Trail Ambassadors from the Friends of the Wissahickon in Montgomery County are offering free nature walks in Wissahickon Valley Park this spring. These volunteers share their knowledge of the Wissahickon with park users and report any problems they see to Fairmount Park Rangers.

Hike with Merritt Rhoad, April 11 at 1 p.m.: Meet at Northwestern Ave. and Forbidden Drive. Distance: about four miles. Hike will go from Forbidden Drive to Bell’s Mill Rd. on the orange and white trails to the Indian Statue, returning to Northwestern Ave. via the yellow trail. Learn a bit of geology, history, WPA efforts, Sustainable Trail Initiative, and progress on current FOW activities.

The Spirit and Science of the Waters of the Wissahickon Creek, April 17 at 10 a.m.: This 1 to 2 hour walk begins at Northwestern Stables along the orange trail to the covered bridge and back on Forbidden Drive. Hikers will observe water quality indicators and discuss modern advances and challenges of protecting water quality, historic structures and their role in society, the Wissahickon Turnpike, and the role of the valley in contemporary life. On return, the group may split into two groups: speed walkers and meanderers. Leaders: Bruce Wagner and Diane Garvey. For more information, send email to:  bwagner@temple.edu.

Meandering in the Wissahickon with Shelly Brick, Come enjoy our park and share stories. Walks will last 1 to 2 hours. Pace will be set by the group. For more information, send email to: shellybrick@verizon.net.

The Mighty Wissahickon with Scott Quitel, April 24 at 9 a.m. --The first half of this three hour walk will be a moderately strenuous trek (some rocky and some wet areas) along the orange trail from Valley Green to Kitchen’s Lane. Return route will be along Forbidden Drive. Dress for conditions and bring water and food as desired. Total distance: about four miles. Meet at Valley Green Inn. For more information, send email to: squitel@comcast.net.

Hike with Peter Lapham, May 8 at 10:30 a.m.: Learn a little about the natural and man-made history of the Wissahickon while strolling up Forbidden Drive to the Rex Ave. bridge and back along the east side. The walk is about three miles on even ground and will take 1 to 2 hours. Meet at Forbidden Drive near Northwestern Stables.

Geology Hike with Sarah West, May 2 at 3 p.m.: Meet at Valley Green Inn. This rock talk and field trip is suitable for children over ten accompanied by an adult. We will discuss the possible Precambrian formation of Wissahickon rocks, learn to identify five different rock types, and then look at the rocks on the east side of the creek between Devil’s Pool and the Megargee Dam. For more information, send email to: WestSarah@aol.com.

Mindfulness Nature Walk with Edie Mannion and Linda Miller, May 16 at 2 p.m.: If you need to take a break from worries while enjoying the wonders of the Wissahickon, this 1-2 mile easy walk is for you! Meet at the picnic tables next to the Valley Green Inn. This hike will start with a brief overview of mindfulness or fully experiencing something in the present moment. Participants will practice being truly mindful of the sights, sounds, smells, and bodily sensations experienced as we hike on a scenic trail. Afterward everyone will be free to share what they have discovered about the park and themselves, and what they can do to continue to benefit from mindfulness.

Hike with Sarah West, June 26 at 3 p.m.: Meet at Washington’s Rock, where Forbidden Drive intersects with Lincoln Drive. This is a short, easy hike along lower Forbidden Drive. We will look at several historical sites and discuss the mills, inns, and roads of the 19th and early 20th century, including the Wissahickon Turnpike, Ten-box, Washington Rock, the Henry Rittenhouse Mill, the Bluestone Bridge, and the Lotus Inn. Length of hike is less than one mile.

3/29/2010