Thursday September 15, 2011 - Bernville

GERRY & WILLIE will lead the Bernville Hike & Picnic at the Arboretum. A 2.5 to 3 mile hike around Bernville, over the dam breast, around the park and explore the cemetery. Then drive to Rentchler’s Arboretum of the Blue Mt. Eagle Climbing Club’s property. There we will walk around the perimeter viewing the trees and flower beds, about another mile. Between 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. we will have a picnic lunch at the arboretum (outside or inside depending on the weather). Carry your own sandwich and Gerry will provide a cold rice salad for everyone and a gallon of iced tea for a relaxing day together.

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Friedens Lutheran Church, Main & Washington Sts. in Bernville.

TELEPHONE: Gerry or Willie at 610-678-5245 with questions.

Thursday September 8, 2011 - Birdsboro Watershed

LES will lead a 6.5 mile “drought- buster” hike in the Birdsboro Water Shed. This hike has been snowed and rained out twice on the Thursday schedule. The first time we got 10 inches of snow and the second time we got 3 inches of rain, will history repeat? If not, we will have hills to climb and possibly some rocky or uneven terrain to walk over, but our reward will be the scenic Birdsboro Reservoir. We will NOT be crossing the Hay Creek, yay! Restaurant stop for lunch afterwards is an option.

MEET: 9:30 A.M. @ Washed out former Rte. 82 (Furnace St.) parking lot.

DIRECTIONS: Take the former Rte. 82 (Furnace St.) south through Birdsboro and continue to the road wash out at the Hay Creek. Park in the parking area there and meet the leader.

TELEPHONE: Les 610-323-1703 with questions.

Thursday September 1, 2011 - Nolde Forest

ANNELIES & RUDY will lead a 5 to 6 mile hike in the Nolde Forest. This is a lovely, scenic, but moderate to difficult hike. Be prepared to negotiate various hills on various trails. Wear good hiking shoes, carry water and a lunch or snack that we hope to enjoy while sitting on the big rock and loving life. A restaurant stop after the hike is optional.

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Sawmill parking lot off route 625.

TELEPHONE: Annelies or Rudy at 610-777-4223 if questions arise.

Thursday August 25, 2011 - French Creek / Hopewell Village

BARBARA will lead a ~5 mile hike in French Creek State Park. Hike along Hopewell Lake on the Boone Trail to Hopewell Village. Then, walk through the village while viewing the old historic buildings and continue trail walking to view the old Bethesda Church. We will retrace our steps to return to our starting point. A lunch stop after the hike is optional.

1st MEET: 9:00 A.M. @ Boscov’s East in the northeast corner of the parking lot off business route 422 to carpool to Hopewell Lake.
2nd MEET: 9:30 A.M. @ Hopewell Lake parking lot in French Creek.

TELEPHONE: Barbara 610-375-3358 if any questions arise.

Thursday August 18, 2011 - Thun Trail / Morlatton Village

LES will lead a fairly flat hike of ~ 6 miles in the Douglassville area. We will begin with a tour of the Keystone Villa at Douglassville (formerly Morlatton Villa). After that, we will begin our hike with a walk through historic St. Gabriel’s Churchyard where noted colonial settlers William Bird, George Douglass, Andrew Robeson and Marcus Hulling are interred. While making our way to the Thun Trail, we will view the four historic buildings owned by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County in Morlatton Village (can you name them?). Then, road walk on the Old Philly Pike until it intersects with the Thun Trail and taking that trail back to our starting point.

MEET: 8:50 A.M. @ Keystone Villa in Douglassville on Rte. 422 East. Please park to the left of the main building. Our tour begins at 9:00 A.M.

TELEPHONE: Les 610-323-1703 if you have questions.

Thursday August 11, 2011 - Bartram Trail / Landingsville

RICHARD will lead a ~ 5 mile hike on the BARTRAM TRAIL, a section of the SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL traversing to Landingsville in Schuylkill County. We will circle the scenic marsh, home of 211 species of birds and take a diversion to view the birthplace of one of our own “famous” hikers, (wonder who that may be?), then return to our starting point. There will be an optional restaurant stop after the hike for those interested in dining.

MEET: 9:30 A.M. @ Redner’s Market parking lot off rte. 61 N in Leesport.
TELEPHONE: Rich 610-926-3415 with any questions.