For every hike, please wear appropriate clothing and footwear, · Anyone interested in hiking on Thursdays should E-mail jesrama@aol.com for the schedule.
bring a lunch or snack, and water to drink.
JANUARY, 2010
Sat, Jan 9th
Slateford Farm – Hike (or cross country ski/snowshoe) the trails of the Slateford Farm in
the DWGNRA; it all depends upon Mother Nature. This will be a moderate to easy hike
covering between 4 to 5 miles. As always, wear proper footwear for hiking. Meet in the
parking lot on National Park Service Drive off of Rt. 611 south of the Water Gap. Contact
Roy Kleinle at 570-421-8982.
Sat, Jan 16th
State Gamelands #127 – Hike (or cross country ski/snowshoe) the Hay Trail to
Warnertown Falls and back. A level 6 mile moderate to easy hike or ski on the Pocono
Plateau. Remember the Plateau tends to be 10 degrees cooler than the Burgs. Meet in the
first, large, wide parking area on the left on Rt. 423, 2.4 miles from Route 940 -- beware the
one lane bridge with STOPs in both directions. Contact John and Fran Whipple at 570-
646-7960, Cell Phones: John: 570-350-2977, Fran: 570-350-2967
Sat, Jan 23rd
Promised Land State Park -.Cross Country Skiing/Snowshoe (if no snow, plan is to hike)
This could be 6 miles or less. Trails are flat & open. Decision on trail choice will be made at
the meeting area depending on conditions. Meet at Promised Land park office. Contact
George Singleman 570-421-2968
Sat, Jan 30th
Big Pocono SP, WB-E trail - Snowshoe an easy 2-3 miler on the old rail bed, less if more
(snow) more if less (snow). Hike if no snow, be prepared for wet or frozen conditions. Meet
at Riday’s Gate at 9am. Contact John Motz 570-236-1462.
February, 2010
Sat, Feb 6th
Monroe County Environmental Center & SGL #156 - Hike the environmental center
trails, then continue to the SGL for additional (if desired) 4- 6 miles. MEEC is on Running
Valley Road in Bartonsville. Contact Bob Wacker 570-629-5293
Sat, Feb 13th
Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area – Hike (or snowshoe) the new Natural Area off Rte 115
south of Blakeslee along Tobyhanna Creek and the Falls. This will be a 5 mile moderate to
easy hike. Remember that the Plateau tends to be 10 degrees cooler than the Burgs. Meet
at 10 AM. From Rte 940 at Blakeslee Corners, south on 115, turn into ATB parking area on
the right just before guardrail on Tobyhanna Creek (There is another parking area with an
ATB sign north of this one - The one you want is just before the bridge over the creek).
From I80, north on 115, turn into parking area on left just after the creek. Contact John and
Fran Whipple at 570-646-7960, Cell Phones: John - 570-350-2977, Fran - 570-350-2967
Sun, Feb 14th
Jacobsburg State Park - 4 mile easy hike with some minor elevation changes. Take
Route 33 to Belfast exit, left at exit, continue to the end, take L, crossing over a small
bridge. Parking on L just after bridge. George Singleman 570 421 2968
Sat, Feb 20th
McDade Trail - Smithfield Beach parking area, DWGNRA - Easy 6 mile hike along
Delaware river to Tern Farm and return. Directions: Follow river Rd past Shawnee village to
Smithfield Beach. Rosemary Huebner 570 588 3201
Sun, Feb 21st
Bruce Lake Natural Area – Hike, ski, or snowshoe 6 miles to Egypt Meadows Lake and
Bruce Lake and back. Dress for winter and bring water and food. Meet at 10 AM at the
Bruce Lake trail head parking lot on Rt. 309 just north of the village of Promise Land.
Contact Roy Kleinle at 570-421-8982.
Sat, Feb 27th
Toms Creek, DWGNRA - Approximately 6 miles along the creek to Whitaker & Stuckey
pond areas. Take Rt 209 north of Bushkill to 5 mile marker. Turn on to Egypt Mills Rd (or
Little Egypt sign) to parking area. Bob Huebner 570-588-3201
Sun, Feb 28th
Lake Lenape along AT to first look out area - Approximately 3 miles. Turn off Rt 611 at
the Deer Head Inn. Sue Pendergast 570-242-0519
2:00 PM on
Sun, Feb 28th
POC Quarterly Meeting at the Monroe County Environmental
Education Center on Running Valley Road, Program to be announced
Volunteer/s needed to serve as Host/Hostess for the Pot Luck Suppers at
our Quarterly Meetings.
Contact Frank Allen @ (570-420-9040) or fallen@ptd.net
March, 2010
Sat, Mar 6th
Early spring Hike on the Indian Trail at Big Pocono State Park - easy 3-4 miles to the
Indian Trail overlook. May incorporate some South Trail as well. Rocky terrain, bring
camera. Meet at the Park entrance or if gate is open, Lot 2 at the Cattell house.
Contact John Motz 570-236-1462.
Sat, Mar 13th
Mt Nebo Park - 3 mile easy hike among hemlock forest. Meet in parking lot on Mt Nebo
road in Marshalls Creek area. Nebo road maybe accessed off Rt 209 near the flea market.
