Blue Marsh - North Loop, 10ish Miles.

Blue Marsh Lake is a reservoir constructed along the Tulpehocken Creek by the Army Corp of Engineers in 1974. There are some 36 miles of trail in the reservoir area. We will use 10 or 11 miles of it.

The major trail forms an irregular figure eight. The upper loop is our start. There is a bit of road walking and usually mud to be found. Plastic facilities at the trail head and decent cell service throughout.

This will be a brisk hike. There are hills. It is a terrible way to experience your first hike. It varies from the more social, slower walks in its rate of travel and its lack of pauses. If 2.5+ mph is not meaningful to you...wrong hike.

Consider: Boots, high or low, water and calories for four hours in the woods and a fully charged cell phone. It's Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania for this and the next two Sundays. BLAZE ORANGE IS A NECESSITY! Plan on wearing it as opposed to hanging it off some pack attachment. Poles, insect repellent, pleasant nature, sun screen, crayons, cookies for the hike leader...whatever.

Wx forecast of rain 50% or higher at time and place of hike causes concern. Check Meetup 2 hours before. I tend to err on the side of caution. Please sign up on Meetup as it allows rapid dissemination of information. If we don't know each other, please give me a way to communicate (if I don't have a way to communicate - I don't know you). .Questions/concerns/comments...484-919-6000.