Reeds Gap Spur Trail Care Event Recap

by Jenn Ulmer

The RGST is a 13.8-mile/22.3-kilometer-long collection of existing trails connecting Poe Paddy and Reeds Gap State Parks in the Bald Eagle State Forest of central Pennsylvania. Volunteers at the 2017 KTA Trail Care Weekend (September 29 through October 1) on the RGST, workers had their work cut out for them, and they rose to the challenge! Since KTA last worked on the RGST in 2012 and 2013, the birch saplings, blueberries, etc., had taken the opportunity to encroach on the trail. Our focus was reopening the High Top Trail portion. It took us several days, but we got all the work done. Also, we’ve freshened blazes along portions of the trail and cleared the entire trail of blowdowns. We actually had more people who could volunteer on Friday than the rest of the weekend days. Sincere thanks go to the following, all of whom braved rocky treadways, bees, and bouncy commutes: Tom Bastian, Jane Huston, Don Kirkwood, Woody Loudenslager, Tony Robbins, Bob Staver, Donna Thompson, and Ernie Werstler. Tony led a hike from Reeds Gap State Park to the Bear Gap Picnic Area for the recent KTA Fall Hiking and Meeting Weekend, and the hikers were quite appreciative of our work. If you’re looking for a challenging hike, an idyllic campsite at Weikert Run, and heart-pumping climbs, try the RGST! E-mail me for more information: [email protected].