We will hike through the forest to see a population of bog jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae) that were planted in 2023 at Powdermill. These endangered plants were propagated by Longwood Gardens and planted in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Plant Conservation Alliance . Meet at the Powdermill Nature Center.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take the PA Turnpike east to Exit 91/Donegal. At the end of the tollbooth ramp, turn left (east) onto PA 31. Follow PA 31 east for 2.7 miles. Turn left onto PA 381 North. Follow PA 381 North for 6.4 miles to the Nimick Nature Center on your left.
Prepare for wet feet. Depending on rain events, hiking boots may get wet.
Directions: The intersection of US40 & PA381 can be reached by traveling US40 east from Uniontown, or by traveling PA 381 south from PA Turnpike Exit 91 – Donegal (travel PA 31 east 2 miles).
At the intersection of PA 381 and US 40, travel US40 east 6 miles. Look for an oversized sign on the right reading “Truck Warning-Steep Grade.” Turn right at the foot of this sign onto a blacktop driveway into the Mountain Fellowship Center, marked with a blue sign. We will meet here in front of the building.
We will meet at the parking lot for the pickle ball courts and search for twayblades.
Directions: Travel PA-43 south (toll road) to Exit 44 for PA-136/Eighty Four/Monongahela. Turn right at the end of the ramp for PA-136 west. Travel PA-136 for 2.2 miles to make a right onto Chapel Hill Rd. At the bottom of the hill, turn left onto Mingo Creek Road and continue a short distance to parking on the left. For those who enter park from PA-88 south and Little Mingo Road, turn left at the park sign onto Mingo Creek Road and continue three miles to the parking lot on your left.
Celebrate the Bloom, Jennings Prairie, Butler County
Celebrate the Bloom! is a free annual event held at Jennings Environmental Education Center. Celebrating the state’s only prairie (and the eastern-most prairie in the US), the festival includes nature explorations (i.e. bird, butterfly and wildflower walks), engaging demonstrations, local artisans and food, and musical guests. The event is produced in cooperation with 3MJC (the friends group and funding partner of Jennings).
Check the Celebrate the Bloom website for the updated schedule. Joe and Bonnie Isaac will lead the wildflower walk.
This Westmoreland Conservancy wooded reserve is one of the wildest places in Murrysville with an uphill trail along a small intermittent stream flanked by pawpaws and hercules club. A small meadow at the top is home to two uncommonly seen species – rose pink (Sabatia augularis) and clammy cuphea (Cuphea petiolata).
Directions: The Reserve can be reached from US22 in Murrysville by turning left onto Cline Hollow Rd at Walnut Hollow shopping center. Continue for 1.6 miles, then turn left onto Hill Church Rd for 0.4 mile, then continue straight onto Wiestertown Rd for 1.9 miles to the Reserve parking lot on the left.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 11:30 AM gather for lunch – 12 NOON walk
Aunt Clara’s Fork, Washington County
Leader: Meg Scanlon; Cell: 724-612-6192
We will meet and lunch at a bridge; no indoor restrooms available.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take US-22 west to the PA-18/Florence/Burgettstown exit. Turn left onto PA-18 North, continue 0.9 mile and turn left onto Purdy Rd. Continue 2.4 miles and turn left onto Meadow Rd. Continue 1.8 miles and turn right onto Ralston Rd, a dirt road. After 1000 or so feet you will come to a small parking area. Park here and walk downhill to the bridge. We have special permission to visit this private property, so please respect the owners wishes.
