Guest post by Jim Foster When people acclaimed the work of Sir Isaac Newton, he famously said: “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” I don't claim to have achieved anything like what Newton did, but, like him, I credit others for anything I have achieved. Here are three giants who inspired me to start maintaining trails and hike on them. In September of 2005, I had started hiking around my home in south central PA and heard about the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club. I decided to come to one of their Saturday work days. That work day was led by Frank Bohn and Dick Barrick. Frank and Dick impressed me with their quiet, unassuming dedication to the Trail. We had a great time cleaning out water bars and brush. At the end, Dick, who was CVATC's chief of maintainers, asked me if I was interested in taking on a one mile section. I said that I might, and he showed it to me. I took over that section near Sherwood Drive, which I maintain to this day. Sadly, Dick has passed away. Frank moved to Florida several years ago. But the REAL star of CVATC was and is Craig Dunn. Some of you may know Craig as the husband of our illustrious Secretary of Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Cindy Adams Dunn. Not as many know that Craig is an acclaimed and well honored star of the Appalachian Trail in his own right. Craig started out with trail work in the 1970s with another wonderful A.T. club, the Susquehanna A.T. Club. He was President when SATC built its shelter on top of Peters Mountain in Dauphin County. In the late 1980s, the stewards of the A.T. decided to change the path of the A.T. from a road walk in the Cumberland Valley to a true woodland trail between Carlisle and Mechanicsburg. Craig led the effort with others to persuade landowners to give up a portion of their land for the trail. The effort became quite contentious and a group was organized to oppose the effort. For a time it looked like their efforts would succeed. But, they hadn't counted on the quiet, relentless persistence of Craig Dunn. More than anyone else, Craig was responsible for the ultimate success of the project. A new club was founded to manage the 17 mile section of new trail, CVATC. Since it was founded in 1991, Craig has been its trailmaster, leading the maintenance efforts. Craig, Dick and Frank inspired me to move from maintaining a section to leadership. I became President of CVATC in 2009. Later I started to lead the work on the section of the A.T. KTA manages in northeastern PA. I also found out that I loved backpacking. I completed a thru-hike of the entire A.T. in 2007. I've done several others around the world. These days we hear a lot from people who brag about how important they are to the success of a particular project. But, in my humble opinion, the real work of getting important work done is performed by quieter people who work behind the scenes and seek no glory for their successes. Craig, Dick and Frank exemplify these important people.
👋 Meet Mark, a KTA supporter from Lancaster, PA! Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you? A: "The variety of terrain and the beauty of our state." Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often? A: "I prefer using our wonderful systems of trails to train for adventures outside the state and country." Q: When did you start hiking? A: "I’ve been hiking since grade school as a Boy Scout." Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life? A: "I am excited to share I’ve just returned from a successful winter climb to Mt. Everest Base camp!" Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live? A: "Kelly’s run is amazing for training purposes. When you do it twice in opposite directions you can get some decent elevation changes." Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)? A: "The AT is a great route for most hikers." Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission? A: "Thank you for promoting healthy lifestyle living! We need more people active and engaged in their communities! Thank you for all your work!" 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. Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "Pennsylvania is a beautiful state to be in, I love seeing green as far as the eye can see." Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often? A: "Day hiking 10-12 miles is my sweet spot." Q: When did you start hiking? A: "About 30 years or so, since I married my outdoorsy husband." Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life? A: "I have the best hiking partners; every hiking trip is a great adventure. I am working on becoming a hike leader with the PATC to help with their women's hiking summits to facilitate women getting in the outdoors. I have taught Hiking 101 at the summits, I've had my photos featured in Appalachian Trail Social Media Posts, and currently I have two photos in the Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail guidebook." Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live? A: "My current favorite is the Mason Dixon in Hellam Hills." Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)? A: "The AT is my first love, but really any PA Trail is special, we have so many to pick from." Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission? A: "Promoting Hiking Trails to all Pennsylvanians!!!" Love the Appalachian Trail in PA like Michele? Get KTA's guide here! 👋 Meet Brendan, a KTA member and supporter from Butler County, PA! Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you? A: "I have been lucky enough to make some of my most precious memories on trails here in PA. I remember the pride for my state which I felt the first time taking some of my college friends to the cathedral at Cook Forest, some had never been in the woods let alone an old growth forest. I still find the lessons I learned about nature, and how to be a steward, are held dearly. Over the last two years I have been on a bit of a weight loss journey. A large portion of my success is directly attributed to my access to trails. I don’t believe it would be where I am without hiking and the volunteer groups that maintain these trails. Anytime I can share this resource and pastime with people, I’m happy." Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often? A: "I think dawn hikes are best. I really enjoy seeing the world come alive. As a fisherman and birder, those times are also most productive and rewording." Q: When did you start hiking? A: "In seriousness, 2 years. Though I've "hiked" for years while fishing particularly." Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life? A: "Personally, I want to do a full 10 miles somewhere this year. I have been working my way up, know that might be short for some seasoned hikers, to something like that. I think it's both important to know your limits but also have stretch goals to work towards. I also had a lot of fun helping friends of mine get outdoors to hike. I would like to find ways to advocate and share this pursuit with others." Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live? A: "I am a big fan of the state park system here in PA. Locally, I think Moraine and especially Jennings Environmental Education Center and McConnells Mill are prime examples of hiking for all seasons and skill levels." Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)? A: "When recommending trails it is important to match the trail with what folks are both looking for and prepared for. For beginners or people looking to mainly just get outdoors and see wildlife, I think the North Country Trail unit is the best place to start. For longer, more intense hikes, The Minister Creek Hiking Trail or the Quehanna Wild Area is often overlooked and a serious gem." Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission? A: "Access for everyone, period. That means everything from novices, to experts. People of all abilities and inclinations. We need to have trails people can get to, use, feel safe on, and enjoy what this state has to offer." Inspired by Brendan's story? We are, too! KTA is here for hikers like Brenden and you, who come together to make Pennsylvania's hiking community. We're honored to serve the Keystone state in an effort to promote and preserve its hiking trails. Connect with us by finding an event near you. Are you looking for something new this year to get you outside? Volunteering to maintain beloved Pennsylvania hiking trails could be the key to your 2024! I recently discovered my passion for hiking and the outdoors as an adult and through that, my passion for volunteering for outdoorsy organizations. I love Pennsylvania and want to preserve the amazing nature in our state for all generations to come. However, there’s not just altruistic motivations for my volunteerism. Volunteering is good for me too! Below is my list of benefits I’ve discovered when volunteering for outdoor organizations in Pennsylvania! Meet new friends (who are guaranteed to be outdoorsy)! Meeting new people is HARD as an adult. As someone who’s uprooted their life three times in my late 20’s/early 30’s, I can promise you that. One of the best ways to suss someone out as a new potential bestie is to attend a structured activity - like volunteering! You have a task to discuss and work through together - it breaks much of the awkwardness new interactions can have. Also, I’ve never met someone who came to a trail work day who wasn’t interested in an outdoorsy hobby (and often more than one!). I’ve met some amazing friends through attending just one outdoor volunteer event! That sense of accomplishment - If you’re the type of person (like me) whose job is sending endless emails and staring at spreadsheets, sometimes it’s hard to see tangible progress or action from the work you do. Trail work is NOT like that. At the end of a day of trail work, you’ll be able to see progress and change from when you started. That is a sense of accomplishment that is unmatched in modern society. Get outside - Sometimes it’s just hard to get outside regularly. Our life commitments and small and large screens are constantly calling us back to the safety and comfort of our couch. By committing to a volunteer day, you’ll be held accountable for getting outside. Because your couch just is WAY more comfortable when crashing on it is a reward for hard work! Find your passion - I’m a huge proponent of “you don’t know you don’t like it until you try”. In my own outdoor journey, I NEVER would have thought I would like sleeping outside and not showering for multiple days in a row. Even though I love hiking, I didn’t try backpacking for the longest time because I thought I would hate it. But I love backpacking now and I wasted all that time not trying it because of my limiting mindset. Give trail work a try, it could be your new favorite hobby. Help future generations enjoy the outdoors - Most of the trails in our state are not maintained by paid employees, but rather regular people who give up their free time to improve and maintain the trail. Without regular citizens giving up their time, many of these trails would quickly become unusable. If you love being outside, I feel like there is a moral and social obligation to keep those outside spaces amazing for all users - current and future! There are tons of outdoor organizations to volunteer with in Pennsylvania so there is no shortage of opportunities! However, the Keystone Trails Association’s Trail Care Program is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, making it the perfect time to get involved! Because KTA is a statewide organization, its Trail Care Program hosts events all over Pennsylvania. This makes it pretty easy to find an event close to you, or use a trail care event as an opportunity to explore a new trail!
