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EVENT #22: October 15-18, 2026
Donut Hole Trail 2.0 |
Current situation on the DHT at the top of Summerson Run. More pics in the Gallery at the bottom of the page.
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What we have planned
With all the recent emphasis on the Chuck Keiper Trail, the Donut Hole could use some attention, too!
Experience fall in all its glory in the PA WIlds! Camp with us near Kettle Creek and listen for bugling elk. |
--LOGISTICS--
Map from DCNR, modified to show our campsites (red circle).
IF YOU'RE COMING JUST FOR THE DAY / ARRIVING IN THE MORNING:
>Meet us at: Kettle Creek State Park campsites 20-24 area--Lower Campground (directions below), 7:30am.
>Watch for KTA signs through the park, which is directly off PA 4001/Kettle Creek Road.
>Map/directions to campsites (see general area map above):
-Coordinates: 41.33948, -77.90782
-Google Maps Link
-Street Address: THERE IS NO ACCURATE street address for the Lower Campground. BUT, you can use 2996 Kettle Creek Road, Renovo PA 17764 in your GPS and go 1/10 mile further to get to the Lower Campground Road turn off--pictured below.
Turn left BEFORE the STATE PARK SIGN for LOWER CAMPGROUND, then continue left to the campsites. (This is all assuming you're coming from the south.)
>Watch for KTA signs through the park, which is directly off PA 4001/Kettle Creek Road.
>Map/directions to campsites (see general area map above):
-Coordinates: 41.33948, -77.90782
-Google Maps Link
-Street Address: THERE IS NO ACCURATE street address for the Lower Campground. BUT, you can use 2996 Kettle Creek Road, Renovo PA 17764 in your GPS and go 1/10 mile further to get to the Lower Campground Road turn off--pictured below.
Turn left BEFORE the STATE PARK SIGN for LOWER CAMPGROUND, then continue left to the campsites. (This is all assuming you're coming from the south.)
IF YOU'RE STAYING OVERNIGHT:
Free campsites (#20,22,23,24) at Kettle Creek State Park
DCNR Bureau of State parks has graciously provided free campsites for Trail Care volunteers to use as our base camp. (spots limited; more photos below)
From DCNR: "Kettle Creek State Park consists of 1,793 acres along Kettle Creek in western Clinton County. The park is in a valley surrounded by mountainous terrain and wilderness. The park is along SR 4001, seven miles north of PA 120 at Westport and three miles west of PA 144."
DCNR Bureau of State parks has graciously provided free campsites for Trail Care volunteers to use as our base camp. (spots limited; more photos below)
From DCNR: "Kettle Creek State Park consists of 1,793 acres along Kettle Creek in western Clinton County. The park is in a valley surrounded by mountainous terrain and wilderness. The park is along SR 4001, seven miles north of PA 120 at Westport and three miles west of PA 144."
Photo from DCNR
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Amenities:
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OR:
Make your own arrangements
You're welcome to procure your own campsite in Kettle Creek State Park or lodging nearby.
Make your own arrangements
You're welcome to procure your own campsite in Kettle Creek State Park or lodging nearby.
Important notes:
Cell phone coverage: Is vastly improved in the last couple years at Hyner Run; should be good. 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.
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!
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: Is vastly improved in the last couple years at Hyner Run; should be good. 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.
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!
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:
- Major brushing from near Kettle Creek Rd to Tamarack Fire Tower
- Clearing blowdowns along Bull Run, as well as tread repair
- Clearing the Owl Run loop if we have time
- Clearing blowdowns near Hyner Run SP
- Sign install
- 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; 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.
- 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.
Donut Hole Trail:
The 94.2-mile Donut Hole Trail (DHT), in Clinton and Cameron Counties, is one of the most remote and challenging of the state’s backpacking trails, with numerous steep climbs and unbridged stream crossings, and long stretches that are very far from civilization.
- Miles: 94.2
- Type: End-to-end
- County: Clinton and Cameron
- Points of Interest: Kettle Creek State Park, Hyner Run State Park, Kettle Creek Vista
The western terminus of the DHT at Jericho is less than two miles via road from the northern end of the Old Sinnemahoning Trail, which leads to the Quehanna Trail. The DHT is also connected to the Black Forest Trail via the T-Squared Trail, and it is connected to the Chuck Keiper Trail via the Jack Paulhamus/Garby Trail.
The DHT is described in the point-by-point Guide to the Donut Hole Trail by Ben Cramer (2020). (The guide is currently out of print, with future availability unknown.) PDF maps are available for download from Sproul State Forest here, and they will mail you a copy if requested.
(Maps included in picture slideshow below.)
SIGN UP FOR 2026 TRAIL CARE #12- Donut Hole Trail, August 6-9, 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 (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--
