By Melissa Farr, Senior Distributed Organizer, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter
Even wily snack-stealing raccoons couldn’t diminish the joy of a beautiful weekend out at Ricketts Glen State Park! From June 7th to 9th, Sierra Club Pennsylvania volunteer leaders and chapter staff came together at the first of two Chapter Outings planned for this summer.
As scattered storms moved out of the area, the campers arrived on Friday evening to set up across two primitive campsites, making friends with a bevy of Red-Spotted Newts and the aforementioned raccoons while reconnecting with their Sierra Club colleagues.
On Saturday morning, hikers ready for a bit of a challenge and one-of-a-kind views set out along the 3-mile Upper Falls Trail. One of the most popular hiking trails in the park, the complete route affords visitors the chance to see a series of 22 named waterfalls along a 7.2-mile loop. The Falls Trail lived up to its reputation, rewarding our hardy hikers with some spectacular scenes.
Waterfall at Ricketts Glen, image courtesy of Sarah Corcoran
Saturday’s programming also offered yoga, swing dancing lessons, and family nature exploration. Those who were not too exhausted from the morning adventure on the Falls Trail joined Bob Rebuck, Governor Pinchot Group Chair, and Rachel Rosenfeld, Chapter Digital Organizer, for a guided tree identification hike on the Evergreen Trail. Hikers were able to take home a free tree identification book, courtesy of DCNR.
Tree ID hike on the Evergreen Trail at Ricketts Glen, image courtesy of Melissa Farr
If you’re sad you missed out on this wonderful weekend, you can check out our photo slideshow, and make sure you sign up for the second chapter outing this year at Hickory Run State Park! Everyone is invited to join Sierra Club Pennsylvania for our version of “summer camp” August 9th to August 11th. This free family-friendly weekend will feature cabin camping, hiking, biking, swimming, grilling, and exploring together. Join us for arts and crafts, educational programming, story times, yard games, and dancing! Come for just the day or stay the whole weekend. But, space is filling up fast so make sure you register today!
This blog was included as part of the July 2024 Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!