Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Brodhead Watershed Assn. Hosts 2 Get Outside Poconos Hikes In October

The Brodhead Watershed Association in Monroe County is hosting two Get Outdoors Poconos hikes: October 17 on Spruce Mountain and October 24 in Pinebrook Park.
Spruce Mountain Trail-Oct. 17
Spruce Mountain Trail has been a favorite of a nearby resort’s guests and staff since the early 1960s – and participants on the hike will see why.
Visitors at Spruce Lake Retreat who are daring enough to take on the trail will be rewarded with a clear mountain stream, mini-falls along the way, and a view across the valley to the Delaware Water Gap.
But this reward requires some work. Labeled as difficult, Spruce Mountain Trail is not an easy trail for uninitiated or out-of-shape hikers. The hike will be rocky and steep in places.
There are options to make it easier for hesitant hikers, including walking only the first leg.
Spruce Lake Retreat will also offer tired participants a half-mile van ride from the bottom of the mountain back to the parking lot.
The full round-trip hike (with no van ride) is 2 miles. This hike is open to families with children of average hiking ability – Spruce Lake families love it!
$5 for Brodhead Watershed Association and Pocono Heritage Land Trust members, $10 for nonmembers; children under 12 walk for free.
Bring a water bottle. Trekking poles may be useful if you are familiar with handling them in rocky places. Wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots.
From the light in Canadensis, follow Route 447 North for 3 miles. Turn left at Spruce Lake Drive. Follow Spruce Lake Drive as directed by signs around the Retreat Center perimeter. Park in any spaces available in the two lots adjacent to Spruce Lodge (large brown building. Meet at the front of Spruce Lodge at the sign for “Office & Check-in.”
Registration is required. Call 570-424-1514, 570-839-1120, or send an email to: info@phlt.org.
Pinebrook Park-Oct. 24
Sixty years ago, the Pinebrook section at Brodhead Creek was swept away by a deadly flood.
Today, it is a serene, green getaway – part of a system of linked parks and trails which organizers hope will someday stretch from Skytop in northern Monroe County to the confluence of Brodhead Creek with the mighty Delaware River.
On October 24, the Get Outdoors Poconos hike series will continue with a leisurely stroll at Pinebrook Park and a discussion of its tragic history and plans for its future.
In addition to exploring Pinebrook’s natural beauty, participants will learn about the causes and consequences of the Flood of ’55 and ways of conserving land for flood control, water quality, public enjoyment, and economic benefit to the community.
Meet at Pinebrook Park North at 10:00 a.m. Parking is available at the entrance, two-tenths of a mile south of Route 447 on North Fifth Street, Stroud Township.
Carol Hillestad will lead this easy walk from Pinebrook Park North to the Mill Creek bridge and back, about three miles.
The hike is free, but registration is required.  Call 570-839-1120 or 570-629-2727; or send email to: info@brodheadwatershed.org.
For information about this and other hikes, visit the Get Outdoors Poconos website.

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