|
EVENT #14: August 27-30, 2026
Hickory Run State Park Trails |
Rhodo tunnel on Leonardsville Trail
|
What we have planned
***Updated 8/19/26***
|
--LOGISTICS--
Map from DCNR; modified for our use here.
IF YOU'RE COMING JUST FOR THE DAY / ARRIVING IN THE MORNING:
>Meet us at: Unit 4 at Camp Daddy Allen organized group camping at Hickory Run State Park, 7:30am
>Map/directions to cabin (see map above):
coordinates: 41.03808, -75.69929
street address of park office: 3 Family Camp Rd, White Haven, PA 18661-9712
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cHt7cyTJv7UzGuXb7
>Hickory Run State Park is located in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains, about 15 minutes from exit 274 of I-80.
>Meet us at: Unit 4 at Camp Daddy Allen organized group camping at Hickory Run State Park, 7:30am
>Map/directions to cabin (see map above):
coordinates: 41.03808, -75.69929
street address of park office: 3 Family Camp Rd, White Haven, PA 18661-9712
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cHt7cyTJv7UzGuXb7
>Hickory Run State Park is located in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains, about 15 minutes from exit 274 of I-80.
IF YOU'RE STAYING OVERNIGHT:
Camp Daddy Allen unit 4
Options:
• Camping: bring tent, hammock, or car camp
• Cabins for our use. Unless we get VERY robust numbers, you will get your own cabin! See pictures below in Gallery. Wooden platforms provided in cabins; bring air mattress/sleep pad, pillow, and sleeping bag.
Amenities:
•no electricity in the cabin area- plan to charge your devices in your vehicle or in dining hall
•restroom located near cabins
•shower is near dining hall
•access to dining hall (fridge, stove, etc.)
KTA will provide:
• firewood
• Camping: bring tent, hammock, or car camp
• Cabins for our use. Unless we get VERY robust numbers, you will get your own cabin! See pictures below in Gallery. Wooden platforms provided in cabins; bring air mattress/sleep pad, pillow, and sleeping bag.
Amenities:
•no electricity in the cabin area- plan to charge your devices in your vehicle or in dining hall
•restroom located near cabins
•shower is near dining hall
•access to dining hall (fridge, stove, etc.)
KTA will provide:
• firewood
OR:
Make your own arrangements
You're welcome to procure your own campsite in Hickory Run State Park or lodging nearby.
Make your own arrangements
You're welcome to procure your own campsite in Hickory Run State Park or lodging nearby.
Important notes:
Cell phone coverage: Coverage maps show service at the cabin area for Verizon and AT&T; T-Mobile may be spotty. Service for all three carriers should be good on Leonardsville Trail. AT&T and T-Mobile appear to be spottier more south into the park.
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.
Friday night dinner: Jenn is planning to make spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread (bring a plate), and we usually opt for dinner out another night (KTA's treat). 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.
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!
Cell phone coverage: Coverage maps show service at the cabin area for Verizon and AT&T; T-Mobile may be spotty. Service for all three carriers should be good on Leonardsville Trail. AT&T and T-Mobile appear to be spottier more south into the park.
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.
Friday night dinner: Jenn is planning to make spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread (bring a plate), and we usually opt for dinner out another night (KTA's treat). 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.
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!
--Trail Work Details--
Work days:
Friday and Saturday approximately 8-4, Sunday 8-noon. Camping available starting Thursday >3pm.
Description of work: **UPDATED 8/19/26**
1-mile Leonardsville Trail:
If time allows, possible brushing/lopping on 1-mile Blue Trail, as well as chainsaw work on 3.3-mile Boulder Field Trail.
Very little elevation change on these trails!
**NOTE: some work Friday will be improving stream crossings. Those who want to play (purposefully) in the water should be prepared with shoes that can get wet, or knee-high waterproof boots. In fact, anyone working that day will likely cross this stream-be aware.
