Thursday February 16, 2012 - Schuylkill Canal Towpath

AL will lead a ~ 4 (or 6 mile hike depending on the weather and wishes of the group) on the old SCHUYLKILL CANAL TOW PATH and in the adjacent game lands in Port Clinton, Schuylkill County. This is mostly woodland trail walking with some roads and hills. Hope to see some ice on the cliffs. There is an old cemetery to explore on our descent into the village. WEAR ORANGE and good hiking boots. Lunch is optional afterwards.

1st MEET: 9:30 A.M. @ Redner’s Market in Leesport off Rte. 61 N.

2nd MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Port Clinton Playground at end of Pine St. in Port Clinton.

TELEPHONE: Al 610-929-9694 or day of event 610-223-9806.

Thursday February 9, 2012 - Crow's Nest

CLYDE will lead a two and a half hour hike (~ 5 miles) in the Crow’s Nest Nature Preserve. Hike on woodland trails and open fields. Wearing orange blaze may be appropriate. See map of trails at: http://combinedschedules.blogspot.com Lunch after the hike is optional and a place to eat will be determined by interested hikers.

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Peirsol Road parking lot east of Hopewell Furnace on Route 345.

TELEPHONE: 610-913-0284 or cell 610-413-6281 (day of the event) please call if weather is questionable.

Thursday February 2, 2012 - Schuylkill River Trail

GERRY & WILLIE will lead a 5 mile hike on the Schuylkill River Trail. This is more of this trail to add to your records. The first mile will be along a “pot holed” road above the Schuylkill River and by the orchards. Then, we will do all road walking with about a mile of it being more gravel than macadam. Suggest you wear orange, since it is along the road and at places there is no shoulder. This will be a shuttle hike and requires cooperation. Lunch is optional afterwards at Hoss’s Restaurant in Leesport.

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Rte. 61 N in Cross Keys behind the Boy Scout bldg. in lot at Cross Keys Center Campus.

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

Thursday January 26, 2012 - French Creek Six Penny Trail

CLYDE will lead a 5 mile loop hike in FRENCH CREEK STATE PARK on the orange blazed SIX PENNEY TRAIL. In the area that was once a fresh water swimming lake, Clyde will be using a “GPSr” (Global Positioning Satellite receiver) along with a brochure issued by the park. The purpose is to locate and identify some of the remaining structures from the time when this section of French Creek S. P. was in full swing. (This is not to be confused with Geocaching!). See map of trails at: http://combinedschedules.blogspot.com

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Parking area along Geigertown Road close to the Gun Club.

NOTE: Wear Orange as there may still be hunters in the area.

TELEPHONE: Clyde 610-913-0284 or day of event 610-413-6281 with questions.

Thursday January 19, 2012 - St Peter's Village Road Walk

LES will lead a road hike of 6 miles from St. Peter’s Village. This hike begins at the St. Peter’s Village parking lot. We begin by trekking to Harmonyville. Then we follow a road that will eventually border and run through a small portion of Coventry Woods, where we will be hiking in March. We pass the Westlake Tree Farm and return past a corner of French Creek State Park viewing some old stone dwellings along the way. Snow or icy roads cancels this event.

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ St. Peter’s Village parking lot, at the far end away from the village.

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

Thursday January 12, 2012 - Earl Poole Sanctuary / Antietam Lake

CLYDE will lead a one hour hike, after a very short shuttle, in the nearby EARL POOLE SANCTUARY. We will then return to the meeting location for another three mile hike on the trails of Antietam Park. This is a moderate to difficult hike. See map of trails at: http://combinedschedules.blogspot.com

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Antietam Lake parking area off of Angora Road.

TELEPHONE: Clyde 610-913-0284 or day of hike cell 610-413-6281 if questions arise, especially if weather is questionable.

Thursday January 5, 2012 - Oley Roads

LES will lead an Oley Road Hike of 6 miles passing by the historic Reiff homestead. There will be a stop at the site of the Sacred Oak. We will then continue with a climb up a long hill which will position us for a scenic view of the Oley Valley as we begin our return to the starting point. Snowy or icy road conditions will cancel this hike.

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Weis Market, Route 73 & Friedensburg Rd. in Oley.

TELEPHONE: Les 610-323-1703 if questions arise.