KTA Trail Challenge
Course Details
Hike or run on gorgeous, challenging trails in September - while supporting Pennsylvania's only statewide hiker advocacy and trail maintaining organization, Keystone Trails Association!
We are excited to offer the 13th annual KTA Trail Challenge, featuring two new and improved courses to choose from: 25k and 50k! More challenging and fewer paved roads than ever before.
New to this event? Is 50k too daunting? The 25k option is sure to provide trail enthusiasts of all ages and abilities with a challenge that they'll remember fondly! Trails, stream crossing, ravines, hills, and vistas are all part of this course.
The 25k begins at beautiful Susquehannock State Park.
The 50k is for trail runners and fast, fit hikers -- a difficult course that will test the limits of even the most prepared individuals.
THANKS
Four KTA Organizational Members are responsible for building and maintaining the Mason Dixon and Conestoga Trails and have been hard at work preparing the route for this event: the York Hiking Club, the Lancaster Hiking Club, The Lancaster Conservancy, and the Mason Dixon Trail System. Without their efforts, the KTA Trail Challenge would not be possible!
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers ARE NEEDED for the KTA Trail Challenge. Many volunteer opportunities are available including registration (Saturday morning), parking, checkpoints, trail sweeps, and more. Approximately 120 volunteers are needed. Sign up to volunteer here.
We are excited to offer the 13th annual KTA Trail Challenge, featuring two new and improved courses to choose from: 25k and 50k! More challenging and fewer paved roads than ever before.
New to this event? Is 50k too daunting? The 25k option is sure to provide trail enthusiasts of all ages and abilities with a challenge that they'll remember fondly! Trails, stream crossing, ravines, hills, and vistas are all part of this course.
The 25k begins at beautiful Susquehannock State Park.
The 50k is for trail runners and fast, fit hikers -- a difficult course that will test the limits of even the most prepared individuals.
THANKS
Four KTA Organizational Members are responsible for building and maintaining the Mason Dixon and Conestoga Trails and have been hard at work preparing the route for this event: the York Hiking Club, the Lancaster Hiking Club, The Lancaster Conservancy, and the Mason Dixon Trail System. Without their efforts, the KTA Trail Challenge would not be possible!
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers ARE NEEDED for the KTA Trail Challenge. Many volunteer opportunities are available including registration (Saturday morning), parking, checkpoints, trail sweeps, and more. Approximately 120 volunteers are needed. Sign up to volunteer here.
50k Course Details
START TIME: 7:00 a.m.
50k Section 1: Start (Pequea Creek Campground) to Checkpoint 1 (Pinnacle Overlook), 11.5k
The segment between Pequea Creek Campground and the Pinnacle Overlook is the most strenuous and most rewarding of the KTA Trail Challenge, and follows the orange-blazed Conestoga Trail. Participants face this section in the morning when temperatures are lower and legs are fresher. Leave Pequea Creek Campground along Pequea Creek for just under a mile. Follow the unpaved road along Pequa Creek, lined with cottages and turn left at the Pequea Boat Club and left again, up the hill. At the second intersection, turn right on Ridge Road. Trail leaves road and turns left uphill into woods, then crosses two roads and descends to a stream and an old springhouse. The trail then climbs steeply towards the entrance to Wind Cave, one of the largest tectonic caves (formed by the movement of masses of bedrock) in the eastern US. Trail climbs, then descends to House Rock Run. Climb to House Rock Vista with excellent views and climb over rock formations, descending to Brubaker Run. Climb out of Brubaker Run and then descend to Reed Run. Climb out of Reed Run and then descend to Tucquan Run, a nature preserve and a jewel of the KTA Trail Challenge. Cross stream turn right up gorgeous Tucquan Run then reach railroad tracks and turn left. Re-enter woods and ascend steeply, eventually passing a rock overhang. Pass Lower Rock Vista with incredible views of the Susquehanna River. Continue to top of hill to Pinnacle Vista with stunning views and Checkpoint 1.
CUTOFF TIME: 10:00 a.m.
Section 2: Checkpoint 1 (Pinnacle Overlook) to Checkpoint 2 (Lock 12) via Mill Creek, 15.0k
Descend from top of hill to gas pipeline with views across the river. Continue descent to Kelly’s Run, another highlight of the KTA Trail Challenge featuring water, rocks, hemlocks and rhododendron. This area is slippery, so use caution. Ascend from Kelly’s Run to Holtwood Recreation Park with restrooms and water. Follow trail to Face Rock Overlook and remnants of the abandoned village of Holtwood. Follow trail to Rt. 372, turn right and cross the Susquehanna River on the Norman Wood Bridge. Caution: run/walk in single file facing traffic. Turn right (north) at River Road after crossing the Norman Wood Bridge and follow road to Mill Creek. Turn left up the creek following the Mason-Dixon Trail and continue on the trail until it intersects River Road just below Holtwood Dam. Turn right and follow River Road to the old mill ruins on the left. Turn left and follow the trail behind the ruins to Lock 12 and Checkpoint 2.
