Heritage Rail Trail County Park - Saturday September 29, 2007

8 miles, easy flat trail

Established in 1992 and covering 176 acres, the Heritage Rail Trail County Park is 21 miles long and runs from the Mason Dixon Line to York. We will be walking the 8 mile section from Brillhart Station to Hanover Junction Station. This is a beautiful trail to see, especially in the fall, as we walk through Howard Tunnel...view a picnic grove with giant metal sculptures of bikes... stop at the historic Hanover Junction Station...and...ending with a restaurant stop at "Serenity Station" located on this trail.

NOTE: This will be a SHUTTLE HIKE AND ALL DAY EVENT as this is a 1.5 hour drive each way.

Meeting Place: 8:30 am at Ollie's parking lot (at the closed Giant and A.C. Moore) at the intersection of Business Routes 222 and 724 on Lancaster Ave. in Shillington.

For directions and further information, contact: 610-779-9725, 610-286-8917, or 610-376-1430

French Creek, Hopewell Village & Doggie Roast - Saturday September 22, 2007

4 to 5 miles

Beautiful easy hike, views of the lake and a tour of historic Hopewell Village. After the hike you are invited to a doggie roast at the campgrounds. Hot dogs, rolls, and condiments will be provided. Please bring a beverage, chair, and something to share.

Meeting Place: 10:00 am, French Creek Boat Ramp parking lot

Directions: Take either Route 724 East or Route 422 East, right turn onto Route in Birdsboro, turn left at light onto Main St., Make right onto Route 345. Continue on Route 345, bear right at the French Creek East Entrance (Park Road). The boat ramp parking lot will be on your left.

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

Horseshoe Trail - Saturday September 15, 2007

7 to 8 miles

Woodland shuttle hike on the Horseshoe Trail from French Creek State Park to Warwick County Park. Orange is required as we will be passing through PA State Gamelands.

Meeting Place: 9:00 am, Warwick County Park, lower parking area, located off Route 23 on County Park Road, 9 miles east of Morgantown.

For further directions or information, contact: 610-286-8917 or 610-587-8656

French Creek/ Hopewell Lake - Saturday September 1, 2007

6+ Miles

Travel on a variety of trails in the area. Views of the lake, dam breast, Bethesda Baptist Church and cemetery will be seen on the hike. Mostly wooded trails (some with rocks) and some road walking. Water, sturdy shoes, and a snack (if needed to keep your energy) are recommended.

1st Meeting Place: 9:00am Boscov's East (east end of the parking lot) on Route 422 East Exeter Twp.

2nd Meeting Place: 9:30am Hopewell Lake parking lot

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

Pennside Ice Cream Hike - Sunday Evening August 26, 2007

2 to 4 Miles (easy)

Enjoy a late Summer leisurely walk around the Pennside area. We will visit the new location of Fegeley's restaurant (not open at this time) and check out the trail behind the Antietam Valley Park and Recreation Center. All level streets except for a short, level trail section. Return for ice cream at Coney Tony's Pennside Drive In.

Meeting Place: 5:00pm at Coney Tony's Pennside Drive In, 900 block of Carsonia Avenue, Pennside.

For further information or directions, contact: 610-779-9725 or 610-779-2599

Caption for photo: Sue looks like she wants to do an Ice Cream hike! She's skipping for joy!

Trail Maintenance on Horseshoe Trail - Sunday August 26, 2007

Time and Meeting Place: 9:00am at Kenhorst Plaza "Dollar Store" on route 625

Bring weedwhackers and gardening/pruning tools that will be helpful to clear the trail. It's important that our club keeps this trail maintained. The Rudy and Annelies feel that this can be accomplished in an hour or two if enough people show up!

Additional questions or information, call 610-777-4223

Warwick County Park, Water Walk! - Saturday August 25, 2007

5 Miles (Be prepared to get wet!)

A 5 mile hike around the perimeter of this Chester County park located in Knauertown just South of Route 23. Will cross two streams and will require hikers to be prepared to WADE across them. The first crossing is usually a shallow crossing, but the second- fording French Creek, will be deeper. Be sure to bring your water shoes, hiking stick, a snack and a drink.

Meeting Place: 9:30 am at Warwick County Park's main parking area off Route 23 on County Park Road, 9 miles east of Morgantown.

