Saturday July 28, 2018 - Schuylkill River Trail / Historic Douglassville

5 to 6 miles

A fairly flat hike in the Douglassville area. The hike begins with a walk around the four buildings owned by the Berks Historic Preservation Trust. Continuing, we will road walk along Old Philly Pike, the original route from Pottstown to Oley and Reading, viewing a number of scenic older homes. We return via the Schuylkill River Trail, completing the morning with a walk through historic St. Gabriel’s Churchyard where noted colonial settlers William Bird, George Douglass, Andrew Robeson, and Marcus Huling are buried.
Note: Inclement weather cancels this hike!

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


Meeting place: 10:00 am, Morlatton trailhead across from the White Horse Tavern 

Directions: From Rt. 422 East, as you exit Douglassville, take the right turn lane at the traffic light onto River Bridge Road. Cross the railroad bridge, then take the first right turn onto Old Philadelphia Pike. After approx. one block, the parking lot will be on your left.

GPS: 480 Old Philadelphia Pike, Douglassville, using Google. (Mapquest takes you a half mile towards Pottstown.)

Saturday July 21, 2018 - BCHC Club Picnic

Annual club picnic with hike. Christmas in July! See club flyer for details.

Saturday July 14, 2018 - Nolde Forest Hike

4 to 5 moderate miles
Follow the “directionally challenged” hike leader on a Nolde hike. She will be bringing a map! Light rain does not cancel, only a heavy downpour, hurricane or tornado!

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-256-7619


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

GPS: 2910 New Holland Road, Mohnton

Saturday July 7, 2018 - Leaser Lake

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.

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, PA 19529

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


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

Saturday June 30, 2018 - French Creek State Park

Approx. 5 moderate miles

Hike on the south side of Hopewell Lake on the Blue-Boone Trail, then over Colin’s Way with the new steps, continuing over to Hopewell through the park and back via the Horseshoe Trail, to the parking lot.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, West boat launch at Hopewell Lake by the restrooms 

DIRECTIONS: Go east on 422 to Baumstown/Birdsboro. Turn right on 345 to French Creek. Turn right on Park Road to boat launch area on your left.

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

Saturday June 23, 2018 - Wyomissing / West Reading Mural Hike

5 to 5.5 easy miles

We will hike streets and sidewalks around Wyomissing/West Reading, through parks and view the many murals in West Reading.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, park on the lot across from Kuhn Funeral Home and the McDonalds along Penn Avenue

GPS: 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA 19611

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

Saturday June 16, 2018 - Merrill Creek Reservoir

6 moderate miles

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. It really doesn’t take long to get there! 
NOTE: A few hikers ventured out into a misty morning for this hike previously, which turned sunny almost immediately. All agreed it was well worth the trip!

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Merrill Creek Reservoir Visitor Center parking lot 

DIRECTIONS: take I-78 East to New Jersey 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 the tunnel). Go 3 miles and turn left onto Montana Road across from Hunters Tavern. Go 2 miles and turn left onto Richline Road, at the top of the hill. Go .2 miles and turn left on Merrill Creek Road. Go another .2 miles 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 June 9, 2018 - French Creek Heritage Trail Hike

Approx. 5 moderate miles

Enjoy a delightful and historic hike through colonial history alongside the beautiful French Creek. We will see an old mill, a covered bridge and the gunpowder works for Washington’s army; among other sites!

1st Meeting place: 9:30 am at Clock Tower, 2846 Main Street, Morgantown 19543 
2nd Meeting place: 10:00 am at 1161 Hares Hill Road, Phoenixville 19460 

Directions from 1st Meet: Drive 19 miles on Rt. 23 East. At stop sign, turn right onto Hares Hill Road to the parking lot immediately on the left after crossing the bridge over French Creek.

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

Saturday June 2, 2018 - Birdsboro Watershed

6 moderate to strenuous, hilly miles

Hike along the length of the western and northern portion of the Birdsboro watershed from the former White Bear Inn to Rustic Park at the lower end of Birdsboro (no creek crossings!) The return overlaps some of the initial route but adds a pass past the reservoir on the north side of Hay Creek.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking area on Hay Creek Road (former Rt. 82) north of Geigertown, .8 mile north of where Mullen Hollow Rd ends at Hay Creek Rd. DIRECTIONS: from the traffic light in Gibraltar at the Turkey Hill (3321 Main St., Birdsboro) travel east on Rt. 724. Take the first right (about 1.2 miles), cross the railroad tracks, turn left on Old River Road, then almost immediately, right turn onto Rock Hollow Road. Drive 2.8 miles on Rock Hollow Road, cross Cocalico Road, then drive another 1.1 miles to the first stop sign at Hay Creek Road. Turn left and drive .7 mile to the parking area. 

