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EVENT #4: May 28-31, 2026
TIADAGHTON STATE FOREST TRAILS |
 Map depicting North and South Link Trails (in yellow), which connect the Black Forest trail in the east to the Susquehannock Trail System on the west (both orange).
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What we have planned
We're planning to work on the North and South Link Trails, but there may be work on other side trails as well as the Black Forest Trail.
Additional project details provided below when available |
--LOGISTICS--
IF YOU'RE COMING JUST FOR THE DAY / ARRIVING IN THE MORNING:
>Meet us at: The Tiadaghton State Forest's Pump Station Fire Tower Cabin, 7:30am
>The turn for the short gravel (sometimes rough) driveway sneaks up on you; watch for KTA signs. It is directly off PA 44.
>Map/directions to cabin (see general area map above):
coordinates: 41.46555, -77.57138
street address: Ruth Will Trail, Lock Haven, PA 17745
goo.gl/maps/eoAvztfZFe2PRYWm8
>Located in the mountains of Tiadaghton State Forest in Lycoming County, about 40 minutes north of Avis (from exit 120 of US-220).
>Meet us at: The Tiadaghton State Forest's Pump Station Fire Tower Cabin, 7:30am
>The turn for the short gravel (sometimes rough) driveway sneaks up on you; watch for KTA signs. It is directly off PA 44.
>Map/directions to cabin (see general area map above):
coordinates: 41.46555, -77.57138
street address: Ruth Will Trail, Lock Haven, PA 17745
goo.gl/maps/eoAvztfZFe2PRYWm8
>Located in the mountains of Tiadaghton State Forest in Lycoming County, about 40 minutes north of Avis (from exit 120 of US-220).
IF YOU'RE STAYING OVERNIGHT:
Pump Station Fire Tower Cabin
Tiadaghton State Forest graciously allows us to use this cabin as our base camp. It is right on the Ruth Will Trail, one of the awesome cross-country ski trails here. Camp right under the majestic fire tower!
Tiadaghton State Forest graciously allows us to use this cabin as our base camp. It is right on the Ruth Will Trail, one of the awesome cross-country ski trails here. Camp right under the majestic fire tower!
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Options:
• Camping outside: bring tent, hammock, or car camp • Welcome to bunk inside on cots in the loft. Critters often make their presence known at night... Amenities: • cabin has electricity • No running water inside, but a water pump/spigot outside • small living room with couch/chairs • refrigerator and stove available • woodstove if it's chilly • outhouse/vault toilet DOES NOT YET HAVE: • showers-can be had at Hyner Run State Park (20 minutes southwest) You bring: • all usual camping stuff KTA will provide: • firewood |
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. 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.
Tony may cook a scrumptious dinner one night, and we might opt for dinner out- KTA will cover costs for dinner, except alcoholic beverages. 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: There is minimal coverage- about one bar/4G - enough to send/receive texts and emails, but not pictures. 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.
Tony may cook a scrumptious dinner one night, and we might opt for dinner out- KTA will cover costs for dinner, except alcoholic beverages. 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:
North Link Trail (~9 miles; linear):
The North Link Trail connects the 84-mile loop Susquehannock Trail at Big Spring Road to the 43-mile loop Black Forest Trail on Dyer Woods Trail. The trail features about 1000' of elevation loss and 900' of elevation gain along its route (east to west), with the steepest portion between Lebo Run and Robinson Road. There is a turn-by-turn description in the Guide to the Susquehannock Trail System guidebook/maps. Some notable waypoints from STS's description:
• 1.87 mi.: beehive-shaped, flagstone springhouse (!)
• 2.35 mi.: descent of Albert Hollow on Spruce Trail
• 3.1 wet crossing of Lebo Run
• 3.25 mi.: view to east of Albert Hollow;
• in places, the trail follows the former North Bend & Kettle Creek Railroad built in 1897
• 6.75 mi.: views of Big Springs Hollow
• pockets of Norway spruce; interesting geologic outcrops; passes a couple camps
South Link Trail (~5.7 miles; linear):
The South Link Trail also connects the 84-mile loop Susquehannock Trail to the 43-mile loop Black Forest Trail. This trail has a much more gentle slope; it basically has one long descent and one climb, with about 1100' of elevation loss and 650' of elevation gain along its route (east to west). The steepest section is on the climb back up to the STS from Lebo Run on the Wildcat Trail. There is a turn-by-turn description in the Guide to the Susquehannock Trail System guidebook/maps. Some notable waypoints from STS's description:
• 0.5 mi.: wet crossing of Baldwin Branch; flagstone quarry
• 0.9 mi.: the trail follows the former Slate Run Railroad for a while--the first logging railroad in the Susquehanna watershed, built in 1885
• 3.6 mi.: wet crossings of Lebo Run; memorial sign for an outdoorsman who died in 1976 (if the sign is still there)
Loops:
•The North Link Trail is part of the venerable 300-mile PAW Megaloop Hiking Trail Project.
•Combining the North and South Link Trails with the portions of STS and BFT between them makes a nice 24-ish mile loop.
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:
- More info provided after scouting; could involve brushing, rebenching, blazing, lopping, mowing, etc., etc.
- Last year we cleared South Link Trail along Baldwin Branch, so that part should be good!
- 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 15-30 minute range.
North Link Trail (~9 miles; linear):
The North Link Trail connects the 84-mile loop Susquehannock Trail at Big Spring Road to the 43-mile loop Black Forest Trail on Dyer Woods Trail. The trail features about 1000' of elevation loss and 900' of elevation gain along its route (east to west), with the steepest portion between Lebo Run and Robinson Road. There is a turn-by-turn description in the Guide to the Susquehannock Trail System guidebook/maps. Some notable waypoints from STS's description:
• 1.87 mi.: beehive-shaped, flagstone springhouse (!)
• 2.35 mi.: descent of Albert Hollow on Spruce Trail
• 3.1 wet crossing of Lebo Run
• 3.25 mi.: view to east of Albert Hollow;
• in places, the trail follows the former North Bend & Kettle Creek Railroad built in 1897
• 6.75 mi.: views of Big Springs Hollow
• pockets of Norway spruce; interesting geologic outcrops; passes a couple camps
South Link Trail (~5.7 miles; linear):
The South Link Trail also connects the 84-mile loop Susquehannock Trail to the 43-mile loop Black Forest Trail. This trail has a much more gentle slope; it basically has one long descent and one climb, with about 1100' of elevation loss and 650' of elevation gain along its route (east to west). The steepest section is on the climb back up to the STS from Lebo Run on the Wildcat Trail. There is a turn-by-turn description in the Guide to the Susquehannock Trail System guidebook/maps. Some notable waypoints from STS's description:
• 0.5 mi.: wet crossing of Baldwin Branch; flagstone quarry
• 0.9 mi.: the trail follows the former Slate Run Railroad for a while--the first logging railroad in the Susquehanna watershed, built in 1885
• 3.6 mi.: wet crossings of Lebo Run; memorial sign for an outdoorsman who died in 1976 (if the sign is still there)
Loops:
•The North Link Trail is part of the venerable 300-mile PAW Megaloop Hiking Trail Project.
•Combining the North and South Link Trails with the portions of STS and BFT between them makes a nice 24-ish mile loop.
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 #04 - Tia. SF Trails, May 28-31, 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--
