Saturday January 18, 2014 - French Creek State Park's Turtle Trail

Approx. 3.6 miles, moderate-strenuous

Come out on a crisp, cold winter day for a short hike to get you off the couch. As per the brochure, the Turtle Trail circles “through the western portion of the park offering a variety of easy hiking mixed with several challenging sections.” Hiking boots and poles recommended. Of course, there will be an optional lunch stop later.

1st Meeting place: 10:00 am, Gibraltar Parking lot off Thun Trail, Rt. 724 & Gibraltar Road 
2nd Meeting place: 10:20 am, Firetower Road Parking lot

For further information or directions, contact: 610-775-2677; Cell – 610-301-7271

Saturday January 11, 2014 - Blue Marsh Winter Hike Revisited

Approx. 5-6 miles

Check out Blue Marsh from a different angle as hikers are lead the way following trails skirting the lake.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, State Hill Boat Ramp 

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-375-3358

Saturday January 4, 2014 - Blue Marsh Winter Loop Hike

Approx.  5 – 6 miles

Work off some of those holiday calories with this mid-winter hike over the hills and through the woods around Blue Marsh with Suzanne.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Church Road Parking Lot 

For further information and directions, contact: 610-488-9269

Wednesday January 1, 2014 - Polar Bear Dip Hike

Approx. 6 miles

Take a 4 mile countryside hike with some hills and views of Myerstown’s parks, cemeteries and
nursing homes leading to the Polar Bear Dip at 12 noon. If you want to jump in bring your finest, warmest swimwear and join the other “cubs” starting the new year with a ‘plunge.’ Then hike 1.8 miles back to our cars. There is free admission to the dip, but a donation to Lebanon Disabilities is appreciated. Dress warm.

Meeting place: 9:45 am, Dutch Way Restaurant Rt. 422West before Myerstown. 

Afterwards, the Dutch Way will have pork ‘n sauerkraut on their special buffet, or platters from their menu.

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

Saturday December 28, 2013 - Angelica Park

Approx. 5 miles

Meet at Angelica Park off of Route 10 for a hike along trails and roads through Grill and Sheerlund Park. Expect hills and it may be muddy in some places. Of course lunch later!

Meeting place: 9:30 am Angelica Park off of Route 10 after the brdige past the Brentwood Trailhead.

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-777-4147

Saturday December 21, 2013 - Winter Solstice Hike

Approx 4-5 miles

Enjoy a relaxing walk to Hopewell Village to see this historic area decorated for the holiday season. When we return from our walk we will share Holiday Goodies before getting back to the hustle & bustle of preparing our own holiday celebrations!

Meeting place: 1:00 pm West Boat Launch of Hopewell Lake at French Creek State Park
For more information or further directions, contact: 610-286-8913

Saturday December 14, 2013 - Annual Christmas Party & Hike

See club flyer for details of this event.

Saturday December 4, 2013 - Explore the "Underground" in Philly

Approx 5-6 miles

We'll take a train ride to Philadelphia from the Norristown Elm Street Station and traverse the unndergorund concourses of Center City Philadelphia!

We'll go to different portions of it and "pop-up" like prairie dogs in a few places to see the street level. Hopefully no one will play "whack-a-mole" with us when we "pop-up"! Some areas of the concourse are as follows: A little south on Broad St, City Hall (if permitted), Suburban Station, Reading Terminal, The Gallery, Old Lit Brother's, Strawbridge's, 5th & Market near Independence Hall. Since it's Christmas time, we'll probably see decorations in the shopping area. Lunch at the end of the hike will be at the Reading Terminal Market or maybe China Town depending on interest!

Weather: Rain's OK, but will need to decide at the meeting place to go if it's snowing since we will carpool to the train station. 
You will fare for the train ride - Check on-line for current rate on Septa's website for Norristown round trip fare since rates may change. Current rate is $14.00 round trip for CASH tickets. Pre-purchased on-line tickets are cheaper.

Meeting place: Boscov's East parking lot business route 422 East, Exeter Twp

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

Saturday November 23, 2013 - Antietam Lake and Surrounding Roads

Approx 5.5 miles

This hike begins at Antietam Lake, uses some of the park's wooded trails, but is primarily a road hike on country roads in the area. This may be new to some hikers. We will walk near the entry of Antietam Creek to the park area, see some old homes, and learn that there are many hills in the area which are not part of the park system.

