Weekend Outlook: Last Sky Blast Paddle of the season!

We are sending September out with a bang, literally! This weekend is the last Sky Blast Paddle of the season; it’s your last chance to feel the booms and pops of the fireworks pulse through your body from your front row seat on the water. Or if you’re in the mood for a hike the Raccoon Creek Hike and Marvelous Merlot Hike will take you out of the busy city and into nature for some piece and quiet. Check out our entire line of of programs below.
Please note: sign up must be done online if you plan to sign up after Wednesday!

Friday, September 25
Outdoor Leadership Weekend
The Outdoor Leadership Workshop is the perfect way to learn how to lead trips or improve your leadership skills. This full weekend course mixes skill-training and fun. The curriculum is based on that used by the Appalachian Mountain Club and the National Outdoor Leadership School. We cover a lot of material in the classroom and create practical role-playing scenarios. Topics include: leadership styles, group dynamics, trip planning, risk management and other important trip leader skills. All meals and camping are included; onsite lodging is $20 per night. A social will take place Friday evening and instruction takes places all day Saturday and Sunday.
Location: Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center
Time: 7:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $53.00 non-member / $40.00 member

Saturday, September 26
Fly Fishing: Intro
Learn the basics of rods, reels, line, tippets, knots and flies, and receive hands-on practice in a variety of casting techniques. Of course, a fly-fishing experience wouldn’t be complete without time on the stream, so bring your waders! Instructed by Dale and Cyndi Kotowski, of Chestnut Ridge Trout Unlimited. Pennsylvania Fishing License requirements apply.
Location: Ohiopyle State Park
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $80.00 non-member / $60.00 member

Raccoon Creek Hike
An introduction to hiking trails of Raccoon Creek State Park. All the hikes are featured in Walks, Hikes, and Overnights in Raccoon Creek State Park guidebook by Mark H. Christy. Each month we will hike a combo of trails to form a loop which will progressively increase in length from 4 miles to 5.5 miles. From time to time our pace will be slow as we look for the remains of gristmills, old homesteads, old stone quarry sites and stone springhouses. Other times we will be looking for beaver, muskrat, turtle, wood duck, goose and deer.
(This hike is dog friendly!)
Location: Raccoon Creek State Park
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: $10.00 non-member / $6.00 member

Treasure Hunt in the Hill
We’ve taken the fun of scavanger hunts and added a modern twist that your kids will surely love for this family-friendly adventure in the park! We’ll teach you all about “geocaching,” which uses hand-held GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) units to locate treasures, or “caches.” Cost is $5 per person, or $20 per family.
Location: Kennard Field
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Cost: $5.00 non-member / $5.00 member / $5.00 kids / $20.00 family

Marvelous Merlot Hike
Medium bodied merlot is one of the most popular red wines in the United States. Enjoy an easy hike at beautiful South Park and afterward we’ll taste several similarly priced merlots. Do you like yours with hints of berry or plum? Or do you prefer a silky merlot with currant favor? Come taste them, we are sure you’ll think they are marvelous! Delicious breads and cheeses will accompany the wine tasting. Minimum age 21.
Location: South Park
Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Cost: $33.00 non-member / $25.00 member

Sky Blast Paddle
You have the opportunity for a front row seat at one of Pittsburgh’s greatest summer spectacles: Sky Blast! Starting at 8:00PM we will take a leisurely paddle upstream, and as the sun sets we will float back down as the fireworks reflect off the surface of the Allegheny River. Enjoy a panoramic view and feel the fireworks pulse through your body!
Location: Kayak Pittsburgh – Downtown
Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Cost: $40.00 non-member / $30.00 member

Sunday, September 27
Doggie Day Treks
Bring your canine companion for a social hike in the woods. We’ll start out by letting the dogs to get to know each other, and then we’ll cover 5-7 miles on various trails throughout the local parks, stopping for a snack along the way. The trails will be steep and rocky and we will hike at a steady pace with a few short stops (the dogs get impatient!). Please remember: only 2 dogs per person, dogs must have current vaccinations and leashes are required (off-leash time will be included). Bring dog food, water and bags to clean up.
Location: North Park
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost: $10.00 non-member / $6.00 member

Adventure Bike Tour – Butler-Freeport Trail
Southwestern Pennsylvania has many bike trails to explore. We will pedal on the Butler-Freeport Community Trail making plenty of interesting stops throughout the trip. The trail is a bike-friendly crushed limestone path through beautiful and diverse landscapes. We’ll do 3 hours of easy pedaling taking in views of wooded areas, cliffs, streams, farmland, and more. Bring a daypack, water and snacks. Price does not include bike rentals. Bike rentals are available through Venture Outdoors for $8.00. Reservations for rentals should be made by calling into the office, 412-255-0564 ext. 21 after registering for the program.
Location: Butler-Freeport Trail
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $15.00 non-member / $10.00 member