Saturday June 4, 2022 - Wyomissing Park

 4 Easy miles

The Wyomissing Park System is comprised of over 350 acres and is easily accessible. Mr. Ferdinand Thun purchased the land and structures on both sides of the Wyomissing Creek in 1929. We are going to walk along the stream through the pine forest and loop back to the Museum. This is a beautiful, easy walk.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Reading Museum
Directions: Heading south from Penn Avenue in West Reading, 5th Avenue becomes Museum Road. Turn right on Parkside Drive South, and right again into museum parking lot. 

GPS: 500 Museum Road, Reading

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-698-6784

Saturday May 28, 2022 - Monacacy Hill Recreation Area

 5 Moderately Difficult miles

Join our group as we hike through some of the well-marked trails of the Monocacy Hill’s 428 acres. We will be going down to the creek with the charming waterfall and up to the peak with the beautiful views of the valley. We may also go by landmarks like the never-used railroad trestle and the homestead of Sallie Shirey. Hiking boots and poles are recommended as the climb is a bit rocky. For those who don’t wish to climb to the peak, an alternative path that meets up on the other side is a possibility. 

Lunch at Vincenzo’s after hike https://www.vincenzosristorante.org/ 1333 Old Swede Rd, Douglassville 610-689-8000.

Meeting place: 9:30 AM in Geiger Rd parking lot. Parking in lot is limited – you may need to park on the road leading to the lot or around the corner – but always on the side next to the recreation area. Do not park across the street where there are residents’ houses.

Directions: From 422 coming from Reading use the jug-handle to turn left onto Limekiln Rd. Turn right onto Monocacy Hill Rd, right again onto Geiger Rd and right into the parking lot.

GPS: 54 Geiger Rd, Douglassville [40.280955, -75.754068] 

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-468-5039

Saturday May 21, 2022 - Union Canal Trail / Thun Trail

 4-5 Easy miles

We will follow the trail with a short detour near the end to my house for lunch. We will have food but you can bring your own. Rain will cancel the hike.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Berks Leisure Area

Directions: Berkshire Blvd. past Fox Theater. At stop sign turn RIGHT. Then LEFT into parking Lot.

GPS: 1901 Tulpehocken Rd. Wyomissing

For more information and further directions, contact: 484-557-7854

Saturday May 14, 2022 - Green Lane Park

 5 Moderate miles

We will hike the northern shore of the reservoir and maybe see some Virginia bluebells blooming. We will be hiking from the Red Trail parking lot on Knights Road. Parking is limited.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Weis Market parking lot in Oley to carpool. Share costs.

Directions: From Breezy Corners, go east on Rte 73. At Friedensburg Road traffic light, turn left, go past service station and turn left into shopping center parking lot. 

GPS: 61 King's Plaza, Oley

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

Saturday May 7, 2022 - Antietam / Mt Penn Hike

 5 Moderate miles

A jaunt through the woods in early Spring. In and around trails through old orchard and up the mountain. Very steep climb concludes trip to the top.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at Antietam Lake trailhead parking lot

Directions: Take Carsonia Avenue from Mt. Penn to Stony Creek Mills. At stop sign, bear slight left onto Antietam Road. Halfway up hill, turn left onto Angora Rd and proceed to trailhead on left. 

GPS: 306 Angora Road, Reading

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-505-9397 please text

Saturday April 30, 2022 - Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

4 miles

Hike the Middle Creek and Elders Run Trails (loop) from the Laurel Drive parking lot. Easy walk along the scenic Middle Creek to Elders Run Trail on a former trolley bed. Elders Run Trail is a strenuous gravel uphill trail to the top of the ridge and then back down through the woods. We’ll pass the remains of the former Game Commission headquarters built in the 1930’s. Then it’s an easy trail through the forest back to the parking lot. Some areas are rocky and may be muddy. Hiking boots and poles recommended. Rain cancels.

Meeting place: 1:00 p.m. at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Laurel Drive Parking Lot. 

