Hiking in Schuylkill County

Lace up those hiking boots because Hiking Season has arrived and Schuylkill County features hiking trails, special guided hikes and dozens of outdoor opportunities. Since the spring season marks the beginning of that popular annual trek out onto the Appalachian Trail, it seems fitting that this column promotes the exploration of local trails as you find new ways to sculpt that body of yours back down to bikini weight!

Many serious Appalachian Trail hikers are already out on the trail, making their way north from Springer Mountain in Georgia. By the end of May and June, these hikers will reach the rugged mountains of Pennsylvania. In June, these “through-hikers� will find Schuylkill County where they may seek respite as they descend the trail into the Borough of Port Clinton.

At Port Clinton, many hikers conduct a re-supply, take in a meal at the Port Clinton Hotel, catch a ride down to Cabelas Outdoor Outfitter, or pick up mail and packages forwarded to the Port Clinton Post Office. If the hikers are lucky, they contact Scott Russell, owner of “Ye Olde Backpacker� near Orwigsburg. You may not have heard of “Ye Olde Backpacker�, but thankfully, many through-hikers are well acquainted with this business and the communities of Orwigsburg and Pottsville. “Ye Olde Backpacker� offers a unique service for the A-T hikers, providing supplies, opportunity for rest and even a shuttle service. According to Scott, many hikers visit the Yuengling Brewery, while others shop for groceries in Orwigsburg and eat at local restaurants. One group of hikers used Scott’s shuttle, and spent a day at Knoebel’s Amusement Resort in Elysburg.

In 2007, more than 300 hikers, representing 42 different states and 7 countries, passed through “Ye Olde Backpacker�. More than 200 visited the Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, and 82 of them stayed at local hotels and motels. Over 300 shopped in Orwigsburg and ate two meals in the area. With the Appalachian Trail here in our own front yard, we often overlook the impact that our outdoor recreation provides for our own benefit. But in that same line of thinking, have you ever considered the positive impact that the Appalachian Trail has had on our business community?

The Appalachian Trail and nearby Hawk Mountain Sanctuary possess an international appeal for the outdoor enthusiast, but we only need to look to other resources in our county to find additional hiking and recreational opportunities.

“Porcupine Pat� McKinney and Dave “Big Owl� McSurdy provide monthly hikes through the Schuylkill County Nature Club. In May and June, hikes are scheduled for Swatara State Park near Pine Grove and for the Wolf Creek Waterfalls near Saint Clair. But don’t be distressed if you miss these hikes, because more hikes are scheduled for different corners of the county. As part of the Pottsville Project Fit, and in partnership with the Pottsville Recreation Commission, two hikes are scheduled in Pottsville on May 10th and June 14th. But the scheduled hikes don’t end there! Our friends at Diakon Community Services for Seniors, are getting in on the act, sponsoring hikes in Pottsville on May 19th, along the Mill Creek north of Saint Clair on June 2nd, and at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park on June 9th.

With Tuscarora, Locust Lake and Swatara State Parks, Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, several private campgrounds, the Appalachian Trail, community hiking trails, more than a dozen scheduled hikes and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Schuylkill County possesses an abundance of hiking and outdoor opportunities. And now that spring has finally sprung, I hope to see all of you taking in the fresh air that is to be found all across the county. I’m not asking you to hike more than 2,000 miles on the Appalachian Trail, but I am urging you to take a hike, and discover the many great places and spaces across Schuylkill County.

For more information on hiking and hike schedules in Schuylkill County, give us a call at the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau at 570-622-7700.