Hikers are becoming increasingly curious about learning backpacking basics so they can enjoy an extended experience on the trail and PA hiking groups are stepping up to help! If you've ever backpacked, you know that hiking with a backpack and going backpacking are not quite the same. Which is one of the reasons why day hikers can feel intimidated about going out for an overnight trip. Providing welcoming opportunities for hikers to learn backpacking skills in a friendly, safe environment can help people get off to a great start with their new backpacking adventures. In the spring of 2023, KTA offered a Backpacking 101 course to hash out the differences between day hiking and backpacking. The course also covered selecting clothing, footwear, and gear (packs, sleeping bags, stoves, lights, stuff sacks, poles, tents), food preparation, campsite selection, potential dangers (ticks, waterborne diseases, bears, snakes), Leave No Trace, unique considerations for women, and more. Leaders of this course were Jim Foster, Marian Orlousky and Ed Riggs. Jim and Ed are experienced backpackers who have backpacked the entire Appalachian Trail, as well as the John Muir Trail, the Quehanna Trail and others. Marian is Director of Science and Stewardship for Appalachian Trail Conservancy and an experienced backpacker. A few weeks after the course, the leaders offered to take the crew on a guided overnight trip to practice their new skills! In October, we hosted another overnight backpack experience on the Loyalsock Trail (LT). This trip was led by Jenn Ulmer, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance and Training. As the president of the Alpine Club of Williamsport, which takes care of the LT, Jenn is very familiar with the terrain and campsites and was happy to take people out on the trail! Together the group learned tips for organizing their packs, setting up their campsites, and preparing for all types of weather (it was a chilly weekend!).
Stay tuned! KTA is planning an Intro to Winter Backpacking trip in early 2024! Sign up for the newsletter to get notifications about this event. With momentum building across the state, the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club is preparing for their first ever annual Treksylvania Backpacking Rally on May 4, 2024! During this event, participants will interact with and learn from experienced backpackers as they use typical gear to demonstrate the skills needed to get out on the trail. They'll find out how to purify water, cook food, pitch tents, hang hammocks and more! Attendees can talk to subject matter experts and get up to date on the latest best practices. This event will be hosted at BMECC's Rentschler Arboretum. Getting started Maybe backpacking feels like too much for you right now but is something you want to work towards. We all begin somewhere - and that's okay! Try these tips for getting starting with hiking. If you're ready to start your backpacking journey, save the date for Treksylvania Backpacking Rally and stay tuned with KTA for more events, like our Intro to Winter Backpacking trip in early 2024!
At the beginning of the Fall season, we asked our Facebook and Instagram followers: Which Pennsylvania hiking trails are best for the fall?
Here’s what they said:
Standing Stone Trail
The Standing Stone Trail (SST) connects the Mid State and Tuscarora Trails and traverses the Blue Mountain and Seven Mountains Regions. The 76-mile trail is orange-blazed and maintained by Standing Stone Trail Club. The new name derives from a tradition among the Native Americans of what is now south-central Pennsylvania to maintain tribal genealogies on a “standing stone” displayed in each village, inspiring early settlers to use the term as a general name for the region. Learn more: Standing Stone Trail Club Mid State Trail The Mid State Trail is known as the longest and wildest footpath in Pennsylvania. Over 500 kilometers in length, the Mid State Trail stretches from the Mason-Dixon Line meeting a path through Maryland’s Green Ridge State Forest, near the Buchanan State Forest and traverses through the center of the state to end at the New York State line just north of Cowanesque Lake meeting Crystal Hills Trail, a branch of NY’s longest footpath, Finger Lakes Trail. The Mid State Trail is broken into four distinct regions. Hiking from south to north you will pass through the Everett Region, State College Region, Woolrich Region and the Tioga Region. The system also features several lengthy side trails. The main route of the Mid State Trail is marked by 5-by-15-centimeter rectangular