Exploratory Hike - Hemlock Point Trail - Green Lane Park

Z, A, and I were joined by our cousins C and M (and their parents) for a great late afternoon hike at the Hemlock Point trail at Green Lane Park today. We had a wonderful hike and enjoyed a crisp and beautiful September afternoon exploring the trail and all that it had to offer. We brought along some sandwiches and sat out at the picnic table on the point to have our dinner.

Fall was just starting to show its face as we hiked along the edge of the damn. As usual this hike introduced us to some fascinating new mushrooms/fungus along the trail. This was our favorite. I still need to order that field guide to mushrooms but we’ll probably never have another year like this if I do.We've noticed a lot of acorns also during our hikes and decided that this year is probably a ‘mast year’ for the oak trees. Here’s an interesting article from The Daily Collegian (Penn State University's student newpaper) about what this means.

Again, I say that Green Lane is a hidden gem in Northern Montgomery County that many people just don’t take advantage of. There are an abundance of trails and lots of other great outdoor activities available at this park. I’m hoping to get back on schedule and hiking regularly during the week with the children. With vacations and doctor’s appointments we’ve had a hard time getting back into the swing of things but hopefully we’ll change that beginning soon.

French Creek State Park

We had a lovely hike at French Creek State Park and enjoyed the lovely wood path that took us uphill quite a bit. This was by far the most challenging hike we have pursued since the group started and it seemed that everyone faired well and enjoyed themselves. Those of us who stuck around to camp also had a wonderful time, even if our neighbors weren’t so considerate. Sorry there aren't many pictures but someone forgot to change the camera battery before we left.
The hike at French Creek started out with a very steep and rocky uphill section. We lost two of our younger members who eventually caught up with us and managed the rest of the trail very well. Fall was definitely in the air but it wasn’t really noticeable until we reached the area that I remember from a previous hike that was waist high with beautiful, full ferns. The ferns were thin and browned during this hike but still lovely. And with most of our hikes this year we encountered an increased number of mushrooms.

The children did find some salamanders that they kept for the hike and tried, unsuccessfully, to take home with them. The boys on the hike found some dinosaur bones which were carried for much of the final part of the hike including the ascent down the long hill. Thanks to the daddy who helped them manage the longest of the bones down the steep hill.
All in all a beautiful day and probably the last of our afternoon hikes until next spring when the sunlight will be more in our favor. Our next hike will be at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton on Saturday, October 24, 2009. We will meet at the mountain at 10 a.m. This should be a wonderful experience for all who plan to attend as the mountain will be alive with activity during the fall migration.

Exploratory Tuesday Hike - Whitetail Nature Trail - Green Lane Park

Today’s hike brought us to the Whitetail Nature Trail at Green Lane Park. I’ve lived ten minutes from this park for ten years now and have rarely done much more than drive by it. I’m sorry I haven’t visited more but now it will be one of our regular hiking destinations. A few years ago, I tried to hike one of the more popular horse trails which was a muddy mess. I still think it is probably best to stay away from these trails. However, the trail at the nature center and the Whitetail Nature Trail are worth the visit. And you just might get a glimpse at the resident bald eagles.

The Whitetail Nature Trail is just a simple mile loop that starts as a wider path along the lake (don’t be discouraged by the picnic tables and trash cans it really does get better). Eventually the trail juts off and winds it way through the woods. There are several deep ravines as the trail works its way through the woods. There are also markers highlighting various interesting tree and plant species along the trail. I assume you can pick up a guide at the park office at the beginning of the trail but we didn't have one.

We heard cicadas and a pileated woodpecker. We ran into a lot of mushrooms and fungus again during this hike. There were a lot of what appeared to be chanterelles (I wish I knew for sure what these mushrooms look like). We also found this green blue fellow and these little white ones. On our way back to the car we spotted this fruiting trillium under a winterberry holly. If you have an extra hour, I would definitely give this trail a try. It does get a bit steep and somewhat rocky at times so good hiking shoes are probably wise. And if you have the time bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery after your hike.