Thursday April 21, 2011 - Swatara State Park

MARGARET will lead a 6 mile hike in Swatara State Park using newly created mountain bike trails. This moderate hike will be on rolling terrain with several stream crossings. There is an option for lunch later.

1st MEET: 9:00 A.M. @ Blue Marsh Church Road parking lot off Rte. 183.
2nd MEET: 9:30 A.M. @ Bethel Library (I-78 & Rte. 501) in Bethel.

TELEPHONE: Margaret 610-779-8393 with questions.

Thursday April 14, 2011 - Port Clinton Towpath

AL will lead a hike of ~5 miles in Port Clinton on the old Schuylkill Canal Towpath. As we walk along the Schuylkill River on this scenic trail we will venture as far as possible to private ground to possibly see remnants of the still existing Rischels Lock. Then retrace our steps to a point in the game lands, climbing uphill to explore trails and an old cemetery while winding back on a road to our starting point. Optional lunch afterwards.

1st MEET: 9:30 A.M. @ Redner’s Market off Rte. 61 N. in Leesport and carpool to Port Clinton. Non-diners should carpool in same vehicle.

2nd MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Port Clinton playground in Port Clinton.
DIRECTIONS: Take 61 N to Port Clinton and turn left on Broad St. to Pine St. then left again to the playground. Only street parking is available there.

TELEPHONE: Al 610-929-9694 with questions. (Don’t make them too hard).

Thursday April 7, 2011 - Wolf's Hollow County Park

MARGARET will lead a loop hike in Wolf’s Hollow County Park. We can look for signs of spring as we explore hollows and ridges in Chester County’s newest park. Located on the Chester-Lancaster County line, this tract dates from a 1681 land grant from William Penn. This is a moderate six mile hike on well maintained trails. There will be an optional lunch stop at the Windmill Restaurant.

MEET: 9:00 A.M. @ Windmill Restaurant, Rtes. 10 and 23, Morgantown.

TELEPHONE: Margaret 610-779-8393 if questions arise.

Thursday March 31, 2011 - Alsace & Oley Townships

LES will lead a 6.5-7 mile road hike in Alsace & Oley Townships. The hike will begin at Spies Church in Alsace Twp. and proceeds along the western ridge and the base of the Oley Valley. We will pass historic homesteads and get a magnificent view of the Oley Valley. If conditions permit, there will be an additional stop at the “Sacred Oak”. This would add .75 mile to the hike through a field that could be frozen, icy or soggy. Lunch later is optional.

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Spies Church parking lot between the two churches.

DIRECTIONS: Take Rte. 12 towards Pricetown, after expressway narrows to two lanes, shortly thereafter you will pass Blind Hartman’s Hotel on left side, then take next right which is Skyline Drive. Continue for ½ to ¾ mile where Skyline Dr. curves to the right, go straight ahead instead onto Blankenbiller Road. Continue 1-2 miles until Blankenbiller Road merges with Antietam Road. Go straight at the stop sign. At the first intersection where Antietam Rd goes right, continue across the intersection onto Church Hill Road. Go to the “T” and turn right to the churches on left side.

TELEPHONE: LES 610-323-1703.

Thursday March 24, 2011 - Lake Ontelaunee / Peters Creek

BARBARA will lead a ~ 5 mile hike in Ontelaunee Twp. in the Lake Ontelaunee area and will follow Peters Creek to its source. We will visit an old cemetery where some of the Peters family is resting; get a view of the Evansville Cement Works and continue on to the east side of Lake Ontelaunee. There we will hike through various woodland areas and be able to get a glimpse of the confluence of Peters Creek entering the lake. A lunch stop after the hike is an option.

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Redner’s Market off Rte. 61 North in Leesport.

NOTE: Carpool to trail head on Maiden Creek Road from Redner’s.

TELEPHONE: Barbara 610-375-3358 with any questions.