Leader: Andrew Sipple; Environmental Education Specialist at Presque Isle/Erie Bluffs State Parks
Member Andrew Sipple invites BSWP members to an upcoming Presque Isle and Erie Bluffs State Parks program called “Fantastic Flora! – Relict Sand Dune and Old Field Habitats” on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Discover late spring wildflowers while hiking approximately 2 miles through one of the rarest plant communities in the state. Explore an ancient sand dune! Field guides will be provided for groups to share. Bring bug spray and water. Register by May 20, 2026 at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/fantastic-flora-relict-sand-dunes-and-old-field-habitats
Saturday, June 6 , 2026, 1:00 PM
Powdermill Nature Reserve , Westmoreland County
Leader: Mason Heberling; cell: 724-882-8603
We will hike through the forest to see a population of bog jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae) that were planted in 2023 at Powdermill. These endangered plants were propagated by Longwood Gardens and planted in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Plant Conservation Alliance . Meet at the Powdermill Nature Center.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take the PA Turnpike east to Exit 91/Donegal. At the end of the tollbooth ramp, turn left (east) onto PA 31. Follow PA 31 east for 2.7 miles. Turn left onto PA 381 North. Follow PA 381 North for 6.4 miles to the Nimick Nature Center on your left.
We will join the Westmoreland Bird & Nature Club for a hike in the gorge. Birders will gather at 8:00 AM, flowers at 10:00 AM.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, travel PA 51 south to its junction with PA 201 (just after Bills and Willowbrook Plaza). Continuing on PA 51, travel 2 additional miles to the traffic light for Concord Ln (Honda and Ford car dealership on right) and turn left. Traveling on Concord Ln, turn left onto Municipal Dr. Continue about 0.6 mile and turn left into the main entrance to the park. Follow this park road downhill, cross the bike trail, and turn left to continue through a series of parking lots until you reach the farthest parking lot, near the Gorge Trail and the mouth of Cedar Creek.
Wild Waterways Conservancy has conserved this lineal corridor near the Park Gate neighborhood of Ellwood City. It follows the old Pittsburgh and Lake Erie rail line from Park Gate to the Koppel Bridge. It is approximately 2.5 miles to walk out and back, and is level.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take the PA Turnpike north to Exit 13, Beaver Valley/PA 18. Turn right to follow PA 18 north for a little over a mile to its junction with PA 351 at Arthur St. Continue on PA 351 East (right onto Arthur, left onto 5th St and right onto unmarked River Rd). Once you make the second left, continue about 8/10 mile to turn left onto Church St in a residential neighborhood. Then turn left onto Railroad St and continue to its end. Parking is available at the end and along the playground area along Railroad St.
Otto & Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve, Westmoreland County
Leader: Meg Scanlon; Cell: 724-612-6192
Directions: From Parkway East (I-376), the intersection of US 30 and PA 48 can be reached by driving 7 miles on US 30 east/Ardmore Blvd from Exit 78A – Forest Hills, or by driving 5 ½ miles south on PA 48 from Exit 84A – Monroeville. At the intersection of PA 48 and US 30, travel east on US 30 for ½ mile to make a left onto Leger Road (Sheetz on the right-hand corner). Turn left onto Leger Road and travel through the countryside for 2 miles, bearing left at forks. At the base of a hill, continue straight onto Ardara Road when Leger Road turns right. At the top of a hill, look for the green Ackermann Nature Preserve sign on the left and park at the end of the grassy strip between two homes. It may look like you are turning into a lawn, but you will see the kiosk at the end of grassy strip.
Restrooms are not available here, so use the ones at Sheetz. Arrive at 11:30 AM for lunch, 12 noon for start of walk.
Bavington Game Lands in Hillman, Washington County
Leader: Loree Speedy; 724-518-6022
For Day 2 of the City Nature Challenge, we will visit the rich and the ruderal in Hillman State Park.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, travel US 22 west. About 2 miles after the I-576 junction, continue about 2 miles to the Bavington exit. Turn right at the end of the ramp, then left onto Steubenville Pike, and travel one mile to make a sharp right hand turn onto Kramer Road at the Kramer Greenhouse/Raccoon Creek Winery. (If you pass this turn, cross the highway bridge and turn around at the Bavington Roadhouse/Inn.) Continue on Kramer Road 0.8 miles and bear left at its intersection with Raccoon Creek Rd. Continue 1/4 mile to the intersection with Knowlton Hill Rd, where we will meet.
