Saturday March 26, 2016 - Hamburg Reservoir to Port Clinton

6+ mod.-strenuous miles

This will be a moderate to strenuous hike on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) with climbs, rocks and a switchback descent. We will stop on the ridge for an outstanding view of Hamburg and the area surrounding Cabela’s. Hiking boots/poles recommenced. Bring snack/lunch. Rain, snow, ice cancels.

Meeting place: 9:15 am, Port Clinton Playground

Directions: First left off Rt. 61 in Port Clinton when heading north. 

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

Sautrday March 19, 2016 - Valley Forge Park Hike

7 easy to moderate miles

Take a winter stroll through one of the nation’s best known winter camps. The hike starts at Memorial Chapel, stopping at Washington’s Headquarters and passing through one of the last covered bridges still in use in the area. This hike will be trails and pavements, and this area may be windy.

1st Meeting place: 8:30 am, Boscov’s East (east end of lot), Rt. 422 East to carpool
2nd Meeting place: 9:30 am, Valley Forge Memorial Chapel

For more information or further directions contact: 610-909-5018 or 610-223-6952 or cj1sp@allstate.com 

Saturday March 12, 2016 - Crow's Nest Preserve (Part of Natural Lands Trust)

5+ mod. miles

We will hike the Deep Woods Trail and the Creek & Chief’s Grove Trail. If we are an ambitious group, we could do a shuttle hike and start the hike at Hopewell Village, then follow the Hopewell Trail to the end at Crow’s Nest. Decision will be made by those who arrive at Crow’s Nest at 9:30. Some areas along the French Creek are low lying and may be soggy. Heavy rain at 9:30 cancels.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Crow’s Nest visitor parking lot, 201 Piersol Rd., Elverson 

NOTE: If weather permits we can picnic outdoors on the Crow’s Nest Grounds (bring chair).
Otherwise we can eat indoors at the visitor’s center. 

Directions: From Rt. 345 at the entrance to Hopewell Village, turn in the opposite direction (east) off of Rt. 345. Take the second right (Piersol Rd). Parking lot is on the right, just before the visitor center.

For more information and further directions contact:  610-385-6862 (day before), or donnaschopsy@yahoo.com 

Saturday March 5, 2016 - Pulpit Rock / Appalachian Trail

5 moderate to strenuous miles

We will take a winter hike to Pulpit Rock on the A.T. following the Furnace Run Road and a red blazed side trail, returning via the A.T. Should the trail be icy or the weather uncooperative, the hike may be modified into a road hike starting at the same location. Lunch after the hike at C.J. Hummel’s Restaurant on Rt. 143 in Lenhartsville.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Hamburg Reservoir parking area at the end of Reservoir Road, off of Old Rt. 22 about two miles east of Hamburg

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

Saturday February 27, 2016 - Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

7 to 8 moderate to challenging miles

This is a nice, wooded trail hike! Weather permitting, we will start by hiking up a steep fire road to Elders Run Trail. Following Elders Run Trail to Middle Creek Trail, then back to the parking area. There will be a long steep hill and stones to contend with. If there is much snow on the ground, we will find an alternate route. Bring water and snacks. There are several places in the area for lunch after the hike.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Middle Creek Visitors Center 

For more information and further directions contact: 717-949-2056 

Saturday February 20, 2016 - Wyomissing Park / Shillington

approx. 4 to 6 easy miles

This is an easy hike starting at Shillington/Wyomissing towards the Reading Museum. This is a scenic trail as we pass through an evergreen trail with views of old stone homes. Lunch later of course!

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Wyomissing Park Soccer field

Directions: Located near the intersection of Museum Road and Business Rt. 222 behind the WAWA, access the park by turning off Rt. 222/Lancaster Avenue into the parking lot behind the WAWA (across the street from Gallen Insurance and Dunkin Donuts)


For more info ration and further directions contact:  610-914-1357 

Saturday February 13, 2016 - 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 will finish the hike on the expanded Love Valley Trail. Wonder what happens here??? Snowy or Icy roads will cancel this hike.

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

Directions (1): Take Rt. 724 east from Birdsboro. About 3⁄4 mile past River Bridge Road (the road/bridge leading to Douglassville), turn right onto Unionville Road. “All Type Fence” is located here. Follow Unionville Road 2.1 miles past Temple Church and Shenkel Church. Turn right at St. Peter’s Road, then after 1⁄2 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. Peter’s Road through St. Peter’s Village and continue 4 more miles on St. Peter’s Road. When you see Fernbrook Lane to the left, turn right into Coventry Woods.

