Saturday May 9, 2015 - Pinnacle Hike

approx. 7 moderate to strenuous miles

This is always a hike with lots of up-hills and some rock leading to this famous Appalachian Trail landmark. The hike will go from the east side of the reservoir, to the Pinnacle on connecting trails. After a break, we will pick up the AT and head back down the mountain. Hiking poles and good shoes are recommended. Lunch after is always an option.

First meeting place: 9:30 am, Redner’s Market Rt. 61 N in Leesport

Second meeting place: 10:00 am, Hamburg Reservoir parking lot

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-775-2677 or 610-301-7271 

Saturday May 2, 2015 - Middlecreek Wildlife Center

5-6 miles

Check out this beautiful wildlife sanctuary to see if some Canada geese are still around! The hike will be on the Horse-Shoe Trail, the park’s trails and roads. We will view the lake from some of the many overlooks and stop at the Visitor’s Center.

Meeting place 9:30 am, Middle Creek Visitor’s Center parking lot

For more information or further directions, contact: 717-949-2056 

Saturday April 25, 2015 - Horse-Shoe Trail Hike

6-7 miles

Another hike along the Horseshoe Trail. Starting point is the parking lot on Rt. 501 just south of the Boy Scout camp Mack, at the corner of Rt. 501 and Lake Drive. Start time for the hike is 9:30 am. Please arrive at 9:00 am so vehicles can be moved to the other end of the trail. This hike will be a good way to greet an early spring weekend!

Meeting place: 9:00 am, at the HST parking lot off of Rt. 501 just north of Rt. 322; just south of the Boy Scout Camp Mack, at the corner of Rt. 501 and Lake Drive.

For directions or more information, contact: 610-909-5018 or email: cj1sp@allstate.com 

Saturday April 18, 2015 - Baptism Creek Natural Area

5-6 miles

The wildflowers should be in full bloom in this secluded natural area. The hike will be on woodland trails beside some ever flowing rock-filled streams. Expect some hills and rocks. For those interested, there will be lunch following at a nearby restaurant. 

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Hopewell Visitor Center off of Rt. 345

For directions or more information, contact: 610-286-6886 

Saturday April 11, 2015 - French Creek State Park

6-7 miles

Visit our own FCSP for a spring hike on the Turtle Trail. The leaves may be starting to bud! There are lots of rock and some hills, but you will be in good company and will not notice them much. Lunch later for those interested.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, parking lot on the west end of Hopewell lake in FCSP 

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

Saturday April 4, 2015 - Nolde Forest Environmental Center

5-6 miles
Join our two leaders for a spring hike in Nolde State Forest. The hike will be on some roads and trails. There will be moderate hills. Lunch later is an option.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Saw Mill parking lot off of Rt. 625, 2 miles south of Rt. 724

For directions or more information, contact: 610-777-4223 

Saturday March 28, 2015 - Angelica Park and Thun Trail

Approx 6 miles

Hike with Mark along the Thun Trail that now connects to the former Angelica Park. You can then enjoy

the natural habitat of Angelica Park and reminisce about the days when there used to be a lake and paddle boats.
MEET: 10:00 am, Ken-Grill Pool parking lot, 730 High Blvd, Kenhorst DIRECTIONS: New Holland Rd / Rt. 625, left onto High Blvd to pool on right LEADER: Mark Forster – 610-373-6730 

Saturday March 21, 2015 - Horse Shoe Trail Hike

Approx 6 moderate miles

Rich says the trail stays within the woods this time. There are several hard up-hill climbs along with plenty of great views and easy hiking. The leaves will not be back yet, so hope for some sun and little wind. Dress warm and bring water and snacks. This is a car-pool shuttle hike. Starting point is the parking lot along Kleinfeltersville Road below Middle Creek’s Visitors Center, by the dam breast. Ending point is Rt. 501 parking lot, just north of where the trail crosses the road.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, parking lot along Kleinfeltersville Road, below Middle Creek’s Visitors Center, by the dam breast.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-909-5018; email: Cj1sp@allstate.com 

Saturday March 14, 2015 - French Creek State Park

5-6 moderate miles

Come out for a late winter hike. We will take the Horse-shoe Trail and other paths in this park. The hike will take us through the Pine Swamp and if we are lucky, we will be able to hear the frogs and salamanders awakening from the winter sleep and calling for a mate, but there is no guarantee!! Perhaps we will also see the first Skunk Cabbage in the snow! Lunch after the hike is an option.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at the parking lot across from FCSP office on Park Road 

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

Saturday March 7, 2015 - Middle Creek Hike

4-5 miles

Hike the annual sojourn with Mark to see this amazing natural habitat. Let’s hope the snow is gone, while the Geese are still hanging around!

