Monday November 11, 2019 - Veteran's Day Hike with the Veterans

6 easy milesThis is an annual tradition where the Veterans and others walk through towns along the 422 highway. We will start at the Wernersville Fire Co. for a brief memorial service. We will then walk to Robesonia for brief services at the school and memorial park. There will be a break and snacks, with restroom facilities, in Robesonia. We will then continue on to the park in Womelsdorf for the final service. A free lunch will be available along the way at Johnny & Hons Tavern and at the Womelsdorf VFW. There will be a bus or cars to take you back if you need to stop walking. A bus will also be at the end to take you back to Wernersville.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, Wernersville Fire Co.
NOTE: If you want your car at the end of the hike, go to the Womelsdorf VFW by 8:30 for the bus to take you to the Wernersville Fire Co.

Directions: From Rt. 422, make a right onto Stitzer Ave.

GPS: 111 Stitzer Avenue, Wernersville

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

Saturday November 9, 2019 - Nolde Forest

5 to 6 moderate miles

Hike with our leader in this late fall hike to see the leaves turn. Hopefully it will still be fall weather and winter has not arrived. Snow Cancels!!

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Sawmill parking lot

Directions: Off of Rt. 625, 2 miles south of Rt. 724 & Kenhorst Shopping Center GPS: 2910 New Holland Road

For more information and further directions, contact:  484-256-7619 (the leader with a map!) or “fmalley@ptd.net”

Saturday November 2, 2019 - Schuylkill Canal Park

Approx. 6 moderate miles

This hike will leave from Lock 60 in Mont Clare PA and ascend to a trail overlooking the Schuylkill River. We will stop at a small county-run farm to look at the animals, then return on a trail along the river. We can also explore Lock 60 and the Lock House. There is a steep ascent and descent and it may be wet and muddy, so be prepared. Lunch afterwards will be in Phoenixville. Heavy rain will cancel.

1st Meeting place: 9:00 am, Boscov’s East (east end of lot), Rt. 422 East, Exeter Twp

2nd Meeting place: 10:00 am, Lock 60 in Mont Clare

Directions: From Rt. 29 coming from either Phoenixville or Mont Clare, turn onto Towpath Road, a one lane road between the river and the canal, and proceed to the parking lot at the end. Towpath Road is at the Mont Clare end of the Rt. 29 bridge. 

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

Saturday October 26, 2019 - Governor Dick Park to Dinosaur Rock

6-7 moderate miles 

Follow the leader as he hikes by the Clarence Schock Memorial Park in Mt. Gretna. We will hike from Governor Dick Park to Dinosaur Rock and back to the parking area. There will be hills and stones to contend with. Bring water and snacks. There are several places in the area to stop for lunch later.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Environmental Center parking area 
GPS: 3283 Pinch Road, Lebanon, PA

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-507-5600 or 610-589-5575

Saturday October 19, 2019 - Pisgah Plane in Jim Thorpe

4.5 difficult and strenuous miles

It’s time once again for our annual “insanity” hike. For the adventurous or just plain foolish we will hike up the 29 degree, 2300 foot Pisgah Plane, a remnant of the Switchback Gravity Railroad built in 1827. There will be more history about this during the hike. Despite the hill, the view from the top is worth the climb. We will have lunch in downtown Mauch Chunk midway through the hike, returning to the cars on the now abandoned “bus road.”

Meeting place:  10:00 am, in the parking area at the top of Hill Road in Jim Thorpe 

Directions: From Rt. 209 in downtown Jim Thorpe, turn left onto Broadway, then make the first right hand turn onto Hill Road, next to the Mauch Chunk Opera House (14 W. Broadway) and proceed to parking area at top of hill. 

For more information and further directions, contact:  610-921-3252; email: ecg8@juno.com

Saturday October 12, 2019 - French Creek / Hopewell Furnace

6 mod to difficult miles 

Join our group as we hike through some of the well-marked trails of the park’s 7,916 acres. Lunch after is always an option afterwards.

Meeting place:  9:30 am, Shed Road parking lot off of Rt. 345 near Hopewell Furnace 

For more information and further directions, contact: 860-861-5681

Saturday October 5, 2019 - Wyomissing Park

Approx. 4-5 easy to moderate miles

Hike with our leader for an early autumn hike through the beautiful Wyomissing Park.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, parking lot directly across from the YR Club 
GPS: 1722 S. Parkside Drive, Wyomissing

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-670-2412 or 610-750-2748

Saturday September 28, 2019 - Nolde Forest Hike

5-6 difficult miles

Re-visit Nolde Forest with Mark on this early autumn hike.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Sawmill parking lot, off of Rt. 625, 2 miles south of Rt. 724 GPS: 2910 New Holland Road