orange blazes. Learn more: Mid State Trail Club North Pocono Trails Association Crosscut & Lumberjack Trails “With over 10 miles of hiking, biking and running trails, there is something for all levels. Enjoy the woodland trails and mountain streams within the beautiful northern Pocono Mountain region of PA.” Learn more: North Pocono Trails 1000 Steps (Standing Stone Trail) “A large historical sign, located at the base of the steps, indicates that this area was known as the "Silica Brick Capital of the World" because of the bricks made from the abundant Tuscarora sandstone found in these narrows. These manufactured bricks were very heat resistant and crucial parts in the major industries of the time including steel, iron, glass, and the railroad industries. Miles of dinkey railroad track was used to bring the silica down from the mountainside quarries and the workers would ride along up on the trains. Soon trucks began to replace some of the trains, so more and more workers had to make the climb instead of riding the trains to the quarries. In 1936 there was a flood the wiped out the bridge across the river to Mount Union and the brick factories, idling the workers. As the bridge was being replaced, the workers were set to a new task of building steps into the mountainside to make the climb up and back easier. Thus the Thousand Steps were formed.” Learn More: PA Hike's 1000 Steps Article
Black Forest Trail
This spectacular long-distance loop trail leads through and above the west side of Pine Creek Gorge in the northwest corner of Lycoming County. This very rugged trail charges into and out of the chasm several times, with many very steep ascents and descents, before leveling out on top of the plateau around PA 44. The trail features many outstanding vistas in all directions, with views over Morris Run, Big Dam Hollow, Young Woman’s Creek, Baldwin Branch, Callahan Run, Naval Run, Little Slate Run, and Pine Creek. The Black Forest Trail system was constructed by the Bureau of Forestry. Learn More: Black Forest Trail Golden Eagle Trail A rugged and very beautiful loop trail, with a short entrance trail, the Golden Eagle Trail starts in the east side of Pine Creek Gorge and features a strenuous climb to pristine mountaintop streams and several outstanding vistas. Learn More: Golden Eagle Trail Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) is one of the finest natural trails in Pennsylvania. In winter, the trail supports cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, both of which can be combined with winter backpacking. Some portions of the trail, especially near the southern end, are quite rugged, and provisions have been made to keep the trail as primitive as possible. Hikers are also encouraged to create in-and-out day hikes on the trail, given its diverse character and scenery. In particular, wildflowers are widespread in the spring, and the views off the mountain are enhanced in the winter. The ridge provides several natural vistas overlooking the nearby valleys and a huge expanse of uninterrupted forest. Learn More: Go Laurel Highlands
Loyalsock Trail
The scenic and challenging Loyalsock Trail (LT) runs roughly parallel to its namesake creek. The LT frequently climbs up and down ridges and mountaintops, passing many waterfalls, lakes, ponds, and historic places. The trail is known for its many fine vistas. Learn More: Alpine Club of Williamsport Ricketts Glen Falls Trail “Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the most scenic areas in Pennsylvania. This large park is comprised of 13,193 acres in Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia counties. Ricketts Glen harbors the Glens Natural Area -- a National Natural Landmark. Hike the Falls Trail System to explore the glens, which boasts a series of wild, free-flowing waterfalls, each cascading through rock-strewn clefts in this ancient hillside. The 94-foot Ganoga Falls is the highest of 22 named waterfalls. Old growth timber and diverse wildlife add to the beauty.” Learn More: DCNR Mason-Dixon Hiking along backroads in Delaware and Maryland takes you past beautiful old homes, farms, and rural scenery. In York County, the river bluffs rise about 800 feet above the Susquehanna, providing spectacular views as well as aerobic exercise Learn More: Mason-Dixon Trail Club Stay up to date with PA hiking trail information! Join our newsletter. September's lone Trail Care Event on the Golden Eagle Trail 9/21-24 was a success! The rain on Saturday and Sunday from tropical storm Ophelia did change our work plans a bit, but we still accomplished a lot!