Penn State New Kensington Woodlands, Westmoreland County
Leader: Mason Heberling
Mason Heberling, curator in the Section of Botany at Carnegie Museum, will show us a population of Narrow-leaved Ramps (Allium burdickii), in a rich woodland. Read about these ramps here. This is also day 3 of the 4-day City Nature Challenge, so BSWP iNats can contribute many spring species.
Directions: Penn State New Kensington is along PA 780 in northern Westmoreland County and can be reached from PA 28 North Exit 14, PA 366 to Valley High School, and left onto PA780 for 4 miles. Turn into the Rt. 780 entrance of Penn State New Ken and continue straight along this road about 1000 feet to park by the soccer fields near the Athletic Center. .
Special Tour of “To Make a Prairie: Pollination and Human Understanding”
Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Leader: Carrie Roy, Senior Curator of Art & Research Scholar
In January 2025, Carrie Roy presented a preview of this program at our monthly meeting. Please join us for a special tour (for BSWP members only) of the To Make a Prairie exhibit, which explores how humanity came to understand one of nature’s most essential relationships: the intricate partnership between plants and their pollinators..
Directions: The Hunt Institute is located on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University, on the 5th floor of the Hunt Library. Public parking is available at East Campus Garage at 5040 Forbes Ave. Street parking is available on Frew Street and Margaret Morrison Street, but is often limited.
Please arrive at the 5th Floor of Hunt Library at 1:15 PM for our tour. Contact Loree at 724-518-6022 for further information.
Buttermilk Falls off the Cowanshannock Trail, Armstrong County
Leader: Loree Speedy; 724-518-6022
We will meet at the Bernard C. Snyder picnic area, located just off of State Route 1033 and McMillen Rd north of Kittanning. A newly completed 1¼ mile crushed limestone trail leads to a secret Buttermilk Falls!
Directions: Travel PA 28 North to the exit for PA-28N/US 422/ Kittanning. Continue straight onto PA28N/PA66N/New Bethlehem. In 3 miles, turn left onto Iron Bridge Rd. After ¾ mile, make the first right onto McMillen Rd. Continue 2 miles to trailhead parking on the right.
Trolley Line Trail, Erie National Wildlife Refuge, Crawford County
Leader: Yianni Laskaris; wildlife biologist at Erie National Wildlife Refuge.
Trolley Line Trail is a 1.9-mile one-way trail in the Seneca Division of Erie National Wildlife Refuge. Wildflowers and historic bridge foundations are highlights of the primitive trail, which follows an old railroad track. There are some short inclines with rope railings, but otherwise much of the trail is a wooded old rail bed which makes for easy walking.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take I-79 north to Exit 154 Saegerstown/Conneautville/PA 198. Turn right (east) on PA Rte 198 for 2.9 miles. Turn left on US Rte 19/6 north for 8 miles to Cambridge Springs. Pick up PA Rte 408 and travel east about 5 miles to the corner of Rte 408 and Swamp Road, the trailhead for the Trolley Line Trail.
Canaan Valley is approximately 140 miles from Pittsburgh. The Dolly Sods Area ranges in elevation from 2500 to 4700 feet above sea level. Cold temperatures and fog can occur anytime of the year. Please dress for the weather! Also, wear sturdy foot gear! Our second day itinerary is tentative as we will be scouting the area Thursday and Friday. Please feel free to join us Thursday/Friday May 14-15 as we scout the area.
We will meet at 10:00 AM in the lobby of the Canaan Valley Resort to caravan and carpool (if desired) to Dolly Sods. Bring a bag lunch; we will stop for lunch along the trails.
Directions: From the intersection of US 40, US 219 south and I-68 in Keysers Ridge, MD, take US 219 south to Thomas, WV. In Thomas, take Route 32 to Davis. Continue on Route 32; about 9-10 miles south of Davis, turn right into Canaan Valley Resort (a well-marked resort of Canaan Valley State Park).
