August 2014 
The Keystone Hiker
Preserving Pennsylvania's Footpaths since 1956
IN THIS ISSUE
HIKING PA
MAINTAINER'S CORNER
FOR HIKERS
UPCOMING EVENTS
  
HOW TO HELP
 
 
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HIKING PA
DISCOUNT DEADLINE EXTENDED TO AUGUST 15

Have you registered yet for our sixth annual Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run?  If not, today's your lucky day!  We've decided to extend the discounted rate of $90 until August 15, to give veteran and new Super Hikers a chance to get the best deal possible.  

Click here to learn more or to register today.
KTA RETURNS TO DOUBLING GAP

From October 10-12, 2014, Keystone Trails Association (KTA) members, members of KTA's trail maintaining clubs, and hikers from across Pennsylvania and surrounding states will be able to enjoy hiking, other activities, meals, meetings, and camaraderie at our annual Fall Meeting and Hiking Weekend.

Base camp will be at the Doubling Gap Center in Newville, Cumberland County, PA, and in the surrounding area. The Doubling Gap area, nestled in the Blue Mountain Ridge of the Appalachian Mountains and on the southern edge of the Tuscarora State Forest, contains many hiking trails waiting to be explored. In addition to challenging, longer hikes, short, easy and kid-friendly options will also be offered each day. Click here to learn more! 
PROWL THE SPROUL RECAP

From July 18-20, over 70 KTA members and friends joined together in the Sproul State Forest, for a weekend of great hikes, fantastic views, hearty meals, and cozy camaraderie.  There are many stories to share from the weekend, but here is just one, from Prowl the Sproul participant Mike Servedio.
MAINTAINER'S CORNER
OIL CREEK CODE ORANGE
by Ed Lawrence, Trail Care Chair

Oil Creek State Park will be rolling out the red carpet for KTA volunteers who come to the one-day Code Orange Trail Care on Saturday, August 30. Be sure to mark your calendar and plan on being there. Not only will participants be able to camp both Friday and Saturday nights in the park's organized group tenting area, but Park Manager Dave Hallman is planning on throwing a pizza party for lunch on Saturday to express his appreciation to everyone who shows up to lend a hand in improving the park's trail system. Learn more.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: THANK YOU, TRAIL CREW!
by Mary Angle, Ridge and Valley Outings Club

Thank you so much for the work that your crews have done on the Allegheny Front Trail (AFT) over the past few years. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend 3.5 days out there last week (just after the crews left). My friend Jenn and I were able to easily navigate the entire circuit thanks to the bright and consistent blazing. I remember how spotty the old blazing was and am thrilled at the progress the trail has made. Read more.
GIVE BACK TO THE TRAIL THIS MONTH

If you're a hiker, just enjoy getting out for a walk in the woods, or simply want to get involved in a healthy and meaningful activity, consider volunteering with KTA's Trail Care Program this summer and fall. Your hands-on efforts will make you appreciate the trails you love to walk even more.  Read more. 
AUGUST 8-10, MST-TIOGA REGION TRAIL CARE

KTA Trail Care weekends begin Friday evening at the designated campsite. A full day of trail work on Saturday is followed by an evening of campfire sociability and possibly a meal out at a local restaurant (Dutch treat). After a morning of additional trail work, the weekend concludes about noon on Sunday.  If you can't spare an entire weekend, you can join the group for whatever portion is convenient. No experience or special skills are required. Tools and work gloves will be provided. 

Our next Trail Care weekend will be held from August 8-10 on the Mid State Trail, Tioga Region.  Contact leader Pete Fleszar at tioga@hike-mst.org or 717-583-2093 for more information about how to help! 
WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT

There is still time to register for the Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance for Trails training course, put on by the Penn State Dirt and Gravel Studies Program, at the Providence Township Municipal Building in Lancaster County on August 5, 2014. Learn how to reduce maintenance costs and erosion on your trails! This workshop is designed for municipal/ rail-trail/ multi-use trails, and will mix classroom training with hands-on experience in the field Details: Cost is $75 per person and includes lunch. Contact the Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies for more information and to register: 1-800-668-6683 or www.dirtandgravelroads.org.
NEW ALLEGHENY GROUP HITS THE TRAIL
by Karen M. Klos

