Dear Member,

Get out there and bring a friend on a hike!   

I want to thank you for your efforts in furthering our mission of providing, preserving, protecting, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania.  Each of you make a difference on Pennsylvania hiking trails and hikers.  

Our 40th anniversary KTA Trail Care program in 2024 marches on into fall with many more opportunities to give back to the trails you love so much.  Plan to participate in one or more of the remaining trail cares - even if it’s for only one day.  Check out our website for details.

We are looking for nominations for individuals and clubs for Certificates of Achievement, Volunteer of the Year, Club of the Year, and the Citation Award for lifetime achievement.  Nominations for these awards are due by September 15.  Surely there are great things happening by our volunteers and clubs that we wish to recognize.

Make sure you plan to submit for your hiking award or encorage others who have completed hiking trails to submit for their award. The hiking awards are also listed on our website.  

Your gift to our Keystone Trails Endowment fund this year will make a positive impact in furthering our mission.  In particular, toward member Club mini grants that have been making an impact in the local clubs on various trails.  Plan to make a gift now.  Recognition of the gifts will be made at the Fall Annual Meeting.  

Be sure to register now for our KTA Fall Annual Meeting will be nestled among the many hikes and activities at the Keystone  Hiking & Outdoor Weekend in the Susquehanna Riverlands of Pennsylvania on October 18-20. This will be a great family event.  Plan to sign up and bring a friend.  

At our fall membership meeting we will recognize individuals who have completed hiking awards throughout the year so please be sure to submit your applications which are available on our website.  We will recognize those who have attended our Trail Cares throughout the year.  There will be recognitions for our Keystone Trail Endowment donors, Certificates of Achievement, Volunteer of the Year, Club of the Year, and the KTA Citation Award for Lifetime Achievement recipient.  .  

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

For the trails and those who wander on them!  See you on the Trail!

Thanks
Wayne E. Gross
President, Board of Directors 
Keystone Trails Association
The Statewide voice of Pennsylvania Hikers

KTA's nominations committee has nominated Ezra Thrush, Pradip Bhatnagar and Kathy Borrell for KTA's board. Voting will take place at the fall board meeting during the Keystone Hiking and Outdoors Weekend in the Susquehanna Riverlands, PA. Get to know Ezra, Pradip and Kathy below!

Pradip Bhatnagar

"I was born in India in a small town. After finishing my M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry, I came to the US and obtained my MS and a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Did postdoctoral research at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston Texas and became an Associate Research Professor at the  University of California San Francisco. Joined Beckman Instrument for couple of years. This company merged with SmithKline Beckman (which is now GSK). The company moved me to the Philadelphia area. After a career of  two and a half  decades,  that included six months of living in Oslo Norway and Linz, Austria, I moved back to India to head research for Ranbaxy and Daiichi Sankyo- India. Retired after 8 years and returned back to my home in Exton, PA. Since my return, I have been trying to get a small biotech company (focused on Brain Tumors) off the ground. 
I did not have much opportunity to enjoy outdoor activity during my professional life. However, in 2018 I joined Chester County Trail Club  and currently serve on the Board of Chester County Trail club as a liaison for KTA. Now I am hooked on hiking and backpacking and trail maintenance. Beside hiking on local trails in the south-eastern Pennsylvania, managed to do about 400 miles of AT, 36 miles of End-to-End Brandywine trail, 26 miles of Blue Marsh Trail, Allegheny Front Trail and Bucktail Path, Loyalsock Trail, Old Logger’s Path and trails in Allegheny National Forest.  I have assisted in maintaining and fixing Brandywine Trail, Horse Shoe Trail, Mid-County Trail, Struble Trail and Marsh Creek State Park trails  
I have been living in Exton, PA for the last 36 years.  I am lucky to have a wonderful personal life with my wife Pat and two daughters (grown up now) Priti and Pooja. I am proud to say that my older daughter Priti had been  a test pilot for the US Navy for twelve years and currently flies for National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and my younger daughter is a dedicated Occupational Therapist helping senior citizens and special-need children in overcoming complexities in their lives." 


