Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 11:30 AM (lunch) Noon (walk)

Wahdo:Gwas Wetlands, North Park, Allegheny County 

Leader: Meg Scanlon; 724-612-6192

Wado:Gwas Wetlands are a series of detention ponds created through a Turnpike mitigation project of wetlands impacted a few miles upstream. Designed to catch and slow street runoff from this portion of the watershed of the North Fork Tributary of Pine Creek, this interesting area contains a great blend of naturally occuring and planted natives. “Plant it and they will come”, allows new opportunities for wildlife that we may discover. 

We will look for fur, feathers, scat, tracks and other animal clues as we identify trees, shrubs and herbaceous treasures wandering along the Dragonfly Interpretive Boardwalk Trail, while occasionally stepping off into the wet overgrowth. Extra interest can be found in our planted wildflower meadows created through many Eagle Scout projects. If you are a true adventurer and want to get up close to beaver and muskrat, wear your waterproof muck boots. Bring binoculars to search for the winter wren. This out and back single trail is very level. Rain or shine.

Directions:  North Park is an Allegheny County Park and can be reached by McKnight Road/Babcock Boulevard or PA Route 8/Wildwood Road.    We will meet at the Eagle’s Nest Education Pavilion (near the ice skating rink), along Pearce Mill Road.    Handicapped parking and portajohn at this shelter. 

Arrive at 11:30 AM to eat lunch at the pavilion, weather permitting.  We will start walking at 12 noon.   Handicapped parking and portajohn at this shelter.   

GPS coordinates:  40.61987,  -80.02529 Google Maps Link

Wednesday, January 1, 2025, 1:00 PM

NEW YEARS DAYS Field Trip, Mingo Creek County Park, Washington County, PA 

Leaders: Mary Ann Pike –  (412) 855-8239; and Loree Speedy – 724-518-6022; loreespeedy@gmail.com

Directions:   Mingo is nestled in northeastern Washington County 3 miles from the Allegheny County border.  There will be a lot of options to explore trees, shrubs and winter vegetation no matter the wintry weather.  

We will meet at the Henry Bridge parking area. Travel PA-43 south (toll road) to Exit 44 for PA-136/Eighty Four/Monongahela. Turn right at end of ramp for PA-136 west. Travel PA-136 for 1.25 miles to make a right onto Mansion  Hill Rd. At the end of Henry Bridge,, the parking lot is to your left. For those who enter park from PA-88 south and Little Mingo Road, turn left at the park sign onto Mingo Creek Road and continue about one mile to the parking lot on your right after Henry Bridge. 

GPS Coordinates: 40.20174, -80.01760  Google Map Link

Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 11:30 AM

North Park Arboretum, Allegheny County 

Leader: Meg Scanlon; 724-612-6192

The North Park Arboretum is almost 25 acres of native and non-native trees and shrubs, with an ever changing understory. Migrating birds utilize this area for feeding and shelter. Grass and dirt pathways and deer trails crisscross throughout. Plantings include older varieties and weeping cultivars, with most specimens surpassing 100 years old. Walk will include some moderate inclines, but most are relatively level. Trails can be wet even without rain.

Directions:  North Park is an Allegheny County Park and can be reached by McKnight Road/Babcock Boulevard or PA Route 8/Wildwood Road.    We will meet at the Juniata and Forest Glen Shelters on Old Babcock Blvd.  Old Babcock Blvd is a park access road  off of Wildwood Road across from the Kool Cones / 7-Eleven.   

Arrive at 11:30 AM to eat lunch at the pavilion, weather permitting.  We will start walking at 12 noon.  Juniata Shelter has an ADA accessible portable restroom.   

