Mechanicsburg, PA: Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels are invited to mark their calendars and save the date for Keystone Trails Association’s very first Hike Fest to be held October 20-22, 2023 in Johnstown, PA.
The Keystone Trails Association is a statewide organization committed to providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. “Hike Fest is a true expression of what PA’s trails can accomplish for our state,” shares Brook Lenker, Executive Director of KTA. “We’re coordinating with businesses and organizations from around Johnstown to come together and create a community-wide outdoor recreation experience that focuses on caring for the environment, enjoying nature sustainably, and developing meaningful connections with people - all centered around PA’s hiking trails.” Hike Fest will include excursions to popular and lesser-known hiking trails of varying distances and difficulties; educational sessions for Wilderness First Aid, trail care, and trail running; opportunities to explore the variety of local museums and shops in the heart of Johnstown; optional camping; plus other activities like kayaking, yoga, and biking. Thousands of tourists gather in Johnstown, PA, every year to set foot on its Ghost Town Trail (a DCNR Trail of the Year award-winner), cruise through the mountains during the Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally (now in its 25th year), and dance the night away during Polkafest (celebrating 25 years). In recent years, Johnstown and the surrounding region have channeled significant investments toward trail development and outdoor recreation amenities. The area is becoming a noteworthy trails destination. “With its tourism momentum, signature trails, and history of hosting successful community events, Johnstown was a natural fit for our inaugural Hike Fest,” says Lenker, “We’re grateful for the warm welcome from the many businesses and organizations involved in making, what we believe, will become an annual traveling event in KTA’s offerings.” Partners and sponsors participating in Keystone Trails Association’s Hike Fest include Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Visit Johnstown, Lorain/Stonycreek Hiking Trails, Venture Outdoors, Johnstown Running Club, Quemahoning Family Recreation Area, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., Friends of the Inclined Plane Trail, PA Parks and Forests Foundation, Friends of Yellow Creek State Park, and the Lancaster Conservancy. Registration for Hike Fest is now open at https://www.kta-hike.org/fallhikefest.html Interested in getting involved with Hike Fest? Contact Casey Schneck, KTA Manager of Events and Publications at ktaadmin@kta-hike.org. This event is funded in part by Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Robert Waters Economic Development Fund. About Keystone Trails Association: The Keystone Trails Association offers a robust trail care program with volunteer opportunities available on PA trails, serves as the statewide voice of the hiking trail community and trail advocate in PA’s capital, and offers a wealth of hiking opportunities throughout the year that both long-time hikers and the next generation of hikers can enjoy together. ###
This edition included a special dedication to Maurice Forrester, Jr. who was a long time editor of this guidebook in addition to his many other contributions to the success of KTA.
We wish to thank the Audobon for providing a Kittatinny Ridge Mini-Grant to the Keystone Trails Association to assist in the printing of this edition of the guidebook. Thank You Wayne E. Gross PA AT Guide Editor and Chair, Publications Committee  KTA’s Trail Academy features webinars and in-person events hosted by outdoor industry leaders, conservation experts, and KTA staff to maintain safer trails, develop wiser hikers, and create happier forests. [PRESS RELEASE] Mechanicsburg, PA: Keystone Trails Association’s new Trail Academy series features educational webinars and in-person training events to maintain safer trails, develop wiser hikers, and create happier forests. Events are hosted by Keystone Trails Association (KTA) staff members, outdoor industry leaders, conservation experts, and/or members of KTA. “Our new Trail Academy is an effort to support each individual wherever they are in their hiking journey,” shares Brook Lenker, Executive Director of KTA. “It’s also a great opportunity to collaborate with and feature some of Pennsylvania’s incredibly talented conservation and outdoor recreation professionals.” The Keystone Trails Association is a statewide organization committed to providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. “Because we serve the whole state, we regularly meet brand new hikers who are searching for