September 2023 

Protecting PA's Trails: September is Trails Month!

KTA's mission is to provide, protect, preserve, and promote recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania.  

In recognition of DCNR's #TrailsMonth this September, we're highlighting our efforts to PROTECT PA's trails. Why does KTA protect hiking trails (and thus, hiking opportunities) in PA?

Protecting our hiking trails protects our environment as a whole!

Hiking trails are threads that connect our state forests, parks, and preserves. These spaces nurture wildlife, plants, and waterways that keep PA's landscapes healthy. 

DCNR's Conservation Landscapes, like the Kittatinny Ridge, are a great example of efforts to protect our forests and trails.

You can explore the Kittatinny Ridge and the land KTA is working to protect by joining us on an upcoming Ramble with Brook! Check out our upcoming events list below for more details.

Connect with KTA on Facebook or Instagram to see featured trails throughout September in celebration of #TrailsMonth!

 KTA News & Announcements 

? DEADLINE 9/15/23: KTA Nominations Committee seeks nominations for four awards recognizing outstanding individuals and clubs! *To be awarded during October's Keystone Hike Fest (Fall Hiking Weekend)

? NOW OPEN: Sign up for KTA's 100 Mile Trail Challenge! Every mile hiked and e dollar raised supports hiking trails throughout the state of PA

? Jenn Ulmer, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance & Training, will be a featured speaker at WeConservePA's upcoming PA Greenways & Trails Summit held in Scranton between September 17–19

? Holly Tritt, KTA Manager of Communications & Membership, will be a featured speaker at Potomac Appalachian Trail Club's upcoming Women's Trail Summit held in Pine Grove Furnace State Park on October 7 

? KTA is featured in the 2022 Pennsylvania Trails Annual Report published by DCNR and WeConservePA

? KTA's upcoming Keystone Hike Fest was featured in an article titled "Woodland Wanderings | Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail boosts businesses at both ends"

? Wanda Shirk, KTA Member and Susquehannock Trail Club President was featured in Mountain Home Mag's article called "Trailblazing Through Life"

? Tony Robbins, KTA Trail Care volunteer and regional manager for the Woolrich region of the Mid State Trail was featured in The Standard-Journal's article, "The Art of Trail Maintenance" 

? The Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club was featured on the Hemlocks to Hellbenders Podcast in the episode titled "Caring for the Appalachian Trail"

? Meet Julie Queen and Tony Vigliano, KTA's newest board nominees!

 Upcoming KTA Events 

Trail Challenge 25K Run & Hike  [KTA Fundraiser] 
September 9, 2023 | Lancaster County

​​​Challenge yourself to complete these arduous miles of steep climbs and rocky terrain punctuated with fantastic vistas and scenic forest hollows. 

Learn More & Register

Trail Care for Instant Gratification Lovers
September 21-24, 2023 | Golden Eagle Trail, Lycoming County

Camping in the PA Wilds, ice cream from Happy Acres Restaurant, and giving some love to one of PA's most adored trails... can you name a better way to spend a September weekend?! Don't miss out on this fun-filled and incredibly productive trail care event as we relocate some eroding sections of the amazing Golden Eagle Trail.

Learn More & Register

Wilderness First Aid Certification
September 23-24, 2023 | Halifax (Camp Hebron)

Wilderness First Aid is a two-day introduction to general medical concepts and basic life support skills. It is targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures. This course results in a certification in Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR​.

Learn More & Register

Rambles #4: Appalachian Trail Section at Lehigh Gap 
September 23, 2023 (National Public Lands Day) | Slatington 

Hike a portion of the recently rerouted Appalachian Trail section maintained by KTA! Enjoy new spectacular views of the area. The hike will be led by members of KTA's A.T. section group. 

Learn More & Register

Plant I.D. Walking Workshop on the Appalachian Trail
September 24, 2023 | Carlisle

Explore a short section of the Appalachian Trail while learning about methods of plant identification!

Learn More & Register

Walk in Penn's Woods Day: Loyalsock Trail
(Issue Outing #3: Exploring Natural Gas Impacts)
October 1, 10am–2pm   |  FREE

Join the Sierra Club, Save PA Forest Coalition, KTA, and the Responsible Decarbonization Alliance for a challenging, informative, and memorable hike on the Graff Woolever and Loyalsock Trails. The approximately 5-mile hike ascends the dynamic Graff Woolever Trail up Allegheny Ridge from a parking area along Little Bear Road in the Loyalsock State Forest. Learn about threats past and present posed to these trails and surrounding areas by natural gas development activities.

