Grandma & River Hikes - Weekday Summer Family Hike Series
June 11, July 16 & 30, August 13, 2025
9:30AM
Co-sponsored by 3 Rivers Outdoor Company and the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy
Join 3 Rivers Outdoor Company’s Ambassador Kathleen Ganster and her 4 ½ year old grandson, River, for a series of free walks throughout the summer to enjoy beautiful Western PA. All hikes will be along portions of the Rachel Carson Trail. Walks will be easy hikes for shorter legs and have other attractions such as creeks to play in, nearby playgrounds and picnic areas. Register for one, two, three or the whole series. Please bring your own water and snacks and dress appropriately (especially if you want to play in the creeks)!
Wednesday, June 11th at 9:30 a.m. The first walk will be at Crouse Run Nature Reserve https://www.pinecreeklandconservationtrust.org/crouserun/
Crouse Run is a wonderful, 22-acre nature reserve located in Hampton Township. There is plenty of free parking at 2684 Wildwood Road (next to Mineo’s pizza). We will meet in the parking lot then make an easy creek crossing and walk along a fairly level hiking trail that meets the Rachel Carson Trail. There will be plenty of opportunities for little ones to wade in creeks along this walk and look for crayfish and salamanders. Join us as we observe wildflowers, birds, fish and possibly tadpoles and frogs. This is an easy 1–2-mile hike and will last 1-3 hours depending on how fast little ones go, water time, etc.
For grown- ups to know, Crouse Run has a rich history: Rachel Carson studied here while she was a student at Pennsylvania Women’s College (now Chatham University). This area is considered a cold ravine, which means it contains not only the typical varieties of flora of the tri-state region, but many northern and Canadian species.
Wednesday, July 16th at 9:30 a.m. Our second walk will be at the Harmony Trail located in Pine Township right along Rt. 910 https://rachelcarsontrails.org/trails/harmony-trail.
Hike will be 1-2 miles in length, 1-3 hours depending on participants time.
Wednesday, July 30th at 9:30 a.m. Emmerling Park will be the location for our third walk!
https://indianatownship.com/parks-rec-dept/
Hike will be 1-2 miles in length, 1-3 hours depending on participants time.
Wednesday, August 13th at 9:30 a.m. The final hike will be held at Hampton Community Park along the Rachel Carson Trail.
https://www.hampton-pa.org/132/Community-Park.
Hike will be 1-2 miles in length, 1-3 hours depending on participants time.