Starting at 6:30PM we will have our potluck holiday dinner followed by our monthly business meeting and winter hike scheduling. Bring your favorite dish to share with others.

Following the business meeting we will be looking to schedule hikes and other events for January, February and March 2013. These scheduled events will be published in our Winter 2013 Happy Hiker and posted on our website. Please complete an AHC Hike/Event form and give to the Hiking Schedule Coordinator, Edna Himmler.

Details
Meeting place: St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, 140 South Ott Street, Allentown, PA.
Leader: Mike "Sparky" Wuerstle 267-374-0324 bluegrasshorizon@yahoo.com

Walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem

Walk with others who prefer peace over wars. Buses at the meeting place take walkers to Nazareth. The walk ends at the U.C.C., Center Street in Bethlehem. Rest stops and snacks along the way. Light supper and program at the end. Contact: Fran Dreisbach, 610-258-7313 www.peacewalk.org

Details
Hike / bike / on-water distance: 10 miles
Hike rating: C
Meeting place: 520 E. Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA, across from the YMCA.

Walk the exterior corridor boundary between Bake Oven Road and Bear Rocks.

This is the boundary line for two parcels of land purchased by the National Park Service to protect the Appalachian Trail and is located north of the trail on top of the mountain. The line is marked with paint blazes and boundary monuments at the corners of the land. Anyone who would like a short hike (about 2.5 miles) and wants to see what is involved in boundary maintenance is welcome to join us. Meeting place: Bake Oven Road parking lot (west side of the road).

Details
Hike / bike / on-water distance: 2.5 miles
Meeting place: Meeting place: Bake Oven Road parking lot (west side of the road).
Leader: Barbara Wiemann 610-262-6977 blwiemann@gmail.com

Exploration of historical area and rail trail walk.

A pleasant walk though cement industry remains. A 5-mile stroll on the Ironton Rail Trail including past Lehigh Valley history. Bring snack and sturdy shoes. Rain or heavy snow cancels.

Details
Hike / bike / on-water distance: 5-7 miles
Hike rating: B+
Meeting place: Parking lot at red barn on Chestnut Street, Whitehall, PA. just off Rt. 145.

Spend a Saturday evening hiking in Historic Bethlehem enjoying the Holiday decorations.

Details
Hike / bike / on-water distance: 5 miles
Hike rating: A+
Meeting place: Plaza next to Bethlehem Library.
Leader: Mike "Sparky" Wuerstle 267-374-0324 bluegrasshorizon@yahoo.com

Enjoy an easy hike to the Shelter, where we will share munchies.

We will start at PA 309 and hike south on the Appalachian Trail for four miles to the Allentown Shelter. At the shelter we will stop for a break; bring a snack item to share with the group. After a suitable period eating and socializing, we will retrace our steps to PA 309. Anyone interested in a shorter four mile hike or a later start time can join us at Fort Franklin Road.

Details
Hike / bike / on-water distance: 8 miles
Hike rating: B
Meeting place: Meet at the tower on PA 309 at the summit of Blue Mountain. Park on Meet at the tower on PA 309 at the summit of Blue Mountain. Park on the west side of the road.
Leader: Barbara Wiemann 610-262-6977 blwiemann@gmail.com

Starting at 7:30PM we will hold our monthly business followed by a break for refreshments.

Charlie Root,from the EPA and Site Manager for the Palmerton Superfund, will speak on the restoration project on the Blue Mountain east of Lehigh Gap.

Details
Meeting place: St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, 140 South Ott Street, Allentown, PA
Leader: Lucy Cantwell 267-664-3550

Hike the Lehigh Gorge between Rockport and the Tannery.

Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring lunch and water. Trail and driving conditions will be considered. If the weather is severe we will attempt to hike a local trail.No pets please.

Details
Round trip road miles distance: 70 miles
Hike / bike / on-water distance: 7.5 miles
Hike rating: B
Meeting place: Meet in the Parking lot of Rite Aid drug store in Walnutport.
Co-leader: Nick Rosato 610-437-3199