NEW! Hybrid Event: New in 2023 is the hybrid work/fun event! Those who come to help with trail work for any portion of the weekend are welcome to join us for a hike on Sunday morning on the nearby Fred Woods Trail (link to PDF map/brochure).
WHERE TO MEET, LODGING:
Camping location: Hicks Run Campground, West Hicks Run Road, Benezette Township (41.37915, -78.28036), Elk County. 2.5 miles north of PA555; turn at the Hicks Run Wildlife Viewing Area. Watch out for the elk! Elk State Forest has reserved sites 1-3 and 6.
Morning meeting location/time: same as above (near site 6 – see map), 7:45 AM. Parking is available near the latrines, the area encircled in purple on the map below.
Map/directions to campsites: https://goo.gl/maps/5vcQNGz7KvoRZc3s7
Lodging/Camping amenities: We have arranged for free camping for volunteers at the Hicks Run Campground. Someone will be at the campground by 5:00 pm to assist you upon arrival Thursday night if needed. Hicks Run is a primitive/rustic State Forest Campground. Tent and hammock camping welcome in sites 1-3 and 6, encircled in red on the map above (you may have to share a site with fellow KTA trail workers), and car camping welcome in the parking area. There are additional sites for RVs. If you would like to bring yours, please let us know ASAP, and we will attempt to reserve another RV site. Check-In and Check-Out time are both 3:00 pm.
***Running water IS available at Hicks Run, but it is not tested/certified as potable. Elk State Forest will provide some 5-galllon containers of potable water, but please bring a couple gallons of water for your own drinking purposes.
***Electricity is NOT available at Hicks Run. Plan to charge any devices with your vehicle.
***Showers/running water are not available at Hicks Run. ####NEW###: Arrangements have been made for volunteers to use the shower facilities at nearby Big Elk Lick Campground (18-minute drive one way).
Cell phone coverage: There is no cell service at Hicks Run Campground, and it’s spotty at best throughout the area. Elk State Forest has provided us with a known reception site; this is a ~23-minute one-way drive from the campground.
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. ####NEW###: Tony, our tool master and gourmet camp cook, will be cooking a Dutch oven creation for Friday night, and we plan to patronize Benezette Hotel (18-minute drive one way, Dutch treat) Saturday night.
Morning meeting location/time: same as above (near site 6 – see map), 7:45 AM. Parking is available near the latrines, the area encircled in purple on the map below.
Map/directions to campsites: https://goo.gl/maps/5vcQNGz7KvoRZc3s7
Lodging/Camping amenities: We have arranged for free camping for volunteers at the Hicks Run Campground. Someone will be at the campground by 5:00 pm to assist you upon arrival Thursday night if needed. Hicks Run is a primitive/rustic State Forest Campground. Tent and hammock camping welcome in sites 1-3 and 6, encircled in red on the map above (you may have to share a site with fellow KTA trail workers), and car camping welcome in the parking area. There are additional sites for RVs. If you would like to bring yours, please let us know ASAP, and we will attempt to reserve another RV site. Check-In and Check-Out time are both 3:00 pm.
***Running water IS available at Hicks Run, but it is not tested/certified as potable. Elk State Forest will provide some 5-galllon containers of potable water, but please bring a couple gallons of water for your own drinking purposes.
***Electricity is NOT available at Hicks Run. Plan to charge any devices with your vehicle.
***Showers/running water are not available at Hicks Run. ####NEW###: Arrangements have been made for volunteers to use the shower facilities at nearby Big Elk Lick Campground (18-minute drive one way).
Cell phone coverage: There is no cell service at Hicks Run Campground, and it’s spotty at best throughout the area. Elk State Forest has provided us with a known reception site; this is a ~23-minute one-way drive from the campground.
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. ####NEW###: Tony, our tool master and gourmet camp cook, will be cooking a Dutch oven creation for Friday night, and we plan to patronize Benezette Hotel (18-minute drive one way, Dutch treat) Saturday night.
ABOUT THE EVENT:
Work days: Friday and Saturday approximately 8-4, Sunday 8-noon. Camping available starting Thursday.
Sunday hike: For those that have had enough of trail work, join us on a hike on the Fred Woods Trail or Pine Tree Trail (according to hiker consensus). Others may choose to fit in one more morning of trail work.
Description of work: We plan to re-blaze the entire trail, which will make a huge difference. Therefore, we are particularly interested in attracting seasoned and aspiring painters and preppers (scraping/brushing old blazes, scouting to determine additional and blaze changes needed. These volunteers often typically lop on the second leg of an out-n-back blazing trip while the painter applies a second coat.). Portions of the single-track hiking-only part of the trail need blowdown removal by chainsaw & swamper crews, and also removal of laurel growth that is encroaching onto the trail through power brushcutting and lopping. The latter will be focused in the 2-mile stretch between Dents Run and Little Dents Run. 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 xxx-xxx minute range.
Elk Trail: Located in the PA Wilds region, the Elk Trail (downloadable PDF map/brochure) is a 15.8-mile hiking trail. The Elk Trail rewards hikers with a variety of terrain and scenery as it weaves through the ridges and hollows of Elk State Forest. The trail area is prime elk territory and the lucky hiker will be treated with an opportunity to see this majestic animal wild and free in its habitat. We will have paper maps for participants. KTA Board member Ben Cramer has written an authoritative guide on the Elk Trail, available in KTA's bookstore.
Notes: Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Jenn Ulmer, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance and Training, at ulmer@kta-hike.org or 570-854-8316 with any questions, or Volunteer Leader Joanne Heimer @ jheimer@comcast.net / 570-295-1431.
****This event is also part of the PA Wilds Trail Care Challenge!***
Sunday hike: For those that have had enough of trail work, join us on a hike on the Fred Woods Trail or Pine Tree Trail (according to hiker consensus). Others may choose to fit in one more morning of trail work.
Description of work: We plan to re-blaze the entire trail, which will make a huge difference. Therefore, we are particularly interested in attracting seasoned and aspiring painters and preppers (scraping/brushing old blazes, scouting to determine additional and blaze changes needed. These volunteers often typically lop on the second leg of an out-n-back blazing trip while the painter applies a second coat.). Portions of the single-track hiking-only part of the trail need blowdown removal by chainsaw & swamper crews, and also removal of laurel growth that is encroaching onto the trail through power brushcutting and lopping. The latter will be focused in the 2-mile stretch between Dents Run and Little Dents Run. 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 xxx-xxx minute range.
Elk Trail: Located in the PA Wilds region, the Elk Trail (downloadable PDF map/brochure) is a 15.8-mile hiking trail. The Elk Trail rewards hikers with a variety of terrain and scenery as it weaves through the ridges and hollows of Elk State Forest. The trail area is prime elk territory and the lucky hiker will be treated with an opportunity to see this majestic animal wild and free in its habitat. We will have paper maps for participants. KTA Board member Ben Cramer has written an authoritative guide on the Elk Trail, available in KTA's bookstore.
Notes: Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Jenn Ulmer, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance and Training, at ulmer@kta-hike.org or 570-854-8316 with any questions, or Volunteer Leader Joanne Heimer @ jheimer@comcast.net / 570-295-1431.
****This event is also part of the PA Wilds Trail Care Challenge!***
WHAT TO BRING:
For more general information about the Trail Care Program and suggested packing lists, see KTA Trail Care FAQ page here.
By signing up, volunteers agree to the KTA Activity Waiver.