Sunday February 12, 2012 - Arts/Park/Concert/Brewworks Part X Meet

We will start with a short walk along the Hassen Creek Nature Trail where we will construct and install a Wood Duck Nest Box. The hike will start at 12:34. Expect it to be “smeary” so bring boots and clean shoes for the concert. At 3:00 we will go to the Allentown Symphony Hall (23 N. 6th Street, Tel #610-432-6715); 10% discount to hikers – mention this. Afterwards we’ll enjoy a brew at the Allentown Brewworks – 812 Hamilton Street (10% food discount with concert ticket). Free parking at the garage deck at 6th and Linden Sts

Meeting place:12:00 noon at the Upper Macungie Park, along Rt.100 just north of Fogelsville.

Directions: to Upper Macungie Park, Rt. 100 N of Fogelsville. Over the hill, right at the light, right at the stop sign on Hassel-dahl Road to the Park.

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

February 11, 2012 - Appalachian Trail Port Clinton Fire Tower

Length: 5 to 6 miles

Today’s hike will be a loop hike starting at the Port Clinton Fire Tower, downhill to the Weiser Trail and then east to the Appalachian Trail. Continue on with a short northern hike on the A.T. and then back uphill to State Game Lands #106, completing the loop back to the fire tower.

Meeting place:10:00 am, Redner’s Market, Rt. 61 N. Leesport.

See map at Clyde’s blogsite: http://combinedschedules.blogspot.com

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-913-0284 or Cell 610-413-6281

February 4, 2012 - Riverfront Park

Length: approx. 7 miles

Leader plans on walking from the meeting place to Baer Park and back. This will depend on the weather and trail conditions.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Brentwood parking lot, Rt.10, Morgantown Road

For more information and further directions, contact: 484-529-8682

January 21, 2012 - French Creek State Park

Length: 5.5 miles

Follow the leader as she leads a hike on the green-blazed Lenni Lenape Trail.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at Scott’s Run Lake in French Creek State Park. Bad Weather Cancels!

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-796-7302

January 28, 2012 - Antietam Lake Hike

Length 5-6 mile loop, moderate to difficult

Clyde will lead the hike from the parking area to Kuechler’s Roost on the new gravity trail, returning on other park trails along the route of the former Gravity Railroad

NOTE: The road at the Antietam Dam was closed at this schedule’s deadline, so drivers should approach via Hill Road.

See map at Clyde’s blogsite: http://combinedschedules.blogspot.com. Please call leader if weather is questionable.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Antietam Lake parking area, off of Angora Road

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-913-0284 or Cell 610-413-6281

Saturday January 14, 2012 - Lenhartsville Loop

Length – 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 the hill country southeast of town. Eat at C.J. Hummel’s afterward.

Meeting place: 1:00 pm in the rear side parking lot of C.J. Hummel’s Restaurant, Rt. 143 in downtown Lenhartsville

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-921-3252 or 610-451-5380 day of the hike; any questions can also be emailed to leader at “ecg8@juno.com”

Saturday January 7, 2012 - Schuylkill River Trail

Length – 4.5 miles

Enjoy a leisurely walk on the rail trail from Birdsboro to Douglasville. Deep snow will cancel.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, behind the office building at the intersection of Rt.345 and Rt. 724 in Birdsboro. Shuttle involved in this hike.

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

Saturday November 19, 2011 - Neversink Mountain

5 miles, weather permitting

Travel the historic paths of Neversink Mountain to view Mt Penn from its vistas.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, corner of South 10th St & South St by the cemetery in Reading

For further information and directions, contact: 610-777-4223

Sunday November 13, 2011 - Arts/ Park Allentown (Series IX) - Trexler Park in the Fall

Walk Trexler Park (1.4 miles) then a short drive to Allentown’s Symphony Hall to enjoy the 3pm concert - The Red Violin, then enjoy a brew at the brewworks.

Meeting place: 12:12 pm, Trexler Park Springhouse Road parking lot

Note: Hikers receive a 10% discount at the box office (mention “hikers discount”); also receive 10% discount at the Brewworks (812 Hamilton Street) with the symphony ticket stub. Free parking at the 6th and Linden Streets parking garage; Allentown Symphony Hall, 23 N. 6th Street, Allentown, box office – 610-432-6715

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

Saturday November 12, 2011 - Warwick Park to Hopewell Lake - Soup & Sandwich Too!

7+ miles

We’ll meet at Warwick Park and travel via the Horseshoe Trail to Hopewell. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the crisp fall weather along the way. Hot soup & sandwiches provided by the leaders for a treat afterwards near the Hopewell boat ramp parking lot.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, Boscov’s East, 9:45 am at Warwick Park parking lot

For further information or directions, contact: 610-779-2599; 610-823-9023 / 610-223-6952 day of hike

Saturday November 5, 2011 - Horseshoe Trail Part Two

6.5 miles Moderate

A jaunt through what’s left of the Chester County woodland along the Horseshoe Trail.

Travel from Green Lane just East of Route 100 to Warwick County Park.

Note: There will be one stream crossing that will require crossing over the stream via a log...may be crossing by balancing over the log or shimmying/ sliding over it. Be prepared!!

Meeting place: 9:30 am Warwick County Park and shuttle to starting point on Green Lane

For further information or directions,contact: 610-373-6730

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