Meet in the lobby; enter the doors and proceed straight to tables at the end of the lobby.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, travel PA 51 south to its junction with PA 201 (just after Bills and Willowbrook Plaza). Continuing on PA 51, travel 2 additional miles to the traffic light for Concord Ln and turn left. (This traffic light at Concord Ln can also be reached by I-70 exit 46B and continuing north on PA 51 to the northern Concord Ln intersection across from C Harper car dealership.) Traveling on Concord Ln, turn left onto Municipal Dr.
Continue about 0.6 mile and turn left at the first road (Timm’s Ln) past the municipal building. You will see the first brown park sign for pavilions 14 and 15 and the RC Airfield. This left turn is before the Main Park Entrance. Continue on Timms Ln past the ballfields to the RC Airfield, where we will meet.
Picnic tables and restrooms available at the Radio-controlled field for those that wish to come at 11:30 AM for lunch, 12 noon for start of walk.
Little Sewickley Creek outside of Herminie, Westmoreland County
This is a favorite trip for early spring ephemerals and Snow Trillium, along an old railroad grade.
Directions: Take the PA Turnpike to Exit 67-Route 30/Irwin/Greensburg. Take the Route 30 East/Greensburg ramp. At the first stoplight on Route 30, turn right onto Arona Road, then another right after 0.5 mile onto unmarked Wendel Road. Travel this road 3.7 miles to a T. Turn right at the T and continue 1 mile to Herminie to a 4-way stop (VFD on corner). Continue straight to the next stop sign and turn left. Proceed through 2 more stop signs, end at a T, and turn right. Continue past the Dairy Queen on your right and continue down a hill; we will meet just before the highway bridge. Park on the left side.
These directions are difficult as roads are unmarked and state roads through Herminie sometimes look like alleys. GPS coordinates will likely take you by a more direct route.
Directions: From Uniontown, take US40 east up the mountain to Summit Hotel. Pass the summit, but prepare to turn right onto Wharton Furnace Road a little over ½ mile from the Summit. Turn right onto Wharton Furnace Road and travel 3.3 miles to a Forbes State Forest parking lot on the left. This is 1.5 miles from Wharton Furnace historic site near the intersections with Shephard and Fayette Springs Rds. The parking lot is large but the area is not well-marked; look for the Forbes State Forest sign.
This recent addition to Forbes State Forest is along a sandy floodplain of Cheney Run, perfect for Phlox stolonifera and violets.
We will join the Westmoreland Bird & Nature Club for a hike in the gorge.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, travel PA 51 south to its junction with PA 201 (just after Bills and Willowbrook Plaza). Continuing on PA 51, travel 2 additional miles to the traffic light for Concord Ln (Honda and Ford car dealership on right) and turn left. Traveling on Concord Ln, turn left onto Municipal Dr. Continue about 0.6 mile and turn left into the main entrance to the park. Follow this park road downhill, cross the bike trail, and turn left to continue through a series of parking lots until you reach the farthest parking lot, near the Gorge Trail and the mouth of Cedar Creek.
Allegheny Land Trust’s Irwin Run Conservation Area is a 76-acre forest adjacent to North Park. Enjoy a lush winter forest and a rushing stream.
As parking is limited, meet Meg at the Beaver Shelter of North Park along Babcock Blvd just north of Pearce Mill Rd to carpool between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM.
Eliza Furnace Trailhead, Hazelwood Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Leader: Yale Cohen; Cell:412-418-6950
Directions: The trailhead is along (but not visible from) Second Avenue between the Hot Metal Bridge and Hazelwood. From Second Ave, turn onto Swinburne St at a flashing yellow signal and look for the trailhead parking on the right.
This trip could be canceled due to unsafe driving conditions with ice and snow; to learn if the trip is canceled when weather conditions are uncertain, please call or text Yale at 412-418-6950 or Loree at 724-518-6022 the day of the hike.
To celebrate the winter solstice, we will head north along a sunny portion of the trail below wooded slopes.
This trip could be canceled due to unsafe driving conditions with ice and snow; to learn if the trip is canceled when weather conditions are uncertain, please call or text Loree at 724-518-6022 the day of the hike.
