This Halloween weekend adventure is NOT to be missed!!! There will be something offered for everyone! We'll have two 3-hour plant walks each day of the weekend, and we'll be camping Saturday night at Laurel Hill State Park!
Each afternoon plant walk is $20, and each Hemlock evening walk is $15. If you register before Wednesday, October 26th, the afternoon plant walks will only be $15. Saturday or Sunday Day Passes are $25. IF YOU JOIN US ALL WEEKEND, you will get all four plant / old growth walks for only $50!!! (Reg. price $70 after pre-registration window, $60 at pre-registered price! A savings either way!)
Afternoon plant walks are 3 hours long
Evening plant walks are 2-3ish hours long
Camping will be no extra charge on our end either way, but Laurel Hill State Park charges $15/campsite to residents of PA. Laurel Hill State Park is where the Old Growth Hemlock Forest is located, so Saturday evening's walk will blend right in to our campout.
You are welcome to come out just for the camping if you'd like!!! The more, the merrier! Laurel Hill State Park offers amenities like bathrooms and running water/showers. A total of 2 tents and 5 people can share a site. Everyone is welcome to get their own site, or split a site with friends or awesome people you meet! (Two tents per site = $7.50/tent)-- sharing is helpful!
The Moon will be in the astrological sign of Scorpio this particular weekend. As far as Halloween weekend goes, that's one of, if not, THE best sign for such an occasion! It's a deep, reflective moon, made especially for deep and meaningful conversation & thought. Bring some Sage, incense, and/or crystals for our Gratitude Circle around the campfire!
Schedule - Directions - Pricing/Registration - What To Bring List
Saturday, Oct. 29th: Roaring Run Trail Walk (narrow footpath)
Sunday, Oct. 30th: Mountain Streams Trail Walk (wider equestrian path)
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Saturday, 10/29:
Roaring Run Plant Walk:
10:00am-10:15am: Meet at the Roaring Run Trail Head on County Line Road. (Directions below) Look out for the parking lot on the side of the road and the Roaring Run signs. There is limited parking, so arrive early to claim your space, or carpool from somewhere down the road with me! I'll be offering free park-n-ride opportunities to anyone who isn't able to park here (aka some people may need to park 1/4 mile down the road, and if so, I will arrange to pick you up + drop you back off to your cars)
10:15am-10:30am: Meeting each other and fun awkward social introductions. The more awkward the better! :-) Life is short, no time to waste trying to be cool.
10:30am - 1:30pm: Plant walk at a super easy pace. This is not a speed competition! We'll be breaking for snacks and drinks, etc, at least once an hour or as needed.
1:30pm-2:00pm: Arrive back at the parking lot. Say our goodbyes to anyone leaving + discuss the next walk through the Old Growth Hemlock Forest with those who are staying.
2:00pm-3:00pm: Lunch break! People can go find a place to eat (not far from restaurants) or picnic
Evening Old Growth Forest Walk #1:
4:00pm: Arrive at the Hemlock Trail parking lot in Laurel Hill State Park. Maps are available at either entrance to the park, and/or I'll be emailing my phone number to all registrants before this weekend, so you will be able to contact me, also. I will try to include a map on HERE soon, too. LOTS of parking here, so no parking concerns.
4:00pm-4:15pm: Intro to Old Growth Forest Discussion/Questions
4:15pm - 6:00/7:00pm: Adventure Time! We will meander through the Old Growth Forest and identify plants, discuss the significance of such forests, the phase of the moon, All Hallows Eve/Samhain discussions... etc! We may stay until it gets pretty dark, so be sure to have flashlights! It is still a good idea to have snacks and drinks available, as I may not be providing these. (Who knows, maybe I'll have some tea or something available-- but I can't make any promises.)
7:15pm-7:30pm: Arrive back to our cars, bid those who are leaving a good night, and get ready for camping!
7:30pm(ish) NEW MOON CAMP-OUT!!! I have no idea how long it will take us all to get situated, etc, so let's assume we will all play it by ear and figure it out as we go! I'd like us to all camp near each other, so we can have a nice campfire together, etc.