Equipment/skills::
Hickory Run State Park
From DCNR's website: "The 15,990-acre Hickory Run State Park, Carbon County, lies in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains. This large park has:
More than 40 miles of hiking trails
Three state park natural areas
Miles of trout streams
Boulder Field, a striking boulder-strewn area, is a National Natural Landmark."
Leonardsville Trail
From Hickory Run's recreational guide: "Access via Stage Trail (V) is often wet and muddy (KTA agrees). Leonardsville Trail branches off the western end of Stage Trail (V), crosses the park boundary (white blazes), and ends just inside State Game Lands 40. The trail
resembles a tunnel through a remarkably dense stand of rhododendrons and, at times, can seem almost completely enclosed. A
few small stream crossings are required. The trail is a good place to look for animal tracks because the surface is mostly dirt. During the 1800s this trail was the main road between the villages of Leonardsville and Saylorsville."
Friday and Saturday approximately 8-4, Sunday 8-noon. Camping available starting Thursday >3pm.
Description of work: **UPDATED 8/19/26**
1-mile Leonardsville Trail:
- Clearing ~22 downed trees
- Trimming back the rhododendron tunnel (0.25 miles)
- Improving 3 back-to-back stream crossings (possible wet feet after 0.25 miles in)
- Brushing back mountain laurel (0.65 miles)
- sign/post install at Leonardsville/Stage Trail intersection
If time allows, possible brushing/lopping on 1-mile Blue Trail, as well as chainsaw work on 3.3-mile Boulder Field Trail.
Very little elevation change on these trails!
**NOTE: some work Friday will be improving stream crossings. Those who want to play (purposefully) in the water should be prepared with shoes that can get wet, or knee-high waterproof boots. In fact, anyone working that day will likely cross this stream-be aware.
Equipment/skills::
- So: using gas-powered brushcutters (like weedwackers on steroids), with others lopping and removing trimmed material from the trail; using Pulaskis, mattocks, hoes and rakes to rework the treadway and move rocks in the wet spots and stream crossings; chainsaw work (limited to qualified volunteers), plus "swamping" (removing cut pieces); using a posthole digger and digging bar to install signs/posts. You can try your hand at any of these; we offer on the trail training,and take lots of breaks.
Hickory Run State Park
From DCNR's website: "The 15,990-acre Hickory Run State Park, Carbon County, lies in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains. This large park has:
More than 40 miles of hiking trails
Three state park natural areas
Miles of trout streams
Boulder Field, a striking boulder-strewn area, is a National Natural Landmark."
Leonardsville Trail
From Hickory Run's recreational guide: "Access via Stage Trail (V) is often wet and muddy (KTA agrees). Leonardsville Trail branches off the western end of Stage Trail (V), crosses the park boundary (white blazes), and ends just inside State Game Lands 40. The trail
resembles a tunnel through a remarkably dense stand of rhododendrons and, at times, can seem almost completely enclosed. A
few small stream crossings are required. The trail is a good place to look for animal tracks because the surface is mostly dirt. During the 1800s this trail was the main road between the villages of Leonardsville and Saylorsville."
**UPDATE 8/26: This opportunity is closed. Please check out another event!**
SIGN UP FOR 2026 TRAIL CARE #14- HRSP Trails, Aug. 27-30, HERE!
(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 (here), 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!
•You don't have to look for/won't be able to find the Trail Care as an "Opportunity" on DCNR's site (they're all set to "private").
•No need to fill out anything for child, etc., clearances. You can add chainsaw and first aid certifications, but not required.
SIGN UP FOR 2026 TRAIL CARE #14- HRSP Trails, Aug. 27-30, HERE!
(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 (here), 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!
•You don't have to look for/won't be able to find the Trail Care as an "Opportunity" on DCNR's site (they're all set to "private").
•No need to fill out anything for child, etc., clearances. You can add chainsaw and first aid certifications, but not required.
--PHOTO GALLERY--
