On Saturday, September 18, 2010, the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy (CPC) and Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club (SATC) will host the Ironmaster’s Challenge, a testing 24-mile hike and trail run that will take place in Tuscarora State Forest located in South-Central Pennsylvania.

The event is in support of the restoration of the Ironmaster’s Mansion, a significant historical structure located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.  The hike will “challenge” you to give 110%: 100% physical effort on the trail and 10% for financial support included in registration fees and pledges.  The set goal of $6,500.00 represents 10% of the estimated restoration costs of the Ironmaster’s Mansion.  

Over the years the Ironmaster’s Mansion served as a hostel and prominent half-way resting area for Appalachian Trail hikers and was at one time an Underground Railroad site and home to many famous families in Pennsylvania’s history.  Due to economic constraints the previous operators were forced to shut it down.  Stories that lie within the walls of this structure can be traced back to 1764 and it is CPC’s intention to preserve them by restoring and re-opening this historical landmark for use as a hostel for scout groups and as a conservation education center and community resource facility. 

Colonel Denning State Park in northern Cumberland County is the host location of the event with a course that loops several times into southern Perry County. The terrain varies from the well-groomed Tuscarora Trail, to some rough and rocky multi-use trails with a few respites offered by old logging roads. The hike is designed to test the serious hiker and trail runner as well as the seasoned recreational hiker.

For those who aren’t sure of their level of hiking stamina, the March for the Mansion might be right for you.  It is a less demanding course, an 8.7 mile loop that starts and ends at the picnic pavilion in Colonel Denning State Park.  This course is designed for the more leisurely pace of fitness walkers and moderate-distance hikers.  

Early registration fees for the September 18th event are set at $40.00 for the Challenge and $25.00 for the March and will be due no later than August 23rd.  All other registrations must be made by September 10th with $10.00 fee increase for the Challenge and $5.00 increase for the March.  Registration fees will include a light, cold breakfast, snacks and drinks at each checkpoint, lunch at the finish and a T-shirt.

There is a limit of 150 hikers and 100 walkers.  Registration will close once this limit is reached or on September 10, 2010, whichever occurs first.

All registrants are encouraged to secure pledge donations for a prize incentive.  Those hikers that raise $100.00 or more will be eligible for a raffle drawing of various recreational and outdoor gear items.

The sunshine, fresh air and forested trails are calling your name.  CPC and SATC welcome you to take the “challenge” and “march” on the trails in support of the Mansion. For more information on the event please visit: http://mysite.verizon.net/vzezchws/index.html.