Here are just a few reasons KTA’s Trail Care Program is special:
To find and sign up for a volunteer event near you, check out KTA’s 2024 Trail Care Program Schedule at www.kta-hike.org/trail-care-program. Happy hiking! Author Bio: Tory is a Western Pennsylvania local who discovered hiking as an adult and hiked over 400 miles in Pennsylvania in 2023. She loves backpacking, adventuring with her dog, and maintains that food tastes better on trail. Tory shares her adventures exploring our beautiful state on socials at @torytalkstrails and her blog at www.mytrailsaremany.com. 👋 Meet Trish, a KTA member and supporter from south central PA! Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you? A: "Year-round hiking is such a special experience. I love that we get to see the beauty of the outdoors in every season, and that each hike has a unique natural landscape - whether it’s the large boulders lining the Appalachian mountains, the many streams, ponds, lakes, and rivers, and the amazing wildlife - PA has an incredible wealth of ecodiversity all year long, and it’s incredible to observe and be a part of." Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often? A: "I enjoy full day hikes, spending time outside most of the day and really taking in all the nature I can, right outside my front door. Within 30 minutes I can get to dozens of trails, including the AT!" Q: When did you start hiking? A: "I’ve been a hiker all my life, growing up outside Mt Holly Springs, I was surrounded by woods and nature. I wouldn’t have it any other way." Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life? A: "While I have MANY trails on my list, I’m looking forward to potentially hiking the Rachel Carson trail! I’ve done the KTA challenge 2 years in a row so this would be an amazing new challenge to add to my hiking adventures." Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live? A: "The Cumberland Valley Overlook is a great out-and-back trail that’s super close, I also really love the Pole Steeple trail in Michaux State Forest, which is a childhood favorite and one I never get bored of. It’s my go-to when I want to think, enjoy, or just take visitors who want to see some gorgeous vistas and boulder some rocks at the top!" Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)? A: "I love everything around Ricketts Glen State Park, it’s an impossible task to find a bad hike or trail - everything is gorgeous there!" Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission? A: "I love the fact that KTA educates people on ways to preserve and enjoy the trails. I find that the more people know about the planet we all live on, the more they’re inclined to take care of it so that we can enjoy nature’s beauty for many years to come!" 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 Charlie, a KTA member from south central PA! He is also involved with the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association. Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you? A: "I love being in the woods, all times of the year. I grew up in Miami, FL., a very special place, but it doesn’t have hardwood forests, rolling hills, or waterfalls. I have shared many wonderful hikes with my wife, our kids and the boys’ scout troop. Among our family’s favorite memories are fall hikes in Gifford Pinchot SP and Boyd’s Big Tree Conservation Area. Boulders, newts, trees, and water!" Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often? A: "Short hikes, usually late in the morning." Q: When did you start hiking? A: "In 1998, when I moved to SC PA and met my forever hiking partner, Lesli." Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life? A: "I want to start collecting waterfalls and viewing fungi. We always love seeing birds, too." Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live? A: "White Rocks in Mechanicsburg." Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)? A: "I loved hiking in Hickory Run State Park with our scouts. There is a waterfall and a boulder field." Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission? A: "Promoting hiking because when you teach someone to love the woods then they will protect and preserve them, too." You can help preserve Pennsylvania's beautiful forests that Charlie and thousands of other hikers love! Learn about our Trail Care Program and how you can easily get involved! 👋 Meet Reuben ("Lunar"), a KTA member and volunteer from Lycoming County, PA! He is also involved with the Alpine Club of Williamsport, PCTA, CDTC, ALDHA-WEST. Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you? A: "I have hiked all over the country and in various places in the world and PA has something special in the trails and the community around them." Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often? A: "I love all of them. I am a thru-hiker having completed the AT, PCT, and CDT but I am just as happy doing a day hike or short overnight hike depending on the company." Q: When did you start hiking? A: "I was first introduced to backpacking in 2001 at a Therapeutic Wilderness program where I did AmeriCorps." Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life? A: "I am about to have a baby so I am super stoked to be able to introduce Baby to the world of hiking. Also, I have started an outdoor adventure guide, outfitting, consulting, and education service, so I am pretty excited to share my experiences with others in that way too!" Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live? A: "I love the Loyalsock State Forest. The Loyalsock Trail is one of my go-to trails and I have been getting acquainted with the Old Loggers Path, Black Forest Trail, and West Rim Trail recently. The trails at Rider Park provide some lovely views and are very close to home. I also enjoy getting out and exploring State Game Lands." Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)? A: "Loyalsock Trail, Old Loggers Path, Black Forest Trail, West Rim Trail, Mid-State Trail, Appalachian Trail." Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission? A: "I have benefited from the work of many organizations like KTA in my travels and long-distance hiking. I appreciate the effort that is put into it and I am looking for ways to give back to this hiking community that has given me so much." Check out our guides and badges for many of the trails recommended by "Lunar"! Find them on our online store. 👋 Meet Alicia, a KTA member and volunteer from southeast, PA! She is also involved with HST Conservancy, Blue Mountain Eagle Hiking Club, and the Appalachian Long Distance Hiking Association. Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you? A: "I found peace and strength in PA trails." Q: When did you start hiking? A: "3 years ago." Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life? A: "I’m very interested and excited about getting wilderness first aid certified and hoping to help at a local hostel this hiking season." Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live? A: "The Horse Shoe Trail and the PA Appalachian Trail." Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)? A: "The AT is beautiful. So many different environments and experiences depending on the section." Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission? A: "I love the opportunities they provide to learn first aid, trail maintenance, and introducing new trails!" Check out our newly updated (13th edition) detailed guide to the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania! Find it on our online store. |
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