Non-Denominational Gratitude Circle will be after we're all situated. My background is mostly rooted in Native American as well as Eastern philosophies. Nature is my Religion. So this will be a special time, as we celebrate the cycle of the moon and the Earth's natural seasonal cycle as well. This is a good time for anyone interested to burn some White Sage / incense, etc. This will be an open discussion rooted in Gratitude. All things Grateful! If you have crystals or other meaningful items you'd like to bring, they are welcome to be part of our intentional circle. This is a positive, non-denominational "ceremony" of sorts. No one is required to participate, but EVERYONE is encouraged!!!! It will be fun and a wonderful time for self-reflection and helping one another to all be our best, highest self. I hope to see you there!
Sunday, 10/30:
(For those camping Saturday night + participating in Sunday's walks)
8:00-am-9:00am wake up/breakfast, etc(I am not particularly a morning person)
9:30am-10:00am: Make our way to Mountain Streams Trail Head
Mountain Streams Plant Walk:
10:00am-10:30am: Meet with any new plant-walkers, discuss location, etc. LOTS OF PARKING HERE!!!
10:30am - 1:30pm: Walk the Mountain Streams Trails! Plant Identification at a slow, meandering pace. Breaks for snacks and drinks often.
1:30pm-2:00pmArrive back at the parking lot. Say our goodbyes to anyone leaving + discuss the next walk through the Old Growth Hemlock Forest with those who are staying.
2:00pm-3:00pm: Lunch break! People can go find a place to eat (not far from restaurants) or picnic
Evening Old Growth Forest Walk #2:
4:00pm: Arrive at the Hemlock Trail parking lot in Laurel Hill State Park. Maps are available at either entrance to the park, and/or I'll be emailing my phone number to all registrants before this weekend, so you will be able to contact me, also. I will try to include a map on HERE soon, too.
4:00pm-4:15pm: Intro to Old Growth Forest Discussion/Questions
4:15pm - 6:00/7:00pm: Adventure Time! We will meander through the Old Growth Forest and identify plants, discuss the significance of such forests, the phase of the moon, All Hallows Eve/Samhain discussions... etc! We may stay until it gets pretty dark, so be sure to have flashlights! It is still a good idea to have snacks and drinks available, as I may not be providing these. (Who knows, maybe I'll have some tea or something available-- but I can't make any promises.)
7:15pm-7:30pm: Arrive back to our cars, bid each other good night, weep, laugh, reminisce about our fun times.... just about anything goes!
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Pricing
Earlybird registration til Weds, 10/26! Email me at BlueHeronNatureSkills@gmail.comfor payment arrangements made off-line.
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Directions
It's super easy to find all locations-- but you are welcome to email me at any time for further help! Basic directions are as follows:
From I-76 to first plant walk location at Roaring Run: Travel time 1 hour from Pittsburgh. Closest GPS is 1789 County Line Road, Champion, PA 15622. However, this is a HOUSE! Be on the lookout for Roaring Run Trailhead signs, across the street from this house.
1. From I-76, take exit 91 toward Ligonier(PA-31 / PA-711)
2. Turn Left on 31 East, travel for about 2 miles on this road
3. Turn right onto PA-381 S/PA-711 S, travel for 1.3 miles on this road
4. Turn left onto County Line Rd. at stop sign.
5. Go over small bridge, destination is on this road about 2 miles up, on the LEFT.
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From I-76 to Hemlock Trail, Laurel Hill State Park(GPS 1746 Laurel Hill Park Road may take you right to it!)
1. From I-76, take exit 91 toward Ligonier(PA-31 / PA-711)
2. Turn Left on 31 East, travel for 11.7 miles on this road
3. Turn Right on Trent Road for 1.7 miles.
4. Turn Right into Laurel Hill State Park.
5. Travel about a mile into the park until you reach a large wide bridge over Laurel Creek. Lots of parking in this area. The Hemlock Trailhead is at the end of the bridge, marked "Hemlock Trail."
***Mountain Streams Trailhead Directions & To-Bring List Will Be Posted Monday!!***
Hope to see you there! Please email me with any questions!