NOTE: This was originally a morning start until MCWM told us it’s turkey season and we can only hike at 1:00 or on Sunday. Orange shirt or vest recommended.

Directions: Take 222 to Denver then take Steinmetz Road/Mt Airy Road to Forest Hill Road. Turn right on Forest Hill Road, then left on Kleinfeltersville Road and another left onto Laurel Road. Parking lot is about 1⁄4 mile on the left.

GPS: 399 Laurel Road, Newmanstown

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-636-9815

Saturday April 23, 2022 - Forbidden Drive in thew Wissahickon Valley

 5 Moderate miles

The hike will be a mix of trails along the creek and in the hills in the valley. We'll cross the last covered bridge inside a major city. [Trip costs 1-way: 53 mi, toll EZ $5.50, toll noEZ $11.60]

Meeting place: 9:00 a.m. – Carpool from Boscov’s East parking lot. Share costs.

Direwctions to Northwestern Stables: From Boscov’s/Exeter, go west on 422 to I-176 (Morgantown Expressway), then south to the PA turnpike, and east on I-76. At Valley Forge stay on turnpike (I-276). Take Exit 333/Norristown onto I-476 toward Chester. Keep right 4/10 mile and take Germantown Pike 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Northwestern Ave.

GPS: 120 W. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-223-4568 or 610-208-0201

Saturday April 16, 2022 - Lake Border Trail / North Loop

 7+ Moderate miles

We will start & end on Old Church Road. There will be hills and one real long hill. We will be on the mountain and come back by an easy trail along route 183. Rain may cancel the hike.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Old Church Road Parking Lot.

Directions: From Rte 222 north, take Rte 183 north (Bernville Road) for about 6 miles. Turn left onto Old Church Road. Parking will be on left after turn. 

GPS: Old Church Road, Robesonia

For more information and further directions, contact: 484-557-7854

Saturday April 9, 2022 - 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. There are multiple options for lunch afterwards—group choice.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Kaercher Creek Boat Launch parking area

Directions: Take Rt. 61 N. to Hamburg. Bear right onto 4th Street. At third traffic light, turn right onto State Street (old Rte 22). Proceed about 1 mile and turn right onto driveway into the former park, across from the old Hamburg Center. Look for the white and red sign for the Hamburg Soccer Association.

GPS: 3501Old Rte22, Hamburg

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

Saturday April 2, 2022 - Antietam Lake

5 Moderate Miles

Spring into spring while enjoying Antietam Lake and the surrounding falls. Starting at the Angora Road Trailhead, we will take the lower muddy trail to view the scenic falls to the Seidel Road Trailhead. We will then check out the Stone Walled Creek area which was originally the Hinnershitz Farm, barn, grist mill, and basin. The return will be on the drier upper trail. Expect mud so waterproof boots and poles are recommended. Optional lunch after the hike. Rain cancels.

Meeting place: 9:00am at the Antietam Lake Trailhead parking lot. Park in the larger lot.

Directions: Take Carsonia Avenue from Mount Penn to Stony Creek. At end of Carsonia Avenue at stop sign take a slight left onto Antietam Road. Halfway up hill make the left onto Angora Road. Follow curved road and proceed to Antietam Lake Trailhead parking lot on left side.

GPS: 306 Angora Road (40.3564372, -758736809)

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

Saturday March 26, 2022 - Antietam Lake Hike

8 moderate to strenuous miles

The hike will begin at Antietam Lake parking area. We will go to the William Penn Tower via several trails including Wood Cutters, Rip-it, Towers, Red Dot and then hike further to the Pagoda. We will return via the Ferndale/Gravity trails and then the Green trail down to the parking area. I like to go on average 3 mph, so expect the hike to last about 2 hours 45 minutes (excluding a short break at the Pagoda). Rain cancels.

Meeting place: 8:45 a.m. Hike begins promptly at 9.

Directions: Take Carsonia Avenue from Mt. Penn to Stony Creek Mills. At stop sign, bear slight left onto Antietam Road. Halfway up hill, turn left onto Angora Rd. and proceed to trailhead on left. 

