20s & 30s Appalachian Mountain Club - Delaware Valley

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Patricia Woodruff, Kyle Sullivan, Lisa Lombardo
Registration Type: Show & Go
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001MJcv
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join us for a hike in the scenic Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to hike Mt Minsi. The Delaware Water Gap is a 70,000 acre park along a 40 mile stretch of the Delaware River that was initially preserved in 1965 for a proposed dam project to create a large reservoir. The dam was halted largely by the public including AMC and the land acquired for the dam was fully turned over to the park service in 1978. Toady you can still enjoy the dramatic views of the river cutting through the Kittiatinny Mountains.

We will have a short walk from the town of Water Gap to the trial head. From there we will start hiking along the Appalachian Trial. Along our route we will see several views of the Delaware River, waterfalls, a small pond and have a stream crossing all before our first view of Mt Tammany. We will continue to climb past the view of Mt Tammany to the top of Mount Minsi. There is a second spot to enjoy the views of the Delaware river cutting through the water gap area. We will be taking a break at the top to enjoy a trail snack and the views before returning the way we came to meet Lake Road trail to hike back to the trail head. This covers 5 miles and total of 1,043 feet of elevation gain.

The section of the Appalachian trial we will be hiking
is steep. We will be doing about 1,000 feet of gain in just two miles. There will also be lots of rocks on trail and roots. We will be taking out time for the steep climb, and taking breaks as needed.

Please wear sturdy walking or hiking shoes with good grip, and trekking poles are strongly recommended for the trail conditions. If it has recently rained, trials may be muddy. Bring plenty of water (at least 1 liter) and snacks. Hike may be canceled due to inclement weather. Hike leader will contact you the day of for cancellation.

Join us afterwards for post hike lunch or treat at the Village Farmer and Bakery in the town of Water Gap.

This trip is intended to be a 20s/30s affinity trip. Participation is limited to those who identify with this age group. If you have any questions about eligibility or the nature of this trip, please contact the trip leader by email for more information.

Please note: In order to comply with Pennsylvania Youth Protection Laws, all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. This policy applies for all events offered by the Delaware Valley Chapter as well as any other Chapter events within the state of Pennsylvania.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Lisa Kleiman, Lisa Lombardo
Registration Type: Show & Go
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001MNjl
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: If you are in your 20s and 30s, this hike is for you! Join us for a hike in Tyler State Park filled with park highlights including a covered bridge, a horse farm, and beautiful creekside trails! We will walk both the paved and wooded trails in the park - wooded trails have rocks and roots and there are some hills to make it interesting! Possibility for a short easy stream crossing. The hike will be 5 - 6 miles long and at a moderate pace. Option to grab lunch post hike at a nearby restaurant.

Logistics - we will meet at the Tyler State Park Boathouse Parking Lot. Anticipated hike time 2 - 2.5 hours - please bring along snacks and water, and dress in layers for the weather. Closed toe sturdy footwear recommended.

This trip is intended to be a 20s/30s affinity trip. Participation is limited to those who identify with this age group. If you have questions about eligibility or the nature of this trip, please contact the trip leader(s) by email for more information.

Please note that in order to comply with Pennsylvania Youth Protection Laws, all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. This policy applies for all events offered by the Delaware Valley Chapter as well as any other Chapter events within the state of Pennsylvania.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Kyle Sullivan, Jeffrey Cocci, Lisa Lombardo
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001MyHt
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join us for a hike at the scenic Trexler Nature Preserve - a hidden gem located in Lehigh County!
This 1,495 acre natural preserve is the largest park in Lehigh County and a diverse natural gem for residents to celebrate. General Harry C. Trexler (1854-1933) contributed greatly to the growth and quality of life in the Lehigh County. General Trexler purchased 1,108 acres, in Lowhill and North Whitehall Townships to create a game preserve to protect bison, elk, and white-tailed deer. In 1933, General Trexler gave the land to Lehigh County in his will and it became the Trexler-Lehigh County Game Preserve. Today, the Trexler Nature Preserve continues General Trexler’s legacy and vision. Additional land was added to expand the preserve to 1495 acres. A 2006 Master Site Plan outlined a vision to carry the preserve into its second century. In 2020, Lehigh County partnered with the Wildlands Conservancy, the Trexler Trust, the state and community groups on an updated Master Site Plan to enhance the future of the Preserve for the County. Today, the Trexler Nature Preserve offers residents opportunities to explore and experience nature as General Trexler envisioned. The hills offer spectacular views of the Lehigh Valley. Over eighteen miles of trails offer wildlife observation, bird watching, hiking, walking, horseback riding, and mountain biking opportunities for enthusiasts at all levels. The Covered Bridge Trail is ADA accessible and provides access to the Jordan Creek for fishing. . Trexler Nature Preserve offers something for everyone!
We will meet at the gravel/dirt parking lot that is on the LEFT shortly after entering the main road used for the Lehigh Valley Zoo (the parking lot for Trexler is BEFORE you actually enter the Zoo entrance - there will be a sign pointing to the LEFT for Trexler). From the parking lot, there is a very short walk to the Trexler Nature Preserve Border Trail, which is the main trail we will be on during the hike. There are several lookouts/viewpoints, hills, and other points of interest along our route... Possibly even free-roaming bison/elk! There is also a bathroom at the (approximately) 5 mile point.
*** Please use the GPS coordinates in your GPS app/device for the parking lot meeting point!!!: 40.654588, -75.630745

