Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10:00 AM

Cedar Creek County Park, Rostraver, Westmoreland County 

Leader: Mark Bowers; monarda55@gmail.com; cell: (724) 454-4012

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.

GPS coordinates: 40.17867, -79.77847  Google Maps Link to Cedar Creek Gorge lot

Saturday, April 18, 2026, 1:00 PM

Park Gate Lineal Park, Beaver County 

 Leader:  Dawn Wehman; cell: 724-544-0978 

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.  

GPS coordinates: 40.852774, -80.312353  Google Maps Link to Park Gate & Railroad

Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 12:00 NOON

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.

GPS coordinates: 40.36107, -79.74418  Google Maps Link to Ackermann

Friday,April 24, 2026, NOON

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. 

GPS coordinates: 40.43680, -80.36670    Google Maps Link to Bavington Game Lands

Sunday, April 26, 2026, 1:00 PM

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.  .

GPS coordinates: 40.54990, -79.69644  Google Maps Link to Penn State New Ken Athletic Ctr

Thursday, April 30, 2026, 1:15 PM

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.

GPS coordinates to East Campus Garage: 40.4438, -79.9391  Google Maps Link to East Campus Garage Entrance

GPS coordinates to Hunt Institute: 40.44098, -79.944282  Google Maps Link to Hunt Library on Frew St

Saturday, May 2, 2026, 1:00 PM

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.  

GPS coordinates: 40.85066, -79.50721    Google Maps Link to McMillen Rd Trail Parking

Saturday, May 9, 2026, 1:00 PM

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.

GPS coordinates: 41.77182, -79.97396  Trolley Line TH

Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 AM (Day 1 of 2!)

Dolly Sods Natural Area, Tucker County, West Virginia 

Leader:  Mary Ann Pike; Mary Ann Pike; cell: (412) 855-8239; mapike@earthlink.net and Loree Speedy;  724-518-6022; loreespeedy@gmail.com

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. 

Plan to attend the field trip for one day or both days.   For information on accommodations (from resorts to camping) in Canaan Valley and the Davis, WV area, visit  GetTuckered.  Some suggestions:  Canaan Valley Resort;  The Inn at Canaan; Milo’s Guesthouse.  

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. 

GPS coordinates: 39.0240, -79.46577  Google Maps Link to Canaan Valley Resort

Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 AM (Day 2 of 2)

Idleman’s Run Trail  & Canaan Loop Rd, Tucker County, West Virginia 

 We will meet at 10:00 AM  in the lobby of the Canaan Valley Resort.  

GPS coordinates: 39.0240, -79.46577  Google Maps Link to Canaan Valley Resort

Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 12:00 PM, NOON

Cedar Creek County Park , Westmoreland County

Meet at RC Airfield

Leader: Meg Scanlon; Cell: 724-612-6192

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.

GPS coordinates: 40.17454, -79.77733   Google Maps Link to Cedar Creek Park Airfield

Sunday, March 22, 2026, 1:00 PM

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. 

GPS coordinates: 40.26045, -79.72696.   Google Maps Link to Herminie

Saturday, April 4, 2026, 1:00 PM

Wharton Furnace Road, Forbes State Forest, Fayette County

Leader:  Loree Speedy; loreespeedy@gmail.com; (724) 518-6022 cell

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.

GPS coordinates: 39.8080, -79.62180  Google Maps Link to FSF Lot

Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10:00 AM

Cedar Creek County Park, Rostraver, Westmoreland County 

Leader: Mark Bowers; monarda55@gmail.com; cell: (724) 454-4012

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.

GPS coordinates: 40.17867, -79.77847  Google Maps Link to Cedar Creek Gorge lot

Mark your calendar. The following trips have been scheduled and details will follow in early April. 

• Saturday, April 18, Park Gate Lineal Park, Beaver County, 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, April 21, Noon, Ackermann Preserve near Trafford, Westmoreland County
• Sunday, April 26, 1:00 PM, Penn State New Kensington Woods with Mason Heberling, 1:00 PM
• Weekend of May 16 and May 17, Dolly Sods and Tucker County, Come one or both days

Tuesday, January 20, 12:00 Noon

Irwin Run Conservation Area, Allegheny County 

Leader: Meg Scanlon; Cell: 724-612-6192

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.

Beaver Shelter on Babcock Blvd: GPS coordinates: 40.59914, -79.99656    Google Maps Link to Beaver Shelter 

Irwin Run Parking Lot: GPS coordinates: 40.62538, -80.00676     Google Maps Link to Irwin Run

Saturday, January 31, 2026, 1:00 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. 

GPS coordinates: 40.42646, -79.95280    Google Maps Link to Eliza Furnace Trailhead

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. 

Saturday, Dec 20, 2025, 1:00 PM 

Buena Vista Trail Access, Great Allegheny Passage, Allegheny County

Leader: Loree Speedy; Cell: 724-518-6022

Directions: The trailhead can be reached via PA48 in Boston, or PA51 south of Pittsburgh.  

GPS coordinates: 40.27724, -79.79794    Google Maps Link to Buena Vista GAP Trailhead

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.  

GPS coordinates: 40.7076, -79.7131    Google Maps Link to Buffalo Creek Nature Park

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. 

Buttermilk Falls, Indiana County 

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.  

GPS coordinates: 40.41917, -79.06770    Google Maps Link to Buttermilk Falls

Sunday, December 21, 2025, 1:00 PM

Buena Vista Trail Access, Great Allegheny Passage, Allegheny County

Leader: Loree Speedy; Cell: 724-518-6022

Directions: The trailhead can be reached via PA48 in Boston, or PA51 south of Pittsburgh.  

GPS coordinates: 40.27724, -79.79794    Google Maps Link to Buena Vista GAP Trailhead

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.  

GPS coordinates: 40.7076, -79.7131    Google Maps Link to Buffalo Creek Nature Park

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:

Meadowsweet

Monkey flowers

American Groundnut

Seedbox

Wild Sweet William

Rattlesnake plantain

Donna and Judy