”, returning to the parking area. This hike is short, but steep and strenuous and is rated difficult for that reason.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at the parking area at the top of Hill Road, Jim Thorpe.

Directions: Hill Road is the only right hand turn off Broadway heading west from downtown Jim Thorpe, and is located right next to the Mauch Chunk Opera House.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-921-3252

Sunday October 2, 2011 - Arts/Park in Allentown (Series VIII)

8th Street Bridge/Historical Society

This will be a 1.5 mile loop walk through Allentown Park, crossing the 8th Street Bridge to enjoy the fall foliage. We’ll visit the historical society and return to the Arts walk, then enjoy the 3pm Allentown Symphony Concert (featuring the Empire Brass); followed by a “brew” at the Allentown brewworks.

NOTE: Symphony Hall, 23 N. 6th Street, Allentown; Hikers receive a 10% discount – (mention this) when calling the Box Office 610-432-6715; tickets can be purchased that day; Brewworks: 812 Hamilton Street –10% discount on food with symphony ticket; separate checks available; free parking at the 6th and Linden garage. Attire: hiking wear is fine.

Meeting place: 12:12 pm, corner of 6th and Linden Streets parking deck

For further information or directions, contact: 484-515-8001, 484-269-0852 or 610-562-8680

Saturday October 1, 2011 - Schuylkill Rail Trail

approx 7 miles, easy

Enjoy a leisurely stroll on this section of the Schuylkill Rail-To-Trail. This is a shuttle hike, dropping vehicles at the new parking lot and relay to starting point in/near Pottstown.

Meeting place: 9:30 am at Schuylkill Rail Trail parking lot behind Tim's Ugly Mug Restaurant on Rte 724 East, east of Birdsboro about 1 mile.

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

Saturday September 24 - Timbuckstu and Beyond - Lake Noxamixon Bucks County

7- 8 miles

Beautiful lakeside trails, easy to moderate; with early fall colors and possible waterfowl. Stroll along the lake and amongst the rolling hills of Central Bucks and the rocks too! Nice stop at an eatery afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, Boscov’s East, Business Rte 422 East, Exeter Twp

For further information and directions, contact: 610-223-6952 or email “cj1sp@allstate.com

Saturday September 17 - Money Rocks County Park in Lancaster County

approx 6 miles

Come out for a relaxing hike. Anyone who finds the lost money may surely keep it! We will enjoy the shaded woodland trails on this newly expanded area. There are lots of rocks and some moderate hills. We will be sure to see some Amish buggies.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at the parking lot across from the Windmill Restaurant on the corner of Rte 23 and Rte 10. There will be a lunch stop at the Windmill after the hike for those interested.

For further directions and information, contact: 610-286-6886

Saturday September 10 - Fort Zellers, Newmanstown Area

approx. 6 miles

Join us for a leisurely hike with a bit of history. We will see a canon, a tank, Fort Zellers historic area and a cemetery. All road and pavement walking, with nice views and quiet scenes. Bring snacks and water, extra if it is a hot day.

Meeting place: 9:30 am in Newmanstown

Directions: Take Rte. 419 South from Womelsdorf. At traffic light in center of Newmanstown, turn right on Sheridan Road. Pass alley and playground; parking is on your right. (Elias U.C.C. Church is on the left)

For further information and directions, contact: 610-678-5245

Saturday September 3, 2011 - Hamburg-er Bike Trip

Join the “Warm-Hand” hiker and his girl for biking on the Bartram (flat) trail for approx 12-15 miles, then into Hamburg to get a “taste of Hamburg-er.” Bring lunch money.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Bartram Trail

Directions: I-78 to Rte. 61 North, right onto Industrial Drive past the Boat and RV lot, over the RR tracks, then first left. Optional walk uptown to the old school where Ron is from. Extra bikes available, but bring your own helmet.

For further information and directions, contact: 484-269-0852 or 484-515-8001

Saturday September 3, 2011 - Lancaster County Road Hike

approx 5-7 miles

Depending on the weather we will hike on country farm roads with some hills. This will be a loop hike.

Meeting place: 9:00 am at the Dollar Store in Kenhorst shopping plaza; travel/carpool to parking lot on Rte. 625 past Bowmansville; drive from Kenhorst is about 10 miles

For further information or directions, contact:LEADER: 610-777-4147; Cell 610-750-4097

Saturday August 27, 2011 - Tuscarora State Park

approx 4.5 miles

The ‘Spirit of the Tuscarora Trail’ is described in the park brochure as difficult with varying terrain and land features. It meanders along Tuscarora Lake and Locust Creek through deciduous forest, successional field, rhododendron thicket, and a wetland meadow. Wear boots and bring water. There is an opportunity for swimming and boating at the lake. Bring your own picnic lunch to eat at the park.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, Cabela’s – right outer parking area

For further directions and instructions, contact: Linnae Goda – 610-562-0207

Saturday August 20, 2011 - Lake Ontelaunee

approx 7 miles

Follow our leader to explore a trail at Lake Ontelaunee.

Meeting place: 9:15 am, Redner’s Market, Rte 61 North Leesport; will travel/carpool to Kindt’s Corner parking place

For further directions and information, contact: 610-488-7176

Sunday August 14, 2011 - Thun Trail Ice Cream Hike

4 miles - more or less; work it off for ice cream!

Join us for a relaxing hike on the Thun Trail with a refreshing cool treat afterwards!

Meeting place: 5:00 pm, Thun Trail parking area off of Rte 724 and Gibralter Road, across from the Turkey Hill in Gibralter

For further information and directions, contact: 610-779-2599 or 610-223-6952

Saturday August 13, 2011 - Brandywine Trail

6-7 miles

Hike will be on a section of this thirty mile trail maintained by the Wilmington Trail Club. This section connects the Horseshoe Trail with the Mason Dixon Trail and continues to Delaware’s Brandywine Creek State Park. Our path will take us on an abandoned Trolley bed, an old RR bed, through Downingtown to the Struble Trail parking area at Dorlans Mill Road.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Elverson Deli, corner of Rtes 23 and 82 in Elverson. It will take about 30 minutes to drive to auxiliary meeting place on Dorlans Mill Road. Please contact leader if meeting at auxiliary location.

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

Saturday August 6, 2011 - Monocacy Hill Hike

approx. 4.5 miles

Take a hike in the deep woods, a good place to be on a hot day!

Meeting place: 9:00 am, Geiger Road parking lot

For further directions and information, contact: 484-948-5084