Come join us for a fun hike! HYP hikes will vary in difficulty level, so please take note of each hike’s difficulty level and plan accordingly. We will meet at the City Island parking lot next to the parking garage at 10 am for a carpool to Hawk Rock in Duncannon. You may also meet us there- we expect the carpoolers to arrive around 10:30/10:45. If meeting at Hawk Rock please ask Amy Moore for a google pin or specific directions as there is no “address” for the parking lot.

RSVP is strongly recommended so that you can be notified if hike must be canceled due to inclement weather.

RSVP by March 29, 2019, by emailing AmyMoore@howardhanna.com

Hike details-

• Length: Appx. 5 miles total
• Type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate (see description below)
• Description: About 650 feet of elevation gain in the first .7 miles. Once we get up the mountain there will be a nice overlook to enjoy. We will then hit the AT (Appalachian Trail) and the rest of the hike will be a fairly level trail through the woods.

Remember to bring plenty of water and wear hiking boots (recommended but not required) or durable sneakers. Leashed dogs are welcome!

Optional- trekking poles, sunscreen, snacks

• Easiest – Suitable for those in fair condition. Elevation gain of fewer than 200 feet and less than 3 miles total.
• Easy – Suitable for people who have a basic fitness level. Elevation gain of fewer than 400 feet and less than 4 miles total.
• Moderate – Reasonably fit hikers who get out at least once a month should be able to do this level. This level would be considered easy for frequent hikers. Elevation gain of 500-1,000 feet and a maximum distance of 6 miles total.
• Challenging – Regular hiking experience is required to participate in hikes at this level. Elevation gain of more than 1,000 feet and 6 miles. Combination of significant elevation gain and long distance make this level a challenge for many.
• Very Difficult– Long distances and big elevation gains make this level. High fitness level is required because speed will be important to complete.

RSVP FOR THE HIKE

The first HYP hike of 2018 will be at Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick Environmental Center on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

Our carpool group will meet at 10:00 AM in front of the parking garage at City Island, will leave promptly at 10:30 AM, arriving at the center at around 11:15 AM. Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick is an 1105-acre stewardship forest and nature center nestled in the woods of Mt. Gretna, Pa. The park has 15 miles of trails and features a 360-degree-view observation tower. We will hike a roughly 5-mile route to be determined by the group.

Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and suitable footwear. Packing some water and a light snack is also advised. Leashed dogs are welcome!

The third HYP hike of 2017 will be at King’s Gap Environmental Education Center on Saturday October 21, 2017.  Carpool group will meet at Noon in front of the parking garage at City Island, will leave promptly at 12:30, and arrive at the center at around 1:30.  The hike will cover roughly 6 miles of moderate trails, with two scenic overlooks on the planned route.  Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and suitable footwear.  Packing some water and a light snack is also advised.  Leashed dogs are welcome!

Kings Gap Environmental Education Center’s unique attractions are its mountainous terrain, extensive forest, and panoramic views, which may be experienced while driving the winding road to the mansion area, or while hiking the trails. The sweeping view of the Cumberland Valley from the Cameron-Masland Mansion is impressive at any time of the year.  Kings Gap consists of 2,531 acres of forest on South Mountain, with more than 18 miles of hiking trails, a permanent orienteering course, picnicking, hunting, and other recreational and educational opportunities.

The second HYP hike of 2017 will be at Little Buffalo State Park on Saturday, June 17. Carpool group will meet at 9:00 am in front of the parking garage at City Island.  We will leave promptly at 9:30 am and arrive at the preserve at around 10:15 am.  Email us at fitness@hyp.org for questions.

The hike will cover roughly 6 miles of varying trails around the park, mostly flat but with a few short ridge climbs. Leashed dogs are welcome and will have many opportunities for water play! Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and suitable footwear. Packing some water, a light snack, and bug repellent is also advised.

PA DCNR: Certain places just attract people. The cool, clear water of Little Buffalo Creek has been attracting people for centuries. American Indians frequented Little Buffalo Creek on hunting trips. Farmers and merchants used to gossip and pass news while the grain was ground at Shoaffs Mill. Nearby, merchants, local people and travelers met at Blue Ball Tavern. Today, thousands of people meet at Little Buffalo State Park to picnic, swim, fish, hike and experience nature and history.

The first HYP hike of 2017 will be at Boyd’s Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area on Saturday April 29, 2017.  Carpool group will meet at 11:00 in front of the parking garage at City Island, will leave promptly at 11:30, and arrive at the preserve at around noon.  The hike will cover roughly 4 miles of easy trails, with no steep inclines on planned route, with an optional ridge-top climb adding about 1 mile.  Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and suitable footwear.  Packing some water and a light snack is also advised.  Leashed dogs are welcome!

The large mature trees and thick woods of Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area make it and ideal habitat for a large variety of woodland creatures. The park is home to white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse and eastern gray squirrels. Bluebirds and warblers can also be observed at Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area. There is an observation area on Blue Mountain where bird watchers can see the annual migration of hawks.