For more information and further directions, contact: 484-824-2740

Saturday September 21, 2019 - Leesport River Trail

5-6 easy to moderate miles

Check out the Leesport area and river rail-trail with Doug. No hills, but bug spray is recommended. Lunch later at the Leesport Diner.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Redner’s Market, Rt. 61N in Leesport, then carpool about a mile to the rail-trail along the river

GPS: 5471 Pottsville Pike, Leesport

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

Saturday September 14, 2019 - Appalachian Trail Loop Hike

5-6 moderate miles

We will start at the Hamburg Reservoir parking lot and access the AT going south toward Port Clinton. We will then make a U-turn for the return using another trail which comes out just below the parking lot. It may still be hot, so bring any necessary items, especially water. Lunch after is always an option.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Hamburg Reservoir parking area

Directions: From Reading take Rt. 61N approx. 17 miles from Route 222N, bear right onto South Fourth St in Hamburg, go approx. 1 mile then turn right onto State Street, travel 2.2 miles then turn left onto Reservoir Road for 1.1 miles to the parking lot

GPS: 402-450 Reservoir Road, Lenhartsville

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

Saturday September 7, 2019 - NYC / Brooklyn Williamsburg "Hipster Hike" Bus Trip

See emailed club flyer for details about bus trip. Advanced registration and bus trip payment is required for this event.

Saturday August 31, 2019 - Union Canal Trail Hike

4-5 easy miles

Hike with leader along the well maintained trail between the Blue Marsh Park Office and the restored locks on the extended Union Canal Trail. This section has been sown with wildflower seeds and is usually ablaze with early blooming plants. We will make a short stop at the Blue Marsh Museum along the way. There are some hills, but few rocks. Lunch after is an option.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at the Blue Marsh Museum by the park office off of Palisade Road (follow the sign from Palisade Road to the park office)

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-252-9493

Saturday August 24, 2019 - Historic River Trail Hike / Schuylkill River Hike

Approx. 6 mod miles

Follow Kay as we hike the Historic River Trail alongside the Schuylkill River. We will hike to the Betzwood Picnic Area and return via the Schuylkill River Trail. If it rains the trail may be muddy, so dress appropriately for conditions.

1st Meeting place:9:15 am, Clock Tower parking lot in Morgantown (approx. 23 mile drive through Phoenixville to the 2nd Meet location)
2nd Meeting place: 10:00 am, Schuylkill River Trail parking lot at Pawlings Road and Station Avenue. There is a traffic light at this intersection.

GPS: approx. 1369 Pawlings Road, Phoenixville

Note: There will be a short shuttle to the start of the hike

For more information and further directions, contact:  610-796-7602 with questions or if planning to meet at Pawlings Road

Saturday August 17, 2019 - Mt Gretna Outdoor Art Show

6+ moderate to difficult miles

For anyone who wants to check out this very popular art and craft show we will hike there via the Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail and beat the heavy traffic. Instead of meeting at the “Root Beer Barrel” trailhead as we did in prior years, the hike has been shortened by meeting at the Alden Way trailhead. From there we will hike about two 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 9am to 6pm; admission is $12 per person, 11 and younger free. You can hike the 2 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 4 miles to and from the Alden Way trailhead. 

Note: bring a flashlight to walk back to your car if you will be staying in Mt. Gretna past sunset.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, at the Alden Way trailhead

Directions: 222 South, take PA Turnpike (I-76) west to exit #266 Lebanon- Lancaster. Left onto 72 North/Lebanon Road for 2 miles, exit right for Rt. 117 North, then make a left turn onto Rt. 117 North and immediate right turn to Alden Way trailhead

GPS: 1141 Alden Way, Lebanon, PA

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

Saturday August 10, 2019 - Horseshoe Trail - Schuylkill River Trail

6.5 mod miles

This shuttle hike begins on the Horseshoe Trail as it leaves French Creek State Park. We will enter the Birdsboro watershed and hike to Kulptown, then take the connector trail with a great view of Amity Township which leads us to the Schuylkill River Trail and the hike’s end.

Meeting place: 9:45 am, Schuylkill River Trailhead on Rt. 724 in Monocacy, behind the Fork and Ale Restaurant where the Schuylkill Trail crosses Rt. 724

Directions: go east on Rt. 724, just east of Center Road take the first left
GPS: Approx. 1273 East Main Street, Birdsboro

for more information and further directions, contact:  610-323-1703

Saturday August 3, 2019 - Furnace Hills / Rannels - Kettle Run Nature Preserve

5 to 6 moderate miles

This will be a shuttle hike along some nice wooded trails with one big hill to go up and one really big hill to go down on the Horseshoe Trail leading to Pumping Station Road. We could see the Blue Heron Rookery. Bring water and snacks. There are several places in the area for lunch later.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Furnace Hills Pumping Station Trailhead off of Rt. 322, then we will shuttle some cars to an upper Horseshoe Trail lot
GPS: 80 Pumping Station Road, Lititz, PA

For more information or further directions: 717-949-2056, leave message on answering message