March 06,2016 --Hiked the Bald Mountain Trail with the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club.  They are a great group very friendly and welcoming.  In total there were about 23 hikers, not everyone was a member of the club.  We meet at the parking lot of Sears at the Wyoming Valley Mall and proceeded to the Seven Tubs parking area.  The gates were locked so we had to park outside the gate which got very crowed because it was such a nice day.  Not sure why they keep the gates locked? By the way I'm about a week late posting this for reasons I will explain later.  Upon arrival we walked down the old concrete road continued past the kiosk another hundred yards or so then took a path to the left that went pretty much straight up the mountain.  It was kind of hard for me because  of my knees.  The trekking pole were useless because it was so steep.  after about a 25 yard climb the path reached an old railroad bed.  We walked on that for several miles before making a right at the power lines and went straight up the mountain for what seemed like forever. After reaching the top a short break was in order.  Very nice views of the Wyoming Valley for the top of the power lines.  Continued along the top of the mountain for several more  miles catching great views of the Wyoming Valley along the way.  Making a gradual decent a few real steep spots going down the trekking pole helped.  reached the concert road again on the decent then walked back to the parking area. All toll about 7 miles hikes.  Now later the next week I experienced a sciatica attack in my lower left back and left hip which landed me in the ER.  Not sure if its hiking related.  Right now resting and taking meds. Going to rest all week and see how I feel next week end March 19-20.   I really want to get back out there.