President's Trailhead- Wayne Gross July 2026

​Dear Trail Enthusiast,

Summer is in full swing as we celebrate our nation’s semiquincentennial this July 4th.   

I recently had opportunity to take Scouts from our Troop on the Towpath Historic Trail, which is part of the Minsi Trails Council’s Historic Trails award program. The trail starts in Easton, PA, and one stop is the center square where the old courthouse stood. Here in the square, the Declaration of Independence was first read on July 8, 1776, simultaneously with the reading in Philadelphia, PA, and Trenton, NJ. Standing there under the historic Easton flags waving in the wind, you can imagine the words being read aloud for the first time: “When in the Course of human events…” The words are engraved in the stonework of the square. Enjoy a summer hike on the many trails of our Commonwealth and look for the many signs of Pennsylvania’s contributions to our nation’s freedom and development and our unique conservation contributions over the last 250 years.  

Our KTA Trail Care program for 2026 is in full swing. Plan to participate in one or more of the remaining trail cares that Jenn Ulmer and the Trail Care Committee have lined up for us, and invite a friend. Check out our website for details.

It's not too soon to start thinking about nominating members and clubs for our various service awards.  Awards include Certificates of Achievement, Volunteer of the Year, Club of the Year, the new Leave No Trace Award, and the Citation Award for lifetime achievement. These will be presented at our KTA Hiking Awards Celebration that will take place on Saturday, November 21st at the beautiful Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg, PA. Save the date for this special day of celebration! Please see our website for a listing and description of these awards. The Awards Committee will be seeking nominations for these awards later this fall; nominations are due November 1. Start thinking about members and clubs to nominate for these awards. We have some of the greatest volunteers in our hiking organizations. Please consider nominating someone or a club that you think is worthy of recognition.

And be sure to keep track of your miles for one of several Hiking Awards. Remember that we have special awards for youth: the Young Hiker Award and the Teen Hiker Award.

On behalf of the Board and the membership, I want to thank Holly and all our staff for the wonderful job they are doing to further our mission. 

For the trails and those who wander on them!

Thanks
Wayne E. Gross
President, Board of Directors 
Keystone Trails Association
[email protected]
Mobile:  570-656-3398
Visit us at: www.kta-hike.org
The Statewide voice of Pennsylvania Hikers