Batona Hiking Club upcoming events

PORT CLINTON TO AUBURN LOOKOUT ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL, 19549 (05 Sep 2026)

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

6.4 miles. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the AT Parking Lot (N40 34.702, W76 01.444) on the southbound side of Route 61 in Port Clinton, PA 19549. Test yourself on a section of the Appalachian Trail that has up to 30 percent elevation grade as we go up to one of the AT's less visited scenic overlooks - the Auburn Lookout. We will return on the Appalachian Trail to Port Clinton. Bring snacks and water, lunch optional or can support local small business in nearby Hamburg. Hiking boots recommended. Bad weather will postpone or cancel this hike. RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/Batona-Hiking-Club/ or contact leader. Cost: $1.00. Leader: Sam Friedman, 717-623-0255, stateofpa@protonmail.com; Co-Leader: Abbie Wysor, 610-742-5967, abbiewysor@gmail.com.

WARWICK PARK TO WELKINWEIR, 19465 (07 Sep 2026)

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

10 miles. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Warwick County Park, 191 County Park Road, Pottstown, PA 19465, in the main parking lot (40.169529, -75.720848). This is a scenic, 5-mile point-to-point trek via the historic Horseshoe Trail, a 10-mile round trip. The hike will begin in Warwick County Park. We will walk to Welkinweir and explore this 224-acre oasis of natural beauty, featuring a 55-acre arboretum, historic estate house, and permanently preserved open space habitat. We will then return to Warwick. Please bring plenty of water and a lunch, which we will take at Welkinweir. RSVP required at https://www.meetup.com/Batona-hiking-club/ or by contacting leader. Cost $1.00. Leader: Bambi Auer, 610-864-0929.

SPRINGFIELD TRAIL/SMEDLEY PARK, 19064 (13 Sep 2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

5 - 6 miles. Meet leader at 9:00 a.m. at the parking area for Smedley Park, located on Paper Mill Road just after you cross the trolley tracks (Paper Mill Trolley Stop) in Springfield, PA (39°54'56.8"N 75°21'29.9"W). We will hike the Springfield Trail loop that passes through Smedley Park and nearby woods and neighborhoods. Option to continue for a longer hike (total 11-12 miles) by crossing into the Crum Woods trails on the Swarthmore campus, RSVP required at https://www.meetup.com/Batona-Hiking-Club/ or by contacting the leader. Limit 15 participants, including leader. Bring water and snacks. If doing the longer hike, also bring lunch. Cost $1.00. Leader: Abbie Wysor, 610-742-5967, abbiewysor@gmail.com.

THE WISSAHICKON, 19118 (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 12:30:00 GMT

12 - 15 miles. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at 8986 Crefeld Street, Philadelphia, PA 19118 (40.07709,-75.21694). Come and enjoy an early fall hike in the glorious Wissahickon. We will hike up to 15 miles. In order to avoid the overcrowded parking lot at Valley Green, we will meet at 8986 Crefeld Street, Philadelphia. RSVP required at https://www.meetup.com/Batona-Hiking-Club/ or by contacting leader. Bring water, lunch, and snacks. Some areas may be muddy. Cost: $1.00. Leader: Mike Hughes, (267) 784-5756, deecrismel@gmail.com.

LEADERS MEETING by ZOOM (24 Sep 2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

This Leaders Meeting will be a Zoom Meeting only at 7:00 p.m. Text Abbie for the Zoom link. The purpose of this meeting is to develop our next 3 month (November 2026 - January 2027) hiking schedule. All are welcome. Long time hike leaders, please send your hikes and date preferences to Abbie. If you are interested in becoming a hike leader, let Abbie know so that she can help you get established. This involves identifying a hike that interests you, scouting it for familiarity and leading it with an experienced leader accompanying. Please give your hikes and dates and agenda items to Abbie as soon as possible: Abbie Wysor, 610-742-5967, abbiewysor@gmail.com.

Remember: WE NEED NEW LEADERS! Don't be shy, VOLUNTEER!

VALLEY FORGE RIVER TRAIL, 19460 (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT

6 - 8 miles. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at VFNHP RIVER TRAIL PARKING LOT on Pawlings Road close to the Schuylkill River, Phoenixville (40.113962, -75.469880). The river trail runs along the North side of the Schuylkill River at Valley Forge National Historical Park. It is an out and back trail that is mostly flat and can be muddy in sections. We will explore the main trail as well as other trails that extend from the main trail. Bring lunch and water, Cost $1.00. Limit 15 participants including the leader. RSVP required https://www.meetup.com/Batona-Hiking-Club/ or by contacting leader.

Leader: Natalie Kostelni, 610-331-0387, nataliekos@aol.com.

