FRENCH CREEK LAKE LOOP

FRENCH CREEK LAKE LOOP 

The hiking adventure today was at French Creek State Park. French Creek is located in Southern Berks County below Birdsboro on route 345. There are two lakes at the park...we hiked around the larger of the two .... Hopewell Lake today. The trail is a flat nature trail around the rim of the lake and is about 2-3 miles long. There are small sections that are slightly rocky but overall it is a very easy and fun nature hike that brings you through woods....a beaver dam on a creek....a wildflower field....and loops you around the eastern edge of the lake where the dam is. We were joined today by my best friend from High School Chris.....

Chris and the little ones ready to rock the trail!!!

Parking in the main visitors lot near the boat launch we headed off to the left which loops you around to where the beaver lodge is located....

Looking out into the water for turtles! There are some pretty big turtles that live in the lake!

The bridge viewing the beaver dam!

The beaver pond...no beavers today though!

The trail now goes through a wildflower field which was not really in bloom today due to really hot weather and lack of rain this summer to this point. The trail connects to the horse trail and about 300 feet down you veer to the right and follow the trail around the edge of the lake to the dam.

The wildflower trail!!

Hiking a slightly rocky section of the lake trail!

Exploring some insects with Chris...they found a old Cicadia!

Across a wooden plank!!

Posing in front of the old dam!

Chris showing the kids critters in the water below!

Long way down!!!

We went below the bridge here and played in the water...Chris found some crayfish and some tadpoles in the water.

Looking for water creatures!!!

Opps....someone fell in exploring the cattails!!

A toad on our lunch break!!

The trail loops back from this point to the Swimming Pool, Boat Launch and Picnic area. We have rented a canoe here before but not enough time for that today. The trail loops around a swamp on the western end and then back to the parking area. The kids and us for that matter were able to get into the lake and have some fun!

Chris made a flower bonnet for the kids!

Chris took this awesome picture of the lily pads!

Checking out some ducks in the swamp!

Playing in the lake!!

Lily pad flower!!

Overview:  This is a great day trip hike...easy trails with lots of nature all around. If you bring some cash you can rent a canoe for $18.00 an hour which isn't that bad on the back side of the trail. Bring a net and bucket to try and collect some snails...small fish and crayfish at the lake on the way back. There is another lake to the north...drive there as the trail there is pretty far...that you can hike around as well. Really fun day with Chris and the kids!