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 - 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.
July 29: Conestoga Trail, Lancaster County, 11.8 miles, very strenuous. Hike from the east side of the Norman Wood Bridge to Pequea Creek Campground through the River Hills on the east side of the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County. Outstanding vistas overlooking 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.
Aug. 4 - Cherry Run Gamelands Loop, Clinton County, 10 miles, moderate. A circuit hike in state game lands 295 south of Lamar will lead into the heart of the syncline. Meet at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lewisburg Big Lots off Route 15 or at the I-80 Lamar exit McDonalds at 10. Leaders: Catherine McLaughlin and Ed Lawrence, 925-5285, cathyed@nationi.net.
Aug. 11 - Loyalsock Trail, Sullivan County, 6.5 miles, easy to moderate. Hike from Sones Pond to the trail end on Route 220 via the Haystacks. Meet 8:30 a.m. at the McDonald's in Hughesville. Leader: Roy Fontaine, 220-4707.
Aug. 19 - Golden Eagle Trail, Lycoming County, 9 miles, moderate to strenuous. One of the best hikes in Pennsylvania with excellent views. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Sovereign Bank parking lot, Southern Avenue between Market and Hastings streets (Route 15) in South Williamsport or at the trail parking lot along Route 414 at 8:50 a.m. Leader: Roy Fontaine, 220-4707.
Learn how to prevent ATV?crashes
HUGHESVILLE - The seventh annual ATV Expo will be held at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds on Tuesday. Children and adults can learn how to prevent ATV accidents from happening.
Teaching stations will focus on:
Head trauma - what happens when you do not wear a helmet;
Safe places to ride ATVs;
How to properly ride or drive an ATV. Certified ATV instructors will be on hand to demonstrate; and
Proper use and sizing of equipment.
Children who complete the four teaching stations will be eligible for prizes.
The expo is sponsored in part by the Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition.
Susquehanna Greenway to hold webinar
The Susquehanna Greenway will hold an informational webinar at 2 p.m. Wednesday to share details of its mini-grant program that will fund small projects that align with the goals of the partnership and advance strategic approaches to both conservation and connections to the river.
The grant program's theme is "Connecting Susquehanna Greenway River Towns." Grants will focus on projects that improve trail connections with the river, riverfront parks, river access, Susquehanna Greenway signs, or green infrastructure projects that help protect the water quality of the Susquehanna River.
Registration is required to view the webinar and space is limited. To register, contact Bridget Kane at bkane@susquehannagreenway.org or 522-7275 by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
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.
Historic walking tours planned in Lock Haven
LOCK HAVEN - Ross Library and its new employee, Lou Bernard, will hold historic walking tours of Lock Haven's streets and districts.
The "Walk the Past" program will begin at 9 a.m. Fridays in July at the library, 232 W. Main St. Walks are planned through July 27.
Because of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the walks will feature a strong Civil War influence, sharing many of the stories and events of the area's participation in the war. Topics such as Abraham Lincoln, the Underground Railroad and lost military gold will be featured.
Pedometers will be issued to walkers to measure how many miles have been walked. The goal this year is to have the group achieve 318 miles, the distance to Gettysburg and back.
For more information, call the Ross Library at 748-3321.
Sproul forest welcomes hikers
RENOVO - The ninth annual Prowl the Sproul hiking weekend will be held Friday through next Sunday in Clinton County.
Sponsored by the Keystone Trails Association, the weekend offers a variety of hikes each day, followed by meals in the evening.
Hikers must register for the guided hikes by visiting www.kta-hike.org or calling Shanna Filizzi, KTA program administrator, at 717-238-7017.
See next week's Sun-Gazette Outdoors section for a list of hikes.
Learn to identify trees at Montour Preserve
WASHINGTONVILLE - Learn about trees native to Pennsylvania at PPL's Montour Environmental Preserve from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
Matthew Schenck will lead a hike through the trees in the East Branch Recreation Area. He will discuss the natural history of trees and how they provide food and shelter for animals.
Meet at the East Branch Recreation Area. From the Montour Preserve Visitors Center, turn left onto Preserve Road. Travel a half mile and turn left on Sportsmans Road. Drive about one mile to the end of Sportsmans Road. Turn right onto Route 44 and drive 1.7 miles. The East Branch Recreation Area will be on the right. Look for the sign. Park in the gravel lot at the top of the hill.
For more information, contact the preserve at 437-3131 or jdbeam@pplweb.com.
Take a nature hike at Susquehanna Riverlands
BERWICK - Take a hike along the Susquehanna River at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Susquehanna Riverlands.
