Trip Reports 2023
Nov 26, 2023 Sunday - Dayhike Fry Family Park 11-26-23 (Ken and Cheryl)
We had seven hikers today. Temp was about 42° and there was a good breeze in the parking lot so it was pretty cool. We all had on rain gear as the forecast was for 100% rain, That made a good wind break also. Once we got on the trail we were mostly sheltered from the wind. It was cloudy but there were still some nice views from the hilltops. The walk down thru the ravine and woods was pleasant. After an hour we started to get a light sprinkle. By the time we got back up to the shelter it was a steady light rain. We did a 3 mile loop. Afterward, five of us headed to the restaurant at Zoar.
About half way thru the hike we noticed some fresh digging down off of the trail. We investigated to find an old wooden chest. It was filled with gold coins! This must have part of the Lost French Gold that was hidden back in 1755 along the Great Trail. Before we could even consider what to do with our find there was a terrible screech from down in the ravine. It was a BigFoot that was moving her stash to a new location. She had to make multiple trips because, well, you know, BigFoots don't have pockets. She was mad ! We got the heck out of there so fast no one even thought about getting a photo. ---Ken
We had seven hikers today. Temp was about 42° and there was a good breeze in the parking lot so it was pretty cool. We all had on rain gear as the forecast was for 100% rain, That made a good wind break also. Once we got on the trail we were mostly sheltered from the wind. It was cloudy but there were still some nice views from the hilltops. The walk down thru the ravine and woods was pleasant. After an hour we started to get a light sprinkle. By the time we got back up to the shelter it was a steady light rain. We did a 3 mile loop. Afterward, five of us headed to the restaurant at Zoar.
About half way thru the hike we noticed some fresh digging down off of the trail. We investigated to find an old wooden chest. It was filled with gold coins! This must have part of the Lost French Gold that was hidden back in 1755 along the Great Trail. Before we could even consider what to do with our find there was a terrible screech from down in the ravine. It was a BigFoot that was moving her stash to a new location. She had to make multiple trips because, well, you know, BigFoots don't have pockets. She was mad ! We got the heck out of there so fast no one even thought about getting a photo. ---Ken
Nov 5, 2023 Sunday, Blackhand Gorge Dayhike
The weather was nearly perfect for this early November hike. It was sunny and around 62° with a light breeze... nearly perfect. The leaves were only partially down and the sun was streaming through. The woods smelled like fall.
This was a faily long drive for some members but we still had 14 hikers show up. We walked the Marie Hickey trail which was a 2 mile loop. We then drove back to the main parking lot and walked another 1.5 miles along the river up to the "big cut" and back.
Eleven hikers went to dinner at the golf club which is only a couple of miles away. We nearly had the restaurant to ourselves. with the time change it was starting to get dark by the time dinner was over so most folks had a drive home in the dark.
Thanks to Jenny for planning this trip. And sorry she was ill and not able to attend. Ken and Cheryl "sort of" filled in for her. ---KenM
The weather was nearly perfect for this early November hike. It was sunny and around 62° with a light breeze... nearly perfect. The leaves were only partially down and the sun was streaming through. The woods smelled like fall.
This was a faily long drive for some members but we still had 14 hikers show up. We walked the Marie Hickey trail which was a 2 mile loop. We then drove back to the main parking lot and walked another 1.5 miles along the river up to the "big cut" and back.
Eleven hikers went to dinner at the golf club which is only a couple of miles away. We nearly had the restaurant to ourselves. with the time change it was starting to get dark by the time dinner was over so most folks had a drive home in the dark.
Thanks to Jenny for planning this trip. And sorry she was ill and not able to attend. Ken and Cheryl "sort of" filled in for her. ---KenM
Aug 30, 2023 Wed, Night Hike on Towpath - Full Blue Moon
On Wednesday, August 30th 13 hikers joined Paul & Linda for a night stroll on the Towpath from the Lake Avenue Trail Head, hoping to see the Blue Full Moon, the second Full moon in August. The hike was nice because the path is crushed limestone and very visible after dark. No moon was seen because Mother Nature didn’t smile on us and presented a light mist as we returned to our cars.
