Saturday October 14, 2017 - Merrill Creek Reservoir

6 moderate miles

Something different! Located in central Warren County, New Jersey, Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650 acre artificial lake that is surrounded by 290 acres of protected woodland and fields. Optional lunch later at Quaker Steak.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Merrill Creek Reservoir Visitor Center Parking Lot 

Directions:

• Take I-78E to NJ Exit 3. Turn left and go 1.1 miles to 3rd traffic light then make a right onto Uniontown Road. 
• Go 1.5 miles and turn right onto Rt. 57 (just after tunnel). 
• Go 3 miles and turn left onto Montana Rd. across from Hunters Tavern. 
• Go 2 mile and turn left onto Richline Road (at top of hill). 
• Go .2 miles and turn left on Merrill Creek Rd. Go another .2 mile and turn right towards the Visitor Center parking lot. 
• Do not go to the boat launch area. 
• GPS: 34 Merrill Creek Road, Washington, NJ 07882

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-427-1022 

Saturday October 7, 2017 - French Creek State Park

Approx. 6 moderate miles

Follow the leader as she leads this early autumn hike on the green blazed, Lenni Lenape trail. This trail is rocky and hilly, although some say it is the easiest trail in French Creek State Park. Use of tick spray is recommended for this hike. Rain cancels the hike.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, at the Shed Road parking lot.

Directions: 422 East then south on 345 thru Birdsboro to Shed Road. 

For more information or further directions: 610-603-9461 

Saturday September 30, 2017 - Bloody Springs Commemoration Hike & Lunch

4 to 5 moderate miles

We will hike along country roads and observe the monument commemorating the Bloody Springs Massacre. 

Afterwards we will have lunch at the leader's house. Please bring a covered dish and lawn chairs; meat, drinks, and paper goods will be provided. RSVP by 9/23 to leader (610-301-8876). Hike will be held rain or shine.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Rte 183 N. turn right on Bloody Sp Rd (about 0.5 mi after I-78) 

GPS: 758 Bloody Spring Road, Bethel 19507

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-301-8876 

Saturday September 23, 2017 - Appalachian Trail / Side Trails

6 to 7 moderate miles
Come on out for a moderate early fall hike on the Blue Mountains near Shartlesville. The leaves may be starting to color. This is a circle hike with some possible good views of the valley below. There will be some ups and downs and some rocks. Lunch after the hike is an option.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking lot on Old Church Road. off Rt. 183 near Burnsville 

Directions: North on Rte 183. Left on Old Church Road (5.5 miles from 222). Parking lot is one-tenth mile from 183 on left.

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-286-6886 or Cell 484-252-9493 

Note: There is a 9/23/17 Deadline for RSVP for 9/30/17 Bloody Springs Hike with covered dish lunch. See contact information for RSVP on that hike description.

Saturday September 16, 2017 - Valley Forge Hike

4 to 6 moderate miles

Join us as we walk on the Schuylkill River Trail starting in Valley Forge. This will be a shuttle hike.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, Boscov’s East, Bsns Rt. 422 East, Exeter (east end of lot) 

GPS: 4500 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading 19606

For more information or further directions, contact:  610-698-0504 

Saturday September 9, 2017 - French Creek State Park

Approx.6 moderate miles

Enjoy seeing Hopewell Lake, as we hike the Boone Trail (blue blazes) almost all the way around the lake, into the woods near the campground and past some of the organized and Boy Scout campgrounds (bathroom break here). We will then hike up a big hill into more woods and return to the cars.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, west boat launch of Hopewell Lake, near the restrooms 

GPS: 1450 Park Road, Elverson 19520

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

Saturday September 2, 2017 - Middle Creek Hike

6 to 7 moderate miles

We will be following the tour road, so the first few miles will be in the sun. The second half will be on shaded, unpaved road.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitors Center 

Directions: from Rt. 272 South in Adamstown, take 897N for 14 miles into the village of Kleinfeltersville, take the first left after the stop sign onto Hopeland Road then drive 2 miles to the Middle Creek Visitors Center

GPS: 100 Museum Road, Newmanstown 17073 / 40.270574, -76.247842 

for more information or further directions: 717-949-2056 

Saturday August 26, 2017 - Green Lane Reservoir

4 to 5 moderate miles

This time we will explore the other side of Green Lane, which is an older area of the park. Expect fairly easy hiking, with some hills.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Weis Market in Oley, Rt. 73 and Friedensburg Road 

GPS ADDRESS: 61 Kings Plaza, Oley 19547

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-948-5084 

Saturday August 19, 2017 - Mt Gretna Outdoor Art Show

8+ moderate to difficult miles 

Something different! For anyone who wants to check out this very popular art and craft show, we can hike there via the historic Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail and beat the heavy traffic. We will be meeting at the “Root Beer Barrel” trailhead off of Rt. 419, near the Cornwall Post Office. From there we will hike 4 flat easy miles to the art show, where you are free to explore the art and craft show in beautiful Mt Gretna. 
Art show hours are 9 am-6 pm; admission is $12 per person, 11 & younger free. 