a safe place to go on their first hike,” shares Holly Tritt, Manager of Communications and Membership at KTA. “At the same time, we’re connected to hikers and trail club leaders who have been hiking or maintaining trails for decades and are looking for ways to advance their skill set.” KTA’s Trail Academy educational webinars and in-person training events are grouped into three categories of outdoor skills, maintenance and safety, and hiking topics. Sessions cover a variety of topics such as “What hikers need to know about invasive plants in PA”, “Wilderness First Aid”, “Hiking trails and road crossings”, and “Choosing a hiking trail”. “Topics like Leave No Trace, invasive species, and trail care best practices are crucial for the health of our trails and the safety of hikers in PA,” shares Lenker. “We’re honored to have the opportunity to introduce these concepts to new hikers and to provide training for our members to continue providing excellent hiking experiences in PA.” View KTA’s Trail Academy training events online at www.kta-hike.org. Questions about KTA’s Trail Academy? Contact Holly Tritt, KTA Manager of Communications and Membership at tritt@kta-hike.org. About Keystone Trails Association: The Keystone Trails Association offers a robust trail care program with volunteer opportunities available on PA trails, serves as the statewide voice of the hiking trail community and trail advocate in PA’s capital, and offers a wealth of hiking opportunities throughout the year that both long-time hikers and the next generation of hikers can enjoy together. ###  The KTA Trail Challenge is an event for adventurous trail runners and hikers that highlights the wild river hills of the lower Susquehanna Gorge. [PRESS RELEASE] Mechanicsburg, PA: Keystone Trails Association will host their 15th KTA Trail Challenge 25K Run/Hike on Saturday, September 9th, 2023 within Susquehannock State Park and along the Conestoga Trail. The Keystone Trails Association is a statewide organization committed to providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. “We’ve been returning to the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape (SRCL) for this event every year since 2009. ” shares Brook Lenker, Executive Director of KTA. “When you’re on the Trail Challenge Course, you’re immersed in raw beauty and rugged nature, but the cities of Lancaster and York - with abundant cultural opportunities - are close by. The SRCL region is rich in history and features some of PA’s most iconic hiking trails.” The daunting 25K course alternates between breathtaking vistas with steep descents into dark, scenic hollows followed by strenuous climbs to the next vista. Although the event is timed, the challenge is not to "win" or "come in first," but to complete the arduous course within the time allowed. “We’ve improved this year’s Trail Challenge in multiple ways,” shares Casey Schneck, KTA Manager of Events and Publications. “We do our best to make changes based on suggestions and feedback from participants. It’s our goal to have recurring runners and hikers!” These changes include a course reroute resulting in little time spent on pavement; eliminating the need to wait for the shuttle bus; achieving Trail Sisters approval to provide an equal race-day experience for female participants; and multiple start time options to accommodate the diverse skill levels of runners and hikers. “We pride ourselves on providing hiking opportunities that help train hikers in best practices. The KTA Trail Challenge is a chance for hikers to test their skills!” shares Brook Lenker, Executive Director of KTA. “ For many participants, the KTA Trail Challenge is the ultimate test of physical fitness and mental toughness.” Runners and hikers who complete both the KTA Trail Challenge and the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Ironmaster's Challenge will receive a special, collaborative Iron Mettle Medal. Learn more and register for KTA’s Trail Challenge 25K Run/Hike at www.kta-hike.org. Questions about KTA’s Trail Challenge? Contact Casey Schneck, KTA Manager of Events and Publications at ktaadmin@kta-hike.org. KTA thanks this year’s Trail Challenge sponsors for their support: Brookfield Renewable and Pennsylvania American Water, as well as the assistance of numerous local partners. About Keystone Trails Association: The Keystone Trails Association offers a robust trail care program with volunteer opportunities available on PA trails, serves as the statewide voice of the hiking trail community and trail advocate in PA’s capital, and offers a wealth of hiking opportunities throughout the year that both long-time hikers and the next generation of hikers can enjoy together. ### |
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