16 hearty and dedicated volunteers contributed 200 hours of trail work to this much beloved trail, plus an additional 20 hours from forestry staff. All sorts of fun was had, such as DR mowing, brushcutting, rebenching trail segments, and installing trail posts/signs at trail intersections. About 7 miles of trail were improved, plus 6 signs "planted". Much thanks to Chris Anderson, Tom Bastian, Shira Blady, Chris Brady, Al Germann, Martyann Gutierrez, Liz Lingle, Woody Loudenslager, Brian MacNamara, Dave Mitchell, Tom O'Donnell, Tony Robbins, Ben Sands, Rick Stibgen, Donna Thompson, and Jenn Ulmer. Thanks also to Tony for cooking a wonderful meal Friday night! Guest article written by Christian Alexandersen, Hemlocks to Hellbenders Podcast Like many Pennsylvanians, I discovered my love for the outdoors during the pandemic. I didn’t grow up in an outdoorsy household. In fact, I come from a long line of air conditioner lovers and couch dwellers. So, when I found myself exploring Pennsylvania’s woods in my mid-30s, I learned a lot of lessons fast. But that doesn’t have to be the case for you. You don’t have to wander blindly into the woods like I did. You have the opportunity to take your time, do research, talk to more experienced hikers, go on group hikes and so much more. We are incredibly fortunate to have so many parks and forests to explore in Pennsylvania. Thousands of miles of trails, beautiful waterfalls, incredible vistas and overlooks and old growth forests are within your reach. But it’s important that you do it safely. So, below, I’ve created a short list of tips I wish I knew when I first started hiking. These tips will help you navigate trails, be prepared for emergencies, have the supplies you’ll need and feel confident hiking in Penn’s Woods. Research where you’ll be hiking
Pack the essentials
Understanding blazes
Hike your hike
Christian Alexandersen is the host of the Hemlocks to Hellbenders Podcast. The biweekly podcast is about Pennsylvania’s state parks, forests and great outdoors. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Christian fell in love with the outdoors when he ran a mile in all (then) 121 Pennsylvania state parks in 2021. He has now run a mile in all 124 state parks and enjoys spending his time hiking, camping and exploring Pennsylvania.
Where could the American Marten be reintroduced in Pennsylvania? The "American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan for Pennsylvania" proposes a few locations for reintroduction (see image below), including areas within the PA Wilds and Allegheny National Forest. Some of these sites fall within wilderness areas. The USFS describes Wilderness Areas as “A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain” (USDA 1964)
Two ways you can help the American Marten be reintroduced in PA #1) Email your comments of support for the plan and of reintroduction to: pamarten@PA.gov #2) Attend the Board of Commissioner’s meeting on January 27th; this will be the absolute most important meeting to attend! Attend and provide your testimony, whether it’s a single sentence or 5 minutes long. A massive presence will make a huge difference. The plan will tentatively be voted on that day. The Meeting is at our HQ at 2001, Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110. Arrival should be 7:45 AM. Items for review: One of the (many) cool things about Keystone Hike Fest is that you get to create your own experience! Over the weekend, you can choose from 25+ outdoor recreation activities, 6 learning sessions, and endless options to explore downtown Johnstown. As you look at all the options to create your itinerary, rather than asking yourself "is Hike Fest for me?" you'll find yourself asking "how will I choose?!" When creating your weekend itinerary, consider what you want to experience, learn, or work on. Maybe you want to maximize your hiking miles and learn new skills, or perhaps this is could be a weekend for you to slow down and simply enjoy the company of others. To get your creative juices flowing, here are six ideas for how you could plan your Keystone Hike Fest Itinerary! Learn More and RegisterKeystone Hike Fest is open to all ages, hiking experience levels, and walks of life. See all that Hike Fest has to offer and sign up here!
