Welcome! - Allentown Hiking Club

Allentown Hiking Club

Social Media

Please visit our Facebook page for recent trip reports, photos, and more.

In addition, many of our hikes are listed on Meetup. Check it out!

Our Mission

Members of the Allentown Hiking Club aspire to escape the crowded city; to walk, hike and climb for the enjoyment and exercise with nature loving companions; to maintain its section of the Appalachian Trail; and to stimulate public interests in every phase of nature and the outdoors through programs and lectures.

What We Do

Allentown Hiking Club is sponsored by the Allentown Recreation Bureau and is a member of the Keystone Trail Association and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. We maintain 10.3 miles of the Appalachian Trail, including two backcountry shelters, Allentown (north of New Tripoli) and G.W. Outerbridge (west of the Lehigh Gap). We offer hikes and other outdoor events, open to the general public and led by experienced club members and other local experts.

Join Us!

Club dues are $15.00 per person per calendar year, or $20.00 for households. Funds are used for the printing and mailing of the Newsletter/Schedule, book and video purchases for our library, miscellaneous dues, needed trail maintenance equipment, and other expenses. Newsletter and activities schedules are mailed to club members on a quarterly basis.

Join/Renew Online 2025

Membership Application Form

Upcoming Events

FEB

Sun

9:00 am |
Loop hike though the Bryn Coed Preserve (10-12 miles)
Loop hike through the rolling hills of the Bryn Coed Preserve

2-2-25 7:00 pm | Other

Backpacking 101 Course - Week 5 of 6 (Virtual)

by Alexis McAllister, an Appalachian Trail (AT) Thru hiker, experienced backpacking teacher and AT Section Maintainer

Alexis McAllister, an AT Thru hiker, experienced backpacking teacher and AT Section Maintainer has graciously offered to host a 6-Week Backpacking 101 Course (Syllabus below) via Google Meet, beginning on Sunday, January 5th, at 7 PM followed by 2 field trips.

Each session will feature a PowerPoint presentation, with a PDF copy provided to participants beforehand. This will allow everyone to follow along during the session and easily reference the material afterwards. By holding sessions on Sunday evenings, the course is designed to be more accessible to those with busy weekday schedules, especially for those who work evenings.

This is a fantastic opportunity for both beginners (like me!) and seasoned hikers to gain valuable backpacking tips, exchange best practices, and contribute to planning exciting backpacking adventures for 2025. You’re welcome to attend all the sessions or just the ones that interest you—there’s no attendance requirement.

To register please email howardnreidjr@gmail.com and registrants will receive the Google Meet link and any course materials. Remember that you can attend as many or as few sessions that interest you. The cost is just your time and interest in backpacking.

Week 5 of 6: Maps and Compasses - Sunday, Feb 2
Description: This is a detailed course for individuals looking to master map/compass. How to read the maps, colors, navigation etc, how to orient the map that I will be using on a given selected trip? what are the different types of maps? Why should I bother learning to use a compass or put one in my pack?

Details
Meeting place: via Google Meet (virtual). So, please register with hike leader, Howard Reid at howardnreidjr@gmail.com. Registrants will receive the Google Meet link and related course materials.
Posted on meetup.com? NO
Leader: Howard Reid 610-420-8194

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FEB

Sun

7:00 pm |
Backpacking 101 Course - Week 5 of 6 (Virtual)
by Alexis McAllister, an Appalachian Trail (AT) Thru hiker, experienced backpacking teacher and AT Section Maintainer

FEB

Wed

7:00 pm |
FEBRUARY MONTHLY MEETING
Monthly Business Meeting and presentation by AHC club member Kerry Snyder about a recent European trekking adventure.

2-9-25 7:00 pm | Other

Backpacking 101 Course - Week 6 of 6 (Virtual)

by Alexis McAllister, an Appalachian Trail (AT) Thru hiker, experienced backpacking teacher and AT Section Maintainer

Alexis McAllister, an AT Thru hiker, experienced backpacking teacher and AT Section Maintainer has graciously offered to host a 6-Week Backpacking 101 Course (Syllabus below) via Google Meet, beginning on Sunday, January 5th, at 7 PM followed by 2 field trips.

Each session will feature a PowerPoint presentation, with a PDF copy provided to participants beforehand. This will allow everyone to follow along during the session and easily reference the material afterwards. By holding sessions on Sunday evenings, the course is designed to be more accessible to those with busy weekday schedules, especially for those who work evenings.

This is a fantastic opportunity for both beginners (like me!) and seasoned hikers to gain valuable backpacking tips, exchange best practices, and contribute to planning exciting backpacking adventures for 2025. You’re welcome to attend all the sessions or just the ones that interest you—there’s no attendance requirement.

To register please email howardnreidjr@gmail.com and registrants will receive the Google Meet link and any course materials. Remember that you can attend as many or as few sessions that interest you. The cost is just your time and interest in backpacking.

Week 6 of 6: Trail Blazes and Navigation Tools - Sunday, February 9
Description: What do all the blazes mean? What about colors? Why are there so many styles? What do they have in common? What are some of the navigation tools (electronics) and why are they being used? Where is some of the value?

Field Trips: Compass Course and Geocaching - Dates : TBD
Description: Using the skills that you have learned over the last 6-Week Backpacking 101 Courses.