Archive

Outdoors

June 18, 2015

First Posted: 12/24/2014

THIS WEEK: Dec. 31, 2014 to Jan. 6, 2015

First Day Hike, a 4.5-mile hike along Creekside and Woodland Way trails. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 10 a.m. Jan. 1. Meet at the main parking area near the park office. Free. 570-403-2006.

First Day Hike, a three-mile walk through various habitats in Hickory Run State Park. Meet at the Gould Trail parking area, Route 534, White Haven. 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 1. Free. Registration: 570-474-5884.

Cross-Country Skiing. Learn the basics and practice on an old logging road loop. Skis, poles and boots provided but remember to register your shoe size to guarantee a spot. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 3; 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 4. $20; $10 children. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Ecozone Discovery Room! Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit in this indoor exhibit on natural history. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 3. $2. 570-828-2319.

Promised Land State Park Hike, seven moderate miles. Bring water and a lunch. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Pittston Township. 10:45 a.m. Jan. 4. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-814-2803.

Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing. Free use of equipment on the trails of Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. There must be at least four inches of snow on the ground for skis and six inches for snowshoes. Brief instructions upon request; first come first served. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays from Jan. 6 through Feb. 28. 570-403-2006.

FUTURE

Cross-Country Skiing. Learn the basics and practice on an old logging road loop. Skis, poles and boots provided but remember to register your shoe size to guarantee a spot. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. Jan. 10 through Feb. 8: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays; 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays. $20; $10 children. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Winter Go Outside Day, a family event about natural wintertime happenings on the trails of the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. Jan. 10. $5. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Susquehanna Warrior Trail Hike, seven easy miles. Meet at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission boat launch, Route 11, Shickshinny. 11:45 a.m. Jan. 11. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-388-4060.

Tubs Natural Area Hike, five moderate miles with an additional three miles optional. Meet at the Sears Automotive Center, Wyoming Valley Mall, Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre Township. 11:45 a.m. Jan. 18. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Eagle Watch for Eagle Enthusiasts. Join Jan Lokuta on a trip to the Mongaup Reservoir, the Delaware River and the Eagle Institute to seek out winter residents and nesting pairs. Bring a lunch, camera and warm clothes. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 24. $20. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Animal Tracks, interpreting tracks and signs left in the snow. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, 347 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 24. $5. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. Jan. 25. 570-542-5948.

Nescopeck State Park Hike, six moderate miles. Meet at the Mountain Top Fire House, 1 Lehigh St. 11:45 a.m. Jan. 25. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-645-9617.

Animal Tracking. Explore natural areas for tracks, trails, scat, territory marks, eat marks and other signs. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 25. Free. 570-828-2319.

Hiking Through the Natural Beauty of Pennsylvania, an exploration of regional hidden waterfalls, expansive vistas and isolated wild areas by outdoorsman and author Jeff Mitchell (“Hiking the Endless Mountains”). Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 11 a.m. Jan. 31. Free. 570-996-1500.

Introduction to Snowshoeing. Learn the basics, then enjoy a winter stomp through the woods. No experience necessary. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 31. $10. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Eagle Watch. Join Jan Lokuta on a trip to the Mongaup Reservoir, the Delaware River and the Eagle Institute to seek out winter residents and nesting pairs. Bring a lunch, camera and warm clothes. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 1. $20. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Gouldsboro State Park Hike, seven moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Pittston Township. 10:45 a.m. Feb. 1. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-346-8010.

Eagles Mere Toboggan Ride, a weather-permitting trip to sled onto the lake at Eagles Mere. Meet at the Dallas Shopping Center on Memorial Highway. 7:45 a.m. Feb. 8. If toboggan is not running (call 570-525-3244 to check), meet at 11:45 a.m. for a six-mile hike around the Eagles Mere lake. Bring lunch and water. 570-655-4979.

Winter Waterfalls, a trip to observe and photograph winter waterfalls in the Pocono area. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 8. $12. Call to reserve a seat in the van. 570-828-2319.

Winter Wonderland Family Nature Getaway, a weekend of cross-country skiing, animal tracking, nature hikes, crafts, campfires and more. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. Feb. 13 to 16. $225 includes three nights lodging and meals from Friday dinner to Monday lunch. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Boulder Field Hike, six moderate miles at Hickory Run State Park. Bring water and a snack. Meet at the Mountain Top Fire Company back lot, 1 Lehigh St. 11:45 a.m. Feb. 15. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 215-260-9445.

Cross-Country Skiing. Learn the basics and practice on an old logging road loop. Skis, poles and boots provided but remember to register your shoe size to guarantee a spot. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 21; 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 22. $20; $10 children. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Wilderness Skills, outdoor survival skills ranging from fire building and camping preparedness to tracking and stalking animals. Age 10 and older. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 22. $5. 570-828-2319.

Wild Creek Cove Hike, six moderate miles at Beltzville State Park. Meet at the Sears Auto Center, Wyoming Valley Mall, Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre Township. 11:45 a.m. Feb. 22. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Camouflage and Mimicry: What You See Isn’t What You See! A talk by naturalist Rick Kovalon the techniques and adaptations animals use to avoid detection. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 11 a.m. March 14. Free. 570-996-1500.

Scranton Half-Marathon, the second annual 13.1-mile race through the streets of Scranton and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Also: a quarter-mile Kids Fun Run for ages 5 to 10. April 12 with half-marathon at 9 a.m. and Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. $75 by Dec. 31; $80 thereafter. Register at scrantonhalf.com.

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