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

Native American/ Indian History Hike in Exeter TWP - Saturday August 18. 2007

4.75 to 5 miles

Hike through the area where one of the largest Schuylkill River/ Lenape Indian villages in Berks County once existed. See some of their artifacts and sites where they were found. We will visit the site of an Indian Shad (Weir) or (Dam). Wear sturdy shoes. Bring water and snack. Mostly easy walking with shade or sun. RAIN CANCELS.

Meeting Place: 9:00am Boscov's East (parking lot at east end) on Route 422 East, Exeter Twp.

For further directions or information contact 610-779-4204

Union Canal Towpath - Saturday August 11. 2007

4 to 8 miles

Take an easy early morning walk on the towpath. Length of hike depends on the weather and temperature. Bring plenty of water and comfortable shoes.

Meeting Place: 7:00am Heritage Center parking lot, off of Route 183, turn left on road past the NEW St Joseph's Hospital.

For further directions or information contact: 610-374-2394

Knoebel's Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA - Monday August 6. 2007

Note: RAIN CANCELS

Hopefully we will have a good weather day! Join your hiking friends for a day of fun, rides, and swimming. Optional easy hike around the campground area upon arrival. Park entertainment for this day is the "Mapapa African Acrobats".

Park Hours: 11am to 10 pm
Cost: All Day Ride Pass - $28.00 Adults or $34.00 with wooden coasters; children under 48" -$18.50 or $23.00 with wooden coasters; $5.00 ticket book for $4.25

Meeting Place: 9:00am at Business Route 222, 5th Street Highway in Temple at the left of Super Walmart. (lot behind McDonald's and in front of Ollie's)
Departure: 5:00pm from Knoebel's

For further directions or information contact: 610-779-9725 or Cell 610-914-1357

Gring's Mill - Sunday August 5, 2007

1/8th of a mile!!! (Sounds very easy!)

Meet Linda Whitman at the Amphitheater at 5:30pm - look for her colorful umbrella. Bring your picnic supper, a snack, or a beverage with a chair or blanket. You will be bringing back some memories while being entertained bt "Number Nine", PA's premier All-Beatles band. We can even sing along. The "hike" will be from the concert to the barn for ice cream.

Meeting Place: the Amphitheater at Gring's Mill

For further directions or information contact: 610-926-5251

Seven Tubs Nature Area - Saturday August 4, 2007

4 to 5 Miles

Join us for an ALL DAY EVENT to see this outstanding geological phenomenon featuring seven large "potholes" or "tubs" believed to be formed during the Ice Age. With additional stops at a reservoir and a waterfall near Wiles-Barre. Carry snacks, water, and wear hiking boots. Restaurant stop afterwards.

Meeting Place: 8:30 am, Redner's Market, route 61, Leesport

For further directions or information contact: 610-929-9694

Kulptown To The Birdsboro Reservoir -Saturday July 21, 2007

5 miles

This hike will be on shaded, wooded trails with some hills and some stony roads. We will enjoy a short break at the beautiful reservoir. Make sure that you bring enough water and a snack.

Meeting Place: 9:30 am, Kulptown Fire Company in the rear parking lot
Directions: Take either Route 724 East or 422 East, turn right onto Route 82 in Birdsboro. Turn left at light onto Main Street and turn right onto Route 345. Continue about 2 miles to the Kulptown Fire Company station on the right. Please park in the rear.

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

Schuylkill River/ Elverson Walking Club - Saturday July 14, 2007

5.5 Miles

We will join with members of the Elverson Walking Club for a 5.5 mile loop hike along both sides of the Schuykill River, between routes 113 & 29. If the river should be extra high or the banks muddy, our alternate hike will be out and back on the 2.5 mile Canal Towpath in Monte Clair. Lunch afterwards at the Fitzwater Station.

Meeting Place: 9:00 am at the Lock 60 parking area which can be reached via an approach road to the west that is on the route 29 bridge over the Schuykill, just north of Phoenixville...look for a sign directing you to Lock 60.

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

Mystery Hike - Saturday July 7, 2007

??? Miles (??? Difficulty)

Weather determines distance and place. Wear boots, bring water and snacks. Be ready for anything!

Meeting Place: 9:00 am, Boyer's IGA, at routes 422 & 419 in Womelsdorf

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

Pictures from Winterthur Hike!

Left to right:

1. Two hikers check out the grounds
2. Interesting tree shot
3. Beth and Susie take a rest
4. Peek-a-boo, I caught you on camera too!