PA Capital Region Schedule of Hikes & Activities

Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club (SATC), together with the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club (CVATC) presents the Capital Region Hiking Program which offers about 100 group hikes each year. (Note: Not all are listed on this web site.)

For each event, a volunteer hike leader will share one of the Harrisburg area's footpaths with you.  You need not be a member to hike with us.  Try it and if you like it, we hope you'll consider becoming a member.  See you on the trail!! 

Scroll down this page to see the current calendar of hikes.

Capital Region Group Hike Guidelines 

In order to provide a safe, enjoyable, experience for all, over more than 70 years of combined existence our Clubs have evolved a few simple guidelines for participants in its group hikes. These are:

• Meeting: The hike leader will define the meeting location.  Please refer to the Activity Schedule for the specific meeting location for a given hike.
• Greeting: At the beginning of each group hike, each participant is invited to join in a circle and say your name. You can use your first name, or not "circle," if you prefer.
• Registration: All hikers are encouraged to register with the hike leader at the hike meeting point or at the trailhead before starting any scheduled hike. You can preview the registration form and release here.
• Pre-registration: For safety reasons with all D and E terrain rated hikes, and all hikes over 10 miles, please register with the hike leader before arriving at the meeting location unless the leader has hiked with you previously and knows your abilities. (Accordingly, the times and/or meeting points for these hikes might not be posted on this web site.)
• Transportation: If you ride with someone, you should give the driver 10 cents times the highway mileage shown in the hike schedule to help defray the costs of transportation.
• Pets: No pets are allowed on hikes or at other activities.
  
• Leave No Trace: If you carry it in on an Capital Region group hike, please carry it out.
• Smoking: NO smoking is permitted.
• On the trail: We request that hikers stay between the leader and the "sweep." If you suddenly leave the hiking group without telling either the leader or the sweep, we will try to find you, possibly including calling authorities for search-and-rescue operations. If the volunteer hike leader is going too fast or otherwise not meeting your expectations, don't suffer in silence, but tell the leader in private.

We want the hike experience to be fun for you, and everyone else!

What are these letters and numbers in the hike listing?

Click here for the hike codes.


Where are these hikes?

Good question!  If you're not from the area, or not familiar with the trails, click here for a comprehensive introduction to hiking near Harrisburg.  To get you started on finding the trail we're going to, the county the hike is located in is noted in these hike listings.

What should I wear?

There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing!!  (Click here for ideas on what to wear...)

May 16, Wednesday, 10:00AM

Wildwood Lake
P: Average T: Easy L: 3 miles, 0 driving miles

Loop hike along easy terrain.  MEET at the Nature Center.  Leader: Susanne Donmoyer, 717-545-5308.



May 20, Sunday, 1:00PM

Tuckahoe Three Blaze Hike
P: Average T: Moderate L: 5 miles, 30 driving miles

Expect wet conditions and some rough terrain as we follow the blue, white and orange blazes.  MEET at the entrance to the State Library of Pennsylvania (South Street, Harrisburg - access from 7th Street).  Leader: Susanne Donmoyer, 717-545-5308.



May 26, Saturday, 11:00AM

Kids Rock!  Trindle Road Parking Lot Hike
P: Average T: Easy L: 2 miles, 30 driving miles

Celebrate PA Hiking Week and the Grand Opening of the new Trindle Road Parking Lot with a short hike on the Appalachian Trail.  The hike will begin immediately after the dedication ceremony for the parking lot, which starts at 10am.  This will be an easy, 2 mile hike with frequent stops, designed for kids (of all ages, 4 to 84!!).  All children must be supervised by an adult.  Please carpool to the parking lot, if possible, since space will be at a premium.  Leader: Jim Foster, 717-649-5505.



May 29, Tuesday, 5:40PM

Darlington Trail: Lamb's Gap to Tower Road (Part 3)
P: Average T: Moderate L: 3 miles, 0 driving miles

The final section of this trail series descends into Bryson Hollow.  Witness the devastation cleared after the May 2011 tornado.  Optional post-hike stop for pizza & wings at Al's of Hampden.  MEET only at I-81 exit 57, PA-114 Park & Ride.  Leader: Karen Balaban, 717-232-3708, KMBalaban@BalabanLLC.com.




May 30, Wednesday, 9:30AM

Weiser State Forest and Picnic
P: Average T: Moderate L: 7 miles, 0 driving miles

Loop hike begins and ends at Minnich Hit picnic area in the Weiser State Forest.  MEET at Carsonville Hotel at 9:30am; alternately MEET at Minnich Hit Picnic area at 9:45am.  Bring a picnic lunch for after the hike.  We can do covered dish if you like.  Call leader if participating.  Leader: Carol Crum, 717-362-9856, castle@epix.net.



June 2, Saturday, 8:00AM

Haldeman Island Birdwalk
P: Leisurely T: Easy L: 2 miles, 0 driving miles

Join Scott Bills of the PA Game Commission on a guided Haldeman Island birding hike.  Usually closed to the public, this 990-acre island is managed by the PA Game Commission for waterfowl and served as a rearing location for young eagles brought to PA from Canada as part of the eagle restoration area.  Bring binoculars and wear light-colored clothing and hiking boots.  This hike is part of Duncannon's National Trails Day hosted by local hiking clubs prior to the Borough's A.T. Community designation festival at noon.  Must register with hike leader in advance.  MEET at Haldeman Island parking area, accessible off PA 11/15 N just north and across from Ranch House Restaurant, Duncannon.  Follow the driveway back to parking.  Leader: Kim McKee, kmckee@appalachiantrail.org.



