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On September 7, 2013, the Keystone Trails Association will sponsor the fifth annual Susquehanna Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run, a 29.6-mile trail challenge event for adventurous trail runners and hikers on the wild river hills of the lower Susquehanna Gorge.
This daunting trail challenge event on the Mason Dixon and Conestoga Trails alternates breathtaking vistas with steep descents into dark, scenic hollows followed by strenuous climbs to the next vista. Prepare yourself for the steep hills, rocky terrain and deep ravines of the Susquehanna Super Hike, an arduous, undulating and challenging course.
Although the Susquehanna Super Hike is a supremely challenging timed event, the challenge is not to "win" or "come in first", but to finish the hike in one day. For many participants, the Susquehanna Super Hike is the ultimate test of physical fitness and mental toughness. "Winning" is the personal satisfaction that comes with finishing the course in the allotted time.
The event course will traverse both sides of the Susquehanna River in York and Lancaster Counties. The Super Hike will begin at 7:00 AM at the Otter Creek Campground on Rt. 425 in York County and mostly follows the Mason Dixon Trail south to the Norman Wood Bridge. From there it connects with the Conestoga Trail, crossing the bridge and continuing north while paralleling the Susquehanna River. It finally finishes at the Pequea Creek Campground, one mile east of the village of Pequea in Lancaster County.
Just a few of the highlights include Urey Overlook, Oakland Run, historic Lock 12, crossing the Susquehanna River on the Norman Wood Bridge, Kelly’s Run, the Pinnacle Overlook, Tucquan Creek, House Rock Vista and Wind Cave. In this timed event, runners will release through the starting gate ahead of the hikers. Participants are required - for safety reasons - to reach each checkpoint within a certain time period and to complete the hike no later than 6:30 PM (11 1/2 hours from the start). This requires a minimum pace of almost 2.5 miles per hour for the entire route.
PREVIEW HIKES: Click here to learn more about registering for one or both "Preview Hike."
CHECK-IN: Check-in will be Friday, September 6 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturday, September 7 from 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM at Pequea Creek Campground. Buses will leave Pequea Campground Saturday morning at 6:15 AM, and will arrive at the starting point by 6:45 AM. Ample parking is available at Pequea Creek Campground with this option, and your vehicle is waiting for you at the end. Parking is also available at the Otter Creek Campground for those who wish to set up a shuttle and leave vehicles at both ends of the route. NOTE: Shuttle buses are not available to transport you back to Otter Creek Campground when you finish.
THANKS: Three trail clubs are responsible for building and maintaining the Mason Dixon and Conestoga Trails and have been hard at work preparing the route for this event: the York Hiking Club, the Lancaster Hiking Club, and the Mason Dixon Trail System. Without their efforts, the Susquehanna Super Hike would not be possible!
FEEDBACK: Want to know how past Super Hike participants enjoyed the event? Click here. We hope you'll join us on the trail on September 7, 2013!
VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed for the fifth annual Susquehanna Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run scheduled for Saturday, September 7, 2013. Many volunteer opportunities are available including registration (Friday evening and Saturday morning), parking, checkpoints, trail sweeps, and more. Approximately 100 volunteers are needed. Please register to volunteer online, download the volunteer registration form as a PDF or as a Word document and return it to KTA, or contact Shanna Filizzi, Program Administrator, at 717.238.7017 or ktaadmin@verizon.net for more information.
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Super Hike 