Meeting place: 10:00 Angora Road parking lot, next to Antietam Lake

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-323-1703

Saturday November 16, 2013 - Mount Pisgah Plane & Jim Thorpe Hike

Approx 4 miles - Steep & Strenuous! Difficult

This hike is approximately 4 short but steep and strenuous miles, so it's rated difficult. For the adventurous or just plain foolish, we will climb the 2,322 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 remains of the original "wagon road" and continue down Packer Hill into town for lunch.After lunch, it's up Broadway onto the former, now abandoned "bus road,  returning to the parking area. Rain will not cancel this hike. - SNOW and ICE will.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at the parking lot at the top of Hill Road in 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 more information or further directions, contact: 610-921-3252 or cell 610-451-5380 on the day of the hike

Saturday Nov 9, 2013 - Merrill Creek Reservoir

Approx 5.5 miles

Join the hike leaders on a trip to Merrill Creek Reservoir, one of many reservoirs which drain into the Delaware River basin in times of drought. We will hike the perimeter trail which is Exactly 5.5 miles long and circles the entire distance around the lake. The trail consists of gravel roads and wooded areas and crosses two dikes and the main dam. This group enjoyed watching bald eagles nesting in the Spring. Please pack a lunch and water; an optional 2.5 mile walk will be offered after the lunch break and will cover the historic area of the park. This will be an ALL DAY hike, so plan accordingly.
Meeting place: 8:30 am, parking lot left of Walmart and behind McDonald’s, Business Rte 222, 5th Street Hwy, Temple
Optional meeting place: 10:00 am, Merrill Creek Visitor Center, 34 Merrill Creek Road, Washington, NJ

For further information & directions, contact: 610-603-9461 or 610-796-7602

Saturday November 2, 2013 - French Creek

Approx 6 miles, moderate to difficult

We will hike the Boone Trail which has some steep and rocky hills. Hiking boots are recommended. The loop trail covers most major areas of this park.

Meeting place: 9:30am Hopewell Boat Launch area

For further information & directions, contact: 610-631-0459

Saturday October 26, 2013 - Pinnacle Loop

Approx. 5 miles Moderate to Difficult

We'll start at the Hamburg Reservoir, walking along forest roads, a section of the Appalachian Trail, and returning by the observatory. Expect nice views, weather permitting, and hopefully some pretty fall foliage. There will be hills to climb and rocks galore! Rocksylvania at its best.

Meeting place: 10:00am Hamburg Reservoir parking area at the end of Reservoir Road off old Route 22 east of Hamburg.

For further directions & information, contact: 610-562-0207

Saturday October 19, 2013 - Green Lane Reservoir

4-5 miles, moderate

This time the hike will be exploring the other side, which is the older area of the park. Trails will be fairly easy hiking with some hills.

Meeting place: 10:00 am Weis Market in Oley on Route 73. (Contact leader if you want to meet up at the park)

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

Saturday October 12, 2013 - Horseshoe Trail Fall Hike, the continuing series!

Approx 5.5 miles, moderate

Come join us on our continuing trak thru Berks and Lancaster Counties on the Horseshoe Trail.It's fall and our "Orange as a Pumpkin" attire needs to be worn! Look less like a deer and more like a pumpkin is the motto! The hike will start at the parking lot on Route 222 and Route 272, just EAST of Adamstown ending at Dutch Cousin Campground on Lindenwood Lane. This should be the perfect hiking weather and great timing to see fall colors. Lunch at one of the nearby local eateries for those who wish.

Meeting place: 9:00am the parking lot at intersection of Rte. 222 & Rte. 272, EAST of Adamstown.

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

Saturday October 5, 2013 - Middle Creek

5-6 Miles, easy to moderate

Enjoy some early fall foliage (but no snow geese, sorry!). This hike will be a variation of prior Middle Creek hikes. Traverse on mostly woodland trails with varying levels of difficulty. Bring water & snacks. As usual, an optional lunch stop after the hike.

Meeting place: 10:am at the Middle Creek Wildlife Visitor's Center.

For furhter information & directions, contact: 610-589-5575