Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club

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Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club A hiking club responsible for maintaining 65 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania.

Backpacking PA: The Standing Stone Trail (SST). On the SST website (https://www.standingstonetrail.org/pdf-maps), you wi...
11/04/2026

Backpacking PA: The Standing Stone Trail (SST). On the SST website (https://www.standingstonetrail.org/pdf-maps), you will find a map index that shows the length of the entire trail, with maps for each region. You can download individual maps and print them on waterproof paper.

Exploring PA State Parks: Leonard Harrison SP in North Central PA. For more spectacular views of the Pine Creek Gorge, c...
11/03/2026

Exploring PA State Parks: Leonard Harrison SP in North Central PA. For more spectacular views of the Pine Creek Gorge, check out the 0.6-mile Overlook Trail, which starts at the visitors' center. This yellow-blazed loop trail passes historic structures from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era, including a monument, pavilion, and stone trash incinerator used by workers developing the park.

Source: park brochure

Saturday, November 14 (9 AM - 6 PM): Cove Mountain to Duncannon Hike. This is a challenging out-and-back 15.1-mile hike ...
11/02/2026

Saturday, November 14 (9 AM - 6 PM): Cove Mountain to Duncannon Hike. This is a challenging out-and-back 15.1-mile hike with great views as you descend toward the Susquehanna River. Footing will be very rocky, so wear appropriate footwear. Bring snacks, lunch, and lots of fluids. Inclement weather will cancel the hike.

Hike Leader: Howard Reid (610) 420-8194 or [email protected]
Where: Appalachian Trail, 3200 Valley Rd, Marysville, PA 17053

Bear Canister Lending Update, by David BaileyIn 2024, BMECC partnered with the Berks County Parks and Recreation Departm...
11/02/2026

Bear Canister Lending Update, by David Bailey

In 2024, BMECC partnered with the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department to make bear canisters available to the public at no charge. BMECC purchased the canisters, in part with a grant from the Keystone Trails Association, and approached Berks Parks to administer the lending program. This partnership builds on Berks Parks’ already established fishing rod and snowshoe lending program. Bear canister lending is not limited to BMECC members or the Appalachian Trail, but to anyone traveling into bear territory, reinforcing the club’s mission and Leave No Trace principles.

To date, the number of canisters loaned to individuals in 2026 has already equaled the total number loaned in 2025. In 2025, individuals requesting canisters skewed toward locals, while this year individuals requesting canisters represent a more expansive geography, including Delaware and Rhode Island. The canisters are being used mainly on shorter hikes along the Appalachian Trail near Berks County and Eastern Pennsylvania. Individuals requesting canisters report that they learned about the club’s lending program through the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Those taking advantage of the program had previously used bear hangs to protect their food but have transitioned to canisters after learning that they are a better option than bear hangs. That’s good news! Bear canisters directly address Leave No Trace principle #6, Respect Wildlife.

BMECC Eagle's Flight Newsletter (Fall 2006)

The Bald Eagle: An American Success Story. Ironically, despite being called a "sea eagle," you'll find bald eagles inlan...
10/31/2026

The Bald Eagle: An American Success Story. Ironically, despite being called a "sea eagle," you'll find bald eagles inland along creeks, rivers, and large lakes. Surprisingly, males are smaller than females: males are about 36 inches long with a 6.6-foot wingspan, while females can grow as large as 43 inches long with an 8-foot wingspan. Both sexes are dark brown with a white head and tail. Despite their name, their heads are white, not bald, and their beaks, eyes, and feet are yellow.

Hiking Your Berks Backyard: Governor Dick Hill near Lebanon. Trail #8, also known as the Meadow Trail, is a short 0.1-m...
10/30/2026

Hiking Your Berks Backyard: Governor Dick Hill near Lebanon. Trail #8, also known as the Meadow Trail, is a short 0.1-mile path that cuts through the meadow near the observation tower. It is a part of the old railroad grade which allowed the excursion train to turn around by circling the tower.

New PA Law: Fluorescent Orange Requirement for Hikers in State Game LandsFrom Oct. 1 to Jan. 31, all non-hunting users o...
10/30/2026

New PA Law: Fluorescent Orange Requirement for Hikers in State Game Lands

From Oct. 1 to Jan. 31, all non-hunting users of Pennsylvania State Game Lands must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on their head, chest, and back combined, or a fluorescent orange hat to ensure visibility and safety.

Who the rule applies to

All visitors to PA State Game Lands who are not hunting, trapping, or fishing during the specified dates. This includes hikers, horseback riders, cyclists, and other non-motorized users. While the main hiking season is from October to January, it also applies from April 20 to May 31 for turkey season.

What counts as fluorescent orange:

A minimum of 250 sq. in. of blaze orange on head, chest, and back combined, or a solid fluorescent orange hat (which meets the 360° visibility requirement). The color must be visible from all sides; vests, bandanas, or backpack covers can help meet the requirement.

Safety tips from the PA Game Commission:

Pets: Wear a vest, harness, bandana, or leash to improve visibility
Backpacks: Add a bright bandana or cover to ensure visibility from all angles

Backpacking PA: The Standing Stone Trail (SST). Over its 80 miles, the SST winds through large areas of state-owned land...
10/29/2026

Backpacking PA: The Standing Stone Trail (SST). Over its 80 miles, the SST winds through large areas of state-owned land: State Game Lands #81, #99, #71, and #112; Buchanan and Rothrock State Forests; and the Rocky Ridge Natural Area. At times, it uses private lands where owners have given permission to hike.

Exploring PA State Parks: Leonard Harrison SP. At the end of PA 660, an expansive parking lot provides access to Leonard...
10/28/2026

Exploring PA State Parks: Leonard Harrison SP. At the end of PA 660, an expansive parking lot provides access to Leonard Harrison SP's incredible view of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. You'll also find a visitor center and the PA Wilds Conservation Shop.

One of three shops operated by the non-profit PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship (the other two are at Kinzua Bridge SP and Marienville, along the Knox and Kane Rail Trail), it offers locally made products, with 90% of its inventory coming from rural artisans and businesses in the 13-county Pennsylvania Wilds region. After opening as a seasonal mobile unit at the park in 2024, it relocated to the visitor center in June of that year after the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources completed renovations.

Items for sale include 3D wooden cut magnets depicting the Pine Creek Valley in full foliage, locally made maple syrup, "tree stump" chocolates, metal replicas of Wellsboro's famous gas streetlights, and the Pine Creek Rail Trail guidebook.

The shop is open Thursday through Monday, 10 AM to 4 PM, and closes for the season in November.

Address

P. O. Box 14982
Reading, PA
19604

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