Take a hike with regional group
The Otzinachson Regional Group of the Sierra Club and the Edward Abbey Hiking Society will hold a number of hikes throughout the region in the spring and summer.
They are open to the public, but hikers should contact the hike leader prior to the event. Participants are advised to bring lunch and water on every hike.
Hikes will be held:
Today - Old Loggers' Path, Lycoming County, 8.5 miles, moderate to strenuous. Hike the middle section of OLP from Yellow Dog Road to Ellenton Road and back to complete a loop. Meet 8:30 a.m. at the Steam Valley Restaurant on Route 14 just off Route 15, north of Williamsport. Leader: Roy Fontaine, 220-4707.
June 10 - R.B. Winter State Park, Union County, 10 miles, moderate to strenuous. Meet at the park at the breast of the dam along Route 192 at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Joe Rebar, 259-0134.
June 17 - Mason-Dixon Trail, York County, 14.8 miles, very strenuous. Hike from Otter Creek Campground to historic Lock 12 through the River Hills on the west side of the Susquehanna River. This is a fast-paced preview hike offered to participants in the Susquehanna Super Hike on Sept. 8, but all are welcome. Meet at K-Mart parking lot on Route 15 in Shamokin Dam at 6:30 a.m. or Clarks Ferry Truck Stop along Route 322 in Duncannon at 7:15 a.m. Leader: Paul Shaw, 717-215-8339, pshaw@ptd.net.
June 23 - Shingletown Gap: Bald Knob Ridge, Centre County, 6.2 miles, moderate. Hike along Roaring Run and gradually ascend to Bald Knob. From Bald Knob, there is a steep ascent on the Clemons Trail followed by a long downhill that passes the ruins of an old cabin. Meet at the parking lot behind the Lewisburg Post Office at 8 a.m. or the trailhead parking lot on Mountain Road at 9:30. To get to the trailhead, in Boalsburg, continue west on Route 45 for 1.8 miles to the village of Shingletown and turn left on Mountain Road. Leader: Tony Robbins, tony.robbins@excellservices.com.
July 1 - Bear Meadows, Centre County, 6.8 miles, easy to moderate. Hike a figure eight combining the Bear Meadows Trail and Jean Aron/Tuxedo/Lonberger paths. Bear Meadows is an unusual remnant boreal bog with vegetation usually only found much further north. It can get quite soggy, so bring extra socks or waterproof boots. Meet at the parking lot behind Lewisburg Post Office at 8 a.m. or the Bear Meadows parking area at 9:30. To get to Bear Meadows, turn onto Bear Meadows Road from Route 322 at the entrance to Tussey Mountain Ski Resort and follow the road for three miles to a stone monument with ample parking. Leader: Tony Robbins, tony.robbins@excellservices.com.
July 15 - R.B. Winter State Park, Union County, 10 miles, moderate to strenuous. Meet at the park at the breast of the dam along Route 192 at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Joe Rebar, 259-0134.
July 22: R.B. Winter State Park, Union County, 10 miles, moderate to strenuous. Meet at the park at the breast of the dam along Route 192 at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Joe Rebar, 259-0134.
Tour Eagles Mere with conservancy
Friday is the last day to register for the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy's spring fundraiser, which will be held June 17 in Eagles Mere.
Join the conservancy and head "up the mountain" to the Vorhee-Hikock Cottage, also known as Altamont, adjacent to The Green in the Village of Eagles Mere, Sullivan County.
Spend the afternoon on the lawn or exploring the village. Take a walking tour of Eagles Mere or hop on "The Hardly Able" for a ride around the lake. The conservancy has made arrangements for guests to ride on the boat during the afternoon.
The cottages in Eagles Mere are family treasures often passed down from one generation to the next. The Vorhee-Hikock Cottage is no different. Located on the west side of Eagles Mere Ave, the cottage, has a backyard with a view of Eagles Mere Lake. The property's location makes it an ideal summer retreat.
The cottage was constructed in 1885 and designed by the Philadelphia firm of Rankin and Kellogg. According to the National Register of Historic Places, the building is a prime example of Shingle style but includes details not typically found on the Shingle style structures. The site is the location of the original George Lewis and Judge Richter Jones house, which burned in 1863.
For more information, or to make a reservation, call the conservancy at 323-6222 or email torcarey@npcweb.org. A fee applies, and the event will be held rain or shine.
Run for Strides for spinal cord injury research
A 5K run/walk will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at Indian Park in Montoursville. Proceeds will benefit the Reeve Irvine Research Center and its work on spinal cord injuries and human trials.
A registration fee applies. Runners also can register at 8 a.m. on race day.
The event is organized by Jay Harner, of Williamsport, who became a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down, after an injury.
Participants will receive a goody bag containing a 5K T-shirt, coupons and gift certificates to local businesses and other small items, while supplies last. Giveaways and raffles will be held after the race. Prizes include handcrafted gold jewelry, Penn State football tickets, memberships to Fitness Factory, gift certificates for massages, Pilates instruction and local restaurants, businesses, and other items.