There are several routes/variants for the hike that will cover 6.3 miles, 7.7 miles, and 9.3 miles total of 1,040 feet, 1,132 feet, and 1,362 feet (respectively) of elevation gain. We will decide which route/variant along the way based on pace, weather, and overall desire of the group. All routes/variants will be a loop hike - the start and finish point are at the same location at the parking lot.
This hike is marked as "Moderate" only because of several short sections that are steep - otherwise, this hike has only gradual elevation gain at most. We will take breaks as needed during/after any steeper sections. Please wear sturdy walking or hiking shoes with good grip, and trekking poles would be helpful for the short steeper sections for those who have them (but not necessary). If it has recently rained, trials may be muddy. Bring plenty of water (at least 1 liter) and snacks. Hike may be canceled due to inclement weather. Hike leader will contact you the day of for cancellation.
Join us afterwards for post hike lunch at The New Schnecksville Family Diner at 4527 PA-309, Schnecksville, PA 18078.
This trip is intended to be a 20s/30s affinity trip. Participation is limited to those who identify with this age group. If you have any questions about eligibility or the nature of this trip, please contact the trip leader(s) by email for more information.
Please note: In order to comply with Pennsylvania Youth Protection Laws, all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. This policy applies for all events offered by the Delaware Valley Chapter as well as any other Chapter events within the state of Pennsylvania.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 3 - Easy
Trip Leader(s): Lisa Lombardo, Patricia Woodruff, Kyle Sullivan, Jeffrey Cocci, Alyssa Hannon
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001N9V3
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Up until the early 2000s, Phoenixville, PA was a small town left down-and-out by the closing of the local steel mill. In 2004, the town underwent a gradual "rebirth" that included the first Phoenixville Firebird Festival. Now a yearly tradition, the fest attracts large crowds who gather to watch organizers set fire to a hand-built, wooden statue of a phoenix. The statues - often a couple of stories tall - are different each year. Think of the fest as a giant holiday bonfire!

Since the first Firebird Fest, Phoenixville has evolved into a fun, quirky town with a variety of restaurants, shops and breweries. Now viewed as a small town success story, Phoenixville recently received the Best Small Town in America award.
Due to crowds and parking congestion, we will begin our evening with a 5pm dinner at Fitzwater Station (the "Fitz") located on the towpath that leads into town. This local tavern, which was once a stop on the underground railroad, features robust sandwiches and pub food.

We will leave the Fitz around 7pm to begin our 1.25-mile hike on the flat, dirt towpath into downtown Phoenixville, which becomes a pedestrian town on weekends. We can poke around the town a bit and then join the crowd as they walk to Reservoir Park, this year's location for the Firebird Fest. At the site, we can check out a few vendors and admire the wooden firebird. Around 9pm, organizers will light the firebird; we will watch as the flames slowly consume the statue. After the burning, we will retrace out steps along the towpath back to the Fitz parking lot where we have left our cars.

Plan to meet at the Fitz around 4:45 so they can begin serving us at 5pm. Please park your car on the far end of the parking lot so we don't interfere with later patrons. If possible, carpool to reduce the number of vehicles.
Mid-December weather may be very cold, so be sure to layer up and include hats, gloves and warm socks/shoes. Always bring water with you and a snack if desired. You MUST bring a recently charged headlamp or flashlight to hike on the unlit towpath at night. Please don't try to use your mobile phone as your flashlight.

The event will only cancel if the Firebird Festival cancels; we will notify attendees in advance.

This trip is intended to be a 2 0s/30s affinity trip. Participation is limited to those who identify as part of this age group. If you have questions about eligibility or the nature of this trip, please contact the trip leader(s) by email for more information.

Please note: In order to comply with Pennsylvania Youth Protection Laws, all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or a legal guardian. This policy applies for all events offered by the Delaware Valley Chapter as well as any other Chapter events within the state of Pennsylvania.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!