Ezra P. Thrush

Ezra P. Thrush, MPA serves as Senior Advisor for PennFuture. In this role, using 15 years' experience, he advocates for strong environmental, energy, conservation, and agriculture policy. Specifically, Ezra leads federal work including the Farm Bill and appropriations, and regulatory, solar, electric vehicles, democracy, and conservation funding issues, among others, in Pennsylvania. He has served in nonprofit and private government affairs, legislative and executive branch, fundraising and donor development, board director, and political campaign roles and holds close relationships with policymakers and key stakeholders from both major parties in both Harrisburg & Washington.
Before returning to PennFuture, Ezra served as the Shapiro Administration’s first Policy Director at the PA Department of Environmental Protection. There, he worked closely with the Office of Governor Josh Shapiro and the DEP executive staff to advance a host of issues including environmental justice, permitting, clean and renewable energy, watersheds and drinking water, mining, the oil & gas program, air quality, PFAS, climate, and infrastructure.
Previously, Ezra served as PennFuture’s Vice President of Government Affairs, among several other roles in campaigns, outreach, and advocacy. In 2022, Thrush was instrumental in securing a historic $900 million increase in funding for clean water and energy efficiency investments, benefiting Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth. Because of this, Ezra was appointed to the Shapiro-Davis Transition Team and its Energy & Environment Committee where he advised campaign and administration officials. Ezra was named to City and State PA’s 2023 Pennsylvania Government Relations Power 100 List, denoting the most influential lobbyists in the Commonwealth.
Ezra has a widely respected expertise on Pennsylvania's environmental policy, climate, energy, agriculture, and conservation issues. His extensive policy knowledge and understanding of on-the-ground issues have effectively advanced environmental progress across the state, all while forming close working relationships with legislators, executive branch officials, policymakers, and stakeholders of both major parties as well as federal and municipal officials. 
Ezra is particularly proud of his background presenting testimony to Congress multiple times, drafting and advancing the REVIVE the CCC Act with Senator Bob Casey, securing clean energy and conservation investments in the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and two iterations of the federal Farm Bill. At the state level, Ezra helped pass legislation to establish the Commonwealth’s new Clean Streams Fund, historic increases for the Growing Greener program, alongside numerous clean energy and climate policies and racked up several decisive defensive wins.
Thrush holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University, concentrating in public policy and nonprofit management. Ezra continues to regularly lecture at local and regional colleges and universities on these issues. He is an avid outdoorsman and active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, National Outdoor Leadership School, and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. And for fun, Ezra enjoys fly-fishing, golfing, Orioles baseball, live music & theatre, hiking, camping, and spending time with his rescue dog, nephews, and family.

Kathy Borrell:

"I've lived in Chester County, PA all my life. Growing up, we were always outside playing. This helped steer me towards getting a degree in Health & Physical Education and working in the field of education.
About 19 years ago, feeling a need to be outdoors more, I joined the Chester County Trail Club. I'm presently their Club President along with being the Wednesday Hike Coordinator. I lead hikes, do trail maintenance, and participate in their Adopt-A-Highway program. I've been the club trail master (most miles hiked in a year), 12 times, and in June 2022, I achieved a club milestone of 25,000 miles. Aside from KTA, I hold memberships in the AMC, ATC, GMC, the Boy Scouts of America (as a scouter and merit badge counselor) and my church.
Hiking has taken me on numerous adventures, here and abroad. Overseas trips have included Ireland, Iceland, Scotland, New Zealand, Austria, Patagonia, but the highlight was going to and summitting Mt. Kilimanjaro. I've been to many of the U.S. National Parks (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Olympic, Rainer, Yosemite and others) but my favorite trails have always been the ones in PA.
I've earned 5 of the KTA Hiking Awards and presently working towards finishing the State Forest Trails Award. I've completed the AT, Long Trail, Susquehannock Trail System, Mid-State Trail and numerous other PA trails. Several years ago, I started coming to KTA weekends, and instantly felt welcomed into the fold of like-minded hiking individuals."

👋 Meet Michael, a KTA supporter from Carlise!

Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "Pennsylvania has a such a wide variety of terrain that makes exploring through hiking always interesting.  We have mountains with incredible vistas (one of my favorite types of hiking destinations).  We also have fairly flat farmland, marsh preserves and wetlands, some incredible urban hiking areas like Fairmount Park and the Wissahickon in Philadelphia where you are hard pressed to know that you are actually in a city because the woods are so thick and beautiful.  And, of all things, you have PA history, pretty much anywhere you hike.  The general history of the state is amazing enough, but if you begin to learn the local history where you hike, it opens a world of wonder and awe for what settlers and native Americans lived through, and how people lived and endured through difficult times.  Coming across ruins or old stone walls in the middle of nowhere is always fascinating to me - thinking about the people who were there at one time and how they lived, and that those ruins, at one time, were a brand new house for a hopeful family full of dreams. "

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "I most often engage in day hikes on the weekends.  I am an avid trail running as well and sometimes my hikes will be to scout new trails to run on.  I want to get into doing more multi-day backpacking trips as well."