CUTOFF TIME: 12:45 p.m.
Section 3: Checkpoint 2 (Lock 12) to Checkpoint 3 (Pinnacle Overlook), 12.0k
Follow the blue-blazed Mason-Dixon Trail down toward the river and turn right onto scenic Peavine Island. Climb over rocks and ascend hill to River Road. Use Caution on rocks. Turn right onto River Road and proceed back to Rt. 372. Turn right on 372, cross the bridge and reverse course back to Pinnacle Overlook.
After crossing the Norman Wood Bridge, turn left back onto the Conestoga Trail. Follow the trail into Holtwood Recreation Area. Go to the right of the old bathrooms and head for the woods to the left of the pavilion. Follow trail down in to Kelly’s Run. Use extreme caution while rock-hopping in Kelly’s Run. Continue following trail through Kellys Run and up the other side. Ascend steeply to the Pinnacle Overlook and Checkpoint 3.
CUTOFF TIME: 3:45 p.m.
Section 4: Checkpoint 3 to 50k Finish Line (Pequea Creek Campground), 11.5k
Pass rock overhang. Lower Rock Vista trail descends. Tucquan Creek, cross creek on stepping
stones. Use extreme caution while rock- hopping in Tucquan Glen. Follow trail along creek through gorgeous glen. Cross Reed’s Run and campsite and begin steep descent. Cross Brubaker Run. Cross House Rock Run. Pass entrance to Wind Cave. Cross another paved road. Cross another paved road. Turn left on Ridge Drive then onto Maxwell Road. Turn right before Pequea Boat club on Bridge Valley Road. Cross the Finish Line at Pequea Campground pavilion.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST FINISH BY 7:00 P.M.
50k Section 1: Start (Pequea Creek Campground) to Checkpoint 1 (Pinnacle Overlook), 11.5k
The segment between Pequea Creek Campground and the Pinnacle Overlook is the most strenuous and most rewarding of the KTA Trail Challenge, and follows the orange-blazed Conestoga Trail. Participants face this section in the morning when temperatures are lower and legs are fresher. Leave Pequea Creek Campground along Pequea Creek for just under a mile. Follow the unpaved road along Pequa Creek, lined with cottages and turn left at the Pequea Boat Club and left again, up the hill. At the second intersection, turn right on Ridge Road. Trail leaves road and turns left uphill into woods, then crosses two roads and descends to a stream and an old springhouse. The trail then climbs steeply towards the entrance to Wind Cave, one of the largest tectonic caves (formed by the movement of masses of bedrock) in the eastern US. Trail climbs, then descends to House Rock Run. Climb to House Rock Vista with excellent views and climb over rock formations, descending to Brubaker Run. Climb out of Brubaker Run and then descend to Reed Run. Climb out of Reed Run and then descend to Tucquan Run, a nature preserve and a jewel of the KTA Trail Challenge. Cross stream turn right up gorgeous Tucquan Run then reach railroad tracks and turn left. Re-enter woods and ascend steeply, eventually passing a rock overhang. Pass Lower Rock Vista with incredible views of the Susquehanna River. Continue to top of hill to Pinnacle Vista with stunning views and Checkpoint 1.
CUTOFF TIME: 10:00 a.m.
Section 2: Checkpoint 1 (Pinnacle Overlook) to Checkpoint 2 (Lock 12) via Mill Creek, 15.0k
Descend from top of hill to gas pipeline with views across the river. Continue descent to Kelly’s Run, another highlight of the KTA Trail Challenge featuring water, rocks, hemlocks and rhododendron. This area is slippery, so use caution. Ascend from Kelly’s Run to Holtwood Recreation Park with restrooms and water. Follow trail to Face Rock Overlook and remnants of the abandoned village of Holtwood. Follow trail to Rt. 372, turn right and cross the Susquehanna River on the Norman Wood Bridge. Caution: run/walk in single file facing traffic. Turn right (north) at River Road after crossing the Norman Wood Bridge and follow road to Mill Creek. Turn left up the creek following the Mason-Dixon Trail and continue on the trail until it intersects River Road just below Holtwood Dam. Turn right and follow River Road to the old mill ruins on the left. Turn left and follow the trail behind the ruins to Lock 12 and Checkpoint 2.
CUTOFF TIME: 12:45 p.m.
Section 3: Checkpoint 2 (Lock 12) to Checkpoint 3 (Pinnacle Overlook), 12.0k
Follow the blue-blazed Mason-Dixon Trail down toward the river and turn right onto scenic Peavine Island. Climb over rocks and ascend hill to River Road. Use Caution on rocks. Turn right onto River Road and proceed back to Rt. 372. Turn right on 372, cross the bridge and reverse course back to Pinnacle Overlook.
After crossing the Norman Wood Bridge, turn left back onto the Conestoga Trail. Follow the trail into Holtwood Recreation Area. Go to the right of the old bathrooms and head for the woods to the left of the pavilion. Follow trail down in to Kelly’s Run. Use extreme caution while rock-hopping in Kelly’s Run. Continue following trail through Kellys Run and up the other side. Ascend steeply to the Pinnacle Overlook and Checkpoint 3.
