Walking Into September

Love hiking? Why not enjoy a night with a noted local hiker and author? Cindy Ross, author of seven books, will be speaking about her latest The World is Our Classroom-How One Family Used Nature & Travel to Shape an Extraordinary Education on Thursday, September 13 at 7 pm at the Penn State Schuylkill Auditorium. Ross will speak about how her family traveled the world by foot and bicycle as well as how they found many educational opportunities to learn about the natural world right here in Schuylkill County. Autographed books will be available. Perhaps you and your family can learn more about the world - and each other - on a hike this month:

Saturday, September 8
Meet at Roaring Creek parking lot on Route 42 below Aristes at 10:30 am for a 8.5 mile hike rated moderate. Robin Tracey will lead this hike past two reservoirs. Bring a lunch. Leashed dogs are welcome if they are friendly to people AND other dogs.

Sunday, September 9
Meet at Schuylkill County Ag Center, Route 901 for a 3-4 mile hike rated moderate. John Domalakes will lead the Mystical Red Hole Ramble from 1 pm to 4:30 pm to sites of the French and Indian War.

Saturday, September 15
Meet at Locust Lake State Park parking lot for a birding walk. David Kruel will help you identify local and migrating songbirds at 7:30 am. Binoculars are a plus! Sorry, no dogs.

Saturday, September 15
Meet at Tuscarora State Park parking lot off Tuscarora Mountain Road for a 9 mile hike rated moderate. Led by Robin Tracey this Long Loop Hike begins at 10:30 am so bring a lunch! Leashed dogs are welcome if they are friendly to people AND other dogs.

Sunday, September 16
Meet at Sunbury and Hillside roads for a 7 mile hike rated easy. This hike will include  strip mine regrowth, the Heckscherville Valley, the black desert and Mine Hill Gap hike from 8 am to 1:30 pm.

Tuesday, September 18
Meet at Locust Lake State Park visitors parking lot at 10:30 am for a 4 mile hike rated difficult.  Robin Tracey will lead hikers on the Oak/Hemlock Trail around Locust Creek.  Leashed dogs are welcome if they are friendly to people AND other dogs.

Saturday, September 22
Meet at State Game Lands parking lot, Route 61 south of Port Clinton for a 11 mile hike rated difficult. Hike with Robin Tracey to the Pinnacle -- the top of the Blue Mountain -- from 9 am to 4 pm. Bring a lunch but NO DOGS. Pre-registration is required. Call 570-467-2506.

Saturday, September 22
Meet at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park in the Waterfall Road parking lot for a birding walk. Denise Donmoyer will help you identify local and migrating songbirds at 10:30 am. Binoculars are a plus! Sorry, no dogs.

Saturday, September 29
Meet at WalMart parking lot off Route 61 at 10:30 am for a 7 mile hike rated difficult. Robin Tracey will led the hike to Wolf Creek Falls. Bring a lunch! Leashed dogs are welcome if they are friendly to people AND other dogs.


Another outdoorsy lecture will be open to the public at the Visitors Center of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on Saturday, September 8 at 5:30 pm. Come enjoy hearing Dr. Nina Schock speak about "Conservation through the Lives of Adirondack Loons".