Meeting place: 1:00 pm, Middle Creek Visitors Center, 100 Museum Road, Stevens PA 

Directions: Take Rt. 272 South, then right onto Rt. 897 North for 14 miles into The Village of Kleinfeltersville. In Kleinfeltersville, take the first left after the stop sign (Hopeland Road). The visitor’s center will be on the right about 2 miles down Hopeland Road.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-589-5575; Cell – 484-794-3365

Saturday February 28, 2015 - Coventry Woods

5.5 moderate to strenuous miles

Enjoy a late winter hike in this beautiful North Coventry Township park. Expect some hills to keep warm. We finish on the expanded Love Valley Trail. Wonder what happens here??? Snow will cancel.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, main lot at Coventry Woods

DIRECTIONS (1): Take Rt. 724 east from Birdsboro. About three quarters of a mile past River Bridge Road (the road/bridge leading to Douglassville), turn right onto Unionville Rd. All Type Fence is located at this intersection. Follow Unionville Road 2.1 miles past Temple Church and Shenkel Church. Turn right at St. Peter’s Road, then after about half a mile, turn left into Coventry Woods (Fernbrook Lane is to the right). Parking is just over the crest of the hill.

DIRECTIONS (2): From Rt. 23, take St. Peters Road through St. Peter’s Village and continue for about 4 more miles on St. Peter’s Road. When you see Fernbrook Lane to the left, turn right into Coventry Woods.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-323-1703 

Saturday February 21, 2015 - Port Clinton Tow Path

4-5 miles

Hike on the old Schuylkill Canal Towpath in Port Clinton. This is mostly woodland trail walking with some roads and hills. We hope to see some ice formations on the cliffs. Wear good hiking boots and orange blaze, since we will be adjacent to State game-lands. There is an old cemetery to explore on our descent back to the village. A lunch stop later is an option!

1st Meeting place: 9:30 am, Redner’s Market, Leesport off of Rt. 61 North 
2nd Meeting place: 10:00 am, Port Clinton playground area off Broad Street 

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

Saturday February 14, 2015 - Schuylkill River Trail To Landingville

6 moderate miles

We will circle the marsh, the home of 211 species of birds and an active beaver dam, then return to our starting point. A restaurant stop after the hike is an option, for those interested.

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

For further information and directions, contact: 610-670-1119 

Saturday February 7, 2015 - Hillington Park and Vicinity

Approx. 5 moderate miles

Doug really knows the trails in this area and it is always amazing to see what part of Shillington these trails lead to!

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Shillington Park, Rt. 724 / Philadelphia Ave next to Mifflin Center Nursing home

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

Saturday January 31, 2015 - Gring's Mill Hike

Approx. 6 easy miles

Enjoy easy walking along the Tulpehocken Creek to Gring’s Mill and back. We will access the trail at the Stilling Basin Parking lot, which is the newly extended Union Canal trail at Blue Marsh. Dress appropriately for the weather.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Stilling Basin Parking lot

Directions: take Rt. 183 North from Reading, turn left at Bern Church onto Palisades Road, and a right turn to Stilling Basin; parking is on the right. 

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

Saturday January 24, 2015 - French Creek State Park Turtle Trail

3.6 moderate to strenuous miles

This is a repeat “woodsy” hike to get you off of the couch. As per the State Park Brochure, the Turtle Trail circles “through the western portion of the park offering a variety of easy hiking mixed with several uphill sections.” Hiking boots and poles are recommended. Lunch follows of course!! Deep snow, ice or a storm will cancel.
1st Meeting place: 10:00 am, Gibralter Road parking lot off of the Thun Trail at intersection of Rt. 724 and Gibralter Road
2nd Meeting place: 10:20 am, Firetower Road Parking Lot

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