Sunday Horseshoe Trail/Furnace Hills Hike!

Hey all,
Although I try to move in a totally different direction every week, I have been made aware that old friend RJ Morholt will be hosting a small get together which is just a short distance off of the Horseshoe Trail in the Furnace Hills, conveniently near the date I had originally planned it for! Therefore, we shift the date somewhat!
Lancaster County.
We will be meeting at 9 am at Pumping Station Road at the following GPS coordinates, just south of Rt 322.
To get there from Philly area, it is just off interstate 76, but there is no exit. You'll need to figure out the nearest parallel route and exit. Coming from NJ, take 78 west to 501 south, turn right on 322, then left on Pumping Station Road (it also goes north, don't go that way.). Parking will be on the left after a bit.
Lattitude: 40°14'19.22"N
Longitude: 76°20'11.84"W
This site is also the northern terminus of the Conestoga Trail.
After meeting here, we will shuttle as few cars as possible east to Denver PA. The Horseshoe Trail is a good way to experience PA Dutch country, and has pleasant back roads, nice ridges, and trail sections that aren't too difficult. There are a few good views, and reportedly at least one swimming hole!
One of the great views is known as Eagle Rock.
At the end of the hike, we'll hang out with RJ at his campout area, a private tract on a cool piece of woodlands.
Feel free to contact me if there are any further questions: 908 343 8374 or sneezehorse@hotmail.com

M'ke

Sunday Wissahickon Hike: The Entire Green Ribbon!!!

Hey everybody!

The first Sunday hike following my move will be back to the regular hike routine, branching off in a different direction every week.
This particular trip will be a long one; 21 miles to cover the ENTIRE WISSAHICKON GREEN RIBBON TRAIL!
We will be meeting at Manayunk Diner at 3722 Main Street, Philadelphia PA at 8:45 am.
Meeting is at the following GPS coordinates:
Lattitude: 40° 0'57.08"N
Longitude: 75°12'31.49"W
After meeting, we will shuttle as few cars as possible north to Upper Gwynedd PA where the Green Ribbon Trail starts. This amazing route will lead us from the small headwaters of the Wissahickon on an almost continueous route all the way south to it's confluence with the Schuykill River. The beginning will have hops across on stones and pleasant little bridges. It then becomes wider, but remains a simple foot path mostly.
As the hike continues on, the trail becomes more developed as a very wide, crushed stone pathway and leads through Fort Washington Park.
We continue on from there, and the last third of the hike is within the Wissahickon Gorge section of Fairmont Park, part of the largest city park in the world. We will follow Forbidden Drive and the trail south to where the Wissahickon joins the Schuykill, very close to Manayunk Diner, and the trail joins the Schuykill River Trail.
Note that this is a long hike, and although the terrain is not at all difficult, it will take a while to complete. If anyone wants to arrange an early out, please contact me ahead of time because it will not be easy to determine where we can leave cars. If anyone from the area steps up as co leader and wants to help with this, let me know!

Although this is a long trip, it is also relatively easy terrain and rather straightforward route. The last nine or so miles especially can be done quite fast.
If anyone would like any further information, feel free to contact me!

M'ke 908 343 8374 or sneezehorse@hotmail.com

Upcoming Hikes; June 17: Millbrook to White Lake; June 24: Wissahickon Green Ribbon

Hello everyone

For this, the last Ridge and Valley Vicinity hike during my time of residence at White Lake, we have something really great in store.
The hike will be a point to point following the northern fork of the Ridge and Valley Trail, as well as the Appalachian Trail and Coventry Pond Trail, with a little bit of off trail stuff. There will also be a bit of back road walking in Hardwick Township.
We are very fortunate that Metrotrails has been offered an exclusive tour of Millbrook Village by the President of the non profit, Wilson Bullivant. Mr. Bullivant is working to bring other volunteers to relate the history of Millbrook for us during this fantastic trip.
I am asking that all participants please make a modest donation to the Millbrook cause (maybe $5) to help preserve these historically significant buildings, and to show our thanks for being offered this amazing tour.
Because we will be taking a good amount of time to do this tour, participants should expect the hike to run later than many of the hikes tend to run.
If anyone wants to join for the tour alone, that is fine as well. Early out options may also be possible.
After leaving NPS property, we will hike through the Blair Creek Preserve and pass long abandoned old scout buildings, then follow the Blair Creek through a wide valley. There are unmarked trails in the area, and we'll do some stuff that is off trail completely. After a road walk section, we'll follow the Ridge and Valley Trail south through White Lake Wildlife Management Area back to the lake to finish off the night.
Join me to make one last great memory at White Lake before I say goodbye, and leave it in the hands of the hoodlums and vandals who may very well end up wrecking it after I leave.
Better days are coming; there are more amazing places to experience, and we will visit White Lake again in the future. Let's hope apathy does not reign over this amazing place for too long.


MEETING: Sunday, Meeting time is 9 am at the White Lake Natural Resource Area parking lot, along Rt 521 a bit north of Blairstown. There is a white fence around the parking lot, and it's across the street from an old stone farm house called the Vass House. The parking lot near the barn is not the one; it may be confusing because since the last hike up here there has been a new white fence installed around that parking lot as well.



Further, as I stated, I am currently in the process of moving, and anyone who is able to help with stuff (many of you have offered, thank you, and it's coming to that time) it is appreciated. Over the past two weeks I had a concussion from a tree falling on my head, then sprained my ankle. I'm okay to walk on it, but the doctor won't clear me to go back to work for a week. Jillane and I have to have all of our stuff out by the 20th.



If I'm not well enough by Sunday I could have a co leader do the difficult section for me, or I might change the route slightly. We will see.


Following the move, the next hike will be Sunday the 24th, and it will be the entire Wissahickon Green Ribbon Trail, a roughly 21 mile undertaking! It's a fantastic route between Upper Gwynedd PA and the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. This summer is going to be some of the best hikes yet!

M'ke