President's Trailhead, March 2026- Wayne Gross

​President's Trailhead

Dear Hiker and Trail Enthusiast,

Spring is soon here! The maple sap is flowing here in the Poconos – a harbinger of a Pennsylvania spring yet to come. Get your boots and gear ready for spring hiking.

In 2026, we are celebrating 70 years of KTA. From its small beginnings as the start of an Association to help coordinate the efforts among the Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail maintaining clubs to an expanded mission of providing, preserving, protecting, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. It just seems like yesterday that my wife was hauling two large, decorated cakes that she had made to the 50th anniversary at the Penn Wells Hotel 20 years ago. 

We welcome Holly Smith as Executive Director as she takes over leading the day-to-day operations of KTA, “a boat under full sail,” from Brook, who has “trimmed our sails” to set us on a full speed course.

Plan your hikes for 2026 in order to earn one of the many hiking awards this year. Check out our website for the details regarding each hiking award. In addition, throughout the coming year, please consider your fellow hikers and clubs for nomination for the KTA Service Awards: Certificates of Achievement, KTA Leave No Trace Award Volunteer of the Year, Club of the Year, and the KTA Citation Award for Lifetime Achievement. Also, we hope you plan to take on our 100-Mile Trail Challenge during the year.

There is a full list of 2026 KTA events, activities, and trail care opportunities. Please visit our website and add these events to your calendar, sign up for one or more, and bring a friend.  

See you at the trailhead and on the trail.

For the trails and those who wander on them!


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