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EVENT #1: April 23-26, 2026
WHITE MOUNTAIN RIDGE & REEDS GAP SPUR TRAILS |
 Map depicting Reeds Gap Spur Trail and White Mountain Ridge Trail (from Mid State Trail Association)
KTA trail crews reopened Long Path Trail and other trails along the Reeds Gap Spur in the fall of 2017. |
What we have planned
Join us as we kick off the 2026 Season! Reconnect with your long lost Trail Care friends, and meet new people. We're sure to have something for everyone. Much thanks to Volunteer Leader, Ed Lawrence, in advance for scouting trail conditions and noting work sites!
Additional project details provided below |
--LOGISTICS--
IF YOU'RE COMING JUST FOR THE DAY / ARRIVING IN THE MORNING:
>If you are coming for the day only, please meet us near Harris Cabin at Camp Karoondinha (Camp K) (encircled in purple on map above). Please arrive by 7:30 AM.
>Follow KTA signs through the camp/yellow route on map above.
>Address: 225 Thomas Dam Road, Millmont PA 17845
coordinates: 40.85321, -77.25122
Google maps link: maps.app.goo.gl/xTHWmk7KsRmauCZW6
>Camp K is located in Union County, about 20 minutes west of Mifflinburg, and about an hour east of State College.
>If you are coming for the day only, please meet us near Harris Cabin at Camp Karoondinha (Camp K) (encircled in purple on map above). Please arrive by 7:30 AM.
>Follow KTA signs through the camp/yellow route on map above.
>Address: 225 Thomas Dam Road, Millmont PA 17845
coordinates: 40.85321, -77.25122
Google maps link: maps.app.goo.gl/xTHWmk7KsRmauCZW6
>Camp K is located in Union County, about 20 minutes west of Mifflinburg, and about an hour east of State College.
IF YOU'RE STAYING OVERNIGHT:
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Harris Cabin @ Camp K
Photo from similar cabin at Seven Mountains Scout camp.
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Amenities:
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Important notes:
Cell phone coverage: TBD (likely poor. According to coverage maps, AT&T looks good, AT&T and Verizon nearby, in the camp. Trail coverage will be spotty at best.)
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. Food may be provided. Watch for the pre-event email (Mon/Tues) for details.
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 (likely poor. According to coverage maps, AT&T looks good, AT&T and Verizon nearby, in the camp. Trail coverage will be spotty at best.)
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. Food may be provided. Watch for the pre-event email (Mon/Tues) for details.
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:
Reeds Gap Spur Trail (22.8 km/13.84 miles; linear):
From Mid State Trail guidebook: The Reeds Gap Spur begins at Reeds Gap State Park and ends at a junction with Mid State Trail in Poe Paddy State Park. Reeds Gap State Park is located in New Lancaster Valley east of Milroy and US 322. Poe Paddy State Park is located at the junction of Big Poe and Swift Run roads with Poe Paddy Drive in Bald Eagle State Forest. This is a long pants and heavy boot trail that goes across the grain of the ridge and valley region with a vertical rise of over 940 meters in the south to north direction. There is a fair amount of water along this trail but it is not evenly distributed. Primitive camping sites are available at Little Weikert Run and in Bear Gap (NOT at the picnic area). The Reeds Gap Spur was opened in 1985 and is shown on an online map “Reeds Gap Spur and White Mountain Ridge Trail” available through the Avenza Map Store and on the MST website www.hike-mst.org. Blaze colors vary, check the detailed description carefully.
General Description: From Reeds Gap State Park the spur climbs through the gap of the same name on its way to the top of Thick Mountain. It follows Thick Mountain east and then descends into Treaster Valley by way of Bear Gap Trail. Turning east it follows Treaster Run before climbing Treaster Mountain. Continuing north it climbs over Strongs Mountain, descends to Weikert Run. and then ascends White Mountain along the wild area boundary. Next it descends to a crossing of Swift Run and follows Swift Run Road to Poe Paddy State Park.
White Mountain Ridge Trail (6.4 miles; linear):
The WMRT is a remote, rugged, rocky, linear trail that heads east from its intersection with Long Path (RGST) toward Weikert. There is a nice 4-ish mile loop using Devils Elbow Trail and Weikert Run Road that features Chimney Rocks view. The eastern end gets a lot of use from campers from nearby Wesley Forest Camp.
Reeds Gap State Park:
Reeds Gap State Park is 220 acres of wilderness in the New Lancaster Valley of Mifflin County. Large hemlocks and white pines cast cool shadows over Honey Creek, which flows through the park (text from DCNR website).
Age Requirements:
Minimum: 14 years old and up (all minors must be accompanied by a guardian) unless otherwise noted. For safety purposes, minors will never be allowed to work alone or with just one other volunteer, unless it is their guardian.