Thursday, New Years Day, January 1 , 2026, NOON
NEW YEARS DAY Field Trip, Monroe Trailhead, Butler Freeport Trail, Butler County
Directions: From Pittsburgh: take PA-28 North to Exit 17 (PA-356/Butler/Freeport). At end of ramp, turn right to travel PA-356 for a little less than a mile. At the Sheetz, turn right onto Monroe Road and travel about 0.8 mile to the parking for the Buffalo Creek Nature Center on the left.
Start the New Year with winter botany along trailside and sandstone cliffs. Enjoying botany and nature on New Year’s Day is now a BSWP tradition!
This trip could be canceled due to unsafe driving conditions with ice and snow; to learn if the trip is canceled when weather conditions are uncertain, please call or text Loree at 724-518-6022 the day of the hike.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 11:30 AM (lunch), 12:00 Noon
Leader: Meg Scanlon; Cell: 724-612-6192
This site features an impressive 45 foot waterfall and scenic woodland. Between 1931 and 1956 the property was owned by Fred McFeely, grandfather of Fred Rogers of children’s television fame. Mr. Rogers often visited the site as a child. Only one hour from Pittsburgh, a restroom, picnic pavilion, falls overlook viewing area, and a hiking trail are available at the falls.
Directions: Travel US22 east past Blairsville and ascend Chestnut Ridge. Turn right onto Clay Pike Road. This is about 2000 feet after a Dollar General on the right. Turn right onto Clay Pike Rd S and continue for 1.5 mile. Turn left at a green sign for Buttermilk Falls Entrance (Valley Brook Rd). Continue about ½ mile to the natural area’s entrance.
To celebrate the winter solstice, we will head north along a sunny portion of the trail below wooded slopes.
This trip could be canceled due to unsafe driving conditions with ice and snow; to learn if the trip is canceled when weather conditions are uncertain, please call or text Loree at 724-518-6022 the day of the hike.
Thursday, New Years Day, January 1 , 2026, NOON
NEW YEARS DAY Field Trip, Monroe Trailhead, Butler Freeport Trail, Butler County
Directions: From Pittsburgh: take PA-28 North to Exit 17 (PA-356/Butler/Freeport). At end of ramp, turn right to travel PA-356 for a little less than a mile. At the Sheetz, turn right onto Monroe Road and travel about 0.8 mile to the parking for the Buffalo Creek Nature Center on the left.
Start the New Year with winter botany along trailside and sandstone cliffs. Enjoying botany and nature on New Year’s Day is now a BSWP tradition!
This trip could be canceled due to unsafe driving conditions with ice and snow; to learn if the trip is canceled when weather conditions are uncertain, please call or text Loree at 724-518-6022 the day of the hike.
Seven members braved the rainy forecast to hike the prairie. The weatherman was off again – only a light mist for the whole walk. Even though we were a week later than usual, the flowers were just as abundant. The number of birds and butterflies was but we did see – a red headed woodpecker – thought to have nested there his year!! Read trip list here:
Leaders: Dianne and Bob Machesney (412) 523-0368. diannem15237@aol.com
If thunderstorms are predicted. Call Dianne to verify.
Bring a lunch for after the hike. There are picnic tables available in a roofed shelter.
Directions From Pittsburgh: take I-79 North to Exit 99, New Castle/ Butler. Drive east on Route 422 roughly 5.8 miles to the Prospect Exit. Turn left (north) onto Route 528.
Continue on Route 528 for about 7 miles. Meet in the Jennings Prairie Parking Lot on the left (west) side of the road.
We have not been to the EFNA this early in quite a while. This is a flat, game lands road/trail.
Directions: There are many ways to get to EFNA; if you have never been there, use the GPS coordinates 39.96107, -80.4627 with smartphone maps ahead of time. EFNA is located at the end of Smokey Row Rd in PA State Game Lands 302. The directions below are not the most direct, but the simplest.
