Sierra Club of the Lehigh Valley
Explore, Enjoy, and Protect the Planet
Bikes and Hikes
Lehigh Valley Sierra Club Outing:
Canoe and Bicycle along the Lehigh River between Allentown and Bethlehem, PA.
September 16, 2017 - 12 noon to about 4 pm
We will start at Keck (Canal) Park, Allentown, located just before the east end of the Hamilton Street Bridge (turn off Hamilton St. onto N. Albert St. and follow to park), with a canoe trip -- we will paddle down to Sand Island in Bethlehem, then ride bikes back to Canal Park.
The trip is led by a guide and all equipment is provided -- the trip includes beginner instruction if needed. Trip is easy, fun and focused on the fascinating river history and natural near-wilderness ecosystem along this part of the Lehigh River (you might see blue herons, deer, turtles and more -- all between two cities).
Children must be at least 10 years old & accompanied by an adult.
Everyone must register in advance: price is $35/person.
Register at http://www.wildlandspa.org/event/bike-boat-sierra-club-special/ as soon as possible.
For more info. contact Nanci McGonigal at
nanci.mcgonigal@cheerful.com
6th Annual Migration Fest at Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, PA
A family-friendly celebration of the natural and cultural heritage of the Kittatinny Ridge at the Lehigh Gap
at Lehigh Gap Nature Center (8844 Paint Mill Rd., Slatington, PA 18080)
FREE
We invite you to celebrate the ecology and culture of the Lehigh Gap and Kittatinny Ridge, and to experience the autumn bird and butterfly migration at Migration Fest, a FREE festival that will feature nature programs, local history displays, music, food, and crafts.
The festival will take place at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center, a 750-acre wildlife refuge and environmental education center nestled within a quaint divide in the Kittatinny Ridge carved by the Lehigh River.
Activities include:
Local artisans selling and demonstrating their crafts
Crafts for children
Live music
Local food vendors
Field trip to the Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch to observe migrating birds along the Kittatinny Ridge
Live reptile/amphibian, macroinvertebrate, raptor, and monarch butterfly programs at the Osprey House, the Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s headquarters
Guided nature walks and programs on the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge
Partner organizations providing information on the natural and cultural heritage of the Lehigh Gap and Kittatinny Ridge
Background:
Stretching more than 200 miles across southeastern Pennsylvania, the Kittatinny Ridge (known locally as the Blue Mountain) is a natural and cultural landmark. A green corridor comprising vast expanses of uninterrupted habitat for native wildlife, the Ridge also guides thousands of migrating hawks, eagles, falcons, and other birds to and from their wintering grounds each autumn and spring. In the midst of their remarkable southward journeys, such birds (as well as migratory monarch butterflies) are annually counted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center interns and volunteers at the Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch. Beyond its ecological value, the Kittatinny has provided food, shelter, and natural resources for human populations in the vicinity of the Lehigh Gap for over 10,000 years. The Lehigh Gap Nature Center itself features many historical remnants from the area’s Lenape Indians, as well as from the colonial and industrial periods. Since 2001, Migration Fest has paid homage to the rich natural and cultural history of the Lehigh Gap and Kittatinny Ridge, with a particular emphasis on avian migration.
Lehigh Valley Sierra Club AUGUST meeting
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2017 at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Rm 638, 6th floor, Fowler Family Southside Center, Northampton Community College, 3rd & Buchanan Streets, (south) Bethlehem (park in the NCC lot on the west side of the building), (exit elevator to your left, go down the hall to the classroom on your right).
All are welcome!
We will discuss:
-- what we can do to oppose the attacks on the environment from Harrisburg and Washington, DC
-- our Fall Sierra Club events and projects
-- our outreach to other community organizations
-- our ongoing conservation projects
Lehigh Valley Sierra Club Outing:
22 Waterfalls Hike at Ricketts Glen State Park, Red Rock (Sullivan County), PA
Saturday October 7, 2017 - 1:00 pm to about 4:00 pm
Ricketts Glen State Park, about 2 hours from the Lehigh Valley, is the home of the National Landmark Ricketts Glen Waterfall Trail, past 22 magnificent waterfalls. Ricketts Glen was originally slated to be Pennsylvania's first National Park in the early 20th Century but it was deeded to Pennsylvania by the federal government when Depression-era finances couldn't finance a new park. This trip is generally viewed as one of the most spectacular hikes in Pennsylvania.
LENGTH and TIME: The hike is on a Y-shaped trail of about 3 miles and takes about 3 hours, due to down-up trail nature.
WHO SHOULD GO: This hike is of moderate difficulty: the principal concerns on this down-and-back-up hike are that portions are on narrow solid rock paths that can be slippery from the waterfall spray or residual rainwater. Is not a hike for anyone unsteady or unbalanced in their gait because of age or disability. If you have never gone on any hike before this is probably not your best first event. But if you are able to walk without unsteadiness and you've done any previous hiking at all, this hike is not strenuous or dangerous and you'll enjoy one of the best walks in our state.
WEAR: hiking shoes with good, sticky soles for a wet trail, a jacket and a hat that can get a little wet from waterfall spray, a filled water bottle, and a snack.
LUNCH: You probably want to grab some lunch before the hike: there are several small restaurants along Route 118 as you approach Route 487 in Red Rock.
HIKE START: We will meet at 1:00 p.m. in Ricketts Glen State Park at the Lake Rose Trailhead Parking Lot, about 3/4 mile southeast of the Ricketts Glen State Park Visitors Center. We should be back at the parking lot about 4 pm (sunset is about 6:30) and you should be home to the Lehigh Valley (before dark) by about 6 pm.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE LEHIGH VALLEY (About 2 hours):
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) North to Exit 105, onto Route 115 North to near Wilkes-Barre, where Route 115 becomes Route 309. Route 309 northwest, exiting at Route 415. Take Route 415 (Memorial Highway) west through borough of Dallas and then turn Left onto Route 118. Take Route 118 about 15 miles west to Route 487 in Red Rock and turn Right onto Route 487. Go about 3 miles north on Route 487 to Park Entrance on your Right and Visitors Center.
Questions: contact Don Miles at donmiles@rcn.com