The hikers enjoyed tail gate snacks and HOT coffee and tea at Trailhead. -- Linda
(The tailgate snack bar was a surprise, courtesy of Paul and Linda)
On Wednesday, August 30th 13 hikers joined Paul & Linda for a night stroll on the Towpath from the Lake Avenue Trail Head, hoping to see the Blue Full Moon, the second Full moon in August. The hike was nice because the path is crushed limestone and very visible after dark. No moon was seen because Mother Nature didn’t smile on us and presented a light mist as we returned to our cars.
The hikers enjoyed tail gate snacks and HOT coffee and tea at Trailhead. -- Linda
(The tailgate snack bar was a surprise, courtesy of Paul and Linda)
Feb 12, 2023 Sunday, Winter Picnic at Camp Buckeye
Nice facilities at Camp Buckeye. Friendly people. Got to talk with a lot of folks. Too much food!
50+ degrees. Sun out. No wind. A great day for a hike.
Feel free to do a better writeup.
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Our winter picnic was held February 12, 2023 at Camp Buckeye. We had 29 members attend. The weather was beautiful for a winter's day, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the 50's. Members arrived in the morning with lots of different foods, especially a good variety of soups. Camp Buckeye's lodge was perfect with lots of plugs to keep food warm, a fireplace for relaxing, and comfortable chairs and couches to sit on and visit.
Our first hike went out at 10.30 and lasted about an hour. It was through the woods, along a stream and past the treehouse before ending back in the meadow below the lodge. Then it was back inside to eat our noon luncheon and rest before the afternoon hike.
In the afternoon, some of our members opted for a shorter mini hike along the road leading to the camp. the rest of us hiked about an hour and a half down the driveway, along a mowed right of way, then through woods stopping for a brief lookout from Machan's Rock. We continued back to an old stone quarry, then back through the woods to the lodge. the rest of the afternoon was spent visiting and nibbling on leftovers.
After cleaning up and putting the lodge back in order, we departed for our homes, until our next hiking adventure. ---Becky
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Nice facilities at Camp Buckeye. Friendly people. Got to talk with a lot of folks. Too much food!
50+ degrees. Sun out. No wind. A great day for a hike.
Feel free to do a better writeup.
-------------------
Our winter picnic was held February 12, 2023 at Camp Buckeye. We had 29 members attend. The weather was beautiful for a winter's day, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the 50's. Members arrived in the morning with lots of different foods, especially a good variety of soups. Camp Buckeye's lodge was perfect with lots of plugs to keep food warm, a fireplace for relaxing, and comfortable chairs and couches to sit on and visit.
Our first hike went out at 10.30 and lasted about an hour. It was through the woods, along a stream and past the treehouse before ending back in the meadow below the lodge. Then it was back inside to eat our noon luncheon and rest before the afternoon hike.
In the afternoon, some of our members opted for a shorter mini hike along the road leading to the camp. the rest of us hiked about an hour and a half down the driveway, along a mowed right of way, then through woods stopping for a brief lookout from Machan's Rock. We continued back to an old stone quarry, then back through the woods to the lodge. the rest of the afternoon was spent visiting and nibbling on leftovers.
After cleaning up and putting the lodge back in order, we departed for our homes, until our next hiking adventure. ---Becky
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Jan 8, 2023 Sunday, (short notice, pop-up) Dayhike at Zoar Woods (Ken and Cheryl) 1:00 pm
We had a total of ten hikers for this first club hike of 2023. It was a crisp winter day with temp of 38°f, no breeze, and... the sun came out! It was a rather short hike of 2.7 miles but the 500 foot elevation change on this loop trail makes it seem a little longer. This area has grown some really nice forest over the last 30 years or so. Even the old strip mines are now growing over and becoming less noticeable. Oh, and there is now a sign warning that this is Big Foot territory. Sure enough...We did meet a Big Foot. She came out of the woods and invited us to a secret spot for tea and cookies. Of course, we weren't allowed to take photos. Joe doesn't believe me! ---Ken
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We had a total of ten hikers for this first club hike of 2023. It was a crisp winter day with temp of 38°f, no breeze, and... the sun came out! It was a rather short hike of 2.7 miles but the 500 foot elevation change on this loop trail makes it seem a little longer. This area has grown some really nice forest over the last 30 years or so. Even the old strip mines are now growing over and becoming less noticeable. Oh, and there is now a sign warning that this is Big Foot territory. Sure enough...We did meet a Big Foot. She came out of the woods and invited us to a secret spot for tea and cookies. Of course, we weren't allowed to take photos. Joe doesn't believe me! ---Ken
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