CUTOFF TIME: 3:45 p.m.
Section 4: Checkpoint 3 to 50k Finish Line (Pequea Creek Campground), 11.5k
Pass rock overhang. Lower Rock Vista trail descends. Tucquan Creek, cross creek on stepping
stones. Use extreme caution while rock- hopping in Tucquan Glen. Follow trail along creek through gorgeous glen. Cross Reed’s Run and campsite and begin steep descent. Cross Brubaker Run. Cross House Rock Run. Pass entrance to Wind Cave. Cross another paved road. Cross another paved road. Turn left on Ridge Drive then onto Maxwell Road. Turn right before Pequea Boat club on Bridge Valley Road. Cross the Finish Line at Pequea Campground pavilion.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST FINISH BY 7:00 P.M.
25k Course Details
START TIME: 9:00 a.m.
Section 1: Susquehannock State Park to Checkpoint 1 (Pinnacle Overlook)
Participants will start adjacent to the pavilion and proceed onto the Overlook Trail, continue onto the Fire Trail, then go straight onto the Holly Trail. Near the bottom of the hill take the Rhododendron Trail and go past the Neel Homestead Foundation and old spring. The course eventually comes out at Wissler Run. Cross Wissler Run and follow the flagging up the side of the ravine. Your feet will get wet crossing over Wissler Run and a bushwhack is flagged up the side of the ravine!! Climb over the guard rail and head uphill on the power plant road. At the top of the hill, turn left on River Road. Proceed on River Road approximately two miles to Rt. 372. Turn left on Rt. 372 and start down toward the Norman Wood Bridge. Cross Rt. 372 before the bridge onto the Conestoga Trail. Descend into the ravine. Follow the trail into Holtwood Recreation Area. Go to the right of the old bathrooms and head for the woods to the left of the pavilion. Follow trail down in to Kelly’s Run. Use extreme caution while rock-hopping in Kelly’s Run. Continue following trail through Kellys Run and up the other side. Ascend steeply to the Pinnacle Overlook and Checkpoint 3.
CUTOFF TIME: 1:00 p.m.
Section 2: Checkpoint 1 to 50k Finish Line (Pequea Creek Campground), 11.5k
Pass rock overhang. Lower Rock Vista trail descends. Tucquan Creek, cross creek on stepping stones. Use extreme caution while rock- hopping in Tucquan Glen. Follow trail along creek through gorgeous glen. Cross Reed’s Run and campsite and begin steep descent. Cross Brubaker Run. Cross House Rock Run. Pass entrance to Wind Cave. Cross another paved road. Cross another paved road. Turn left on Ridge Drive then onto Maxwell Road. Turn right before Pequea Boat club on Bridge Valley Road. Cross the Finish Line at Pequea Campground pavilion.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST FINISH BY 7:00 P.M.
Section 1: Susquehannock State Park to Checkpoint 1 (Pinnacle Overlook)
Participants will start adjacent to the pavilion and proceed onto the Overlook Trail, continue onto the Fire Trail, then go straight onto the Holly Trail. Near the bottom of the hill take the Rhododendron Trail and go past the Neel Homestead Foundation and old spring. The course eventually comes out at Wissler Run. Cross Wissler Run and follow the flagging up the side of the ravine. Your feet will get wet crossing over Wissler Run and a bushwhack is flagged up the side of the ravine!! Climb over the guard rail and head uphill on the power plant road. At the top of the hill, turn left on River Road. Proceed on River Road approximately two miles to Rt. 372. Turn left on Rt. 372 and start down toward the Norman Wood Bridge. Cross Rt. 372 before the bridge onto the Conestoga Trail. Descend into the ravine. Follow the trail into Holtwood Recreation Area. Go to the right of the old bathrooms and head for the woods to the left of the pavilion. Follow trail down in to Kelly’s Run. Use extreme caution while rock-hopping in Kelly’s Run. Continue following trail through Kellys Run and up the other side. Ascend steeply to the Pinnacle Overlook and Checkpoint 3.
CUTOFF TIME: 1:00 p.m.
Section 2: Checkpoint 1 to 50k Finish Line (Pequea Creek Campground), 11.5k
Pass rock overhang. Lower Rock Vista trail descends. Tucquan Creek, cross creek on stepping stones. Use extreme caution while rock- hopping in Tucquan Glen. Follow trail along creek through gorgeous glen. Cross Reed’s Run and campsite and begin steep descent. Cross Brubaker Run. Cross House Rock Run. Pass entrance to Wind Cave. Cross another paved road. Cross another paved road. Turn left on Ridge Drive then onto Maxwell Road. Turn right before Pequea Boat club on Bridge Valley Road. Cross the Finish Line at Pequea Campground pavilion.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST FINISH BY 7:00 P.M.
Questions? Contact Casey Schneck, at ktaadmin@kta-hike.org.