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FLASH CREW EVENT: Oct. 3-6, 2024
Beaver Run Bridge Rehab |
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What we have planned
This crucial bridge on the Quehanna Trail Eastern Cross Connector has been in a state of disrepair since 2022. KTA staff and volunteers, along with Moshannon State Forestry staff, have come up with a plan to make it serviceable again.
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--LOGISTICS--
IF YOU'RE COMING JUST FOR THE DAY / ARRIVING IN THE MORNING:
>Meet us at: The NEW "KTA PA Wilds HQ", the soon-to-be-leased Panther Run Cabin, 7:30am
************OR***********
>Meet us at the parking area for the Beaver Run Pond Wildlife Viewing Area at ~8:00 (please sign up below or let us know you're coming)
>The driveway for the cabin sneaks up on you; watch for KTA signs. It is directly off PA-144.
>Map/directions to cabin (see general area map above):
coordinates: 41.15776, -77.89282
street address: 3101 Ridge Rd, Karthaus, PA 16845
goo.gl/maps/eoAvztfZFe2PRYWm8
>Located in the mountains of Sproul State Forest in Centre County, about 30 minutes southwest of Renovo; 20 minutes north of the Snowshoe (exit 147) exit, or 30 minutes north of the Kylertown (exit 133) exit off I-80. The cabin is ideally situated just west of the CKT, and near many other PA Wilds trails.
IF YOU'RE STAYING OVERNIGHT:
The Panther Run Fire Tower Cabin (KTA's soon-to-be PA Wilds Headquarters!)
(Be among the very first volunteers to stay at KTA's exciting new venture! We were offered the opportunity to lease this cabin from Sproul State Forest, and we leapt at the chance. Current and past Trail Care volunteers, watch your email for the chance to become involved.)
(Be among the very first volunteers to stay at KTA's exciting new venture! We were offered the opportunity to lease this cabin from Sproul State Forest, and we leapt at the chance. Current and past Trail Care volunteers, watch your email for the chance to become involved.)
Amenities:
We will be working on providing potable water, as well as some sort of shower- at Hyner State Park, perhaps Sproul maintenance building, or maybe using KTA's existing solar shower.
- • Until the cabin has had a safety inspection, we'll be camping outside: bring tent, hammock, or car camp
- • can use inside living room couch/chairs
- • huge kitchen table, utensils, cookware
- • outhouse/vault toilet
- DOES NOT YET HAVE:
- • electricity or running water
- You bring:
- • usual tenting stuff, all bedding & pillow, toiletries
We will be working on providing potable water, as well as some sort of shower- at Hyner State Park, perhaps Sproul maintenance building, or maybe using KTA's existing solar shower.
OR:
Make your own arrangements
You're welcome to procure your own campsite in Hyner Run State Park or lodging nearby. RVs may be allowed in the cabin area.
Make your own arrangements
You're welcome to procure your own campsite in Hyner Run State Park or lodging nearby. RVs may be allowed in the cabin area.
Important notes:
Cell phone coverage: There is minimal coverage- about one bar/4G - enough to send/receive texts and emails, but not pictures. Emails come in intermittently and depending on the spot you're standing. Coverage on the trail and roads getting there can be VERY spotty.
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, at a local restaurant 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: There is minimal coverage- about one bar/4G - enough to send/receive texts and emails, but not pictures. Emails come in intermittently and depending on the spot you're standing. Coverage on the trail and roads getting there can be VERY spotty.
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, at a local restaurant 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.
Friday and Saturday approximately 8-4, Sunday 8-noon. Camping available starting Thursday >3pm.
Description of work:
- See top of this page
- 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 camp, the work site parking area is a 41-minute drive.
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 Al Germann, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance for the OA Wilds, at [email protected] with any questions.
Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Al Germann, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance for the OA Wilds, at [email protected] with any questions.
SIGN UP FOR BEAVER RUN BRIDGE FLASH CREW, Oct. 3-6, HERE!
(If you do not receive an email confirmation, your sign-up did not go through -- please go directly to the form through this link.)
(If you do not receive an email confirmation, your sign-up did not go through -- please go directly to the form through this link.)
--PHOTO GALLERY--
