Pinchot Trail System Trail Care

by Ed Lawrence, KTA Trail Care Chair

The Pinchot Trail System is a popular 25-mile loop of interconnected trails in Pinchot State Forest, located on the Pocono Plateau just east of Wilkes-Barre. Backpackers can do the whole trail, while day hikers can opt to make a variety of smaller loops. Last year a KTA crew began a reroute on the southern section, moving a part of the trail that was a road walk onto newly acquired state forest land with more interesting geographic features. The reroute work will continue August 2-5, but the Trail Care of April 26-28 was scheduled to give other parts of the trail some needed attention. Ten volunteers put in 131 hours of work at various times over the course of the 3 days, joined in their efforts by Pinchot Recreational Forester Matt Crosbie. The following participants braved less-than-optimal weather conditions to work on the Pinchot Trail: Rick Stibgen (leader), Tony Robbins, Kathy Borrell, Donna Thompson, Dave Walp, Bob Boettger, Karen Verchimak, Mary Ladish, Elwood Loudenslager, and Tom Bastian. Their efforts have made a significant impact, improving the hiking experience on the Pinchot Trail. Their decision to attend the Trail Care is greatly appreciated. Much good work was accomplished.
 
The Chain Saw Crew walked through about 20 miles of trail. They cut blowdowns on all of the trail except from Bear Lake Road to the Birchstill Trail and also cleared the Choke Creek Nature Trail. Lopping crews took on the Sunday Trail, the Sassafras Trail, a section of the Behler Swamp Trail to the Watres Trail on the Painter Creek Trail, the Pine Hill Trail, and the Frank Gantz Trail. Power brushcutters cleared sections of the Sunday Trail, the Sassafras Trail, the White Line Trail, and the Behler Swamp Trail.