Thursday Apr 27, 2017 - Hereford Township

LES will repeat a 6.5 mile very rural road hike done last spring in Hereford township, briefly entering Lehigh County. About 50% of the roads are dirt or gravel. Little is flat on this hike. Hikers enjoyed the scenery and the old homes a year ago. Lunch probably in Bally afterwards.

MEET: The hike leader at 9:30 AM at Weis Markets/Gilbertsville Shopping Center in Gilbertsville on Route 73, about 1/4 mile east of Route 100 to carpool to the starting point.

MEET: 10 AM at Hereford Township Park at Seisholtzville Rd and Township Rd. From Route 222, take Park Rd through Blandon, Fleetwood, Lyons, Topton, Mertztown, Longswamp, and Seisholtzville. Park Rd changes its name to Fleetwood-Lyons Rd, State St, and Seisholtzville Rd along the way. From Seisholtzville (Savory Grille on the right, St Peters Rd to the left), continue about 1/2 mile to Township Rd. Turn left and park in the lot. GPS Address: 1 Township Rd, Macungie, PA 18062

TELEPHONE: Leader Les 610-323-1703 with questions.

Thursday Apr 20, 2017 - Lebanon Rail Trail

JOHN and HERB have planned and will lead a hike to finish the Lebanon Rail Trail to the Lancaster County line. Most of the walk is along the Conawago Creek on a tree lined old rail road bed. We will see a preserved marsh area along the way and look for spring wild flowers. Lunch afterwards is optional.

MEET: 9:00 A.M. @ the south end of the Walmart parking lot off Route 322 in Ephrata or arrange informal carpools and meet at the Colebrook Parking Area of the Lebanon Rail Trail 2 miles south of Mt. Gretna off Route 117 at 9:45 A.M.

TELEPHONE: Leaders John 610-322-9670c or Herb 484-252 9493c with questions.

Thursday Apr 13, 2017 - Green Lane

MARGARET will lead an easy hike at Green Lane Park. This hike is an extension of the March 2 hike. We will walk on the Red Trail and the Honeysuckle Trail for a 5 mile lollipop loop along the reservoir.

MEET at 9:30 AM @ Tractor Supply parking lot 801 East Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown. This is directly across the street from the Saville Diner on Route 73.

TELEPHONE: Leader MARGARET 610 779-8393 with questions.

Thursday Apr 6, 2017 - Tumbling Run

LES will lead a 6 mile hike in the Tumbling Run area of Schuylkill County. This was the location for vacation homes of Schuylkill County's wealthy at the time of the coal boom. See what remains. Today, the area serves as the watershed for Schuylkill Haven. We will take the trail past the reservoir then continue on the road up the mountain until the group decides to turn around. Lunch is optional after the hike.

MEET: 9:30 AM at Redner's in Leesport. Expect a 30 minute carpool to near Pottsville.

TELEPHONE: Leader Les 610-323-1703 with questions.

Thursday Mar 30, 2017 - Eagle's Nest/Appalachian Trail

MARGARET will lead a rugged 8 mile hike to the Eagle's Nest Shelter. We will begin at the Shartlesville Game Land parking lot and ascend Sand Springs Trail to the Appalachian Trail and the Eagle's Nest Shelter. After a short snack break, we continue on the Appalachian Trail and then descend down the service road to our cars. Rain will change the route but not the meeting place. Ice cancels this hike.

MEET AT 9:30 AM @ Forge Dam Road parking lot near Shartlesville.

TELEPHONE: Leader MARGARET 610 779-8393 with questions.

Thursday Mar 23, 2017 - Schuylkill River Trail Phoenixville

KATHY & KAY will lead a flat 6 mile hike on the Schuylkill River Trail, beginning at the Fitzwater Station Restaurant to the Perkiomen Trail. We will walk alongside the Schuylkill River on a woodland trail, then onto the paved Schuylkill River Trail from the Port Providence Trailhead to the Perkiomen Trail. There is an optional small hill to a bridge for an overlook of the trail. Lunch afterwards at the Fitzwater Station Restaurant is also optional.

MEET: 9:00 A.M. @ Gibraltar parking lot off Rte. 724 across from the gas station and fire company to carpool to starting point.

TELEPHONE: Leaders Kathy 610-603-9461 or Kay 610-796-7602 with questions.

Thursday Mar 16, 2017 - Crow's Nest - CANCELLED

HIKE CANCELLED DUE TO IMPENDING SNOW STORM!

KAY, HERB, AND LES, "The Three Hikerteers" will lead a 'decide as we go' hike at the Crow's Nest. Expect a variety of terrain, of which some may be soggy, and watch the leaders as they fight with one another to choose the course of the hike. Will it be bloody? Hopefully not. Lunch afterwards is optional.

MEET: 10 AM at the Crow's Nest, 310 Piersol Rd, Elverson, PA

TELEPHONE: Kay 610-796-7602 or Herb 484-252-9493 or Les 610-323-1703 with questions.

Thursday Mar 9, 2017 - Blue Marsh

LES will lead a 5.5-6 mile loop hike at Blue Marsh. The hike begins at the Spring Creek trailhead and takes a series of roads and farm paths until reaching the main trail near Mile Post 7. From here, the return is via the main Blue Marsh Trail. Expect a good variety of terrain.

MEET: 10 AM at the Spring Creek trailhead on Brownsville Rd, 2.9 miles west of State Hill Rd. (Ganley's) GPS Address: About 1189 Brownsville Rd, Wernersville, PA 19565

TELEPHONE: Leader Les 610-323-1703 with questions.