Rick Koval, professional naturalist of the Pocono region, will lead the hike in search of wildflowers, birds, amphibians, edible plants and anything else that may cross the path. The group will leave from the wetlands parking lot and follow a trail through the 88-acre wetland complex. Dress for the weather and bring a camera and notebook, if desired.
For more information, call 1-866-832-3312 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com. For directions, visit www.pplpreserves.com, click on "Susquehanna Riverlands," then select "Contact us and directions."
Get ready to 'Prowl the Sproul' through race
HYNER - The eighth annual "Prowl the Sproul" race will be held Saturday 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.
Discover insects at Susquehanna Riverlands
BERWICK - Bring the family to learn about bugs at PPL's Susquehanna Riverlands from 10 a.m. to noon July 23.
Program assistants Kathy Kelchner and Joshua Miller will talk about the world of insects. They will bring along live exotic bugs and lead a short hike outdoors to find bugs native to the Riverlands.
The free program is geared toward children ages 5 and older, accompanied by an adult. Participants should wear old clothes because there is a possibility of getting wet.
Meet at the Susquehanna Energy Information Center. For more information, call 1-866-832-3312 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com.
Local Audubon readies for annual picnic
WARRENSVILLE - Lycoming Audubon's annual summer picnic will be held at 6 p.m. July 25 at Rider Park's pavilion.
Attendees should bring a covered dish to share and their own tableware. The chapter will provide soft drinks and cold water. A plastic tablecloth, lawn chairs, walking shoes and binoculars also are recommended.
Rider Park is just north of Warrensville at the eastern end of Caleb's Creek Road. Watch for balloons about 0.9 mile from downtown Warrensville.
Wetland program planned for children
BERWICK - Learn all the wonders of wetlands from 1 to 3 p.m. July 26 at PPL's Susquehanna Riverlands.
Take a look at the fascinating creatures in the 88-acre wetlands with environmental educator Joshua Miller. In the free hands-on program, participants will learn to identify plants and animals that call the wetlands home. Also, learn how the creatures have adapted to live in an aquatic environment.
The program is geared toward children ages 5 and older who are accompanied by an adult.
Meet at the wetlands parking area. For more information, call 1-866-832-3312 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com.
Trapping class scheduled
ARNOT - A cable restraint class will be held 8 a.m. to noon July 28 at the Arnot Sportsmen's Club. Registration is required online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and a fee applies.
After the class, a trappers' gathering will be held with demonstrations and information for coyote and bobcat harvesting. Dealers with supplies will be present and free gifts will be provided by the club.
For more information, call Ron Signor at 638-2985.
Learn how to safely use an ATV
An all-terrain vehicle safety class will be held at 8:30 a.m. July 28 at Wheels of Williamsport Inc., 99 Grey Fox Drive, Montoursville.
Class size is limited and advance registration is required. The class will be taught by state-certified safety instructors Bill and Nancy Stugart.
Students must provide their own ATV and parents must accompany their children so required forms can be completed.
The law requires that youths ages 8 through 15 take and pass a state-sanctioned safety training course before operating an ATV off their parents' or legal guardians' property.
To register, call Bill or Nancy at 435-0923.
Register now for Tioga County Youth Field Day
TIOGA - Children ages 8 to 14 can register now for the 18th annual Tioga County Youth Field Day, which will be held Aug. 18 at Ives Run Recreation Area, Hammond Lake.
The event offers boys and girls from any county in the state a chance to try their hand at a variety of outdoor activities. At least 10 educational stations will be set up, covering topics such as orienteering, rifle, shotgun, fly and spin fishing, turkey calling and wildlife identification.
The event is free, but parents must register children in advance. Also, a parent or guardian must accompany children during the day.
The day begins at 8 a.m. Lunch will be served later to everyone in attendance, and children will receive a hat, T-shirt and goodie bag.
To register, call Dina Henninger, park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at 835-0113.
Signing up is also possible by sending needed information to Youth Field Day Registration, P.O. Box 51, Middlebury Center, PA 16935.
Information needed includes children's names, ages, addresses, genders, home phone numbers, shirt sizes and parent signatures.
Bradford County Youth Field Day planned
TROY - The 18th annual Bradford County Youth Field Day will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 at Mt. Pisgah State Park.
The event is for children ages 5 to 18. A free lunch, T-shirt and commemorative embroidered patch will be available to all participants.
The event will include activities in tracks, insects, birds, mammals, trapping, .22 shoot, building bird boxes, scavenger hunt, survival, archery, black powder, sporting clays, canoeing, GPS, fishing and camp cooking.
Registration now by calling the park office at 297-2734 or emailing mtpisgahsp@pa.gov.
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.