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "I have always wanted to do more hiking through most of my life. I finally decided in 2008 to actually start doing it consistently and to go on hiking vacations."

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "I'm excited to explore the Tuscarora State Forest.  I live in the Cumberland Valley between Tuscarora and Michaux.  I have spent a lot of the last 3 years exploring Michaux.  I love Michaux, but the little I have been up to Tuscarora has shown me that there seems to be a much more remote feel there, which I really like.

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "All the hiking trails in Michaux State Forest, I would recommend, as well as day hikes, or multi-day hikes on the Appalachian Trail.  I would recommend Flat Rock in Colonel Denning for an incredible 180+ degree vista of the Cumberland Valley.  In Michaux, I would also recommend checking out Hammonds Rocks and Chimney Rocks - incredible geological features in the area. "

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "Outside of my immediate area, I would always recommend Hawk Mountain and Pinnacle and Pulpit near Hamburg.  If you like waterfalls, make sure you hike in Delaware Water Gap, outside Stroudsburg - there are waterfalls everywhere, even if they are not on a map!" 

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "KTA has brought a lot of awareness of hiking opportunities in PA, as well as, working to maintain trails as well.  I think these things are important for the community on the trails and to show new people the beauty of hiking in PA.​"

Do you care about providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania?
​That's why KTA is here! Help ensure this mission continues to be fulfilled. ​https://www.kta-hike.org/donate.html

👋 Meet Leslie, a KTA supporter from Upper Allen, Cumberland County! 

Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "PA has such a great variety of trails - fields, mountains, gaps, towns, rural, farmland, towns.  I can get to a wide range of trails in just a short drive from my home. "

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "day hikes"

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "I've been hiking since I was a kid.  After we moved to Central PA, I started hiking on a weekly basis with friends starting in 2002"

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "Having the AT so accessible inspired me to do more hiking on the AT.  With my hiking friends, I have completed all of the AT in PA, MD and WVA - all on day trips.  I have hiked up Katahdin, the northern terminus of the AT.  I have hiked a part of the AT in 13 of the states that AT goes through.  In May, I will hike up Springer to complete my 14th state (and the southern terminus)."

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "Any part of the AT in the area is great! Bluebells north and south of Scott Farm spring time, Pole Steeple, Hawk Rock, Sunset Rocks, Peters Mountain (up the blue blaze, loop back on AT)"

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "Flat Rock in Colonel Denning Park is a great training hike" 

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "Keeping our local hiking trails available for all to enjoy now and for future generations!"

Do you care about providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania?
​That's why KTA is here! Help ensure this mission continues to be fulfilled. ​https://www.kta-hike.org/donate.html

The 40th Season of Trail Care has been transformative! Building trails, skills, and friendships. We have held ten events and have seven to go yet. Over those ten events, we had an average of 16 volunteers and 160 hours contributed (that includes a one- and a two-day event). Our numbers are definitely up over last year, but starting to decline as summer rolls along and everyone is so busy. See if you can fit us in your schedule and help give back to PA's hiking trails; let's keep the momentum going. You can join us for the whole weekend, or just a day. I have finally completed updating event websites for all the remaining Trail Care events; you can now sign up HERE for as many as you want! In addition to the usual weekend events, there are also Tuesday Trail Cares at LeTort Spring Garden Preserve in Carlisle on 8/20 and 9/17, and we've added another A.T. workday on 11/2.

To recap: in May and June, we worked on all four Regions of the Mid State Trail. In State College, we basically cleared the entire section(!) from Penn Roosevelt State Park to Stillhouse Hollow (8 miles), except a couple short spots. In Everett, we tackled the entire section (10 miles) from Biddle Place north to Ashcom Road (except for a short spot near Ashcom), and half of the section from the Civil War Trenches south to Blue Triangle. Almost all of the mowable sections were cleared. In Woolrich, we cleared 10 miles of brush and blowdowns, rebenched ~250' of sidehill, and cleaned out some rock stairs. In Tioga, we mowed to our hearts' content over the three days, and also cleared the Water Tank-MST-Stone Quarry loop off the Pine Creek Rail Trail, as well as installing crucial blazes and signs.