GPS: 306 Angora Road, Reading

For more information or further directions, contact: 215-205-3923

Saturday March 19, 2022 - Trails of Birdsboro Waters Preserve

 5 moderate miles

We will make use of the newly built pedestrian bridge over the Hay Creek to hike trails of Birdsboro Waters Preserve – 1800-acres of woods set aside to preserve the quality of drinking water for Birdsboro residents. Note: Inclement weather cancels the hike.

Meeting place: 9:30a.m.attheparkinglotlocatedatthesouthernendoftheRusticParkofRobesonTownship (just south of Birdsboro).

Directions: From Reading take US-422 east to PA-345 (about 9 miles). Turn right onto PA-345 (to Birdsboro). Continue on PA-345 for about 1 mile. then continue on N. Furnace Street for about 1⁄3 mile. Continue on Haycreek Road for about 1 mile until the road ends at the new pedestrian bridge. Turn right into the parking lot.

GPS: 1314 Haycreek Road, Birdsboro [40.253789926843716, -75.81398086024939] 

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-467-8976

Saturday March 12, 2022 - Union Canal Trail

4 easy miles

Join the leader as we hike over the former "mule bridge" leading to the Union Canal trail. Starting at the Berks Leisure Area parking lot we'll hike the trail and then cross over to Penn State Berks Campus to explore that trail. Watch for Great Blue Herons along Tulpehocken Creek and maybe a few other early signs of spring. Rain or snow cancels.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Berks Leisure Area
Directions: Berkshire Blvd past Fox Movie Theater, at the stop sign turn right onto Tulpehocken Road, then left into the parking lot, just after Country Meadows. 

GPS: 1901 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing

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

Saturday March 5, 2022 - Neversink Mountain

 Approx 6.5 to 7 miles

In the last year we have done two hikes on Neversink beginning from Mineral Spring Park covering the east and west ends of the mountain. This hike will cover much of what those hikes missed. We will pass the Witch's Hat, walk through Klapperthal Glen and take much of the trail above the Schuylkill until we cross over the mountain to return. There will be several steep climbs and descents. Snowy or icy roads cancel.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. on S. 19th St. at the start of Mineral Spring Park, near the former East End Athletic Assn. in sight of the Lindberg Viaduct.

Directions: From Perkiomen Ave, take S. 19th St under the Lindberg Viaduct, and proceed about 1/10 mile.

GPS: S. 19th Street, Reading [40.332433,-75.897637] 

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

Saturday February 26, 2021 - Monocacy Hill

5 moderate miles

We will climb up the hill from the front and down the steps in the back (if weather is conducive) and do a few other trails (Creek Trail for sure). We can, if we have another willing leader, break into two groups, if some do not want to hike the hill for the winter view as far as the Pagoda. Active heavy snow, rain or Ice on the roads cancels this hike. Bring poles & spikes ifb needed. Lunch options (in order of my preference): Vincenzo’s Ristorante, Uncle Jacks, Italian Delight, Island Pizza.

Meeting place: 9:50 a.m. at Monocacy Hill Recreation Area main parking lot. Hike will start at 10. 

Directions: From 422 E, take roundabout for a left hand turn onto Limekiln Road, right turn onto Monocacy Hill Road, right turn onto Geiger Road parking lot.

GPS: 54 Geiger Road, Douglassville

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-385-6862 before, 484-797-4234 day of hike

Saturday February 19, 2022 - Wyomissing Park to Reading Museum

5+ easy miles

This will be a loop hike with creek, trails, meadow, pineforest. Lunch there after is a possibility. Excessive snow or ice may lead to postponement.

Meeting place: 10 a.m. at Wyomissing Quarry Soccer Fields parking lot

Directions: Drive west on Lancaster Avenue through Shillington. After passing WAWA at Museum Road, turn right into the soccer field parking lot. 

GPS: Approx. 2220 Lancaster Pike, Reading

For more information or further directions, contact: Cell:610-301-4342