KTA's nominations committee has nominated new KTA Representatives at Large. Voting will take place at the fall board meeting during Keystone Hike Fest in Johnstown, PA. Get to know these awesome hikers below! Meet David “Cyril” Quatrone Since David “Cyril” Quatrone hikes with forearm canes, his trail name is Fourfeet. He’s hiked over 750 miles each year for the past 3 years, including completing 40% of the AT (all the AT in PA), and all of Thunder Swamp, Black Forest, and Darlington Trails. He is almost finished with the Horse-Shoe Trail, and is working on the Ticonderoga. This past year he hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up. The 6.5-mile trip down the South Kaibab Trail was done in 3 hours, but the same distance back up took over 8! He has helped trail work crews several times, coming within 10 feet of a bear once, and has provided trail magic along the AT. Cyril has written an unpublished book, “Cripple on the Trail.” Most of his hikes are day hikes, but he is seeking a solution to a problem presented by his disability and hopes to one day be able to do more and longer multi-day hikes. Cyril has a B.A. (Northeastern Bible College), a M.Div. from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary, and a M.Ed. from Kutztown University. He teaches mathematics (and sometimes history) in Allentown. With several former students, he started and ran a non-Profit corporation, “Ensuring Tomorrow” (ET) for 7 years. In addition to providing scholarships and calculators to students, the organization took them to museums, plays, restaurants, lectures, and introduced many of these inner-city students to hiking! Meet Steve & Rita Black Steve & Rita Black live in Ford City, PA (Armstrong County). Steve is a machinist at a local tool and die shop and Rita has had careers in real estate and Career & Tech Ed. They are members of the Butler Outdoor Club and enjoy hiking with the Clarion & Butler Chapters of the North Country Trail. Steve can be found walking dogs at the Orphans of the Storm or metal detecting in search of old coins and “treasures”. Rita volunteers at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, Ford City food bank & the local libraries. Together they enjoy workdays at the Outdoor Discovery Center, Geocaching, and collecting stamps for the PA State Parks/Forests Passport. Favorite hiking areas are Clear Creek/Cooks Forest and Crooked Creek Lake Park. Meet Patricia Houston While early childhood education and early intervention field are her profession and passion, Patricia is also an explorer who loves adventure…especially outdoor adventures. She loves being barefoot and carefree, chasing sunsets & rainbows, exploring the woods, swimming in waterholes, and hula hooping in the rain. Similar to her experiences working with young children, nature experiences also bring new adventures and challenges. You never get bored! Both her profession and nature are sources of joy, purpose, peace and rejuvenation. Patricia approaches life with passion, creativity, and determination; a brave adventurer who often stands out as different and unique. A summer is not complete for her unless she has been to the beach and gone on a camping trip. This summer she finally made it to Ricketts Glen. It was a wild, solo camping adventure with lots of bear activity and some stormy weather. In Philly, her favorite hike is Andorra Meadow. Her most transcendent and magical hiking experience was her first solo camping trip where she spent 2 months hiking and camping from California to Oregon. Currently, Patricia lives and works in Philadelphia. She is an Assistant Director of preschool with an outdoor program. She received her education at the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in psychology; at Community College of Philadelphia with an associate’s in early childhood education. As long as she can remember, she has been interested in the anthropology of child development. She has always been seeking to understand the different social worlds of children and how children learn about the adult social world to which they will eventually belong. Patricia has spent her life providing and caring for young children. Nature is one of the passions that has continually sustained, healed, inspired and rejuvenated Patricia. She feels blessed to know where her true passions lie and is keen to transition into a role where she can engage in them equally. Patricia is excited to continue learning about wilderness survival, outdoor adventures, and nature preservation. Patricia hopes to one day live in a cozy cottage or cabin in the woods as her primary residence and travel the world frequently to experience the magic of all of Earth’s natural wonders. Meet Blase Hartman Blase has lived in PA for the past 40+ years. Time outdoors has always been a priority and upon retirement he rekindled his passion for backpacking, trekking many popular (and obscure) PA trails. With each step came a growing appreciation for PA’s natural resources, feeling privileged to immerse in such beauty and inevitably leading to a strong sense of stewardship. The past few years have progressively focused on making good on that sense of stewardship; performing trail maintenance, participating in trail club activities, and expounding the benefits of backpacking (just ask him). Current activities include maintaining a section