Binky Lee Preserve

Date of Hike: Saturday, April 18, 2015

Total Distance: 4.36 Miles

Avg speed: 1.81 MPH

Avg moving speed: 2.02 MPH

Moving Time: 2:09:29

Total Time: 2:24:33

Conditions: Sunny, 78 Degrees

Difficulty: Easy, Moderate

This past Saturday, I went to the Binky Lee Preserve in Chester Springs and it turned out to be a pretty good day. I underestimated this place though. When you look at it in Google Maps, the terrain view doesn't really show much for hills so I was expecting an easy hike. It turns out that wasn't the case. On top of carrying more weight with me than usual since I was planning on staying the night with a friend (I was carrying my usual change of clothes, a sweatshirt, extra socks and also brought my sleeping bag, sleeping pad, Thermarest pillow, and also my three liter Platypus bladder instead of the two liter since I knew it was going to be warm), there were more hills than I had expected. It was also the warmest day of the year so far. It's safe to say, I wasn't fully prepared and my legs got tired in a hurry. Live and learn though, after a short while, my legs were accustomed to the weight and the rest of the hike went without a hitch.

On their website (which I should have read a little closer), it states that the trails range from easy to difficult. In my opinion, I didn't think any of the trails were difficult but there were plenty of hills which made the hike interesting and it's definitely a place I'd like to return to in the future. For a copy of the trail map, click here. Trail maps are also provided at the parking lot kiosk within the preserve.

Address is:
1445 Pikeland Road
Chester Springs, PA 19425
GPS: 40.095808, -75.603459

Upon your arrival, it may look like you're pulling into a driveway to private property but don't be fooled, you're likely in the right place. There looks to be some construction going on as well. When you enter the preserve, there are two different parking lots to choose from.

I started out heading southwest towards the main entrance for a short distance, then turned to the southeast alongside Pikeland Road. Now that it's finally getting warm outside, there are more and more flowers in bloom as well.

At the main entrance to the preserve, you'll see this sign posted. From this point, I turned to the southeast.

Hiking alongside Pikeland Road

I thought this tree was interesting, looks like it could be a good sitting spot!

The trail then turns to the northeast where there are several rows of trees that are lined up which I think would be pretty interesting during the summer when the leaves are on the trees. It would be like walking through a tunnel...maybe. 

Once you get past the rows of trees, the landscape changes to woodland and stretches for quite a distance.

Somewhere in this area, the trail then turns to the northwest.

Even though this is a preserve, it seems that hunting is permitted at a number of the ones I've visited recently. For this preserve and others run by the Natural Lands Trust, you will need to obtain a special permit to do so. For more information, you can contact the Natural Lands Trust here.

The trail I was on looped around to the southeast and alongside an open field.

The below sign explains a little bit about the overpopulation of deer and how it has an effect on the vegetation and wildlife. Much of the vegetation gets destroyed (eaten) when there are too many deer in a particular area.

Looking back on the trail that's running alongside the open field.

Caterpillars were out in full force too. I saw a lot of nests throughout the preserve.

The trail then starts to circle back to the northwest alongside the field.

I was getting close to returning to the parking lot area. If you look on the right side of this picture, you can see some of the barn that's next to the parking lot.

A short distance from the main parking lot is the kiosk station where you can pick up a trail map. The Binky Lee Preserve is 112 acres and was donated to the Natural Lands Trust in 1989 by the Seiple family. Mary Lee Seiple lived on the preserve until her passing in 2002.

Wish I could have gotten a shot of this turkey vulture while it was closer

In this area, the trail I was on circled back to the southwest where the terrain changed from open fields to slightly wooded with evergreen trees.

Underneath the evergreen trees, I spotted this groundhog

As you're hiking alongside the evergreen trees, you're also heading down a hill towards this small bridge and stream. There's a sign near the bridge that mentions at one point there used to be a dam in the area but I didn't see much for remains.

Crossing over the bridge, I continued heading southwest until I made my way to Pikeland Road. While I was at the preserve, I had another objective in mind to check out.

Flowers next to a tree alongside Pikeland Road

This wasn't my objective but it's now on my "to do" list! There's isn't a lot of information about it online other than a mention of it on the West Pikeland Land Trust website. From what I gather, the River Birch Trail might lead to the Pickering Grove, whatever that may be. There's only one way to find out.

I'm not sure why I didn't take a picture of it but this is a view of Pickering Creek from the Pikeland Road Bridge. Built in 1908 by the Corcoran Construction Company of West Chester, PA, it spans a total of 53 feet in length. If you'd like to see pictures of the bridge, click here.

This was the reason I had originally ventured off the grounds of the Binky Lee Preserve. The Bridge to Bridge Trail runs alongside the Pickering Creek from Pikeland Road to Clover Mill Road (about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile).

Like at the Binky Lee Preserve, these trails are in pretty good condition thanks to a young man by the name of Tim Naparstek who helped to improve both the Bridge to Bridge and River Birch Trails, dedicating several hours of his time to clearing the trails of debris.

Fishing on the Pickering Creek is permitted so you may see some fishermen out there during your adventure. Perhaps that fisherman just might be me!

Another funky looking tree!

There are quite a few areas throughout the Bridge to Bridge Trail with side trails leading to the Pickering Creek.

Again, I didn't take any pictures but I reached Clover Mill Road and crossed over the Pickering Creek on my way back into the Binky Lee Preserve. Upon your return to the preserve, you'll be walking alongside what looks like a horse farm on this driveway. It looks like it's private property and very well may be but as you approach the home that's a good distance from where this picture was taken, the trail cuts to the northwest.

Bench alongside one of the trails

The trail then cuts back to the southwest alongside the boundary of the preserve on what looks like a small berm.

Now heading directly south, you can see the evergreen trees in the background that I had passed alongside earlier in my hike.

Heading southeast and getting relatively close to the parking lot.

I originally didn't know what this building was but thanks to the folks at the Binky Lee Preserve, they were kind enough to fill me in on some of it. At one time and with the help of a small stream flowing underneath of it, this used to be a spring house where perishable items were stored and kept cool.

What threw me off was this oven that's on the outside of the building which I'm still not sure what it was used for. On the top of this oven is a large iron (I think) pot and you can see the underside where wood (or charcoal?) was placed to heat up whatever might have been in the large pot. I've seen a lot of spring houses in my adventures but this is the first time I've seen one with an oven on the outside of it. Pretty cool!

Small bridge at the front entrance of the preserve

I took this last picture at the preserve as I was standing next to my car. As usual, the picture doesn't do this tree much justice, but it was beautiful in person.

Another good day of hiking! It was the warmest day of the year so far and I took my time since I didn't want to kill myself with not being used to the warmer temperatures. Like my multiple preserve and park tour from April 12th, it was warm enough where I got some sunburn on my arms even though I had put some sunscreen on. I don't mind it though, it wasn't painful for more than a day and I'm one of those lucky people where sunburn turns to tan after a day or two unless I really cook myself which I've done enough times before!

I'm looking forward to returning to the preserve and perhaps bringing a few friends to enjoy the area as much as I did. The terrain is varied as is the landscape which provides a good mix of things to see. There's also a few areas where you can get a good view of the surrounding area. As always, it's fun to get out and explore new places.

Until next time, happy adventures and happy hiking!

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Southeastern PA Hiking