Take I-79 south to Exit 14 Waynesburg. Turn right at end of ramp and travel PA 21 west for 19 miles through Waynesburg and Graysville. About 2.5 miles from Graysville, make a right onto Nebo Ridge Road (there is a farmhouse here on the right with stone siding ).
Follow Nebo Ridge Road for 2.8 miles. The road will make a sweeping curve to the left and you’ll come to a group of houses (old cars and junk lying around). Turn right onto unmarked Walker Hill Road at a sign for RHL 28. Continue about 1/4 mile, make a sharp left onto Smoky Row Lane, at a sign for state game land; follow that down the hill, through an S curve at the mine conveyor facility, then onto Enlow Fork. Go as far as you can go till you come to a gate and parking lot. Do not stop at the first lot on the left or you’ll have a few hundred yards of walking to do.
Rain or shine, for a leisurely paced, easy walk. Come early, 11:30, for lunch, 12 noon for start of walk. Meg is willing to transport 5 people in her mini van. Meet at the North Park Ice Rink/Basketball Courts on Kummer Rd at 10:45 AM.
Directions: From Pittsburgh take I-79 north to Exit 105. At the end of the ramp turn left on PA 108. Travel east on PA 108 for about 0.7 miles to West Park Rd (Dairy Queen on the right). Turn left onto West Park Road (SR 1015) and drive north about 1.8 miles to SR 1020 (you can see some large silos on the right). Turn right on SR 1020 (Miller Rd) and drive about 1.7 miles to the small parking lot on the right. (SR 1020 is a winding road and at an almost T intersection, turn right to stay on SR 1020.) If you reach the bridge, you have gone too far. The parking lot is just before you reach the bridge over Wolf Creek.
Arrive at 11:30 AM to eat lunch, weather permitting. No restroom facilities. We will start walking at 12 noon.
May 8, 1915 is 109 years, 11 months and 1 week from April 19, 2025. Spring comes much earlier, but the Botanical Society is still a strange looking company in knock-about clothes. Let’s see if we can beat 115 plants recorded by the 1915 MArvels of Roaring Run troop. Leader: Loree Speedy ; 724-518-6022
We will meet at the parking lot along the river and carpool to the smaller Rock Furnace lot upstream of Roaring Run for a hike of 3 miles, mostly downhill and along the river.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take I-376 Parkway East and continue on US 22 east for 1.5 miles to PA 286 (Golden Mile Highway). Continue on PA 286 – it will become PA 380 after the commercial development and Dairy Queen. Continue on PA 380 to PA 66 and travel PA 66 north (right at end of ramp) to Apollo. Cross the bridge into Apollo and turn right at the traffic light immediately after the bridge onto Kiski Avenue. Follow this road through the town about 0.8 mile until a fork; take the right fork onto Canal Road. The road dead-ends at the Roaring Run trailhead parking lot. We will meet here.
Leader: Shane Miller, Environmental Educator at Raccoon Creek State Park
Let’s join member and botanist Shane Miller for a trip through one of the most diverse populations of plants in the state. Be prepared for wet trails and moderate hiking.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take the Parkway West – Route 376 west (former Route 60 north) to Exit 52, Clinton (one exit past the Airport). At the end of the ramp, turn left and continue 1.1 miles to US 30. Turn right onto US 30 and drive 4.7 miles to the entrance for the Wildflower Reserve, on the right, just over a hill.
Hells Hollow Trail, McConnells Mill State Park, Lawrence County
The half-mile trail leading to a waterfall is easy hiking. Those who wish to continue should wear sturdy shoes.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take I-79 north to Exit 96 – Portersville. Turn left to travel PA-488 about 4 miles to Heinz Camp Road. Turn right onto Heinz Camp Road and continue about 2 miles to a T. Turn right and cross the Armstrong Bridge. Continue up the hill about 2 1/2 miles and make a right onto Shaffer Road. The Hell’s Hollow Trailhead parking lot is on the right about 100 yards after the turn, just before a one-lane bridge.