GPS coordinates: 40.59262, -79.99533 Google Maps Link

Sunday, November 24 , 1:00 PM

Hazelwood Green’s Tecumseh Street, City of Pittsburgh 

Leader: Loree Speedy; 724-518-6022; loreespeedy@gmail.com

We will look for urban vegetation in little forgotten spaces in the city’s newest brownfield redevelopment.  Meet along Tecumseh Street at Second Avenue by the Carnegie Library  in the Hazelwood Center (5006 Second Ave – parking entrance on Second Ave).  Park on the street or at the library.   GPS coordinates: 40.40850, -79.94417  Google Maps Link

Friday, July 21, 2023

10:00 AM Jennings Prairie, Leaders:  Dianne and Bob  Machesney

  (C) 412-523-0368

Visit the unique ecosystem at Jennings Prairie.

This is the perfect time to explore the relict prairie. The hot weather brings the stunning Blazing Star and some of the other dazzling summer flowers to peak performance. The goldenrods of fall will begin to show. Don’t miss the spectacular butterflies that grace the prairie with their breathtaking beauty. Flycatchers, vireos, tanagers, Common Yellowthroats and Cedar Waxwings sometimes make an appearance. We may come across a Red Eft, the larval form of a Red-spotted Newt.

Outings are free and open to the public. Bring your friends. Wear a hat and sunscreen. Bring binoculars, field guides, water and a lunch.

After lunch at the gazebo, we will display Sue Varley’s books which she has donated to Wissahickon. We will pull tickets to take turns taking a book until they are all gone.

Directions From Pittsburgh: take I-79 North to Exit 99, New Castle/ Butler. Drive east on Route 422 roughly 5.8 miles to the Prospect Exit. Turn left (north) onto Route 528.

Continue on Route 528 for about 7 miles. Meet in the Jennings Prairie Parking Lot on the left (west) side of the road.

1-26-54 to 6-2-2023

To:  Wissahickon Nature Club Members and Friends

From:  Dianne Machesney, Treasurer

RE:  Susanne Varley                   1-26-54 to 6-2-2023

With much sadness, Wissahickon Nature Club announces the passing of long- time member and Program Coordinator, Sue Varley, who died of heart failure on Friday, June 2^nd.

There will not be a viewing because Sue made pre-arrangements with Pitt to donate her body to science.

Her sister, Caroline, said that they may not get to have her remains to bury for three to twelve months.  At that time there will be a private service at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

Sue’s faithful companion, Icy Blue, is being adopted by her niece Sarah.

In her will, Sue left all her nature books to the club.  Since we no longer have a physical location, I suggested we give them to our members at the Jennings Hike on July 21^st, with any leftovers going to Latodomi Nature Center in North Park.  Caroline agreed that was a good idea.

You may leave your condolences to Sue’s family on her Facebook page. 

Sue was good friends with Chuck Tague, who she meet while volunteering at the National Aviary.  I hope they and Esther Allen are hiking the trails together in heaven.  May they all rest in peace.

Read her obit from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette here: SUSANNE IRENE VARLEY | Obituary | Pittsburgh Post Gazette (post-gazette.com)

Saturday, May 20, 2023, 1:00 PM

Leader: Robert Coxe; 814-775-0005; robcoxe@gmail.com

Directions: Take I-79 north to Exit 116 to head east on I‑80. Travel I-80 east to Exit 29 Barkeyville/PA 8. Travel PA 8 north about 16 miles to Franklin. In Franklin, turn left onto 13th Street to pick up US322 West and PA 417. Travel PA 417 north 12 miles. Turn left onto PA 8 North in Cherrytree and continue about 6 1/2 miles to Titusville. 

At the traffic light just before the Oil Creek bridge, turn right onto Bloss St toward Drake Well Museum.  Go a mile or so to the Jersey Bridge Parking Area on the right, before the other bridge over Oil Creek.  Meet at the parking lot.

GPS coordinates: 41.6159, -79.6582

Old railroad grades are noted for a diversity of wildflowers, and the Oil Creek Bike Trail is exceptionally diverse. Afterwards, Robert has invited us to visit the native plant gardens and nursery at his McMullen House B&B. 