For more information, or to register, call Harner at 601-4882 or email him at JayHarn3@gmail.com.
Smith's Knob Scramble Trail race planned
The Mid Penn Trailblazers will hold an eight-mile trail race at 9 a.m. Saturday at Camp Conley, 15 miles north of Montoursville. The race follows portions of the Loyalsock Trail over the steep Smith's Knob.
A registration fee applies. T-shirts will be given to all who register in advance and limited quantities will be available on race day. Proceeds will benefit Boy Scouts of America Troop 21 of Montoursville.
Awards will be given in 10-year age groups up to 60-plus.
For more information and applications, visit www.midpenntrailblazers.com/trail-race-events/smithknob.htm or email dmshoe61@verizon.net.
Women in the Outdoors event planned
DANVILLE - The White Deer Jakes, Col-mont Gobblers and Sun Area chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold a Tri-Chapter Women in the Outdoors event on Saturday at Montour Preserve/North Montour Sportsmen's Club. A fee will apply.
Advance registration is required by going to www.womenintheoutdoors.org, clicking on "PA WITO Event Manager Calendar" and then searching the calendar.
Through expert instruction and hands-on education, the NWTF's Women in the Outdoors program helps women develop outdoor skills in a safe environment.
For more information, contact Leslie Smith at 484-634-0069 or lsmith@nwtf.net or visit www.womenintheoutdoors.org.
In Lancaster County, a similar event will be held at the Southern Lancaster County Farmers & Sportsman Association in Quarryville. Women who want to register should go to www.womenintheoutdoors.org and click on "Pennsylvania Women In The Outdoors Event Manager Calendar," then search the calendar.
ATV ride to raise funds
RENOVO - The second annual ATV Cruise for a Cure will be held Saturday. The 50-mile guided tour will begin in Renovo's Heritage Park, traverse the Bloody Skillet ATV Trail Park and return to Renovo.
It will start with a pancake breakfast at 6 a.m. at the Renovo Fire Hall.
Registration will be available noon-8 p.m. June 8 and at 7 a.m. June 9, but is available online now at www.renovo.eventbrite.com.
Vendors, organizations and businesses will be on hand to support those dealing with cancer.
For more information, call 923-1000, ext. 2191, or email snestor@bucktailmed.org.
American Indian gathering open to public
ROSTRAVER - The Western Pennsylvania Native American Association will hold a Native American Gathering on Saturday and next Sunday at Cedar Creek Park in Westmoreland County.
It is free to the public and American Indian craft vendors are welcome. There is no setup fee this year.
The gathering features American Indian drumming, dancing, storytelling, crafts and more. Visitors may bring chairs.
For more information, contact Linda Little Bear Cuneen at wpnaa@groupmail.com or 724-628-4918.
Catch a concert at PPL's Montour Preserve
WASHINGTONVILLE - Enjoy an afternoon of old-time music from Pennsylvania coal mines from 2-3:30 p.m. June 10 at PPL's Montour Preserve.
Pennsylvania musician Jay Smar will bring his guitar, fiddle, harmonica and entertaining vocals that have delighted audiences for more than a decade. He will play a variety of genres, including folk, bluegrass, children's songs and original compositions.
The program will take place at the PPL Montour Preserve Environmental Education Center. For directions, visit www.pplpreserves.com, click on "Montour" then select "Directions." For more information, contact the preserve at 437-3131 or jdbeam@pplweb.com.
Bike tour, festival planned
PECKVILLE - The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour and Festival is set for June 16 at Mellow Park in Lackawanna County.
The tour is a family-friendly, non-competitive event that helps to raise funds for the continuing development of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.
For more information, visit www.HeritageExplorer.org.
Environmental film series offered
BLOSSBURG - The Countryside Film Series concludes at 7 p.m. June 20 with a showing of "Hope for Polluted Water" at the Victoria Theater, 222 Main St.
The series explores some aspect of the notion of "countryside" and will deliver a message of hope and respect for the country and the country folks who live there. Before the feature film, a segment from one of the oral histories gathered by the Pine Creek Watershed Council will be shown to highlight the history and culture of this region.
A fee applies.
Outdoor discovery weekend set for women
AUSTIN - Ladies, are you tired of your typical weekend? Do you find yourself sitting in front of the television watching other people have fun? Well, here's the perfect opportunity to break out of your routine and try something new.
Sinnemahoning State Park is offering a weekend filled with opportunities to learn new outdoor skills. Programs will include biking, archery, kayaking, bird-banding, GPS/geo-caching, fly-fishing, camp cooking, outdoor survival and many others. Participants may choose up to eight sessions over the three days of the event, and all meals are included.
Grab your mom, sister, best friend or co-worker and join us and other aspiring woods-women for a new adventure in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Call the park office at 814-647-8401 for information on registration, available lodging and fees.
Athletes prepare for adventure triathlon
LOCK HAVEN - The sixth annual Great Island Adventure Triathlon will be held June 23 at the Woodward Boat Launch, across the Jay Street Bridge.
Participants will paddle, pedal and run through a 23-mile course in the heart of the PA Wilds.