ROUTE 183 TO ROUTE 645 ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL, 17963 (27 Sep 2026)

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

11.2 miles. Meet 9:00 a.m. at the Route 645 AT parking lot, 462-518 Geary Wolfe Rd, Pine Grove, PA 17963 (40.506784, -76.377165). This is a shuttle hike, so cars are needed. We will meet and then drive a few cars over to the start on Route 183 (40°31'37.1"N 76°13'24.8"W, Bethel, PA 19507) and then walk one-way back to our cars. Join us for a Fall hike, as the colors are just starting to come out on the Appalachian Trail. We will hike to six of the best Appalachian Trail views in eastern PA, including the famous Kimmel View, Fisher Lookout, and 500 Shower Steps vistas. This trail has a lot of ups and downs and has about 1,500 feet of total elevation gain, so bring plenty of water and snacks or a lunch at one of the vistas. Hiking boots recommended. Bad weather will postpone or cancel this hike. RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/Batona-Hiking-Club/ or contact leader. Cost: $1.00. Leader: Sam Friedman, 717-623-0255, stateofpa@protonmail.com.

FRENCH CREEK/CROWS NEST, 19518 (04 Oct 2026)

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

14-16 miles. Hike will start at 9:00 a.m. Follow Rt. 345 to Shed Road, and park at the French Creek Shed Road Parking Lot, 1028 Shed Rd., Douglassville, PA (40.21750,-75.77551). Strenuous. We will travel the Lenape and Mill Creek trails through French Creek to Crow’s Nest Preserve and will explore some of the more remote trails in Crow's Nest. We will then return through Hopewell Furnace and complete the circuit back through French Creek ascending on the Collier and Lenape trails. Some hilly, steep trails and muddy, wet areas. Hiking boots recommended. Please wear at least some orange, as we will pass through a small section of State Game Lands. Bring lunch, snacks and water. RSVP required at https://www.meetup.com/Batona-Hiking-Club/ or by contacting leader. Cost: $1.00. Leader: Abbie Wysor, 610-742-5967, abbiewysor@gmail.com.

ANNUAL DINNER, 19115 (10 Oct 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

PLEASE SEE PAYMENT OPTIONS BELOW:

We return to Kelly's Seafood Restaurant, 9362 Old Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19115 (40.08395, -75.03839), for our 98th ANNUAL DINNER. The evening includes a presentation TBD

Kelly’s serves fine food at reasonable cost in a private room. Social Hour at 7:00 p.m., dinner at 7:45 p.m. There is a cash bar. PLEASE BRING $25.00 PER PERSON CASH OR CHECK made out to BATONA Hiking Club to the dinner. Please contact Abbie Wysor, 610-742-5967, abbiewysor@gmail.com and confirm that you intend to attend and will pay at the dinner.

RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK, 19063 (11 Oct 2026)

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

5 - 6 miles. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Park Mansion parking lot (39.950802, -75.451903). Ramble up and down gentle hills and hike along the creek in this early Fall favorite. We will also have a short detour to a fabled cemetery with a most unusual story. Bring a snack, lunch, and good footwear. RSVP https://www.meetup.com/Batona-hiking-club/ or contact leader. Cost: $1.00. Leader: Gary Sawyer, muddyboots@comcast.net.

Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Park Mansion parking lot. Ramble up and down gentle hills and hike along the creek in this early Fall favorite. We will also have a short detour to a fabled cemetery with a most unusual story. Bring a snack, lunch, and good footwear.

VALLEY FORGE RIVER TRAIL, 19460 (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Leader: Natalie Kostelni, 610-331-0387, nataliekos@aol.com.

ROARING CREEK HIKE, 17815 (18 Oct 2026)

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

15 miles. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Weiser State Forest, Roaring Creek Tract parking lot (40.837183, -76.354984), on Route 42, 3 miles north of Aristes, PA. Hike on land purchased by The Conservation Fund and Pennsylvania DCNR from the Roaring Creek Water Company and added to what is now Weiser State Forest. The Roaring Creek Tract protects nearly 9000 acres of prime Pennsylvania hardwood forest. Experience an old miner's trail nestled between continuous mountain chains. Strenuous hiking conditions. Sturdy hiking boots recommended. Bring lunch, water, and snacks. Face mask is optional. RSVP required at https://www.meetup.com/Batona-Hiking-Club/ or by contacting leader. Cost: $1.00. Leader: Mike Hughes, 267-784-5756, deecrismel@gmail.com.

CHESLEN PRESERVE, LONG HIKE, 19032 (25 Oct 2026)

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

15 miles. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in small lot on Rte. 162 at south end of ChesLen. From Rte.1, follow Rte. 82 north into Unionville. Turn right onto Rte. 162 and continue until you pass Scott Road/Kelsall Road. Lot will be on the right (39.908068, -75.735500). Explore this beautiful preserve, with its varied terrain and ecology. Located near the Laurels, this property was part of King Ranch. Parts of the preserve strongly resemble our traditional King Ranch hike. Some muddy, wet areas. We will cross several suspended bridges. ChesLen has improved and re-opened a beautiful, new trail (blazed blue) near the northern end of the preserve. Face mask optional. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Boots recommended. RSVP required at https://www.meetup.com/Batona-Hiking-Club/ or by contacting leader. Cost: $1.00. Leader: Abbie Wysor, 610-742-5967, abbiewysor@gmail.com.