June 2, Saturday, 8:30AM

Hawk Rock Hike for Duncannon A.T. Designation Day
P: Average T: Strenuous L: 8 miles, 0 driving miles

Hike up to Hawk Rock as part of the Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community Designation celebration.  This hike is for the intermediate to advanced hikers.  We'll take the steep way up the A.T. to Hawk Rock.  We'll continue on the A.T. for a few miles and turn down a steep side trail to a forest road that will take us back to Duncannon.  MEET only at the Duncannon Recycling parking area at the end of Watershed Drive.  Leader: Trisha Sanders, ilvprple31169@gmail.com.



June 3, Sunday, 12:00PM

Kayak/Canoe "Conodoguinet Creek"

Paddle 10 miles, start: Willow Mill Park, end: Good Hope Road.  MEET at Willow Mill Park.  Bring your own vessel with current PA registration sticker,a PDF, H20 and a snack.  Leader: Sharon Shellenberger, (717) 249-6575.



June 6, Wednesday, 6:30PM

Walk the Trail & Yoga at the Park
P: Leisurely T: Easy L: 82 miles, 0 driving miles

Walk 2 miles, then we'll do yoga for 1 hour.  MEET at South Middleton Park, Boiling Springs.  Bring walking shoes, exercise mat & water.  Leader: Sharon Shellenberger, (717) 249-6575.



June 8, Friday, 6:00PM

2012 A.T. Museum Hall of Fame Banquet

Music by New South Mountain Ramblers, cash bar, remarks by Appalachian Trail Conservancy Executive Director Mark Wenger, and a presentation of 2012 A.T. Hall of Fame Awards.  Location: Allenberry Resort & Playhouse, 1559 Boiling Springs Rd, Boiling Springs, PA.  Tickets are $40/pp or $30 if member of Appalachian Trail Museum Society.  To order tickets go to http://atmbanquet2012.eventbrite.com or mail payment and request to A.T. Museum, Hall of Fame Tickets, 1120 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, PA 17324.  Note: This event is not SATC-sponsored; it is lisetd for the interest and convenience of our club members.



June 9, Saturday, 6:30AM

A.T. in PA Endurance Hike - Delaware Water Gap to Wind Gap
P: Fast T: Strenuous L: 15 miles, 200 driving miles

Fast paced hike along a difficult section of the A.T. in PA.  You must email hike leader for details and to register for this challenging hike.  Car shuttling required.  Advanced hikers only.  Leader: Trisha Sanders, ilvprple31169@gmail.com.



June 10, Sunday, 9:00AM

Trail Work Trip

Location to be determined by leader.  Bring lunch and plenty of water.  Wear old clothes and boots.  Tools and safety gear are provided.  For more information contact leader.  MEET only at Dauphin Park & Ride Rte 322/22 West to the PA-225 North exit for Dauphin.  Bear right onto Water Gap spur; turn left at stop sign.  Parking lot is on left in 1/10 mile.  Leader: Jeff Buehler, 717-657-8281, AThikerJB@aol.com.



June 12, Tuesday, 6:15PM

Clarks Ferry Sunset Loop Hike
P: Average T: Moderate L: 4 miles, 0 driving miles

There is a significant climb in the beginning, rock scrambles across the ridge and then a steep descent to the two overlooks where we can get some great pictures.  This is not a beginner hike; please know your abilities.  Sunset is 8:38pm.  Hike will be cancelled if rain.  Email hike leader if unsure.  MEET only at US 22/322 exit PA 147 parking area.  Leader: Trisha Sanders, ilvprple31169@gmail.com.



June 23, Saturday, 9:00AM

Rte 225 Trailhead Parking lot to Rte 325 Trailhead Parking Lot
P: Brisk T: Moderate L: 9.5 miles, 25 driving miles

Mostly a ridge hike with some rocky stretches.  Call hike leader to confirm hike in the event of inclement weather.  MEET only at Dauphin Park & Ride.  Rte 322/22 West to the 225 North exit for Dauphin.  Bear right onto Water Gap spur; turn left at stop sign.  Parking lot is on left in 1/10 mile.  Leader: Rick Stahl, 973-714-1285, Rick.Stahl@yahoo.com.



June 24, Sunday, 6:30AM

A.T. in PA Endurance Hike - Wind Gap to Lehigh Gap
P: Fast T: Extremely Strenuous L: 20 miles, 180 driving miles

Fast paced hike along a very difficult section of the A.T. in PA.  You must email hike leader for details and to register for this challenging hike.  Car shuttling required.  Advanced hikers only.  Leader: Trisha Sanders, ilvprple31169@gmail.com.



June 24, Sunday, 1:00PM

Sunset Rocks Loop Hike
P: Average T: Extremely Strenuous L: 8 miles, 40 driving miles

Appalachian Trail from Pine Grove Furnace and the Sunset Rocks Trail.  Includes a steep climb and a stretch of boulders to climb over.  Sturdy hiking shoes are essential.  Copperhead habitat in some places.  Optional swim at Fuller Lake after hike.  MEET only at Carlisle Commons behind the Cinemas 8 theaters (250 Noble Blvd, Carlisle, PA 17013).  Leader: Frank Bohm, 717-234-5169.



Pennsylvania Hunting Seasons

SPRING TURKEY SEASON APRIL 28 - MAY 31, 2012. DO NOT wear red, blue, black or white. These are the head colors of a male wild turkey. AVOID wearing a red or blue handkerchief, and blue jeans.  Be safe - wear florescent orange.

Pennsylvania sells about a million hunting licenses each year. Hikers NEED to know when their armed companions take to the woods.

We recommend wearing a blaze orange cap or vest each year from the penultimate weekend of April through Tuesday after Memorial Day Monday , and from the first weekend of October through the end of January .

It is THE LAW (scroll down to Section (c)21) to wear blaze orange on State Game Lands (the Darlington, Appalachian, and many other trails pass through State Game Lands) from November 15 through December 15.