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Step up to celebrate National Trails Day
Sandra Serhan of Harveys Lake walks with a 9-year-old friend, Jessica Noss, and two Shih Tzus on Park Street at Harveys Lake.
FRED ADAMS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Everett Appleby, 14, of Wilkes-Barre climbs up on the retaining wall to get a better glimpse of the Back Mountain Trail during a recent hike in Trucksville.
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
Given the choice of walking or riding her mother’s shoulders, Rebecca Polgar picked what most 3-year-olds would.
That was just fine with Michele Schasberger of Kingston, who got an extra workout by carrying her daughter’s 35 pounds as she strode along the Back Mountain Trail near Shavertown on a recent Thursday evening.
Rebecca’s 6-year-old sister, Isabelle Polgar, meanwhile pedaled her purple bicycle along the path – getting a little push from mom now and then.
Carol Hussa of Wilkes-Barre strolled along at an easy pace while her son, Everett Appleby, 14, didn’t so much walk the trail as explore it – atop a pile of rocks above the trail one moment, down on a ledge below the trail the next.
So many trail folks, so many styles.
On Saturday, the Back Mountain Trail and other walking/biking paths will bustle with even more activity as people celebrate National Trails Day.
Organized events range from a one-mile hike along the Lakeshore Trail at Frances Slocum State Park to a three-mile jaunt to see pink lady’s slipper orchids at Archbald Pothole to “nine difficult miles” at the Glen Onoko Falls area near Jim Thorpe.
You’re invited to bring your dog to a hike in Pittston or your bike to an excursion on the Hazleton Rails-to-Trails. The list has lots of options, with trailheads from Mocanaqua to White Haven, and if you don’t see one that suits you perfectly, you can devise your own.
That’s what Sandra Serhan of Harveys Lake has done, inviting area residents to join her in twice-weekly walks through her neighborhood. To avoid traffic close to the lake, she usually walks a block away on a set of four side streets: Park, Ash, Pine and Oak.
“Three times around is one mile,” she said on a recent walk during which she was joined by three women, one little girl and two Shih Tzus.
The shady streets are so quiet and flat, Serhan added, she’d like to see people with baby strollers or even wheelchairs join the group, which usually meets 9 a.m. Saturdays and 7 p.m. Thursdays near Pole 155. (This Saturday, they’ll meet 8 a.m. at The Lakeside Skillet for breakfast instead.)
“This is the best prescription,” said Serhan, who suffers from arthritis. “Fresh air and exercise and socializing all keep your spirits up.”
If you’d like to get out and get moving, here are some possibilities for National Trails Day and beyond. Piggyback rides are not guaranteed.
Black Diamond Trail, flat 5.5 miles with 1.5-mile option. Meet at 9 a.m. Saturday at White Haven Community Center on Main Street and walk to Port Jenkins, new Black Diamond bridge and back. Heavy rain cancels. 403-2006 to register.
Harveys Lake neighborhood walks, meet 8 a.m. Saturday at The Lakeside Skillet, Pole 279 Lakeside Drive, Harveys Lake, for breakfast meeting followed by hike. Subsequent hikes will be 7 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. June 13 near Pole 155 and Park Street, Harveys Lake. For info, call Sandra at 639-3299
Mocanaqua Loop, guided three-mile hike, with longer option. Hike is easy but includes steep climb. Meet at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, leave by 10 a.m. To reach trailhead, take Route 11 to Shickshinny, cross Shickshinny Bridge (Route 239) to Mocanaqua and take the first left. The trailhead is at the end of this short, dead-end street. Call Jackie at 823-3445.
Greater Hazleton Rail Trail Hike & Bike, eight-mile bike hike and two-mile hike both start at 11 a.m. Saturday. Meet at trailhead, just off routes 93 and 424, Hazleton, east of hospital. Free picnic and festival follow at 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Bob Skulsky at 455-1509.
Pooches and People Walk. Walk at your own pace from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday on Luzerne County National Recreation Trail, behind Cooper’s Seafood House in Pittston. Donations to SPCA are welcome. 825-4111.
Lakeshore Trail at Frances Slocum State Park in Kingston Township. Meet at boat-rental parking lot at 3 p.m. Saturday. Followed by folk songs by Jim Weiss 7 p.m. at the Campground Amphitheater. 969-9105.
Archbald Pothole State Park Hike, three moderate miles to see vernal ponds and pink lady slipper orchids in bloom. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore. 9:15 a.m. Sunday. $5. 343-5144.
Glen Onoko Falls Hike, nine difficult miles. Meet at the Sears Automotive Store, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township, at 9:45 a.m. Sunday. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 283-1312.
Bike Outing, an eight-mile bike ride from Kirby Park to the Back Mountain Trail. Helmets mandatory. Meet at the Kirby Park parking area, near Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre, at 10 a.m. Sunday. Sponsored by the Sierra Club. 819-2147.
Senior Citizen Outing, three easy miles through Promised Land State Park on Egypt Meadow Trail to view a nest of eagles. Followed by lunch at the Ranger’s Inn. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 North Blakely St., Dunmore, at 9 a.m. Wednesday. $5. 343-5144.
Trees of the Northeast, an informative tree walk on identification techniques, tree characteristics, facts and local tree history. Lackawanna College Environmental Institute, Moffatt Estate, Route 435, Covington Township. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. $3. Registration: 842-1506.
Hickory Run Hike, four miles along the Manor House, Fireline and Skyline trails at Hickory Run State Park, Route 534, White Haven. 9 a.m. Thursday. Meet at the first parking lot on the right near the park entrance from Route 534. 443-0400.
Back Mountain Trail Association National Trails Day Bike Hike, easy 10 miles downhill, beginners welcome. Meet at 9:30 a.m., leave by 10 a.m. from Dallas High School; end at Riverfest in Nesbitt Park, Kingston. Wear a helmet. Each person is responsible for his or her own shuttle/ride back. 430-0912.