You can hike the 4 miles back to your car whenever you please. The hike is rated moderate to difficult, given the time of year and the extra miles you will be walking at the art show, in addition to the 8 miles to and from the parking lot. 
NOTE: Bring flashlight to walk back to your car if you will be staying in Mt. Gretna past sunset.

Meeting place: 8:30 am, at Root Beer Barrel trailhead off of Rt. 419 near Cornwall P.O. 

Directions: 222 South, 76 West Turnpike, Exit #266 Lebanon-Lancaster, Left onto 72 North for .44 miles, 2nd Right turn onto Rt. 419N (Main Street) for 1.25 miles, then Right onto 419N (Schaeffer Road), follow Rt. 419 about .07 miles to the trailhead at Rt. 419 and Boyd Street

GPS: Cornwall U.S. Post Office, 7 Boyd Street, Cornwall 17016 

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-914-1357 

Saturday August 12, 2017 - Neversink Mountain

5+ hilly miles

The extent and area covered in this hike will depend on the weather – could be hot and muggy, but
expect to hike at least 5 miles. Neversink is always interesting and enjoyable. Wear comfortable
shoes, bring water, a hat and plan to experience a great hike! Heavy rain will cancel.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, at the pond at the back of Forest Hills Cemetery 

GPS: 390 W. Neversink Road, Reading 19606

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-750-4097 

Saturday August 5, 2017 - Leaser Lake Hike

Approx. 5 moderate miles

This will be a hike around the perimeter of Leaser Lake just over the northern Berks Line in Lehigh County. We will walk through terrain varying from open fields to deep woods to marshy areas. This area is especially suited to spotting many different bird and wild flower species. The new bridge over the dam spillway is installed, so no more having to find a way around that obstacle! Lunch at C.J. Hummels afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, parking area down Pleasure Ct.

Directions: I 78 East to Exit 35, Left turn onto Rt. 143N in Lenhartsville, drive about 8 miles, make a left hand turn onto Pleasure Court, just before the large stone church in Jacksonville (about a mile past Wanamaker’s General Store) 

GPS: Pleasure Court, Kempton 19529

For more information or directions, contact: 610-921-3252 or 610-451-5380 on the morning of the hike 

Saturday July 29, 2017 - Annual Club Picnic!!!!

See your friends and enjoy a day of hiking, fun and food. Reservations needed. See the attached club member flyer. 

Saturday July 22. 2017 - Sand Spring and Tom Lowe Trails

5+ challenging miles

Be a hiking hero and conquer this beautiful loop trail in hometown Berks County. Expect ascents, descents, stream crossings and ROCKS. There are lots of twists and turns, but the trails are well-blazed. Sturdy footwear, poles, water, a snack and insect repellant are recommended. It may be possible to dunk your tootsies in a cool stream before lunch.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, parking lot at the end of Forge Dam Road, Shartlesville 

Directions: from exit 8 [Shartlesville] of I-78 drive north on Mountain Road for .3 miles to Forge Dam Road on the left. Take this road 1.5 miles, past the intersection with Northkill Road, to the parking area

GPS: 2 Forge Dam Road, Hamburg 19526

For more information or further directions, contact: 717-376-5289

Saturday July 15, 2017 - Horseshoe Trail hike

6 easy miles

We will get to smell the chocolate of Hershey! This will be a shuttle hike with vehicles being moved to the end before we start. Foot surface is a mix of trail and road surface (mostly road) with easy walking. The start is the parking lot on 489 Drescher Road, just off Lawn Road in South Londonderry Township and the end is the parking lot on 198 Washington Ave. (A-fields) in East Hershey. The first meeting point will be at Redners Sinking Spring on Rt. 422. Car-pooling is possible from here. The second meeting is at the hike starting point, Drescher Road. It’s possible to meet at the 3rd meeting point with a call ahead to the hike leader. The end is the parking lot on 198 Washington Avenue.

1st Meeting place: 8:00 am, Redners Market in Sinking Spring, Rt. 422 West, 4870 Penn Avenue, at the west side of the parking lot

2nd Meeting place: 9:15 am, 489 Drescher Road, Palmyra, 17078-9799

3rd Meeting place: 9:30 am, 198 Washington Avenue, Hershey, 17033-1238

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

Saturday July 8, 2017 - Antietam Lake

6 moderate to difficult miles

The improvements to the Antietam Lake parking lots and trails have been completed. New historical signage has also been added. Let’s take a look at the completed work. The focus of this hike is behind the lake itself where a new parking lot has been added and the trail improved, but we will also take in the Nature Center and walk some of the hillside above. Expect some steep hills. Bring water.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Antietam Lake parking lot on Angora Road 

GPS: 300 Angora Road, Reading PA 19606

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

Saturday July 1, 2017 - French Creek State Park

4-5 easy to moderate miles

Cool down this summer with a short hike that circles through the western part of the park on a variety of easy and uphill trails. Hiking boots & poles recommended. Optional lunch to follow. Heavy rain cancels.
1st Meeting place: 9:00 am, at the Gibraltar Rd parking lot off of the Thun Trail at the intersection of Rt. 724 and Gibraltar Rd
GPS: 3326 Main Street, Birdsboro 19508 (adjacent to Cedar Hill Flowers) 

2nd Meeting place: 9:20 am, Fire Tower Road parking lot

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