Maximum: no maximum age! If you can hike a couple miles over rough terrain, we can find a task suitable for you!
Friday and Saturday approximately 8-4, Sunday 8-noon. Camping available starting Thursday >3pm.
Description of work:
- Reeds Gap Spur Trail: volunteer Leader Ed Lawrence et. al. will be scouting in the week leading up to the event to assess current conditions. We imagine this trail will need brushing, lopping, and possibly blazing.
- Blazing: Bald Eagle State Forest is reclassifying White Mountain Ridge and Devils Elbow Trails as "hiking only". This necessitates a change to yellow blazes from red. We will attempt to accomplish this: 4 miles total (plus hiking in via Devils Elbow Trail or Long Path--each about 0.5mi).
- Other various trail work on the RGST, WMRT, or DET 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.
Reeds Gap Spur Trail (22.8 km/13.84 miles; linear):
From Mid State Trail guidebook: The Reeds Gap Spur begins at Reeds Gap State Park and ends at a junction with Mid State Trail in Poe Paddy State Park. Reeds Gap State Park is located in New Lancaster Valley east of Milroy and US 322. Poe Paddy State Park is located at the junction of Big Poe and Swift Run roads with Poe Paddy Drive in Bald Eagle State Forest. This is a long pants and heavy boot trail that goes across the grain of the ridge and valley region with a vertical rise of over 940 meters in the south to north direction. There is a fair amount of water along this trail but it is not evenly distributed. Primitive camping sites are available at Little Weikert Run and in Bear Gap (NOT at the picnic area). The Reeds Gap Spur was opened in 1985 and is shown on an online map “Reeds Gap Spur and White Mountain Ridge Trail” available through the Avenza Map Store and on the MST website www.hike-mst.org. Blaze colors vary, check the detailed description carefully.
General Description: From Reeds Gap State Park the spur climbs through the gap of the same name on its way to the top of Thick Mountain. It follows Thick Mountain east and then descends into Treaster Valley by way of Bear Gap Trail. Turning east it follows Treaster Run before climbing Treaster Mountain. Continuing north it climbs over Strongs Mountain, descends to Weikert Run. and then ascends White Mountain along the wild area boundary. Next it descends to a crossing of Swift Run and follows Swift Run Road to Poe Paddy State Park.
White Mountain Ridge Trail (6.4 miles; linear):
The WMRT is a remote, rugged, rocky, linear trail that heads east from its intersection with Long Path (RGST) toward Weikert. There is a nice 4-ish mile loop using Devils Elbow Trail and Weikert Run Road that features Chimney Rocks view. The eastern end gets a lot of use from campers from nearby Wesley Forest Camp.
Reeds Gap State Park:
Reeds Gap State Park is 220 acres of wilderness in the New Lancaster Valley of Mifflin County. Large hemlocks and white pines cast cool shadows over Honey Creek, which flows through the park (text from DCNR website).
Age Requirements:
Minimum: 14 years old and up (all minors must be accompanied by a guardian) unless otherwise noted. For safety purposes, minors will never be allowed to work alone or with just one other volunteer, unless it is their guardian.
Maximum: no maximum age! If you can hike a couple miles over rough terrain, we can find a task suitable for you!
SIGN UP FOR 2026 TRAIL CARE #01 - WMRT/RGST, April 23-26, BELOW!
(If you do not receive an email confirmation, your sign-up did not go through. Try going to the Google Form here, or Contact Jenn directly: [email protected]).
**NEW FOR 2026: Please also sign-up for an account with DCNR on the new Conservation Volunteer website here. Once you do that, you are covered under DCNR’s workmen’s compensation umbrella when working on state forest or park land. Also, you can now earn points towards free camping! Check out their FAQs page. Once you submit your sign-up on KTA’s Trail Care Event website, Jenn will add you to the “Trail Care Team” for that private event in DCNR’s new CV system (and you’ll receive an email from DCNR confirming you’ve been added to the team/event). Then, after the event, Jenn will be inputting all your Trail Care volunteer hours; you won’t have to worry about that. Thanks in advance!
(If you do not receive an email confirmation, your sign-up did not go through. Try going to the Google Form here, or Contact Jenn directly: [email protected]).
**NEW FOR 2026: Please also sign-up for an account with DCNR on the new Conservation Volunteer website here. Once you do that, you are covered under DCNR’s workmen’s compensation umbrella when working on state forest or park land. Also, you can now earn points towards free camping! Check out their FAQs page. Once you submit your sign-up on KTA’s Trail Care Event website, Jenn will add you to the “Trail Care Team” for that private event in DCNR’s new CV system (and you’ll receive an email from DCNR confirming you’ve been added to the team/event). Then, after the event, Jenn will be inputting all your Trail Care volunteer hours; you won’t have to worry about that. Thanks in advance!
--PHOTO GALLERY--
