Schedule: Third Saturday of each Month. Time will depend on the hike event for that Saturday. Date may change due to conflicts.
Jan. 18th– Join the DOC for an average paced 7.7 mile hike on moderate terrain from Shippensburg Rd. to Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The theme for discussion is the opossum. Meet at the Geisinger Holy Spirit Duncannon Center at 8:30 am. or alternately at the Mechanicsburg RT 114 Park and Ride at 9:15 am. Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.
Feb. 15th– Come to an average paced 2 mile in and out hike over easy to moderate terrain on a relatively new trail located in the Cove Mountain Preserve, the Nature Conservancy’s first preserve in Central PA along the Kittatinny Ridge. We will be learning about the Ridge and the four major flyways. Meet 9:00 am. at the Geisinger Holy Spirit Duncannon Center or alternately at Wesley United Methodist Church of Marysville (450 Sylvan St.) at 9:30 am. Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.
Feb. 29th–Come to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area as we learn about and observe the migration of Snow Geese and Tundra Swans as they touch down at this important way station. Then hike an average paced 6 mile hike over moderate to strenuous terrain on a series of trails that form a loop back to the visitor’s center. There are 2 climbs from 300 to 400 ft. Meet at the at the closed Kmart parking lot at the Summerdale Mall ( 429 N. Enola RD, Enola) at 8:00am. (I will be driving a white Highlander.) Call 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register. Please reimburse drivers 10 cents per mile and for turnpike tolls (total mileage is 124 miles). Bring your cameras and binoculars if you have them and pack a lunch. Hope you can make it!
April 18th-Join us for an 8 mile, average paced hike over easy terrain at Swatera State Park. We will be looking for returning song birds and also get to tour a cabin built over a small waterfall. Meet at the Geisinger Holy Spirit Duncannon Center at 9:00 am. or alternately at what used to be the Kmart parking lot in the Summerdale Mall (429 N. Enola Rd Enola, PA) at 9:30 am. Call Deb at 717- 395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.Bring binoculars if you have some.
May 16th–Start at Ibberson Conservation Area for a 2.5 mile average paced shuttle hike, on easy to moderate terrain, over Peter’s Mountain to Victoria Trail, finishing at RT 325. We will be looking for Pink Lady Slippers which are prevalent in this area. Meet at the Joseph Ibberson Conservation Area at 9:00 am. where shuttle arrangements will be determined. (1609 Back Road , Halifax). Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.
June 6th – Join the DOC on a canoe/kayak trip from Blue Mountain Outfitters (BMO) to West Fairview for an opportunity to observe the nesting birds on Wade Island and learn about Cormorants, White Egrets, and Black-Crowned Night Herons. Cost is $12.50 if you bring your own boat. Rent a kayak for $45.00 plus a $7.50 shuttle fee, a two man kayak for $65.00 plus $7.50 each person, a canoe for $45.00 plus $7.50 each person. Tax is not included in these figures. Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register. We will meet at the Geisinger Holy Spirit Duncannon Center to carpool at 9:00 am. or alternately at BMO at 9:30 am. Wait for all to arrive, at which time we will make payments due.
July 11th ??––Join us for a three hour tour at Fort Indiantown Gap to observe the endangered Regal Fritillary butterfly and the habitat necessary for breeding and providing success for 100 other species of conservation concern in PA. Wear appropriate shoes and clothing for a nature walk on gravel trails and mowed paths. Bring bug spray, sunscreen, binoculars, lunch, and cameras. Meet at the Geisinger Holy Spirit Duncannon Center a to carpool at 8:00 am. or alternately at the Kmart in Summerdale ready to leave at 8:30 sharp. Driving distance is approximately 80 miles total. Please pay drivers 10 cents per mile for gas. Call Deb at 395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register. (This date is tentative.)
Aug. 15th–Come to a dog friendly, average paced 6 mile loop hike on moderate terrain from RT 850 AT trailhead to Darlington Trail to Miller’s Gap Road back to 850. We will learn about dogs, what to do if attacked, dogs and hiking, etc. Meet at the State Game Lands 170 parking lot along RT 850 at 9:00 am. Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register and for directions.
Sept. 19th – Hike an average pace 8 mile loop hike over moderate to strenuous terrain going up Hawk Rock on the AT, down the blue trail to the watershed road, stopping to see the old furnace stack and returning via the watershed road. The hike theme will be Watersheds. Meet at the Duncannon Recycling Center on 99 Watershed Drive, Duncannon at 9:00 am. Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.
Oct. 17th –Come to a “hike at your own pace”, a total of 2 miles, up and back hike to Hawk Rock View over moderate terrain. Answer funny riddles about nature posted along the way. Wear orange. Meet at the Duncannon Recycling Center at 9:00 am. (99 Watershed Dr, Duncannon). Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.
Nov. 20th– Come out for the average paced 5.5 mile Flat Rock loop hike over moderate to strenuous terrain at Colonel Denning State Park. We will learn about where animals go in winter. Meet at the Geisinger Holy Spirit Duncannon Center at 9:00 am. to carpool or alternately at Colonel Denning State Park Flat Rock Trailhead at 9:45 am. Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.
Dec. 19th -Join us for a 1 mile, average paced walk over easy terrain at the Little Buffalo Christmas Trail where we will see many lighted Christmas decorations throughout the wooded trails. Donations are accepted by the park. This is a family friendly event for all ages. We will meet at the Geisinger Holy Spirit Duncannon Center at 6:30 pm. or alternately by the park stage at 7:00 pm. Call Deb at 717- 395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.