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: Unless otherwise noted in the hike schedule, all hikes on weekends and holidays leave from entrance to the State Library, beside Fisher Plaza, behind the State Capitol Building, in center city Harrisburg, PA.  Click for a PDF (350K) or JPEG (600K) version of a map showing where Capital Region hikes meet.  Should the street in front of the entrance to the State Library be closed, the alternate meeting site is the parking island in front of the East Gate Office Center on 7th Street, opposite the Herr Street underpass. Five additional minutes will be allowed at the alternate site.
• 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...)

January 22, Sunday, 9:15 AM

Gold Mine to Cold Spring Loop
P: Moderate T: Rugged L: 12 miles, 10 driving miles

Hike departs Gold Mine parking lot using Upper Carriage Trail, crossing a stream, continuing to Rausch Gap and lunch.  After a gradual, rocky climb on the A.T., we will arrive at Cold Spring Vista, descending to Cold Springs Station and remains of an 1890's resort hotel.  Return via Cold Spring Trail to Rausch Gap and to cars, via Upper Railroad Bed, muddy in places.  Dress for weather and bring headlamp (just in case).  Meet at the Hess Station, Lickdale, PA (I-81 North, Exit 90).  Leaders: Joyce Kunkle, 717-866-6856, kunklejd@comcast.net and Tom Weaber, 717-272-2378.



January 29, Sunday, 1:00 PM

Shank Park/Bullfrog Valley Road, Derry Twp.
P: Moderate T: Easy L: 4 miles, 0 driving miles

A loop hike along easy terrain.  Meet at the parking lot by the small pond. Leader: Susanne Donmoyer, 717-545-5308.



February 4, Saturday, 8:30 AM

Standing Stone Trail: Meadow Gap to US-522 (Part 6 of SATC Series)
P: Brisk T: Rugged L: 10 miles, 150 driving miles

Follow Blacklog Mountain with several views, and pass Monument Rock and vista which is the inspiration for the SST logo.  Side trip to Priceless Point overlook if clear.  Meet only at the large commuter parking pull-off just north of I-81 and PA-114 interchange. Leader: Karen Balaban, 717-232-3708, KMBalaban@BalabanLLC.com.



February 5, Sunday, 10:00 AM

Gifford Pinchot Lakeside Trail Loop
P: Fast T: Rugged L: 8.5 miles, 0 driving miles

No difficult climbs but trail is rugged and we will be moving at 3-4 mph pace.  Meet at the Conewago Day Use Area off Alpine Road at Gifford Pinchot State Park, Lewisberry, PA.  Please use mapping software for directions.  We will stop for a quick break halfway at Quaker Day Use Area. Hike will be cancelled if poor travel conditions. Leader: Trisha Sanders, 717-580-7731, Ilvprple31169@gmail.com.



February 11, Saturday, 8:30 AM

6th Annual Blue Mountain Winter Ramble
P: Moderate T: Rugged L: 7 miles, 25 driving miles

We'll start on the A.T. at Sherwood Drive, then climb Blue Mountain at an easy pace, continuing on the Darlington Trail for a short distance, then return.  We'll have spectacular views of the Cumberland Valley and southern Perry County.  We'll stop for a snack break at the Darlington shelter.  If snow or ice makes the trip up Blue Mountain too difficult, we'll choose an easier hike on the A.T. instead.  Please WEAR BLAZE ORANGE.  Meet at Elmwood Elementary School, 100 East Elmwood Ave., Mechanicsburg.  Alternately MEET at the Sherwood Drive A.T. Trailhead at 9:00 am. Leader: Jim Foster, 717-649-5505, jimhfoster@yahoo.com.



February 12, Sunday, 1:30 PM

Waggoner's Gap to Hawk Watch
P: Leisurely T: Easy L: 1 mile, 0 driving miles

A slow easy hike past the Audubon amphitheatre to Hawk Watch.  Children welcome.  Meet only at the microwave tower at the top of Waggoner's Gap, about 6 miles northwest of Carlisle on PA-74. Leader: Larry Walters, 717-789-3239.



February 17, Friday, 1:00 PM

Boyd Big Tree Preserve Loop Hike
P: Moderate T: Easy L: 5.1 mile, 0 driving miles

Hike combines several trails to make a loop.  Mostly easy wide path with a short climb and a few tree hurdles.  Meet at BBT Preserve parking lot.  Take Fishing Creek Exit off PA-322 near Harrisburg and turn east.  Follow PA-443 about 2.8 miles and watch for BBT Preserve sign on right.  Call leader for more information and alternate meeting place.  Leader: Carol Crum, 717-362-9856, castle@epix.net.



February 25, Saturday, 9:00 AM

Appalachian Trail: Yellow Breeches to Conodoguinet
P: Moderate T: Easy L: 11 mile, 50 driving miles

Relatively easy terrain but an all-day hike.  May be shortened depending on conditions.  Meet at the Camp Hill Shopping Mall near Sovereign Bank.  Leader: Frank Bohn, 717-234-5169.



February 26, Sunday, 1:00 PM

Wildwood Lake
P: Moderate T: Easy L: 4-6 mile, 0 driving miles

Loop hike along easy terrain with some small hills.  Meet at the Wildwood Lake Nature Center.  Leader: Susanne Donmoyer, 717-545-5308.



Pennsylvania Hunting Seasons

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 .

In turkey seasons 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. Hunting hours have been extended in 2011 and now include afternoons in much of spring turkey season.

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.