Great Gorge Trail, Ohiopyle State Park, Fayette County

Leader: Mark Bowers; monarda55@gmail.com; cell: (724) 454-4012

Directions: From Pittsburgh, take the PA Turnpike to Exit 91 – Donegal. Turn left onto PA 31 East and travel 2.1 miles. Turn right at a traffic light onto PA 711/ PA 381 South and continue 10 miles to a T in Normalville. Turn left onto PA 381 and continue 11 miles to Ohiopyle. Drive through the town and make a right onto SR 2019/Kentuck Road. Travel less than a half mile and turn right into the parking lot for Cucumber Falls.

GPS coordinates: 39.8629, -79.5027

Triangle Lake Bog and Herrick Fen State Natural Area, near Ravenna, Ohio

Leader: Mary Schilstra; cell: (330) 354-1694; or kmschilstra@gmail.com

Directions: Take the PA Turnpike into Ohio and continue to Exit 218 Jackson Interchange for I-76W. Travel I-76 west for 21 miles to Exit 38 (OH‑5/OH‑44). Turn right onto OH-44 for 1/2 mile then keep left to continue on S Prospect St for 1/2 mile. Turn left onto Sandy Lake Rd. Travel 1.1 mile to the Nature Preserve’s parking area on the left. Meet in the parking lot. 

GPS coordinates: 41.1235, -81.2631

We will explore the blooming leatherleaf and budding tamaracks at this “kettle hole” bog with a cold deepwater lake at its center. After we explore Triangle, we will head 10 miles north to explore fen, bog, woodland and beaver ponds of Herrick Fen Nature Preserve. The sites can be enjoyed from the boardwalk and trails, so there is no need to wear waterproof knee boots. No pets are allowed in these state natural areas.

Sunday March 26, 2023 1:00 PM

Little Sewickley Creek outside of Herminie, Westmoreland County
This is a favorite trip for early spring ephemerals and Snow Trillium. The walk is along a muddy old railroad grade with some minor obstacles.
Directions: We will meet at a large community parking lot and then carpool about 1/2 mile downhill to the walking trail.

GPS coordinates of the parking lot = (40.26126, -79.72123). This is across from the Dairy Queen (1493 Herminie West Newton Rd) and the local convenience store/gas station. If you are late, you can join us at the trailhead (40.26050, -79.72700), but parking may be tricky.

GPS coordinates: 40.26126, -79.72123.

If you need written directions to the site, please contact Loree at loreespeedy@gmail.com or 724-518-6022.

Saturday, January 21, 2023, 1:00 PM

Cedar Creek Gorge, Westmoreland County

Leaders: Mark Bowers, cell 724-454-4012; monarda55@gmail.com

Directions:  From Pittsburgh, travel PA 51 south to its junction with PA 201 (just after Bills and Willowbrook Plaza). Continuing on PA 51, travel 2 additional miles to the traffic light for Concord Ln (Honda and Ford car dealership on right) and turn left.  Traveling on Concord Ln, turn left onto Municipal Dr. Continue about 0.6 mile past Timm’s Lane, and turn left into the main entrance to Cedar Creek Park. Follow this road downhill, cross the bike trail, and turn left to continue through a series of parking lots until you reach the farthest parking lot, near the Gorge Trail.

GPS coordinates: 40.17830, -79.77820

Sunday, January 1, 2023, NOON

Monroe Trailhead, Butler Freeport Trail, Butler County

Directions: From Pittsburgh: take PA-28 North to Exit 17 (PA-356/Butler/Freeport). At end of ramp, turn right to travel PA-356 for a little less than a mile. At the Sheetz, turn right onto Monroe Road and travel about 0.8 mile to the parking for the Buffalo Creek Nature Center on the left.  

GPS coordinates: 40.7076, -79.7131  

This trip could be canceled due to unsafe driving conditions with ice and snow (BUT THE FORECAST LOOKS PRETTY GOOD!); to learn if the trip is canceled when weather conditions are uncertain, please call or text Loree at 724-518-6022 the day of the hike.