Leader: Lindsay Praksti, Westmoreland Botanical Society
O. E. Jennings, in the gazetteer of his 1953 Wild Flowers of Western Pennsylvania and the Upper Ohio Valley, called this area “good botanizing ground” with woods, marsh and a stream that flows through a deep gorge. We will join the Westmoreland Botanical Society.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take the PA Turnpike to Exit 91 – Donegal. Turn left on PA 31. Travel about 2 miles and turn right on PA 381 at the traffic light. Travel about 11.5 miles on PA 381. Once you cross a bridge over Mill Run Reservoir, look for a Camp Christian sign and turn right onto the next unpaved road. At the Y, turn right and continue to a trailhead parking area.
Gabrielle has a good feeling about this beautiful valley of the Browns Run tributary to the Monongahela River. As we enjoy rich diverse slopes of paw-paw, we will look for the Zebra Swallowtail.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take I-79 south to Exit 14. Turn left to travel PA21 east. Continue 21 miles to the Exit for PA 166 South. Turn right at the end of the ramp. Travel 1 mile north on Ronco Road. Bear right at the Y onto Shortcut Rd (unmarked). Continue 0.3 mile to trail parking on the right.
We will meet at the new Visitor Center along US 22. We will walk the Funk Bikeway and then some narrower hilly hiking trails along Fernwood.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take I-376 east (Parkway East) to its end at US 22 East – Murrysville. Travel US 22 for about 4 miles to the intersection of Trafford Rd (McDonald’s on the left). Continue along US 22 in the right lane about 7/10 of a mile. At The Fireplace and Airgas businesses, turn right into the new Robert Trail Access, where we will meet.
We will explore the wetlands, signs of beaver, and azaleas along a game lands trail along a stretch of Glade Run. This is an exploratory hike; bring shoes that can get wet, a walking stick if needed and a sense of adventure.
Directions: Chalkhill-Ohiopyle Road in the village of Chalkhill can be reached by traveling US-40 east about 10 miles from Uniontown. Alternately, from the intersection of US-40 and PA-381 south of Ohiopyle, travel west on US-40 for 3.7 miles to the intersection of US-40 and Chalkhill-Ohiopyle Road.
Turn north onto Chalkhill-Ohiopyle Road and travel 1.3 miles. You will cross Deer Lake (which may be drained or open water). Take the first left turn onto Greenbrier Road. Travel about a mile; you will enter State Game Land 51. Continue straight about 2/10 of a mile to the game land parking lot on the right..
We will meet at the parking lot for the picnic area and head along one of the hiking trails for Painted Trillium and Clintonia. Wear hiking shoes.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take the PA Turnpike east to Exit 91/Donegal. Turn left onto PA 31 and then, after a short distance, left onto PA 711. Continue on PA 711 north for about 9 miles. Turn right onto Darlington Road (this may be unmarked) and travel about 1 mile to its junction with PA 381. Continue straight onto PA 381 for a short distance, then turn right onto Linn Run Road. Travel through Linn Run State Park to the top of the hill. At the sign for Laurel Summit State Park, bear left and continue to the parking lot.
Leader: Loree Speedy and Liz Spence, with Park volunteers! Loree Speedy; 724-518-6022
Preston Park is an 88-acre English garden donated to Butler Township by Dr. Frank Preston, founder of Preston Laboratories, and Mrs. Jane Preston. Dr. Preston, a glass scientist, ornithologist, and ecologist, created and designed an English garden as a place to live, work and enjoy nature. Dr. Preston apparently walked the entire property daily at dawn, in accordance with his origins in England where a deep interest in nature is a great pastime. Preston Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now maintained by Butler Township. For more information, visit here.
Directions: Travel I-79 north to Exit 83 – PA 528 toward Evans City. Travel PA 528 north for 2.6 miles to a T. Turn right at the T and continue east on PA 68 for 9 miles to Whitestown Rd (the first traffic light after the Butler Farm Show on the right).Turn right onto Whitestown Rd and continue 1 mile to turn right onto South Eberhart Road. Park entrance will be on the left. The GPS address is 415 South Eberhart Road, Butler, PA 16001.