Learn More

Rambles #5: Appalachian Trail at Scott Farm with Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club 
October 6  | Middlesex Twp 

Start your weekend early with this lovely (approx) 6-mile out-and-back Friday afternoon hike to a scenic overlook on Blue Mountain (Kittatinny Ridge). Beginning at the Scott Farm, learn about plans for this historic property and the tireless work of the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club—stewards of this section of the Appalachian Trail.

Learn More & Register

1-Day Trail Care at Gifford Pinchot State Park 
October 7  | Lewisberry, PA 

It's a Code Orange workday! Trail maintenance will occur on Saturday (approx 8am-4pm) only with free camping available starting Friday night through Sunday afternoon! Friends of GPSP provides lunch Saturday.

Learn More & Register

Intro to Backpacking: Overnight on the Loyalsock Trail
October 8-9, 2023 | Loyalsock State Forest

​​​Are you a beginner backpacker looking for more experience? This KTA  trip is for you! Join us for an introductory 14-mile overnight backpacking trip on the beautiful Loyalsock Trail (LT)!

Learn More & Register

Trail Care for the Fearless: Shades of Death Trail
October 12-15, 2023 | Hickory Run State Park, Carbon County

Okay, it’s really not that scary! In fact, it's the park’s second most trafficked trail. It’s a wet, rocky 2.5-mile trail, with many roots, and social trails a-plenty. We intend to re-blaze the trail and decommission social trails, mitigate wet areas, and possibly construct some boardwalks!

Learn More & Register

Rambles #6: Appalachian Trail at Bake Oven Knob with Allentown Hiking Club 
October 15  | Andreas 

Starting at the parking lot closest to Bake Oven Knob, we'll trek through the heart of the Kittatinny Ridge for a 6-mile hike on the AT. We'll pass several vistas and shelters, stop for a snack break, and traverse much of PA's famous rocky conditions (hiking boots recommended!). Throughout the hike, you'll learn about Allentown Hiking Club—one of the invaluable organizations that help care for the AT in Pennsylvania! Shuttle services are optional for this event. Lunch at a local restaurant will be on your own.

Learn More & Register

Keystone Hike Fest (Fall Hiking Weekend)
October 20-22, 2023 | Johnstown, PA

PA's first community-centered outdoor recreation weekend! Keystone Hike Fest brings a local PA community together by highlighting its best outdoor recreation features and experts. Held in Johnstown this year, you'll be surprised by this hiking oasis in western-PA! 

Learn More & Register

Trail Care for Anyone! Beginners & Veterans Welcome
October 26-29, 2023 | Pinchot Trail System, Lackawanna County 

The 26-mile Pinchot Trail loop is great for beginner backpackers...and this trail care event is great for beginner trail maintainers! You'll get to try skills like DR mowing, brushing, digging, freshening of painted blazes, as well as some chainsaw removal of blowdowns. 

Learn More & Register

 September Hikes with Local Clubs & Orgs 

• Monday, 9/11: Port Providence hike in Phoenixville (6 miles) with AMC Delaware Valley Chapter
• Saturday, 9/16: Introduction to Phenology at Mill Creek Nature Preserve with Lancaster Conservancy
• Saturday, 9/16: Rentschler Arboretum hike (1.3 miles) with BMECC
• Sunday, 9/17: Ibberson North (5 miles) with SATC
• Friday, 9/29: Harvest Moon Hike (5-6 miles) with Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy
• Saturday, 9/30: Loop hike through the Bryn Coed Preserve (11 miles) with Allentown Hiking Club
• Saturday, 9/30: Hike the Wissahickon in September (3.5 miles) with Friends of Wissahickon

 Have you Heard? 

? The 13th class of Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame honorees has been announced and will be inducted on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

? Join a full-day workshop with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to learn what it takes to lead a volunteer experience in the field on the AT on Sunday, October 1st from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm near Carlisle, PA.

? Shapiro Administration invests $112 Million in improving state parks and forests, increasing economic power of outdoor recreation

? The ATC is hosting a plethora of training opportunities this fall in the Mid-Atlantic region for new volunteers and for leadership development of experienced volunteers. 

From simple hikes and talks to passive educational programs like Storywalks and Nature Backpacks, explore the wide array of creative possibilities to reach a wider audience and spread your club's mission during WeConservePA's "Entering Into Education" online seminar on 11/8, 10am.