FOW Releases Summer Hike Schedule

The Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) are leading free hikes in this summer led by FOW Trail Ambassadors.     

Meanderings in the Wissahickon with Shelly Brick

• Saturday, June 16 at 1 p.m. Meet at the Kitchen’s Lane entrance to the park.

• Sunday, July 15 at 2 p.m. Meet at the Rex Ave. entrance to the park at the end of paved road.

• Saturday, August 4 at 1 p.m. Meet at the Chestnut Hill Ave. entrance to the park.

• Sunday, August 26 at 2 p.m. Meet at Livezey Lane, Allens Lane and Wayne Ave. intersection.

Enjoy our park and share talk stories as we explore the Wissahickon trails. Pace will be set by the group. Duration: 1.5-2 hours. Children younger than age seven are welcome if they are regular hikers. Bring water. 

Orange Trail Hike with Merritt Rhoad

• Sunday, June 24 at 1 p.m.

• Sunday, July 29 at 1 p.m.

• Sunday, August 26 at 1 p.m.

Meet at Northwestern Ave & Forbidden Drive. Difficulty: moderate. Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours. Distance: approx. 4 miles along Forbidden Drive to Bell’s Mill Rd. and then along the Orange & White Trails to the Indian Statue with return to Northwestern Ave. along Forbidden Drive. Learn a more Wissahickon history and nature.   

Three Mile Hike with Kimberly Quinn

• Wednesday, June 27 at 5:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, July 25 at 5:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, August 22 at 5:30 p.m.

Meet at . Difficulty: moderate; group sets pace. Distance: 3+ miles along the Orange Trail, downstream from Valley Green. Duration: 2 hours. Wear supportive hiking shoes and bring water. Cameras and binoculars encouraged. Highlights: caves, Fingerspan Bridge, Devil's Pool, Spring House, Shakespeare's Rock, major improvements to the trails, history of Livezey Mill, and more. Hopefully spot some wildlife. Suitable for children over eight accompanied by a responsible adult. More info:  kimberlyaquinn@gmail.com. 

Horses & History with Diane Garvey and Carmella Clark

• Saturday, July 14 at 1 p.m.

Meet at the parking lot at the bottom of Kitchen’s Lane in West Mt Airy. Difficulty: brisk pace along rough, steep terrain with stops to talk. Duration: 2 hours. Distance: 3 miles along the Orange Trail between Kitchen's Lane and Mount Airy Ave. Will follow White Trail on return to historic Monastery Mansion and stables. Highlights: gorgeous shady woods and a breezy meadow; learn about horses in the park and protecting the environment; history of the Monastery Mansion and Stables. Be prepared to scramble over rocky outcrops and logs. Children are welcome with adult supervision; dogs on leash are welcome. More info: Diane@GarveyResources.com. 

Lower Forbidden Drive with Sarah West

• Sunday, July 15 at 3 p.m.

Meet at the small parking lot where Forbidden Drive meets Lincoln Drive, a short distance down- stream from RittenhouseTown. Duration: 1.75 hours. Distance: 1 mile along lower Forbidden Drive on level ground as far as the Walnut Lane Bridge. Highlights: two historical sites connected to the Revolutionary War era; the Blue Stone Bridge; the foundation of the Lotus Inn; Walnut Lane Bridge; discussion of the Wissahickon Turnpike and Forbidden Drive. Children with a responsible adult are welcome. More info: westsarah@aol.com   

Geology Hike with Sarah West

• Saturday, July 21 at 3 p.m.  
  

Meet outside The Cedars House, on Forbidden Drive near Northwestern Ave. Difficulty: easy to moderate. Duration: 1 hour. Distance: 1 mile on level ground and a short section of the Orange Trail near Bell's Mill Rd. Highlights: formation of Wissahickon rocks as the result of plate tectonics; a small, abandoned quarry on Forbidden Drive; exposures of schist, quartzite, pegmatite, and talc rocks. Suitable for children over eight accompanied by a responsible adult. Please bring water and sturdy footwear.  More info: westsarah@aol.com 

Wissahickon Stormwater Project Walk with Peg Shaw

• Saturday, August 4 at 10 a.m.

Meet at Lower Parking Lot (Chestnut Hill Side) of Bell’s Mill Road. Difficulty:  moderate. Duration: 2 hours. Features a discussion of land use and stormwater impacts on the Wissahickon Valley as we take a look at the Philadelphia Water Department’s stream channel mitigation project along Bell’s Mill Road. Children seven and older are welcome if accompanied by adult. Wear appropriate hiking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Rain or shine event. Rain may even enhance what can be learned! 

Waters of the Wissahickon with Diane Garvey and Dennis Pennington, Water Quality Manager, WVWA

• Sunday, September 9 at 1 p.m.

Meet at Northwest Equestrian Facility on Northwestern Ave. Difficulty: moderate. Duration: 2 hours. Distance: 2+ miles, downstream on the Orange Trail, to the covered bridge, back on Wissahickon Drive. Highlights: measure water flows; look at turbulent and laminar flow; test tube experiments to measure stream water quality; learn about seasonal variations in water quality and sources of pollution in the Wissahickon and its prevention, causes of flooding, and more. Binoculars recommended for birding. Ideal for families and homeschoolers six years and older accompanied by a responsible adult. More info: Diane@GarveyResources.com 

Unless otherwise specified, Trail Ambassador hikes may use rocky, rugged trails that may be wet and slippery. Please wear sturdy shoes or boots with socks. Long pants are recommended for protection against occasional poison ivy and possible ticks. Bring water and a snack if desired. Children over age seven are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult. Walks are cancelled in heavy rain. Registration is not required, but is recommended so that you can be informed of weather or other emergency cancellations. To register, contact Outreach Coordinator Sarah Marley at marley@fow.org.