Thursday August 1, 2024 - Birdsboro Watershed

Approximately 4-5 miles

There will be several alternatives to adjust or shorten the hike as some individuals may wish. The basics of the hike will be a walk up the unused portion of the former Route 82 and then a loop up to and around the scenic reservoir. Once we return to the old Route 82, we continue to the rock-climbing wall to observe the activities there.

Meeting place: 10:00am on Hay Creek Rd, north of Geigertown, .8 mile north  of where Mullin Hollow Rd ends at Hay Creek Rd.

Updated DIRECTIONS: From the traffic light in Gibraltar at the Turkey Hill,

travel east on Route 724 1.2 miles. Take the first right turn at the

sign for Hillcrest Hall Bingo, cross railroad tracks, turn left on Old

River Rd, then almost immediately right onto Rock Hollow Rd. Drive 2.8

miles on Rock Hollow, cross Cocalico Rd, then drive another 1.1 miles to

the first stop sign at Hay Creek Rd. Turn left and drive .7 miles to the

parking area.

If the detour still exists I expect you will encounter it on Rock Hollow Rd when you want to cross Cocalico Rd. If so, instead of continuing on Rock Hollow Rd, turn right on Cocalico Rd. At the next intersection, turn left onto White Bear Rd. Follow White Bear until it ends at Hay Creek Rd. Turn left and continue on Hay Creek Rd until you reach the parking area.

Another option to totally avoid the possibility of a detour: At the traffic light in Gibralter (the one west of Turkey Hill, turn onto Route 568 south. Soon after passing the Creekside Inn, you encounter a Y. Bear left here onto White Bear Rd. Follow White Bear till it ends, turn left on Hay Creek, and proceed to the parking area.

For more information and further directions, contact: Les 610-850-1855

Thursday July 25, 2024 - Hamburg Reservoir to Pinnacle Hike

Approx. 9.5 miles

The Hike: Follow the road up from the parking area. Cross over the small bridge over furnace Creek. When the road forks, take the fork to the left. The road will eventually take you to a metal gate. The road proceeds along the north side of the reservoir. Eventually you will come to a road that has blue blazes. Follow the road up the hill. After about 1 1/2 mile of climbing, you will come to a clearing (the helipad). bear to the right after you enter the clearing, you will see a white blazed trail. This is the Pinnacle Side Trail. Follow it to the Pinnacle. This route is about a 9 1/2-mile round trip. This is my favorite way up from the reservoir, the trail is not very rocky and there aren't any gut busting uphill climbs. 

Note: Pack lunch to dine at the top.

GPS: 40 35.01279388810332 N - 75 56.5171480178833 W 

Meeting place: 9:00 A.M. @ Hamburg Reservoir

Directions: From town of Hanburg trtsavel east on State Street which will become Old Route 22. Make a left onto Reservoir Road.Follow Reservoir Road until you reach the parking area adjacent to the Hamburg Water Works.

For more information or further directions, please contact leader: Glenn G. 610-301-4342

Thursday July 18, 2024 - Swatara State Park to Bordner Cabin

 Approx. 4 miles

This is a relatively flat hike along the scenic Swatara Creek. We will cross the creek via an unexpectedly magnificent, curved bridge!

We will hike to the very interesting Bordner Cabin that was builkt by a high school shop teacher and his students years ago.

1st meeting place: 9:15am at the Old Church Road parking lot at Blue 
Marsh Lake.

2nd meeting place: 10:00am at the Sand Siding Trailhead on route 443.

Directions to the trailhead: Take route 443 West from Pine Grove - Continue past Route 81. Proceed another 3-4 miles. Look for the Twin Grove Campsite on the right. Immediately past the campsite, look for a DIRT road to the left and travel down this road to the parking area.

For more information or directions, contact leasder at: 610-850-1855