Trail Care Volunteers Get Set to Spring into Action

​by Ed Lawrence, KTA Trail Care Chair

KTA Trail Care will return to the Black Forest Trail (BFT) April 28-30 for the first Trail Care Weekend of 2017. With the passing away of the legendary woodsman Bob Webber, the KTA Trail Care Program, working with Tiadaghton State Forest personnel, has pledged to ensure the BFT continues getting the attention it needs and deserves. This year, volunteers will have the unique opportunity to camp at the Ruth Will Cabin at the Pump Station Fire Tower. The access road to the cabin and tower is on the west side of Pennsylvania Route 44 a half mile north of where the BFT crosses Route 44 at the Trout Run Road parking area. As usual, KTA signage will be positioned at the turn.
 
Also keep in mind that the first Code Orange 1-day Trail Care will take place at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, south of Reading in Berks County, on Saturday, May 6. The center provides a valuable year-round environmental education program and is visited by many schools. This will be the first time the Trail Care Program has scheduled a volunteer workday at Nolde Forest, and we’re excited to be working again with Center Manager Lisa Miller. Code Orange volunteers worked with Lisa when she was park manager at French Creek State Park, so we look forward to helping her improve the trail system at Nolde Forest. Participants in the Code Orange Event will be able to camp at nearby French Creek State Park. See the schedule listing on the KTA website for driving directions and other details.
 
Volunteers are what make KTA’s Trail Care Program the important asset to the hiking community it has become. Please plan on making Trail Care Events part of your hiking schedule this season to see for yourself what a rewarding experience trail care can be.