Thursday August 19, 2010 - Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

MARK will lead a hike of 4 to 6 miles in the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. The hike will be on various woodland trails. Wearing hiking boots, especially if we have had an abundance of rain prior to this hike is important, since we may end up meandering in mud at some locations. This is a great place to see wild fowl and flowers and Mark is quick in identifying them for us. A lunch stop afterwards is an option.

Meeting place: 9:30 A.M. @ Middle Creek Wildlife Management Visitor’s Center

For information, contact: 610-589-5575

Thursday August 12, 2010 - Reiffton, St. Lawrence, Crestwood, Neversink, and Beyond!

LES will lead a 7.5 mile hike in these various areas of Berks County: Reiffton, St. Lawrence, Crestwood and the Neversink Mountain. We will circumnavigate the Exeter School complex consisting of the high school, the junior high school and the Reiffton and Lausch elementary

centers. Also, circumnavigate the Antietam Creek which runs through the complex, as well.

Later, we will walk through Reiffton, passing an old trolley stop, the locations of the two farms that became Crestwood, the former Reiffton Dairy, the Reiffton Fire Company, the old Reiffton Store and continue up the Neversink Glen from Forest Hills Memorial Cemetery. Be prepared and carry water. Lunch stop is optional afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:15 A.M. @ Boscov’s parking lot off Bus. Rte. 422 in Exeter Twp.

For information, contact: 610-323-1703

Thursday August 5, 2010 - Pine Grove Furnace State Park

KATHY & KAY will lead a 7.5 + mile hike in an area known as Pine Grove Furnace State Park. We will begin with a hike on the Appalachian Trail to Pole Steeple for a beautiful view of Laurel Lake below. Then we will descend to Laurel Lake and continue trekking on the Mountain Creek Trail along the scenic Pine Creek. Plan to take a short break before proceeding to the newly opened Appalachian Trail Museum, so carry water and a lunch/snack to enjoy. We will hike an additional mile to the museum and back. The trail to the museum goes through the National Historic Area of the park. A highlight for the leaders during exploration was eating hand-dipped ice cream while walking back to the car. The entire excursion amounts to 8.5 miles and driving time is about two hours. An all day event, so plan accordingly. Of course, we will stop for dinner on the way home. Bad weather would cancel this event. Check with leaders if doubtful.

1st Meeting place: 9:00 A.M. @ Ollie’s parking lot jct. of 222 & 724 in Shillington.

2nd Meeting place: 11:00 A.M. @ Fuller Lake parking lot in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

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

Thursday July 29, 2010 - The "Boulevards" of Wyomissing

KAY will lead a hike of 5 or 6 miles, depending on the weather, through the shaded streets and boulevards of Wyomissing, Pa. They named Wyomissing “The Tree City”, so there is no need to be concerned about the heat of summer. Besides, this will be a leisurely stroll at an easy pace. Carry water, none the less, and snacks if desired. Lunch afterwards is an option;

however, since we are a hiking club with an eating disorder.

Meeting place: 10:00 A.M. @ Wyomissing Creek parking lot off Lancaster Ave. in

Shillington (located behind WAWA near Business Route 222 & Route 724).

For information, contact: 610-796-7602

Thursday July 22, 2010 - Angelica Creek Trail and More!

RICHARD REIBER will lead a hike of 8.5 miles on several trails in the Berks County Parks. After a shuttle to Ken-Grill Swimming Pool and to the trailhead parking lot of the Angelica Creek Trail we will begin hiking. The trail will wind through Angelica Park and connect with the Thun Trail at Brentwood. We will follow the Thun Trail to a split off at Schuylkill Ave. on to the Union Canal Towpath Trail. We will view the Bushong Dam and the confluence of the Schuylkill River and the Tulpehocken Creek. Continue returning to Gring’s Mill parking lot after having hiked on mostly level trails. Dress appropriately; carry water, sun block and snacks if desired. Lunch is optional afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30A.M. @ Gring’s Mill parking lot across from the Penn State Campus.

For information, contact: 610-926-3415

Thursday July 15, 2010 - Coventry Woods, Chester County

LES will lead a hike of 6.5 miles primarily in Coventry Woods, North Coventry Township in Chester County. From the 2nd meeting location, we will drive ~ 4 miles to the starting point of the hike. Coventry Woods is a township park which has grown through open space acquisitions in recent years. The hike will be mostly in shaded, wooded areas and some road walking. In the future, this park is expected to connect to trails in French Creek Park and with the Schuylkill River Trail. Lunch opt later.

First meeting place: 9:15 A.M. @ Boscov’s East Parking Lot off Rte.422 in Exeter.

Second meeting place: 9:30 A.M. @ Wawa along Rte.422 in Douglassville to join Les.

For information, contact: 610-323-1703

Thursday July 8, 2010 - Blue Marsh Lake

RICHARD will lead a 7 mile hike in the Blue Marsh Lake area of Berks County. The hike will be around Blue Marsh. Starting at the Church Road parking lot we will go up to Bernville-Robie Road. After crossing the bridge we will go down the other side returning to our starting point. Remember to carry water and sun block; snacks if desired. A lunch stop is optional afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30 A.M. @ Blue Marsh Church Road parking lot just off Rte. 183.

For information, contact: 610-926-3415