Welcome:
Below is a list of events at or near area parks, that will be led by the Wilmington Trail Club (www.wilmingtontrailclub.org) volunteers, within the next 3 months. You are very welcome to join these hike & volunteer events. Please read the description to determine if you are capable of doing a hike. If you have questions or for more information about a hike contact: Gary Kirk [garykirk_3@msn.com or (302) 366-0464]. Parks included in this list are:
Brandywine Creek State Park – Hawk Watch Lot
Brandywine Creek State Park – Jewish Community Center
Brandywine Creek State Park – Thompson’s Bridge
Brandywine Creek State Park – Visitors’ Center
Brandywine Red Clay Alliance
First State National Historical Park – Beaver Valley
First State National Historical Park – Rocky Run Pkwy
Wilmington State Parks – Jasper Crane Rose Garden
03/15/2020 10:00am - 12:00pm Granogue Estate (7 mi)
If you have only seen the house and water tower from a distance, this is your chance to explore trails on the grounds of the DuPont family’s Granogue Estate. Please note, this will be a little bit longer than the usual Sunday hike, but should be well worth the extra distance!
Brandywine Creek State Park – Visitors’ Center | 62 Adams Dam Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807 | 39.807652, -75.579488
03/21/2020 9:00am - 1:00pm Brandywine Creek State Park, Thompson's Bridge (8 - 10 mi)
Chase away the last of winter and celebrate the vernal equinox with a moderately paced hike. The route includes roots and rolling terrain with lovely views of the Brandywine. Rocky, hilly areas and a few stream crossings create fun challenges. Bring water and lunch.
Brandywine Creek State Park – Thompson’s Bridge | 4017 Thompsons Bridge Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803 | 39.817461, -75.569101
03/28/2020 9:00am - 3:00pm First State National Historical Park and Brandywine Creek State Park (15-17 mi)
Meet at the “Woodlawn Trustees” parking area next to the Courtyard by Marriot hotel at 320 Rocky Run Parkway by 9 am for a brisk 15-17 mile hike on the Brandywine and Mason Dixon trails. Bring appropriate clothing, water, lunch and snacks. Trails are well travelled with roots and rocks. There may be an occasional stream crossing. Bad weather may cancel the hike and snowy conditions may require snow shoeing instead.
First State National Historical Park – Rocky Run Pkwy | 350 Rocky Run Pkwy, Wilmington, DE 19803 | 39.817912, -75.551552
04/11/2020 8:00am - 1:00pm Short Warm-up for Brandywine Trail End to End (13 miles) (13 mi)
Save this date for the hike of the lowest 1/3 of the Brandywine Trail
Brandywine Creek State Park – Hawk Watch Lot | 62 Adams Dam Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807 | 39.804396, -75.578132
04/18/2020 4:30am - 6:30pm Brandywine Trail End to End (E2E) Hike 2020 (36 mi)
Take the Challenge – Go End to End
Registration opens: January 18, 2020
The Annual Brandywine End to End is a 36-mile trail and road challenge through the beautiful Brandywine Valley. The event is open to hikers and runners who will navigate the trail at their own pace following blazes and a cue sheet. The Brandywine Trail wanders down the scenic Brandywine Creek Valley through parks, farms, pastures and woods, and along country roads. About one-third of the hike is on roads.
Registration is limited to the first 100 people; non-WTC members are welcome.
Participants will meet at Brandywine Creek State Park for registration and to board a bus that leaves promptly at 5 a.m. The event begins in Ludwig’s Corner, PA at 6 a.m. (You can also meet us at the trailhead, although we do not provide return transportation.) 36 miles later you will arrive back at Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington, DE.
There are three rest stops/checkpoints where you can refuel with food and drink. You must reach each checkpoint by the cut-off times:
- Downingtown: 13 miles, by 10:30 am
- Lenape: 23 miles, by 2:30 pm
- Twin Bridge: 29 miles, by 4:30 pm
- You must complete the hike by 6:30 pm
At the end of the hike, relax with a cookout! If you are unable to complete the trail, rides will be available at the checkpoints, and will return you to Brandywine Creek State Park.
Although the terrain is not difficult, this is a serious long-distance event and requires adequate preparation. Participants must be experienced hikers/runners, comfortable with distances of at least 20 miles.
To familiarize yourself with the trail and to help you train, Wilmington Trail Club hosts two warm-up hikes done at your own pace. On April 4 we will do the first 23 miles of the trail; on April 11 we will do the last 13 miles. The April 11 warm-up is limited to the first 50 people to sign-in with the hike leader at Brandywine Creek State Park. Check the above date links for times, locations, and details.
The 58th Brandywine End to End is hosted by the Wilmington Trail Club with support from the Chester County Trail Club and the Brandywine Conservancy.
To register for the 2020 End to End, download, complete and mail this form with a check payable to Wilmington Trail Club. Download registration form here.
Brandywine Creek State Park – Hawk Watch Lot | 62 Adams Dam Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807 | 39.804396, -75.578132