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EVENT #1: April 25-28, 2024
Quehanna Trail/ Connectors |
 Vista from southern portion of QT. (photo courtesy Pete Fleszar)
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What we have planned
Additional project details provided below |
--LOGISTICS--
IF YOU'RE COMING JUST FOR THE DAY / ARRIVING IN THE MORNING:
>Meet us at: Parking area for cabins 13/14 at Parker Dam State Park, 7:30 AM.
>Follow KTA signs through park
>Map/directions to cabins (coordinates 41.197240, -78.514734): goo.gl/maps/eoAvztfZFe2PRYWm8
>Parker Dam is located in Clearfield County, 17 miles north of Clearfield on PA-153 just off exit 111 of I-80
>Meet us at: Parking area for cabins 13/14 at Parker Dam State Park, 7:30 AM.
>Follow KTA signs through park
>Map/directions to cabins (coordinates 41.197240, -78.514734): goo.gl/maps/eoAvztfZFe2PRYWm8
>Parker Dam is located in Clearfield County, 17 miles north of Clearfield on PA-153 just off exit 111 of I-80
IF YOU'RE STAYING OVERNIGHT:
OPTION 1:
Rustic Cabin at Parker Dam State Park #13: Guys & #14: Gals (more photos below) |
Amenities:
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OPTION 2:
Campsite 109 at PDSP
Campsite 109 at PDSP
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Amenities:
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OPTION 3:
Car campers (sleep in vehicle) (Welcome to park at cabins) |
You bring:
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OPTION 4:
Make your own arrangements
You're welcome to procure your own lodging in the park or nearby. Tents or RVs are not allowed in the cabin area.
Make your own arrangements
You're welcome to procure your own lodging in the park or nearby. Tents or RVs are not allowed in the cabin area.
Important notes:
Cell phone coverage: TBD
Food/Drink: Generally, bring your own food, drink, and cooking supplies. See FAQ (link) for recommendations. Please list any allergies or dietary restrictions on sign-up. If you’d like, you can join us for dinner out, Dutch treat, on Saturday evening.
What else to bring: For more general information about the Trail Care Program and suggested packing lists, see KTA Trail Care FAQ page here.
Cell phone coverage: TBD
Food/Drink: Generally, bring your own food, drink, and cooking supplies. See FAQ (link) for recommendations. Please list any allergies or dietary restrictions on sign-up. If you’d like, you can join us for dinner out, Dutch treat, on Saturday evening.
What else to bring: For more general information about the Trail Care Program and suggested packing lists, see KTA Trail Care FAQ page here.
--Trail Work Details--
Work days:
Friday and Saturday approximately 8-4, Sunday 8-noon. Camping available starting Thursday >3pm.
Description of work:
Quehanna Trail:
Located in the PA Wilds region, the Quehanna Trail (downloadable georeferenced(!) PDF maps) is a long-distance loop trail in Moshannon and Elk State Forests. The outer orange-blazed loop is about 71 miles. Yellow-blazed connector trails in the western and eastern sections of the main loop allow shorter but still extensive backpacking loops. It is one of the 18 state forest designated hiking trails. We will have paper maps for volunteers.
The southern part of the Quehanna Plateau is a mostly oak-laurel ecosystem; the northern part is characterized by northern hardwoods mixed with hemlock and pine. Several of the QT connecting trails pass through State Game Land 34, featuring ponds that attract waterfowl. Feed plots and viewing platforms have been constructed throughout the whole Quehanna Plateau area, in order to satisfy public interest in viewing elk that have wandered south from their traditional stomping grounds north of Sinnemahoning Creek. The elk now can be found throughout the Quehanna area, but at such a low density that you are only occasionally rewarded with a sighting. The elk move easily through the forest, and a rare sighting is certainly a thrilling experience.
Part of the Quehanna Trail passes through the 50,000-acre Quehanna Wild Area. This is the largest wild area in the state, though it is traversed by two paved and several unpaved roads. The wild area is known for its beautiful streams and unusual open savannas with occasional black cherry trees that were apparently left when the area’s vast hemlock forest was logged in the nineteenth century. Two natural areas feature stands of paper birch, near the southernmost limit of that tree’s range.
Notes:
Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Jenn Ulmer, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance and Training, at [email protected] or 570-854-8316 with any questions.
Friday and Saturday approximately 8-4, Sunday 8-noon. Camping available starting Thursday >3pm.
Description of work:
- New trail: We will be building a very short connector trail in the southeast quadrant. This will involve determining the exact placement, removing duff and defining the treadway, lopping, and sawing.
- Blazing: this portion and another that will be cleared by Moshannon Forestry staff will be blazed. ~4 miles total.
- Nearby, a short footbridge will be built; forestry will provide and transport materials.
- NO LONGER ON THE DOCKET/PERHAPS IN THE FUTURE: We will be assisting forestry staff in relocating a swampy section of trail near the Beaver Run Shallow Water Impoundment on the Eastern Cross Connector. Will involve raking/digging new treadway, lopping/trimming, and blazing/un-blazing.
- Repairing steps on a footbridge over Mix Run near mile 53, and blaze freshening in that area.
- Possible boardwalk/puncheon by Hoover Farm on the David Lewis Trail.
- Other various trail work on the QT as defined by further scouting.
- We carpool to trail locations; please let me know if you are not comfortable riding with others or driving on gravel forestry roads. From the campground, drive times should be in the 35-45 minute range.
Quehanna Trail:
Located in the PA Wilds region, the Quehanna Trail (downloadable georeferenced(!) PDF maps) is a long-distance loop trail in Moshannon and Elk State Forests. The outer orange-blazed loop is about 71 miles. Yellow-blazed connector trails in the western and eastern sections of the main loop allow shorter but still extensive backpacking loops. It is one of the 18 state forest designated hiking trails. We will have paper maps for volunteers.
The southern part of the Quehanna Plateau is a mostly oak-laurel ecosystem; the northern part is characterized by northern hardwoods mixed with hemlock and pine. Several of the QT connecting trails pass through State Game Land 34, featuring ponds that attract waterfowl. Feed plots and viewing platforms have been constructed throughout the whole Quehanna Plateau area, in order to satisfy public interest in viewing elk that have wandered south from their traditional stomping grounds north of Sinnemahoning Creek. The elk now can be found throughout the Quehanna area, but at such a low density that you are only occasionally rewarded with a sighting. The elk move easily through the forest, and a rare sighting is certainly a thrilling experience.
Part of the Quehanna Trail passes through the 50,000-acre Quehanna Wild Area. This is the largest wild area in the state, though it is traversed by two paved and several unpaved roads. The wild area is known for its beautiful streams and unusual open savannas with occasional black cherry trees that were apparently left when the area’s vast hemlock forest was logged in the nineteenth century. Two natural areas feature stands of paper birch, near the southernmost limit of that tree’s range.
Notes:
Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Jenn Ulmer, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance and Training, at [email protected] or 570-854-8316 with any questions.
SIGN UP FOR 2024 TRAIL CARE #1 - Quehanna, April 26-29, HERE:
Registration is closed. Please try another event.
--PHOTO GALLERY--
