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After summer, rainbow colored leaves and cooler temps invite hikers to return to the forest to experience Pennsylvania's trails in a whole new way. November naturally reminds us of gratitude and warmth among friends and family. Meet welcoming communities of outdoor enthusiasts by trying a group hike with Keystone Trails Association or a local Pennsylvania hiking or trail club!  Keystone Trails Association events:
ATV Impacts on PA Trails and Forests (in partnership with Sierra Club): Black Forest Trail November 4, 2023 | Black Forest Trail Join retired forester Bob Merrill for an easy hike on a portion of the beloved Black Forest Trail. Explore approximately four miles afoot while learning about the growing threat ATVs and UTVs pose to Pennsylvania’s public lands. Pack a lunch and plenty of water plus rain gear (just in case). Meeting location is the upper parking lot at the Tiadaghton District Office (10 Lower Pine Bottom Road, Waterville, PA 17776). After our meetup, we will caravan to the trailhead. You must wear orange! Learn More & Register Feeling Grateful for the Appalachian Trail? Join KTA for a Maintenance Day! November 14-17, 2023 | Little Gap, PA Kathy Corpora, KTA AT Corridor Monitor, and Garrett Fondoules of ATC are leading work days on the Appalachian Trail between Little Gap and Lehigh: Tuesday, 11/14: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, 11/15: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thursday, 11/16: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday, 11/17: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. To register and learn more, email [email protected] and indicate on which work day(s) you will be coming. Meet up will be at Little Gap PA Game Commission parking lot (40.806934, -75.534843). National Take A Hike Day with KTA November 17, 2023 | Fort Hunter Conservancy, Harrisburg, PA Get outdoors for some fresh air, scenery, and exercise at Fort Hunter Conservancy! Join us for a strenuous, mountain hike ending with a picturesque view of the Susquehanna River. This program is part of the Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield and in partnership with Dauphin County Parks and Rec. Learn More & Register Pennsylvania Hiking and Trail Club events:
In 1961, the Keystone Trails Association (KTA) instituted an annual Hiking Awards Program to recognize those hikers whose enjoyment of PA’s trails might serve as an example and inspiration to their peers. We were honored to continue this tradition at Hike Fest in Johnstown October 20-22, 2023. Congratulations to these Award Recipients Appalachian Trail Award (Applicant must have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania)
Merit Award (Applicant must have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania plus 200(+) miles on other designated trails.)
Pennsylvania Award (Applicant must have hiked 500 miles in Pennsylvania.)
Younger Hiker Award (12 and under) Applicant must have hiked 25 miles on any trail in Pennsylvania.)
100 Mile Challenge (Complete 100 miles(+) of PA hiking trails between 9/1 and 8/31 and receive at least $1/mile sponsorship per mile hiked)
Citation Award (...for Lifetime Achievement is presented to a person who has, over a period of years (not necessarily their entire lifetime), made significant contributions to the preservation of hiking trails and promoting hiking in Pennsylvania. Service may be in the form of volunteer efforts, publications, fieldwork, or any other pursuit that has furthered the mission of the KTA. This is KTA’s highest honor.)
