Get thee here! And please forgive me if my pictures aren't as abundant as they usually are. It was 24 degrees when I planted this series and my camera actually froze up and was very sluggish.
The Walk of Life
The Walk of Life
Take a good look at this trail map as it is the only one you will find. I was unable to find them online and even when I contacted the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department, they didn't respond although they did respond to my other questions. This map is provided by BAMBA, Berks Area Mountain Biking Association, who maintains these trails so it is not exactly a trail map as hikers are used to. Please respect the mountain bikers who may zoom past you, it is their trail and they have every right to be here.
Begin the search between the kiosk and the bike repair station.
Cute reminder that this is a mountain bike trail. It is really easy to walk, some rocky areas to provide some additional difficulty for the bikers but still a relatively easy hike.
BIRTH: when you see the Keith Haring type figures on the building on the right side of the trail...
look to the left side for this V tree.
INFANCY: continue on the trail...
until you see this Y tree on the left supporting a fallen tree. It is about 20 steps off trail.
Here it is again!
CHILDHOOD: continue on the trail passing this electric pole.
If the undergrowth is not too thick, you will soon see this red house across the street.
You will also see the V tree much closer to you.
Check out the crotch of the V tree. Please recover it well.
ADOLESCENCE: Back to the trail, the trail will make a left hand turn and you will be walking fairly close to Haag Road.
As you turn away from the road to head back into the woods, you will see this large tree with a strange growth out of its front. It looks as though there may have been another part to the tree which broke off. There is a rock wall behind the tree.
Growth!
Woodpecker tree beside the growth tree and box behind it.
EARLY ADULTHOOD: Pass this rock wall and ramp in the trail
and you will see a tree which looks like it has a belly button.
Straight ahead you will see the trail come to a T and a couple of huge boulders.
When you arrive at the T, turn to the left for a few steps and then look for this small boulder sitting all by itself. Look in the front underside for the pouch.
ADULTHOOD: Go back to the T and head towards the trail marker and the road.
Walk along the side of the road till you see this red and yellow blazed pole.
This one!
Follow this trail marker and turn left.
Walk uphill for a little while, don't worry, it isn't steep. When you see these cut logs across the trail look between the left side of the Y and the log in the middle. Please do not try to wedge the container down between the two logs, replace it with the lid up and the container between the logs. Cover with forest debris.
RETIREMENT: continue along the trail keeping your eyes open for this hidden staircase on the left.
Then turn left on the little trail a few steps later and walk up the very obvious staircase.
Take the trail between the picnic tables and the BBQ grill.
A few steps after you enter the woods, look for two medium oak trees with a small four trunk tree between them. Check out the base of the oak on the right.
After you stamp in, look back into the woods for another staircase to nowhere.
GOLDEN YEARS: continue on the trail and make the first right. Look for this beech tree on the left side of the trail. Two oak trees sit diagonally behind it. The second oak has two rocks on its front side.
See the rocks!
Now go look between them.
Congratulations, you have completed the Walk of Life!!