Contact Rosemary Huebner 570-588-3201
Sun, Mar 14th
Raymondskill Falls, Hackers Falls and the Cliff Trail vicinity - Hike will be 6+ miles with
a large climb at the beginning of the hike. Meet at the upper parking lot (where the
bathroom is) on Raymondskill Road, turn at mile marker 18 off Rt 209. Be prepared to do a
lot of walking, some of it up hill. Contact Frank Allen at 570-420-9040.
Sat, Mar 20th
Fox Gap to Water Gap on the AT – Great views and even a man-made cave on this 7
mile moderate paced hike on the first day of spring. Be sure to wear proper hiking boots
since this is on the AT and there are rocky sections. We will start high and finish low. Meet
at 9 AM in the Lake Lenape parking lot in Delaware Water Gap. We will shuttle to Fox Gap.
Contact Roy Kleinle at 570-421-8982.
Sun, Mar 21st
Tobyhanna Lake at Tobyhanna State Park (about 5 miles) - Meet in Parking area 1 (boat
launch area) at 12 noon.
Contact Kate Andrew 570-236-6831.
Sat, Mar 27th
The Hogback - An eight mile moderate hike up onto the Hogback Mountain, visit a scenic
pond and heron rookery. Then onto the Delaware river going south on Freemans Rd to
River Rd and pick up the McDade trail to complete the loop. One major elevation change.
Contact George Singleman 570-421-2968
Sun, Mar 28th
Bradys Lake - 5 mile easy, flat hike. Meet at the Brady’s Lake Parking Lot off Route 940 in
Pocono Lake.
Contact Sue Pendergast 570-242-0519
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HUNTING SEASON IF YOU'RE OUT THERE, BE AWARE! . . . WEAR BLAZE ORANGE FOR SAFETY "Hunting Season" isn't just one month!!! Always be aware when doing outdoor activities.
Something else to do outside on a Sunday Afternoon in the Poconos: Local naturalist and Open Space advocate, Don Miller, conducts hikes for the Pocono Heritage Land Trust that are open to the public These hikes are on newly acquired properties that are being preserved for public use. There is usually one hike each month on a Sunday afternoon. At press time for this newsletter, Don did not have the schedule firmly set for this winter. To find out where he will be hiking, checkout the Land Trust’s website www.phlt.org and click on Events. The hikes are at an easy pace and
very informative.
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|
Did You Know? Camping & Hiking Fun Facts |
Tread Lightly! Tips for Responsible Hiking
Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization.
- Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others.
- Pack out what you pack in.
- Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and amount of trash to carry out (taken from: http://www.treadlightly.org/
page.php/responsible-hiking/ Recreation-Hiking.html?gclid= COimxoPK1ZcCFQwuHgod11lWDQ)
DRESSING FOR THE COLD
Hiking during the winter requires you to dress appropriately. You’ll be surprised at how fast you get overheated and begin to sweat while hiking during these colder months.
The key to dressing for hikes when it’s cold is to dress in layers. Also, wearing a shirt or turtleneck that zippers in the front is a good idea. You can zipper up for warmth and unzipper to cool down. When you do start to get hot, start by taking off your hat (yes, make sure you wear a hat as that is where most of your body heat escapes), then open your shirt or jacket a little, then try unbuttoning and rolling up your shirt sleeves. This will allow cool air to circulate up your arms and down your torso.
Finally remember to bundle back up when you stop hiking. Dressing and undressing as your body warms and cools is the best way to keep comfortable during winter hikes.EATING ON THE TRAIL
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are eating on the trail. You should eat food that weighs the most first, such as fresh fruit, or canned foods. This will lighten the pack early on instead of after hiking many miles with the additional weight. Also, try eating small quantities often. This will avoid stomach aches while hiking and also keep your energy level up through out the day. Before you begin a climb, stop and have a snack. This will give you an energy boost when you need it most.
(taken from: http://www.pahikes.com/trails/
hiking_tips.asp)
The Appalachian Trail starts in northern Georgia and continues through South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and ends in Maine at Mt. Katahdin, Baxter Peak, Baxter State Park.
~~~~~
Studies show that hiking is beneficial for a person's overall physical and mental health. Hiking can help prevent heart disease, decrease hypertension, cholesterol levels and weight, improve the symptoms of osteoporosis and arthritis, helps to control diabetes and can also relieve back pain. Hiking is also a great way to relieve stress.
Hiking can be a safe activity, but precautions should be taken:
- Tell someone where you are going, sign-in at the trail register, and stay on marked trails.
- Start slowly and build endurance.
- Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. Dress in layers and be ready for changing weather. Wear synthetic or wool. Never wear cotton in the winter. Wear reflective clothing.
- Allow enough time for your hike - don't get caught in the dark!
- Bring along water to drink, bug spray and sunscreen.
~~~~~
If you like to sit outside eating bananas in your favorite blue shirt, you're about to become a mosquito's best friend. They're twice as attracted to blue than any other color and appear to love people who've just eaten bananas. Source: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 2001 Summer In America