Exploratory Hike - Quarry Trail - Nockamixon State Park

Z, A, and I visited the Quarry Trail at Lake Nockamixon today. We tried the trail earlier in the summer but it wasn't mowed and looked like a haven for deer ticks so we decided to pass. However, I wish we had revisited the trail later in the summer or fall. There was a glorious view of the still frozen lake from atop the hill. Z stumbled on some chestnuts that Daddy hasn't been able to verify as American or Chinese so we will be returning for our January group hike on the 23rd. And of course there was just enough snow to make Z and A happy!

The trail is wide and well marked to start but near the end we had a hard time figuring out which way to go and ended up turning around several times. It winds through some areas with red cedars and tall grasses and works its way into the woods along Route 563. At one point there is a steep cliff overlooking the lake with a great view of the bridge on 563. The wooded part of the trail was narrower but lovely. We did run into a hunter and saw several tree stands so be sure to don your blaze orange when hiking there.

At several points I noticed signs of what used to be residences or other structures on this land. There seemed to a driveway and there were several stone structures. However, Z was thrilled by the troll or elf house we found in this tree.

And we did get one glimpse of color in the mostly gray and white landscape. This bright orange fungus in some of the remaining snow.

Exploratory Hike - Sterner's Mill Trail - Nockamixon State Park

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our December hike due to extreme windchill temperatures on Saturday but today Z, A, and I headed out to the Sterner Mill Trail at Nockamixon State Park to hunt for Jack Frost and King Winter. As a Winter Solstice gift this year the children received 'Ollie's Ski Trip' by Elsa Beskow and 'The Story of the Snow Children' by Sibylle Von Olfers. Z was so enthralled by 'Ollie's Ski Trip' that he decided we had to go for a hike to search for these two mystical beings.We had a wonderful hike. It warmed up just enough for us to enjoy ourselves in a winter wonderland. All the animals must still be bedded down after the storm but we did hear quite a few birds and spotted snow fleas everywhere. I thought maybe the dogs who had hiked the trail before us had left these little guys behind but there were far too many. But when I told daddy about the little critters he said, 'Oh yeah, snow fleas.' Who knew?!

Z was enchanted by the sound that the trees made blowing in the wind. Sometimes it was eery and he would run to catch up with me but other times he stood in awe looking up at the treetops as they blew around in the wind. He was very inquisitive and wondered why the trees make that noise in the winter but not at other times. A on the other hand was fascinated by the birds. All I heard over my shoulder was, 'I see burd, I see burd.'

I was hoping to return to Nockamixon next week to check out the sledding hill but the weather forecast for later this week doesn't look very promising. We'll see what Christmas Day has in store for us snow, rain, or ice. Get outdoors and enjoy the winter!

Oh and in case you were wondering, we didn't find Jack Frost or King Winter but Z and A are ready to visit another forest to look for both of them sometime soon!

Puddle Stomping on the Perkiomen Trail

So it was a rainy, yucky day today. The weather wasn't conducive to a hike on wet leaves that might get slippery so we opted to go puddle stomping on the Perkiomen Trail just outside of Green Lane. For those that aren't familiar, the Perkiomen Trail is a multi use trail that runs from Green Lane Park down to the Schuylkill River Trail in Oaks. It is a lovely trail and I have never encountered a lot of people while walking the northern sections. And it is just perfect for puddle stomping!

The children had a wonderful time and were soaked and exhausted (that's high on my priority list when outdoors) when we finally made it back to the car. We encountered some very friendly resident dogs and unfortunately the horses at the barn adjacent to the trail weren't out in the yucky weather but it was a fun day anyway! Get outdoors!

Exploratory Hike - Burkhart Woods - Wildlands Conservancy

During yet another reprieve from fall, we ventured up to Burkhart Woods off of South Mountain Drive near Emmaus. This piece of property is part of the Wildlands Conservancy in Emmaus. We were joined by our friends E, A, and their mommy. I stumbled upon this trailhead while driving home from Emmaus one day in the early fall. Since I didn't stop immediately to pick up a trail map or note the address it took me about a month to find it again.

Snuggled in among private property and residences it is very easy to miss this trailhead. There is a series of short interconnected trails that just meander through this wooded, hillside. While the trails weren't always clearly marked we did manage to find our way easily back to the cars.

The trails were wide and easy to hike. The two older children ran ahead while the two younger children hiked for most of our visit but both got tired and needed to be carried. This is the perfect place to venture if you are looking for a simple, quick hike. It is probably lovely in spring and fall during the leaf change. Another great place to take the family. Get outdoors!

Exploratory Hike - Sterner's Mill Trail - Nockamixon State Park

Since fall was on hold for a few days we decided to join our friends E, A, and their mommy at Nockamixon State Park for a jaunt around the Sterner's Mill Trail. This is the only trail in the park that is strictly for hikers - no horses - but hunting is permitted in the area so be sure to wear your orange if you go during hunting season.

I love the way this trail winds through the woods and over a very quaint little bridge (that the children love to play on of course) down to the lake. Once you reach the lake which is the perfect place to rest and snack, the trail continues along the lake for a short while and then pops you into this awesome hemlock forest. It reminds me of the woods in Norway and trolls. The first time Z and I hiked the trail we looked all over for trolls but didn't find any!

It was a lovely day and the children enjoyed themselves. Our two youngest hikers enjoyed riding and even walked themselves for some of this hike. While many of the leaves were just starting to change there was plenty of color to keep us in awe.

I think the children would tell you the best part of this hike is the abandoned picnic pavilion at the end. They all ran around for nearly an hour playing under the pavilion. It was a stage, a field, and so much more.

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.

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.

Exploratory Tuesday Hike - Old Mill Trail - Nockamicon State Park

The children and I returned to the Old Mill Trail at Nockamixon State Park to see if the poison ivy and fallen tree had been cleared from the trail. While the tree is still there the poison was moved aside so we will be inviting our friends from Just Add Nature to join us there on Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m.

The cicadas serenaded us during most of our hike along this trail which winds through some woods and beside a creek that appears to have once been part of an old mill (thus the name). Near the edge of the creek we ran into this guy. He promptly retreated back into the creek when I showed Z and A how he could pull his head and legs into his shell. A shrieked with delight as he hurried back down the bank. Who says turtles can't move fast? The creek seems to be one of the many that feed into Lake Nockamixon.

We also crossed through a meadow area with many native wildflowers blooming along its edges. There were some very tall thistle which were covered with bumble bees and butterflies.There were also a few black-eyed susans, a lot of goldenrod, and one very lovely plant that I have yet to identify.

This is definitely a keeper. It took us just over an hour to hike the whole loop and there was plenty to keep Z and A interested while we hiked. Remember to take your bug lotion if you go since there are also plenty of mosquitoes.