|
EVENT #21: Oct. 7-11, 2026
North Country Trail |
**PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT INCLUDES AN OPTIONAL THURSDAY WORKDAY, AND DIFFERENT MEETING TIMES THAN USUAL.**
NCTA logo from northcountrytrail.org
|
What we have planned
Join us as we venture to the western part of PA and work with the Butler County Chapter on their ~50-mile section of the NCT.
|
--LOGISTICS--
 Map from Google showing routes from I79 and PA422
|
Photo from DCNR depicting Five Points Group Camping Area
|
IF YOU'RE COMING JUST FOR THE DAY / ARRIVING IN THE MORNING:
>If you're local, feel free to meet the crew Thursday and Friday at 9:00 AM at Pry Road parking lot in SGL 95 near West Sunbury.
>Map/directions:
coordinates: 41.046235, -79.894932
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mcjgP73cjbWKqZ6J6
>To carpool with KTA Thursday and Friday, meet us at: Moraine State Park, Five Points group camping area, 8:00 AM
>Follow KTA signs through the park. Five Points is adjacent to the Lakeview Day Use Area.
>Map/directions to park:
coordinates: 40.97059, -80.11261
Address: Five Points Rd, Portersville, PA 16051
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mcjgP73cjbWKqZ6J6
>Saturday and Sunday morning, meet us at: Moraine State Park, Five Points group camping area, 9:00 AM
>Follow KTA signs and directions above.
>Moraine State Park is in northwestern Pennsylvania near the crossroads of I–79 and I–80. It is bisected by PA 422 running east/west and PA 528 running north/south.
To access the North Shore from PA 422, take the North Shore Exit.
>If you're local, feel free to meet the crew Thursday and Friday at 9:00 AM at Pry Road parking lot in SGL 95 near West Sunbury.
>Map/directions:
coordinates: 41.046235, -79.894932
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mcjgP73cjbWKqZ6J6
>To carpool with KTA Thursday and Friday, meet us at: Moraine State Park, Five Points group camping area, 8:00 AM
>Follow KTA signs through the park. Five Points is adjacent to the Lakeview Day Use Area.
>Map/directions to park:
coordinates: 40.97059, -80.11261
Address: Five Points Rd, Portersville, PA 16051
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mcjgP73cjbWKqZ6J6
>Saturday and Sunday morning, meet us at: Moraine State Park, Five Points group camping area, 9:00 AM
>Follow KTA signs and directions above.
>Moraine State Park is in northwestern Pennsylvania near the crossroads of I–79 and I–80. It is bisected by PA 422 running east/west and PA 528 running north/south.
To access the North Shore from PA 422, take the North Shore Exit.
IF YOU'RE STAYING OVERNIGHT:
Map showing:
-5 Points Camping Area (red tent symbol),
-Shower area (red shower symbol)
-bike path to showers (yellow line)
-North Country Trail (blue line)
Tent, Car, or Hammock Camp at Moraine SP -- Five Points Organized Group Camping Area
See map above. The park has generously reserved this site for us.
See map above. The park has generously reserved this site for us.
Photo from Facebook: Butler Outdoor Club event from 2025 based at Five Points. More photos in Gallery at bottom of page.
|
Amenities:
|
OR:
Make your own arrangements
You're welcome to procure your own cabin at Moraine State Park or lodging nearby, or commute from home.
Make your own arrangements
You're welcome to procure your own cabin at Moraine State Park or lodging nearby, or commute from home.
Important notes:
Cell phone coverage: Coverage maps show good service for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile at the campground; may be spotty during travel and on the trail.
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 is typically on your own, 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.
Camping Gear: If you're missing a piece of camping gear, or all of it, check out KTA's Gear loaner Program here. With enough notice, KTA can bring whatever you need for a fun, comfortable weekend!
Questions? Please contact Al Germann, KTA Trail Care Coordinator for PA Wilds, at [email protected], or Jenn Ulmer, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance and Training, at [email protected] or 570-854-8316 with any questions.
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 good service for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile at the campground; may be spotty during travel and on the trail.
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 is typically on your own, 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.
Camping Gear: If you're missing a piece of camping gear, or all of it, check out KTA's Gear loaner Program here. With enough notice, KTA can bring whatever you need for a fun, comfortable weekend!
Questions? Please contact Al Germann, KTA Trail Care Coordinator for PA Wilds, at [email protected], or Jenn Ulmer, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance and Training, at [email protected] or 570-854-8316 with any questions.
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:
**Bonus Thursday, plus Friday and Saturday approximately 9-4, Sunday 9-noon. Camping available starting Thursday >3pm.
Description of work:
Details provided by Butler County Chapter of NCTA:
Butler County Chapter's section of the NCT:
From the NCTA website: "The Butler County Chapter’s segment of the North Country Trail is from the Lawrence-Butler county line, east of McConnells Mill State Park, to the Armstrong-Clarion county line at the Allegheny River.
Here, the trail winds through McConnells Mill and Moraine State Parks; past the Jennings Environmental Education Center; across state game last; along several streams; and into the NCTA Trail Town of Parker."
**Bonus Thursday, plus Friday and Saturday approximately 9-4, Sunday 9-noon. Camping available starting Thursday >3pm.
Description of work:
Details provided by Butler County Chapter of NCTA:
- Thursday and Friday we will be doing tread improvements in the State Game Lands 95, building turnpikes and working on water mitigation
- Saturday and Sunday, we will do some improvements to steps along the North Country Trail in Moraine State Park
Butler County Chapter's section of the NCT:
From the NCTA website: "The Butler County Chapter’s segment of the North Country Trail is from the Lawrence-Butler county line, east of McConnells Mill State Park, to the Armstrong-Clarion county line at the Allegheny River.
Here, the trail winds through McConnells Mill and Moraine State Parks; past the Jennings Environmental Education Center; across state game last; along several streams; and into the NCTA Trail Town of Parker."
Map of Butler County Chapter's section of the NCT, from https://northcountrytrail.org/trail/pennsylvania/but/
SIGN UP FOR 2026 TRAIL CARE #21- North Country Trail, Oct. 7-11, 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.
(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--