At the first Trail Care in April, there were 26 volunteers! On the Quehanna Trail and side trails we worked on bridges and puncheon, built a new footbridge, and lopped, brushed, sawed, and blazed  29 miles of trail. In May, we worked on the Chuck Keiper Trail: 1000' of sidehill was redug, a junky campsite was cleaned out (6 contractor bags full, in the rain, 2.5 miles down, then back up), and the much-anticipated reroute on the Cross Connector, around the muck-up-to-your-knees swampy area, was completed. In June, we traveled to Oil Creek State Park and completely overhauled all but one of the trails in Wildcat Hollow before the rains came. Crews did an exceptional job rebenching and clearing trails, as well as rehabbing, repairing, and replacing bridges and boardwalks.

In July, crews tackled parts of the West Rim Trail and connector trails, taking full advantage of three days of wonderful weather. Five miles of trail was cleared of brush and 6.2 miles of trail was re-blazed. 600 feet of sidehill was also redug, stabilizing those areas from erosion and providing a much more level hiking surface. 

👋 Meet Jake, a KTA supporter from York, PA! 

Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "The solitude. Being out in the woods & silence."

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "Mostly morning hikes for about 4 hours (8-12)"

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "About 10 years ago"

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "Finding new areas"

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "Gunpowder Falls, MD & Prettyboy Reservoir "

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "Anywhere on the Appalachian Trail!" 

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: Preserving & maintaining trails "

Do you care about providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania?
​That's why KTA is here! Help ensure this mission continues to be fulfilled. ​https://www.kta-hike.org/donate.html

👋 Meet John, a KTA supporter from Chester County, PA! 

Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "I Just being outdoors enjoying nature "

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "Day hikes and multi-day backpacking hikes usually "

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "Many years ago, but seriously about 6 years ago"

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "Right now I am on an Appalachian Trail thru-hike.  I started with PA then did all of MD, NJ, and part of NY then came down to Springer Mtn in GA where I’m hiking north from. "

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "Valley Forge Park and Ridley Creek Park trails"

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "Loyalsock Trail, Mount Nittany, Quehanna Wilderness Area, anywhere along the AT in PA"

Do you care about providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania?
​That's why KTA is here! Help ensure this mission continues to be fulfilled. ​

👋 Meet Kim, a KTA supporter from Tioga County, PA! 

Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "I've lived in Pennsylvania my entire life, and even though I've visited a lot of other beautiful places, PA is still at the top of my list. Plus, it's also the place where I can hike with the most people closest to me.  "

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "I would love to try more backpacking, multi-day hikes, but right now I am enjoying short and day hikes locally. "

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "I started out as a road runner, and then transitioned to trail running several years ago. I started having some major issues with my back which caused me to stop running. At that time (around 2018) my family started doing more hiking and adventuring. In 2020 I had spinal fusion, and was THRILLED to be able to get back out on the trails with less worry!"

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "I am so excited to be adventuring weekly (most weeks, anyway) with my friend, Joy (and sometimes my daughters). We have explored so many local trails that we've never experienced before. In just over a year we've done about 175 miles and 26,000 ft of elevation gain together. This year, I'm looking forward to doing some of the AT section hikes with my friends Joy and Becca. My daughters and I are also SLOWLY working on the ADK high peaks. I am really eager to take a Wilderness First Aid course when it fits into my schedule, too."

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "Oh, gosh - there are so many! A regular for us is the Green Monster Trail System over in Asaph. We frequently do the loop around Hills Creek when we are crunched for time. Another favorite is Sand Run Falls."

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "We have recently been exploring some of the McIntyre Wild area/Rock Run/Dutchman Falls and have really enjoyed that. Blue Run Rocks is another hidden gem. And, we just hiked Jacoby Falls and that was gorgeous!"

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "I am just becoming more familiar with KTA and am really appreciating all of the resources! I just attended a virtual panel event last week about hiking the PA section of the AT. It is amazing to think about all of the folks who make it possible for us to enjoy the beauty of our Pennsylvania Trails. Thank you!"

Do you care about providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania?
​That's why KTA is here! Help ensure this mission continues to be fulfilled.