Hike Fest was made possible by these generous community partners and sponsors:  There are thousands of stories to be told by the many hikers who have set foot on the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail Museum (located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park) is a place where you can hear these stories! "The Appalachian Trail Museum serves the Appalachian Trail community by telling the stories of the founding, construction, preservation, maintenance, protection, and enjoyment of the Trail since its creation. The Museum will collect, preserve, and interpret materials relevant to these subjects in an effort to portray not only the history of the Trail, but also the essence of the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual human experience of the Appalachian environment and the culture of hiking." (quote from Museum's website). The book list below was provided by Julie Queen, Manager of the AT Museum and KTA Board Member. In 2016, Julie completed a thru-hike of the AT, has served with many nonprofits including the Girl Scouts, has worked with the DCNR and PA Department of Agriculture; served in the Peace Corps, as a Potomac Appalachian Trail Club ridge runner, and as an A.T. community ambassador for Boiling Springs. Each of these books can be purchased from the Appalachian Trail Museum's online store:
 Hikers are becoming increasingly curious about learning backpacking basics so they can enjoy an extended experience on the trail and PA hiking groups are stepping up to help! If you've ever backpacked, you know that hiking with a backpack and going backpacking are not quite the same. Which is one of the reasons why day hikers can feel intimidated about going out for an overnight trip. Providing welcoming opportunities for hikers to learn backpacking skills in a friendly, safe environment can help people get off to a great start with their new backpacking adventures. In the spring of 2023, KTA offered a Backpacking 101 course to hash out the differences between day hiking and backpacking. The course also covered selecting clothing, footwear, and gear (packs, sleeping bags, stoves, lights, stuff sacks, poles, tents), food preparation, campsite selection, potential dangers (ticks, waterborne diseases, bears, snakes), Leave No Trace, unique considerations for women, and more. Leaders of this course were Jim Foster, Marian Orlousky and Ed Riggs. Jim and Ed are experienced backpackers who have backpacked the entire Appalachian Trail, as well as the John Muir Trail, the Quehanna Trail and others. Marian is Director of Science and Stewardship for Appalachian Trail Conservancy and an experienced backpacker. A few weeks after the course, the leaders offered to take the crew on a guided overnight trip to practice their new skills!  In October, we hosted another overnight backpack experience on the Loyalsock Trail (LT). This trip was led by Jenn Ulmer, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance and Training. As the president of the Alpine Club of Williamsport, which takes care of the LT, Jenn is very familiar with the terrain and campsites and was happy to take people out on the trail! Together the group learned tips for organizing their packs, setting up their campsites, and preparing for all types of weather (it was a chilly weekend!).
Stay tuned! KTA is planning an Intro to Winter Backpacking trip in early 2024! Sign up for the newsletter to get notifications about this event. With momentum building across the state, the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club is preparing for their first ever annual Treksylvania Backpacking Rally on May 4, 2024! During this event, participants will interact with and learn from experienced backpackers as they use typical gear to demonstrate the skills needed to get out on the trail. They'll find out how to purify water, cook food, pitch tents, hang hammocks and more! Attendees can talk to subject matter experts and get up to date on the latest best practices. This event will be hosted at BMECC's Rentschler Arboretum. Getting started Maybe backpacking feels like too much for you right now but is something you want to work towards. We all begin somewhere - and that's okay! Try these tips for getting starting with hiking. If you're ready to start your backpacking journey, save the date for Treksylvania Backpacking Rally and stay tuned with KTA for more events, like our Intro to Winter Backpacking trip in early 2024!
At the beginning of the Fall season, we asked our Facebook and Instagram followers: Which Pennsylvania hiking trails are best for the fall?
Here’s what they said:
Standing Stone Trail
The Standing Stone Trail (SST) connects the Mid State and Tuscarora Trails and traverses the Blue Mountain and Seven Mountains Regions. The 76-mile trail is orange-blazed and maintained by Standing Stone Trail Club. The new name derives from a tradition among the Native Americans of what is now south-central Pennsylvania to maintain tribal genealogies on a “standing stone” displayed in each village, inspiring early settlers to use the term as a general name for the region. Learn more: Standing Stone Trail Club Mid State Trail The Mid State Trail is known as the longest and wildest footpath in Pennsylvania. Over 500 kilometers in length, the Mid State Trail stretches from the Mason-Dixon Line meeting a path through Maryland’s Green Ridge State Forest, near the Buchanan State Forest and traverses through the center of the state to end at the New York State line just north of Cowanesque Lake meeting Crystal Hills Trail, a branch of NY’s longest footpath, Finger Lakes Trail. The