Where in the Schuylkill Highlands Am I?!?

In February 2026, Estelle (Schuylkill Highlands Program Manager) brought out the snowshoes she hasn’t used in nigh on twenty years and joined partner Keystone Trails Association to break trail in Reading, PA. Where in the Schuylkill Highlands was she?

At the Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center in Reading, PA, where, in addition to C. H. McConnell Environmental Education Hall, this Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources property is home to a sawmill and Nolde Mansion.

Where in the Schuylkill Highlands Am I?!? is taking a hiatus, but you are encouraged to reach out to Estelle with invitations to your sites and events. She is happy to attend as her schedule allows!

  • Tall pine trees stand in a snowy forest under an overcast sky, with footprints visible in the snow leading into the woods.
  • A person wearing winter clothing and snowshoes walks through a snow-covered forest holding poles, surrounded by leafless trees and undergrowth.
  • Snow-covered forest path with tall, leafless trees and visible footprints in the snow on a cloudy day.
  • A wooden trail marker in snowy woods reads “Coffee Pot Hollow Tr” and “Spruce Trail.” A person with trekking poles walks ahead on the snow-covered path.
  • Three people in winter gear hike on a snowy trail through a forest, using trekking poles and leaving footprints in the snow.
  • A single dried brown leaf rests on a patch of white snow, surrounded by small broken pieces of ice.
  • A snowy forest with leafless trees and animal tracks on the ground, under an overcast sky.
  • A signpost in a snowy forest shows directions for Kohout Trail, Breach Trail, and Sawmill, with yellow text on brown signs attached to trees.
  • A snow-covered bench and dock overlook a frozen pond surrounded by bare trees in a winter landscape.
  • Three people in winter clothing and snowshoes walk through a snowy, wooded trail, crossing a small wooden bridge.
  • A narrow, partially frozen stream winds through a snow-covered forest with bare trees under a cloudy winter sky.
  • A two-story white wooden building with stone foundation sits beside a plowed, snow-covered driveway, surrounded by bare trees in winter.
  • A narrow creek flows through a snowy, wooded area bordered by a wooden railing and leafless trees under an overcast sky.
  • A tan brick building labeled C.H. McConnell Environmental Education Hall with a bright yellow door, bench, and snow on the ground.
  • A stone building with steep roofs stands behind a snow-covered lawn and trees, next to a paved driveway under an overcast sky.

In January 2026, Estelle (Schuylkill Highlands Program Manager) braved the cold to visit the Borough of Hamburg and partner organization Our Town Foundation, which has more to offer than just its annual Taste of Hamburger Festival. In addition to hosting this annual celebration of one of America’s favorite sandwiches, Our Town Foundation operates an Arts Alliance and The Strand movie theater. They also want you to know all of these sites and sounds are in close proximity to the Schuylkill River Trail, with Hamburg Borough having three trailheads in town, as well as a boat launch to the Schuylkill River.

  • A mural on a building depicts historic street scenes from the 1800s at 4th and Pine, with a horse and carriage, storefronts, and the text “Lizzie Ney Mansion.”.
  • A gallery interior with wooden floors, displaying various artworks, pottery, crafts, and framed pictures on white shelves and glass cases.
  • Street view of the Strand theater with a marquee displaying AVATAR and FIRE AND ASH above the entrance, movie show times listed on a sign below.
  • Sign for Schuylkill River Trail State Street Trailhead in a snowy parking lot with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

In December 2025, Estelle took a hike in Chester County at West Caln Township’s Layton Park, where visitors can find the ninth-largest black oak in the commonwealth, according to the PA Champion Tree Program. Layton Park’s trails and scenic vistas offer a serene outdoor experience, in addition to a “Book Box” (Little Free Library), a playground, and ball fields. There is also ample parking and public restrooms (port-a-potties in winter).

  • A leafless tree stands beside a grassy path under a partly cloudy sky, with fields and distant woods in the background.
  • A grassy field with a worn path leads to a road, with trees and scattered buildings in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
  • Leafless tree stands near a wooden fence by a grassy field under a partly cloudy sky. Two signs are posted on the fence.
  • A tree with a fence and grass.

In November 2025, Estelle found herself at Berks County Parks and Recreation Department’s Berks County Heritage Center, a historic park that includes the Distelfink sculpture, Mildred the Houseboat, the Gruber Wagon Works, Wertz’s Covered Bridge, the Deppen Cemetery, the Bicentennial Eagle Memorial, and many other buildings and sites of interest.

  • A red covered bridge spans across a calm river with autumn trees and bare branches on the riverbank under a partly cloudy sky.
  • A colorful bird sculpture on a concrete base is displayed outdoors, with trees, grass, and a white building in the background.
  • A weathered informational sign for Deppen Cemetery stands in front of an old graveyard enclosed by a wooden fence, with tombstones visible in the background.

In October 2025, Estelle visited Natural Lands’ Green Hills Preserve, which features rolling wooded hills, meadows, and a seemingly out-of-place gazebo. This site is now preserved open space due to a failed development project, and as evidenced by the abandoned backyard feature meant to lure homebuyers. Read more on the photo of the on-site interpretive signage.

  • Informational sign titled close call stands on a wooden deck in a nature reserve, with trees, a gazebo, and sunlight in the background.
  • A wooden bench sits on grass with tall dry plants and leafless trees in the background under a clear blue sky.
  • A wooden footbridge with railings leads to a small white gazebo in a lush, green, wooded area.

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