GPS: 2 Elk Trail Lane, Birdsboro, then stay on Hay Creek Road another .1 mile 

For further information or directions, contact: Phone - 610-323-1703, Cell – 610-850-1855

Saturday May 26, 2018 - Pulpit Rock Loop Hike

6 moderate to strenuous miles

Come out to hike on this holiday weekend that begins the summer season and participate in the classic BCHC hike to Pulpit Rock. There will be hills, rocks, and beautiful scenery! Wear your hiking boots and a hat; bring water and a snack to munch as you take in the view at the top. Plan on lunch afterwards. NOTE: A downpour will cancel!

Meeting place: 9:00 am, Hamburg Reservoir parking lot
DIRECTIONS: Take Rt. 61 N. to Hamburg, bear right onto 4th Street. At third traffic light, turn right onto State Street (old Rt. 22). Look for the left past the Hamburg Center onto Reservoir Road

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

Saturday May 19, 2018 - Evansburg State Park in Montgomery County

5 to 6 moderate miles

Follow our leader as he leads the way and expect very muddy trails! Lunch in the Collegeville area is an option.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, Boscov’s east parking lot, Bus Rt. 422 East in Mt. Penn/Exeter 

GPS: 4500 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading 19606

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

Saturday May 12, 2018 - Green Lane Park

5 moderate miles

We will hike the northern shore of the reservoir and maybe find some Virginia Blue Bells blooming.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Weis Market in Oley, Rt. 73 to carpool about 15 miles to the park as parking space is limited.

GPS: 61 King’s Plaza, Oley 19540

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

Saturday May 5, 2018 - Baptism Creek Natural Area

4 to 5 easy round-trip miles

As we hike, we will stand in awe of the many wildflowers found in this quiet, spring-filled natural area so close to us! We will hike on woodland trails with some back road stretches. There will be several moderate hills and some rocks. Lunch after is an option.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Hopewell Furnace visitors center parking lot off of Rt. 345 GPS: 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson 19520

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

Saturday April 28, 2018 - Douglass and West Pottsgrove Townships

6 moderate miles

We will hike through the neighborhoods of Douglass and West Pottsgrove Townships and observe the various styles of residential architecture. The terrain is quite hilly, so expect a lot of ups and downs along with a great view of the tri-county region. NOTE: Inclement weather cancels this hike.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, eastern end of the parking lot at the Dollar General in Stowe GPS: 1620 West High Street, Pottstown

For more information or instructions:  484-467-897 

Saturday April 21, 2018 - Blue Marsh Lake Hike in the Spring

7+ moderate miles

Hiking the northern tip of Blue Marsh Lake, we will hike up and down on forested trails and through meadows returning on a flat trail paralleling Rt. 183. A shuttle will be available for those who wish to complete only 1⁄2 of the hike. Hiking boots and poles are recommended. Heavy snow/ice (are you kidding!!!) or continuous rain will cancel. Lunch afterwards is optional.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, North Church Road off Rt. 183

Directions: Take Rt. 183 north and just south of Bernville, make a left onto North Church Road to the parking lot immediately on the left

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

Saturday April 14, 2018 - Kaercher Creek Dam and Vicinity

Approx. 5 moderate miles

We will hike some of the old trails in the now closed Kaercher Creek County Park. We will see some remnants of the graded but never finished Allentown and Auburn railroad from 1875, as well as a nice blend of woods, town roads, cemetery and fields. Lunch later at C.J. Hummel’s in Lenhartsville.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Kaercher Creek Boat Launch area
Directions and further instructions: Take Rt. 61 N. to Hamburg. Bear right onto 4th Street. At third traffic light, turn right onto State Street (old Rt. 22). Proceed about 1 mile and turn right on driveway into the former park, across from the Hamburg Center. Look for the white and red sign for the Hamburg Soccer Association.
GPS: 3501 Old Rt. 22, Hamburg

For more information and further instructions contact:LEADERS: 610-921-3252 or 610-451-5380 on the day of the hike