Mid State Trail is broken into four distinct regions. Hiking from south to north you will pass through the Everett Region, State College Region, Woolrich Region and the Tioga Region. The system also features several lengthy side trails. The main route of the Mid State Trail is marked by 5-by-15-centimeter rectangular orange blazes. Learn more: Mid State Trail Club North Pocono Trails Association Crosscut & Lumberjack Trails “With over 10 miles of hiking, biking and running trails, there is something for all levels. Enjoy the woodland trails and mountain streams within the beautiful northern Pocono Mountain region of PA.” Learn more: North Pocono Trails 1000 Steps (Standing Stone Trail) “A large historical sign, located at the base of the steps, indicates that this area was known as the "Silica Brick Capital of the World" because of the bricks made from the abundant Tuscarora sandstone found in these narrows. These manufactured bricks were very heat resistant and crucial parts in the major industries of the time including steel, iron, glass, and the railroad industries. Miles of dinkey railroad track was used to bring the silica down from the mountainside quarries and the workers would ride along up on the trains. Soon trucks began to replace some of the trains, so more and more workers had to make the climb instead of riding the trains to the quarries. In 1936 there was a flood the wiped out the bridge across the river to Mount Union and the brick factories, idling the workers. As the bridge was being replaced, the workers were set to a new task of building steps into the mountainside to make the climb up and back easier. Thus the Thousand Steps were formed.” Learn More: PA Hike's 1000 Steps Article
Black Forest Trail
This spectacular long-distance loop trail leads through and above the west side of Pine Creek Gorge in the northwest corner of Lycoming County. This very rugged trail charges into and out of the chasm several times, with many very steep ascents and descents, before leveling out on top of the plateau around PA 44. The trail features many outstanding vistas in all directions, with views over Morris Run, Big Dam Hollow, Young Woman’s Creek, Baldwin Branch, Callahan Run, Naval Run, Little Slate Run, and Pine Creek. The Black Forest Trail system was constructed by the Bureau of Forestry. Learn More: Black Forest Trail Golden Eagle Trail A rugged and very beautiful loop trail, with a short entrance trail, the Golden Eagle Trail starts in the east side of Pine Creek Gorge and features a strenuous climb to pristine mountaintop streams and several outstanding vistas. Learn More: Golden Eagle Trail Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) is one of the finest natural trails in Pennsylvania. In winter, the trail supports cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, both of which can be combined with winter backpacking. Some portions of the trail, especially near the southern end, are quite rugged, and provisions have been made to keep the trail as primitive as possible. Hikers are also encouraged to create in-and-out day hikes on the trail, given its diverse character and scenery. In particular, wildflowers are widespread in the spring, and the views off the mountain are enhanced in the winter. The ridge provides several natural vistas overlooking the nearby valleys and a huge expanse of uninterrupted forest. Learn More: Go Laurel Highlands
Loyalsock Trail
The scenic and challenging Loyalsock Trail (LT) runs roughly parallel to its namesake creek. The LT frequently climbs up and down ridges and mountaintops, passing many waterfalls, lakes, ponds, and historic places. The trail is known for its many fine vistas. Learn More: Alpine Club of Williamsport Ricketts Glen Falls Trail “Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the most scenic areas in Pennsylvania. This large park is comprised of 13,193 acres in Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia counties. Ricketts Glen harbors the Glens Natural Area -- a National Natural Landmark. Hike the Falls Trail System to explore the glens, which boasts a series of wild, free-flowing waterfalls, each cascading through rock-strewn clefts in this ancient hillside. The 94-foot Ganoga Falls is the highest of 22 named waterfalls. Old growth timber and diverse wildlife add to the beauty.” Learn More: DCNR Mason-Dixon Hiking along backroads in Delaware and Maryland takes you past beautiful old homes, farms, and rural scenery. In York County, the river bluffs rise about 800 feet above the Susquehanna, providing spectacular views as well as aerobic exercise Learn More: Mason-Dixon Trail Club Stay up to date with PA hiking trail information! Join our newsletter. September's lone Trail Care Event on the Golden Eagle Trail 9/21-24 was a success! The rain on Saturday and Sunday from tropical storm Ophelia did change our work plans a bit, but we still accomplished a lot!
16 hearty and dedicated volunteers contributed 200 hours of trail work to this much beloved trail, plus an additional 20 hours from forestry staff. All sorts of fun was had, such as DR mowing, brushcutting, rebenching trail segments, and installing trail posts/signs at trail intersections. About 7 miles of trail were improved, plus 6 signs "planted". Much thanks to Chris Anderson, Tom Bastian, Shira Blady, Chris Brady, Al Germann, Martyann Gutierrez, Liz Lingle, Woody Loudenslager, Brian MacNamara, Dave Mitchell, Tom O'Donnell, Tony Robbins, Ben Sands, Rick Stibgen, Donna Thompson, and Jenn Ulmer. Thanks also to Tony for cooking a wonderful meal Friday night! |
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