For more information, call 748-6727 or visit www.lockhavenymca.com.
Bass tourney registrations sought
BERWICK - The Columbia County Bassmasters is accepting registrations for the third annual Bassmasters Fishing Tournament, which will be held Jane 23-24 at the Berwick Test Track Park boat launch.
The boundaries on the Susquehanna River extend from the Danville/Riverside bridge to the Nanticoke bridge.
Teams of two anglers may register, but there is a limit of 100 boats. A fee per boat includes breakfast and a T-shirt. Registration forms are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Once the 100-boat limit is reached, all other applications will be returned.
Cash prizes totaling $12,500 will be awarded. The first-place team will receive $5,000. Each day, lunker prizes will be awarded for adults and junior anglers.
Applications and rules may be downloaded from the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau's website -www.iTourColumbiaMontour.com/Bassmasters - or the Columbia County Bassmasters website - www.ColumbiaCountyBassmasters.com.
Applications also are available at Bo's Bait Barn, 1312 Raspberry Ave., Nescopeck; Smith's Outdoor Connection, 1901 Orange St., Berwick; Laubach's Sporting Goods, 547 E. Eighth St., Berwick; Halls Marine, 890 Lycoming Mall Drive, Muncy; and visitors bureau offices, 121 Papermill Road, Bloomsburg, and 316 Mill St., Danville.
For more information, call Mike "Chuck" Monico, tournament director, at 752-3223.
Bass tournament benefits health society
SUNBURY - The Bass Classic, sponsored by Capital City Bassmaster, will be held July 14 at Shikellamy State Park. Proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The boundaries of the fishing tournament are, to the south, the Fiber Dam; to the north, Berwick; and to the west, Williamsport.
Cash and prizes will be awarded, including a first-place prize of $3,000.
For more information, or to register, download the pdf file at www.tiptopwebsite.com/custommusic2/fisherman.pdf or call Mike Brown at 717-448-0350 or Bob Herman at 717-938-8752.
Canoe, kayak races planned
HOWARD - The seventh annual Bricktown Challenge will be held July 14 at the Bald Eagle State Park beach, 149 Main Park Road.
The event offers canoe and kayak races for the serious paddler, youth and junior paddler races, and recreational races.
For more information, call 660-0382 or visit www.beechcreekwatershed.org.
Wildlife for Everyone 5-mile run scheduled
ALLENWOOD - The Wildlife for Everyone 5 Miler off-road run/walk will be held at 9 a.m. July 14 on State Game Lands 252.
The course encompasses dirt roads and grassy land. The roads will be closed to vehicles. Prizes and refreshments will be provided.
T-shirts will be given to all participants who register by June 25. A registration fee applies. Shirts will be limited on race day.
All proceeds will benefit the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation,
For more information, email Steven Schmit at wfe5M@windstream.net or natasharider@windstream.net.
Sullivan County hunter-trapper education set
MUNCY VALLEY - A hunter-trapper education program for youth ages 11 and older will be held this summer. Participants must attend all three sessions of the class to complete course. Classes will be held:
July 19-21 (6-9:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday);
Aug. 17-19 (6-9:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday)
Classes will be held at the North Mountain Sportsman's Club on Shipman Hill Road in Sullivan County.. Registration is limited to 45 per class. Upon successful course completion, an HTE card will be issued.
To enroll, register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us (click on Education & Hunter Trapper Education). If there are problems, call Rick Smith at 928-8941. For a map to the club, visit www.northmt.com.
Get ready to 'Prowl the Sproul'
HYNER - The eighth annual "Prowl the Sproul" race will be held July 21 at the Western Clinton Sportsmen's Association.
At 10 a.m., participants will take a 10K run through the mountains of Sproul State Forest, including three miles of uphill to the top of McCloskey Mountain and then a blistering 3.7 miles down to the finish.
Registration will be held 8:30-9:45 a.m. A fee applies.
For more information, call 814-321-8281 or see www.hikerun.com/56912.html.
Outdoor events sought
Do you have a meeting or outdoor event you'd like to publicize in the Sun-Gazette?
Announcements must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the date of the event, preferably earlier.
Information and news releases may be:
Mailed to Outdoor editor, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport PA 17701
Emailed to outdoors@sungazette.com
Dropped off at the Sun-Gazette office, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport
Submitted through the Outdoor section of the Virtual Newsroom on the paper's website, www.sungazette.com.
All submissions must contain the name, telephone number and, if available, email address of a contact person.
Photographs by area residents of trophy fish or game animals or other interesting outdoor occurrences also will be considered. Digital photos may be sent by email.
Hard-copy glossy prints, negatives or slides may be dropped off or mailed. Polaroid prints typically cannot be reprinted in the newspaper.
Only photos sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope will be returned.
Announcements published in the "Outdoor Briefs" section will print in chronological order as space permits.
The Outdoors section is published weekly on Sundays, but it goes to print early on Wednesday mornings.
Therefore, all information for publication on any given Sunday must be submitted by noon on the Monday prior.
For more help, call 326-1551, ext. 3116.