of the Appalachian trail and establishing an annual Treksylvania Backpacking Rally (TBR) to encourage folks to get outdoors. The inaugural event is planned for spring 2024. KTA's nominations committee has nominated Julie Queen and Tony Vigliano for KTA's board. Voting will take place at the fall board meeting during Keystone Hike Fest in Johnstown, PA. Get to know Julie and Tony below! Meet Julie Queen Julie Queen is a passionate outdoor and adventure educator currently serving as the Manager of the Appalachian Trail Museum in Gardners, PA. Julie received a BS in Environmental Biology from Millersville University before going on to serve in the Peace Corps as a Natural Resource Conservation Volunteer in Ecuador. Julie has worked for the PA Department of Agriculture, PA Bureau of State Parks, and Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA. She thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2016 and served as a Ridgerunner in 2017. This is her third season as the AT Museum Manager. Julie also works as an Associate Adventure Guide with Adventure Explorations. She currently resides in Harrisburg, PA. Meet Tony Vigliano Tony Vigliano lives in Dillsburg PA with his wife and his dog and cats. He is a CPA that owns his own accounting firm and notary office. He and his two employees enjoy helping the community and small businesses and organizations. Tony likes working on cars, reading books, playing video games, exercising, and chocolate. Tony has adopted 3 sections of PA highway with PennDOT’s Adopt a Highway program. He also plays guitar, drums, keyboard, and cello and has recorded a couple music videos. Although Tony first started his career as a diesel mechanic, he went to college at the age of 30 and became an accountant in 2012 and finally a CPA in 2015. He started his own accounting firm in 2016. Although he’s extremely busy with his business he hopes to hit the trails again someday. Meet Joanne Heimer Joanne Heimer is a retired French teacher who has organized dozens of groups of students and adults for hikes and international tours. She is an end-to-end or circuit hiker on many Pennsylvania trails, including the Mid State, Laurel Highlands, Donut Hole, West Rim, Allegheny Front, and STS, and has also hiked hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail and run the Hyner View Trail Challenge countless times. For KTA, Joanne organized the 2022 fall hiking program and has volunteered at numerous trail care weekends and initiated the TC on the Elk Trail. She has coordinated Volunteers for several local events such as Clinton County's "Frozen Snot" race in February and the 2023 USCA Canoe & Kayak Nationals. Appreciating cooler weather, Joanne's AT trail name is "Three Season" --"and it ain't summer!" Though typically hot and humid, August offered some great weather for our two Trail Care events. Mostly, the rain held off until we were off the trail. When it did rain, though -- hoo boy! August 10-13, we partnered with the Allegheny National Forest and the ANF Chapter of the North Country Trail, to tend to some neglected trails between Tracy Ridge Campground and Allegheny Reservoir. They have not seen much attention since KTA's last Trail Care event there in 2019. In total, 13 volunteers contributed 200 hours toward clearing 16 miles of trails! Sincere thanks to: Tom Bastian, Steve Black, Syvia Grisez, Volunteer Leader Joe Hardisky (whose scouting report and workplan were invaluable), Dave Kazmierczak, Tom O'Donnell, Katie Prindle, Tony Robbins, Mike Toole, Jenn Ulmer, Shawn Weishaar, and Sam Zambardo. Thank you also to Allegheny National Forest for securing our camping at Tracy Ridge Campground, and showers at Willow Bay.
The last weekend in August, we had another successful event working on the Thunder Swamp Trail System in the Poconos.The thunder did indeed make an appearance, with a fantastic storm that some volunteers apparently slept through Friday night. The rain brought out hundreds of red efts, however, making for an awesome sight and some tricky footing the next day! We put a huge dent in trail needs along the main loop, and hikers should enjoy not having to clamber over downed trees or wade through thickets of saplings and berry bushes. A hearty group of seven volunteers worked 120 hours (miles being tabulated). We had another great stay at Resica Falls Scout Reservation (see pic of rain-swollen falls!) and owe Delaware State Forest a debt for opening some gates to allow better access to trail segments. Huge thanks to volunteers Shira Blady and Brian MaNamara (Volunteer Leaders who thankfully backpacked and scouted trail conditions), Tom Bastian, Al Germann, Tony Robbins, Dave Schurr, and Jenn Ulmer. Volunteers were treated to some new snacks donated by Kate's Real Foods, and received t-shirts from the fresh crop of Trail Care shirts. In September, we'll be working on the gem in the Pine Creek Gorge that is the Golden Eagle Trail on Sept. 21-24. Unfortunately, Oil Creek State Park has decided to postpone their late September Trail Care until next spring. Since some people have already requested those days off from work, I'm coordinating with Sproul State Forest to get us back on the Chuck Keiper Trail. Watch the Trail Care website for updates! 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. ### |
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