20s/30s Event: Stick Season Special Hike at South Mountain Preserve

Join us as we experience the "stick season" at South Mountain Preserve, located an hour north of Philadelphia in Emmaus, PA.

South Mountain offers miles of beautiful trails (both easy and challenging) in quiet woods, minutes from the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem. On the mountain, which rises to more than 1000 feet above sea level, you’ll hear nothing but horns from the trains that pass below the preserve and are likely to startle a few deer. It’s an escape to nature at the doorstep of the urban Lehigh Valley!

Register for this hike and learn the hike start location by visiting the AMC Activities site: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001vISf2AM/act00017236. There is parking at the trailhead.

Depending on our participants’ preferences, we can offer two or three hike experiences, 4.3 to 7 miles, with total elevation gain of 600 to 980 feet. Or we’ll find a happy medium that keeps everybody together for 6 miles. We’ll take a 20-minute break for lunch but otherwise keep the hike going at a steady pace with minimal stops.

Although the trails here are not exceptionally difficult, we recommend the following: sturdy, nonslip shoes; appropriate layering for the day’s weather and temperature; snack food and hydration fluids for three hours of activity; and trekking poles (optional) to help you navigate the rocky sections. Hunting is not permitted on South Mountain property, but please wear an orange hat or vest for added safety and visibility.

As for any hike, count on bumpy surfaces, leaves on the ground, possible mud, small stream crossings, and – whoops – a few hidden tree stumps that can send you sprawling! The overall difficulty rating for this hike is Moderate, for length and a few steady climbs.

So you know… stick season refers to those magical weeks after the leaves have dropped but before snow is likely to cover our trails. Ideally, you can expect fine views, dry trails, and temperatures in the 40s.

We’ll conclude our day with an optional post-hike social at West End Taproom, a 10-minute drive from our trailhead. This restaurant/pub offers the best in local pizza and sandwiches and a full selection of Funk-brand beverage.

Heavy rain, snow, or other forms of excessive weather could cancel the hike. If status in doubt, phone/text the leader by 9 AM morning of activity. Leader “Coach” Welles Lobb 610-709-4455. Co-leader Terry Oravec.

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.