Page 12 - Valley Life & Health

12 SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2019 THE MORNING CALL
■ Leisure

rees are past the point of full bloom, seasonal take a quick road trip to discover more places to get
flowers are making the transition for hotter moving on your feet this summer.
Tweather, people of all ages are out on bikes We reached out to the creators of NJhiking.com,
and baseball fields, and the Lehigh Valley is awash Dawn and Tom, to find out which hikes offer a little
with diners enjoying happy hour outside. It all means something extra to grab your attention and make
one thing: Summer is officially here. the trek to get there well worth it. Dawn’s tips break
While we’ve been fortunate to not have down which hikes having lots of available parking,
it turn too hot yet – our highs have generally which are pet and child friendly, and which offer the
been in the 80s, albeit humid with patterns best scenic views.
of rain and storms – it’s a bonus for all of the “I chose the best hikes that are within a
hikers out there. With a light breeze, sun and reasonable driving distance of under one hour to 90
warm temperatures, now is the perfect time to minutes from Allentown or Phillipsburg, New Jersey,”
get out and get active without worrying about explains Dawn. “Whether a hike is good for kids
heatstroke (we do, however, recommend you or dogs really depends on the ability of the child or
hydrate and wear plenty of sunscreen). the dog. Most hikes in the state allow dogs as long
While Pennsylvania has plenty of hiking spots as they are on a six-foot leash, under control, and
within a few hours’ driving distance of the Valley, cleaned up after.”
for this feature we’ve decided to focus on our This list is by no means complete; Dawn and
neighboring state of New Jersey to inspire you to Tom have compiled years of information at
NJhiking.com, so definitely let us know about
any of your own favorite hikes by reaching out
to specialsections@mcall.com.

HIKES WITH EASY PARKING:
Merrill Creek Reservoir
https://www.njhiking.com/merrill-creek-reservoir/
Moderate hike around Merrill Creek Reservoir with
views of the reservoir, opportunities to spot wildlife,
and a nice visitor center.
Total hiking distance of 6.7 or 5.5 miles.

Visit

NewJersey NJhiking.com offers

N

for hikes o tips on driving distance,
t

pet & child-friendly
p
hikes, & those with

scenicendings h
the best views
t

By Shannon Sigafoos of The Morning Call
By