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

Saturday February 6, 2016 - Schuylkill River Trail Gibraltar

6 to 7 easy miles

The hike will start at the Angstadt Lane Trailhead behind Hafer Petroleum off of Rt. 724. We will hike to Gibraltar for a quick view of the Allegheny Aqueduct Historical Park and will also see the confluence of Allegheny Creek into the Schuylkill River. We will return by Old River Road, eventually returning to our starting point on the Schuylkill River Trail. Dress appropriately for the weather and carry water.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, 34 Angstadt Lane behind Hafer Petroleum off Rt. 724 

Directions: Angstadt Lane is near the intersection of Rt. 724 and I-176; look for the trailhead parking signs on Rt. 724 and drive back Angstadt Lane to the Schuylkill River Trail parking lot.
For more information and further directions contact: 610-796-7602 

Saturday January 30, 2016 - French Creek State Park

4 to 5 easy miles

This hike will be a loop around Hopewell Lake. We will hike along sections of the Boone and Horseshoe Trails and roads to loop around Hopewell Lake and Hopewell Furnace. Lunch is optional after the hike. 

Meeting place: 10:00 am, West Boat Launch parking lot at Hopewell Lake, off Park Rd
NOTE: Inclement weather cancels this hike 

For more information and further directions contact: 484-467-8976 

Saturday January 23, 2016 - Pine Swamp / French Creek State Park

5 to 6 moderate miles

Enjoy a winter walk in FCSP. There may be snow blanketing the piney woods. Depending on the weather, the hike will be on back roads and woodland trails in the park and bordering the pine swamp. Lunch after is an option.

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


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

Saturday January 16 - Monocacy Hill

4.5 to 5 moderate to difficult miles

Reaching the top of Monocacy Hill can be challenging, even in good weather, but if conditions permit we will give it a try! If there is no snow or ice we will reach the top. We plan to hike the Creek Trail and the Rail-bed Trail. Snow or icy road conditions cancel.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Monocacy Hill parking lot on Geiger Road 

For more information or further directions, contact: 508-612-3582 or 610-207-5526 

Saturday January 9, 2016 - Mount Penn

6 moderate to challenging miles

This loop hike on Mt. Penn begins at the Tower and passes Rotary Park, Kuechler’s Roost (twice), the former Angora Fruit Farm, and the ‘Man Cave.’ Expect a number of significant hills to climb, mostly during the second half of the hike. Snowy or icy roads will cancel this hike.

Meetin place: 10:00 am, at the Tower on Skyline Drive, Mt. Penn 

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

Saturday January 2, 2016 - Schuylkill River Trail Pottstown

4 to 5 moderate miles

Start the New Year with a brisk hike in the Pottstown area. Depending on the weather, we will do an in- and-out hike on the Schuylkill River Trail and perhaps walk through Manatawny Park. Dress warmly, bring drinks and an appetite for lunch later. Inclement weather will cancel.

1 st Meeting place: 9:15 am, Boscov’s East (east end of lot), Bussiness Rte. 422 East
2 nd Meeting place: 10:00 am, Grosstown Road Trailhead of the Schuylkill River Trail 

For information or directions, contact:  610-488-9269 or on day of hike: 717-376-5289 

Friday January 1, 2016 - Polar Bear Dip Hike

approx. 6 miles

Take a 4 mile countryside hike with some hills and views of Myerstown’s parks, cemeteries and nursing homes leading to the Polar Bear Dip at 12 noon. If you want to jump in bring your finest, warmest swimwear and join the other “cubs” starting the new year with a ‘plunge.’ Then hike 1.8 miles back to our cars. There is free admission to the dip, but a donation to Lebanon Disabilities is appreciated. Dress warm.

Meeting place: 9:45 am, Dutch Way Restaurant Rt. 422 West before Myerstown. Afterwards, the Dutch Way will have pork ‘n sauerkraut on their special buffet, or platters from their menu.

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

Saturday December 26, 2015 - Millersville University Lancaster

5 - 6 easy miles

Check out Millersville University which is located in a park-like setting. This hike will be mostly on roads and around the pond area of the University. The students should be home for Christmas break, so we should have the campus to ourselves. Lunch stop could be a newly discovered diner or the Oregon Dairy.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Ollie’s parking lot in Shillington, off Bus. Rt. 222 at the junction of Rt. 222 and Rt. 724

For further information or directions, contact: 610-603-9461 or 610-796-7602 

Saturday December 19,2015 - Iron Plantation Christmas

 4 – 5 easy, mostly flat miles

Visit Hopewell Village to share the echoes and catch glimpses of Christmas past. Beware the Belsnickel! Visit Bethesda Church after we leave the village. Enjoy holiday goodies in the parking lot after the hike.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, French Creek State Park Boat Launch area at Hopewell Lake on Park Road

For further information and directions, contact: 610-286-8913