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EVENT #23: Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2026
SPROUL LOOP SYSTEMS - Kyler Fork Loop |
Map depicting the 5 Sproul Loop Systems we'll be reopening through 2027. On the map above, #5 is the Kyler Fork Loop.
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What we have planned
Additional project details will be provided below |
--LOGISTICS--
IF YOU'RE COMING JUST FOR THE DAY / ARRIVING IN THE MORNING:
>Meet us at: The NEW "KTA PA Wilds HQ": Panther Run Cabin, 7:30am
>The driveway sneaks up on you; watch for white KTA yard signs. It is directly off PA-144.
>Map/directions to cabin (see general area map above):
coordinates: 41.15776, -77.89282
street address: 3101 Ridge Rd, Karthaus, PA 16845
goo.gl/maps/eoAvztfZFe2PRYWm8
>Located in the mountains of Sproul State Forest in Centre County, about 30 minutes southwest of Renovo; 20 minutes north of the Snowshoe (exit 147) exit, or 30 minutes north of the Kylertown (exit 133) exit off I-80. The cabin is ideally situated just west of the CKT, and near many other PA Wilds trails.
>Meet us at: The NEW "KTA PA Wilds HQ": Panther Run Cabin, 7:30am
>The driveway sneaks up on you; watch for white KTA yard signs. It is directly off PA-144.
>Map/directions to cabin (see general area map above):
coordinates: 41.15776, -77.89282
street address: 3101 Ridge Rd, Karthaus, PA 16845
goo.gl/maps/eoAvztfZFe2PRYWm8
>Located in the mountains of Sproul State Forest in Centre County, about 30 minutes southwest of Renovo; 20 minutes north of the Snowshoe (exit 147) exit, or 30 minutes north of the Kylertown (exit 133) exit off I-80. The cabin is ideally situated just west of the CKT, and near many other PA Wilds trails.
IF YOU'RE STAYING OVERNIGHT:
The Panther Run Fire Tower Cabin (KTA's PA Wilds Headquarters!)
(Be among the first volunteers to stay at KTA's exciting new venture! We were offered the opportunity to lease this cabin from Sproul State Forest, and we leapt at the chance. Al and crew have been busy cleaning and improving the cabin--come see!
(Be among the first volunteers to stay at KTA's exciting new venture! We were offered the opportunity to lease this cabin from Sproul State Forest, and we leapt at the chance. Al and crew have been busy cleaning and improving the cabin--come see!
AMENITIES:
• shelter from the elements while cooking, etc.
• tent/hammock/car camp outside, or
• upstairs: bed platforms; bring your own air mattress, sleeping bag, pillow, etc.
• living room: couch/chairs
• huge kitchen table, utensils, cookware
• Coleman 2-burner stoves, fuel
• outhouse/vault toilet
• outdoor fire pit
DOES NOT YET HAVE:
• Electricity. Bring a cooler/ice, and headlamp/lantern.
• Running water. KTA will fill jugs with potable water.
• Showers can be had at Hyner Run State Park (40 minutes east), or a truck stop shower (a little rough around the edges) at the Snow Shoe exit (20 minutes west), OR, you can use KTA's outdoor propane shower on the grounds near the cabin. It's pretty nifty!
• shelter from the elements while cooking, etc.
• tent/hammock/car camp outside, or
• upstairs: bed platforms; bring your own air mattress, sleeping bag, pillow, etc.
• living room: couch/chairs
• huge kitchen table, utensils, cookware
• Coleman 2-burner stoves, fuel
• outhouse/vault toilet
• outdoor fire pit
DOES NOT YET HAVE:
• Electricity. Bring a cooler/ice, and headlamp/lantern.
• Running water. KTA will fill jugs with potable water.
• Showers can be had at Hyner Run State Park (40 minutes east), or a truck stop shower (a little rough around the edges) at the Snow Shoe exit (20 minutes west), OR, you can use KTA's outdoor propane shower on the grounds near the cabin. It's pretty nifty!
OR:
Car camp (sleep in vehicle)
Car camp (sleep in vehicle)
- Can use all amenities listed
OR:
Make your own arrangements
Make your own arrangements
- You're welcome to procure your own campsite in Hyner Run State Park or lodging nearby. Small RVs might be allowed in the cabin area. Check with Al to be sure there will be adequate space, and the ground is dry enough -- it gets a little soupy in the yard in the spring!
- There are also a couple Sproul State Forest motorized/roadside campsites nearby (example: SS06, SS13, SS16). These can be reserved here.
Important notes:
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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--
Map generated in caltopo depicting the new loop in yellow. Orange is the CKT; the black building is KTA's Panther Run Cabin.
Work days:
Friday, approximately 8-4, as well as Saturday is there is enough interest. Camping available starting Thursday>3pm.
Description of work:
Kyler Fork Loop (unofficial name):
The goal of this overall Sproul Loop Project is to create/reopen loops of various lengths along the 47-mile Chuck Keiper Trail (PDF maps here). This loop would incorporate a very short yet scenic section of the CKT, which includes Yost Run Falls, the tallest waterfall in Clinton County. Many hikers currently hike out and back to the falls on the CKT, about 3 miles total. The new Kyler Fork Loop would offer these hikers the chance to see the second highest waterfall, Kyler Fork Falls, plus a third small cascade on an unnamed stream, stands of hemlocks, wetlands, and the Panther Run Fire Tower site. Parking/trailhead could be at KTA's Panther Run Cabin, or at the fire tower site. The length of this new loop should be ~3.3 miles, with elevation change of about 580'.
Friday, approximately 8-4, as well as Saturday is there is enough interest. Camping available starting Thursday>3pm.
Description of work:
- Defining treadway and cutting in new trail (~2 miles)
- some along an old wagon road alignment
- some along a cleared pipeline
- some brand new
- Chainsaw, brushing and lopping to reopen Kyler Fork Trail
- Installing trail intersection signs
- Blazing all but the Chuck Keiper Trail portion
- Equipment/Tools:
- Brushing: using gas-powered brushcutters (like weedwackers on steroids), with others lopping and removing trimmed material from the trail;
- Digging: using Pulaskis, mattocks, hoes and rakes to define the treadway;
- Chainsaw work (limited to qualified volunteers), plus "swamping" (removing cut pieces);
- Signage: 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 us 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. (Though much, if not all, of this work will be within hiking distance of the cabin.)
Kyler Fork Loop (unofficial name):
The goal of this overall Sproul Loop Project is to create/reopen loops of various lengths along the 47-mile Chuck Keiper Trail (PDF maps here). This loop would incorporate a very short yet scenic section of the CKT, which includes Yost Run Falls, the tallest waterfall in Clinton County. Many hikers currently hike out and back to the falls on the CKT, about 3 miles total. The new Kyler Fork Loop would offer these hikers the chance to see the second highest waterfall, Kyler Fork Falls, plus a third small cascade on an unnamed stream, stands of hemlocks, wetlands, and the Panther Run Fire Tower site. Parking/trailhead could be at KTA's Panther Run Cabin, or at the fire tower site. The length of this new loop should be ~3.3 miles, with elevation change of about 580'.
SIGN UP FOR 2026 TRAIL CARE #23- Sproul Loops-Kyler Fork, Oct. 29-Nov. 1 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--
