Saturday May 10, 2014 - Bartrum Trail

6 miles, easy hike

This trail is an old railroad bed, flat and straight. The hike will be followed by lunch at Cracker Barrel on Industrial Drive. Our apologies to Gerry, but we were unable to include his entire description, colorful as it was.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at Bartram Trailhead Parking Lot at end of Kernsville Dam Road. North on Rte 61 to Hamburg. Turn right at stop sign for Industrial Drive (McDonald’s, Burger King, Cabela’s). Just before railroad tracks, turn left on Kernsville Dam Road.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-777-0667

Saturday May 3, 2014 - Horse Shoe Trail - Gamelands

6 miles

Hike on the Horse-shoe Trail in the vicinity of the Gamelands. Some hills. This is a loop hike that is rated as moderate.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at Pumping Station Road and Rte 322 (near Brickersville) 

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

Saturday April 26, 2014 - Blue Marsh Spring Hike

5-6 miles

Check out Blue Marsh from a different angle as Barbara leads the way, following trails skirting the lake.

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

For further information and directions, contact: 610-375-3358

Saturday April 19, 2014 - French Creek State Park Gamelands

Approx. 5 miles

Come out and enjoy the beautiful gamelands with our leaders.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at Gameland parking lot. Take Rte 345 from Birdsboro to French Creek park office. Continue straight past park office to Harmonyville Road and turn left, then short distance and bear right on stone driveway into parking area.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-582-5220 or 610-926-5251

Saturday April 12, 2014 - French Creek State Park

5-6 miles

Come out for a spring hike in our own FCSP. We will start at Scotts Run Lake and walk to the fire tower. Than we will go back on the road to a seldom-used trail, walk through the Group Camping Area and return to the lake. There will be some rocks and some up-and- down sections. We will briefly learn about the history and uses of fire towers. Lunch is optional.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at Scotts Run Lake parking lot

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

Saturday April 5, 2014 - Nolde Spring Hike

Approx. 5 miles

Join leaders for a hike in the Nolde Forest. Trails in the woods with some hills. Wear good shoes.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at the Sawmill parking lot on Rte 625

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

Saturday March 29, 2014 - Leaser Lake In Lehigh County

Approx. 5 miles

Kay and Edna will lead this hike at Leaser Lake in Lehigh County. We will trek the newly
completed trail that circumnavigates the lake. The terrain is mostly through fields and
woodland with a few short hills. Some areas may be muddy along creek banks. There are
rewarding, nice views of the lake. A lunch stop at CJ Hummel’s in Lenhartsville is optional.

1st Meeting place: 9:00 am, Redners Market Rt. 61 North, Leesport

2nd Meeting place: 10:00 am, Leaser Lake north parking lot off Ontelaunee Road 

For further information and directions, contact: 610-796-7602 or 610-373-8625

Saturday March 22,2014 - Lenhartsville Loop

Approx. 5 miles

Our “traditional” January hike, this year in March, 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. We will pass the remains of the 19th century Maiden Creek iron furnace as well. Eat at C.J. Hummel’s afterward.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, in the rear of the side parking lot of C.J. Hummel’s Restaurant, Rt. 143 in downtown Lenhartsville

For further information and directions, contact: 610-921-3252 or 610-451-5380 day of the hike

Saturday March 15, 2014 - Hamburg Reservoir / Port Clinton

6+ moderate to strenuous miles

This AT hike is rated moderate to strenuous with climbs, rocks and a steep descent BUT – Oh what a view from the top! Starting with uphill to ridge line following a forested path to 2nd short ascent to outstanding view of Hamburg/Cabela‘s. Stop for lunch/snack on trail before switchback down to Port Clinton.

Meeting place: 9:15 am, Port Clinton playground off Rt. 61 (1st left entering Port Clinton) 

For further information and directions, contact: 610-775-2677 Home; 610-301-7271 Cell

Saturday March 8, 2014 - Cornwall Area Hike

Approx. 5 1⁄2 miles

Hike around the historic Cornwall Community with roads and some trails, past the old mining area and workers’ homes. See the former mansion, now a nursing home. Dress appropriately for the weather.

1st Meeting place: 9:30 am, Boyer’s Market, Rt. 422 and Rt. 419, Womelsdorf
2nd Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking are for the Rail-Trail along Rt. 419, Cornwall

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

Saturday March 1, 2014 - French Creek State Park

6-7 miles, moderate with some ups and downs

Ready for a late winter walk? Come out for a scenic hike on the Horseshoe Trail, some side trails and along several quiet back country roads. We will end up at a hunter’s parking lot across from a pine swamp. This is a shuttle hike. Lunch is an option afterwards.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking lot across from the French Creek State Park office on Park Road

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

Saturday February 22, 2014 - Schuylkill Canal Towpath Hike

4-5 miles

This hike begins in the village of Port Clinton and follows the old towpath along the Schuylkill River. It is mostly woodland trail walking with some hills and road walking. Hope to see some beautiful ice formations on the cliffs. There is also a cemetery with some very old tombstones that we can explore on our descent back to the village. We will be adjacent to game lands, so wearing orange may be a good idea. Wear good boots and carry water as well. Optional lunch stop afterwards.

1st Meeting place: 9:30 am, Redner’s Market Rt. 61 North, Leesport
2nd Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking area just beyond the railroad property on the left side of Broad Street in Port Clinton, in view of playground

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

Saturday February 15, 2014 - Bartram Trail

Approx. 5 miles

Follow leader as he guides hikers on the Bartram Trail section of the Schuylkill River Trail to Landingsville. We will circle the marsh, the home of 211 species of birds and an active beaver dam, before returning to our starting point. A restaurant stop after the hike is an option, for those interested.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Redner’s Market Rt. 61 North, Leesport 

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

Saturday February 8, 2014 - Gravity Trail

Approx 4 1/2miles

Hike the 4 1/1 mile Gravity Trail, recently opened care of the Berks Conservancy. This trail begins at Neversink Mountain on South18th Street at the water tower, ending at the parking lot for Antietam Lake Trails just off Angora Road at Hill Road. Our group will meet at Antietam Lake parking area and shuttle the group to Neversink. There will be historic signs along the route explaining about the Gravity Railroad.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Angora Road and Hill Road parking area of Antietam Lake; please call leader if weather is questionable...Orange suggested as is a lunch stop after the hike at Klingers on Carsonia Avenue

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

Saturday February 1, 2014 - Berks County Parks Hike

Approx. 7 1⁄2 miles

Hike leader will take hikers on this shuttle hike on several of Berks County Parks’ trails. After a shuttle to Ken-Grill swimming pool and to the trailhead parking lot of the newly opened Angelica Creek Trail we will begin hiking. The trail will lead through Angelica Park and connect with the Thun Trail at Brentwood. We will follow the Thun Trail to a split off at Schuylkill Avenue on to Union Canal Towpath Trail. View the Bushong Dam and the confluence of the Schuylkill River and Tulpehocken Creek before returning to Gring’s Mill parking lot.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Gring’s Mill parking lot across from Penn State Berks Campus 

For further information and directions, contact:LEADER: 610-926-3415

Saturday January 25, 2014 - State Gamelands 106

Approx. 5 – 6 miles – Strenuous due to uphills!

Group will meet at Redner's Market in Leesport and car pool to beginning of today's hike on State Gamelands 106 off of the road to Hawk Mountain. Hike will take us on several trails to top of the mountain ridge, returning on a different trail.

Meeting place: Redner's Market Route 61 North in Leesport

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