The Allegheny Trail Crew is a recently-created, independent, volunteer-run, nonprofit organization.  The Crew plans to work on trails that are abandoned or not designated to other organizations-so-called orphan trails-and will take on a variety of trail and building projects.  Learn more.
FOR HIKERS
SUPER HIKER SPOTLIGHT: DAVID CARBONELL
 
Adventure race enthusiasts of varying degrees and experience are drawn to our Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run each year.   
Want to know who will be hitting the trails alongside you?   Click here to "meet" David Carbonell of Radnor, PA.
YOUR HIKING ADVOCATE 
by Curt Ashenfelter, Executive Director

Aug 13 press conference curt The Keystone Trails Association seeks much greater input into significant decisions affecting state forest lands in PA. We seek much greater transparency and accountability on the part of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  Pennsylvania's state forests are public lands, and DCNR is required by law to manage our public land as a trustee for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians, not just the gas drillers. Read more.
FALL PHOTO CONTEST

KTA is seeking submissions for our Fall Photo Contest. Click here to learn more!
THE EXCELLENT ADVENTURES OF 
SOMEDAY & HILLBILLY BART
by Joanna Swanson 

We had a great hike. The Mid State Trail is well cared for and a wonderful, wild adventure. It's also probably the toughest trail I have ever hiked, mile-for-mile. 

When we started the hike, it was hot. Incredibly hot. And, um, rather rocky. I mean, we knew it would be rocky. But it was rocky. 

PA A.T. LICENSE PLATE NOW AVAILABLE
by Jim Foster, Secretary, KTA Board of Directors

After 8 long years, the Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail Conservancy Specialty License Plate is now available, with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to help manage and protect the Appalachian Trail!  Read more.

HIKING THROUGH HISTORY: ATC BIENNIAL

by Jim Foster, Secretary, KTA Board of Directors

 

It's not too early to think about the 2015 Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) Biennial. The Biennial Conference is sort of the annual meeting of the Appalachian Trail, except that it's held every other year. Learn more.

WHERE WILL YOU BE ON SEPT. 6?
 

Over 25 more volunteers are needed on September 5 and 6, to help make the 6th annual Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run a success! Volunteers can choose to help with parking, set-up/ tear-down, registration, checkpoints, or timing; with the picnic; or as spotters, photographers, or trail sweeps.  Volunteers receive a t-shirt and admission to our celebratory picnic.  If you can help out, please click here to let us know!

JEFF'S JAUNTS: LOYALSOCK S.F.
by Jeff Mitchell, KTA Board Member

I used to spend a lot of time in the Loyalsock State Forest. I would look over maps, find trails, and start hiking. Over the years I've hiked most of the trails in the state forest and along the way I've seen secret waterfalls, hidden glens, cliffs, and beautiful forests. Read more.
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE A.T.
by J. Jeffrey Philbrick

The Appalachian Trail is probably the most documented hiking trail on the face of the planet, and there are mountainous stacks of information and guides to help anyone hike it. So, why add another guide to that stack? Click here to find out!
SAVE THE DATE
100 Mile Trail Challenge: September 1, 2013 - August 31, 2014. Ongoing registration.

Standing Stone Trail Slackpack: August 15-20, 2014.  


6th Annual Susquehanna Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run: September 6, 2014, Lancaster/ York Counties. 


Fall Meeting & Hiking Weekend: October 10-12, 2014, Doubling Gap Center, Newville, Cumberland County, PA. Registration opens August 1, 2014. 



 
*For the full Trail Care Program schedule, please visit www.kta-hike.org.
Newsletter Submissions 
This newsletter is published monthly by Keystone Trails Association.  Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Opinions expressed are those of the listed authors.  The Editor encourages submissions reflecting all viewpoints, but reserves the right to edit material.  You are encouraged to submit your material to Program Administrator, Shanna Klucar, at ktaadmin@verizon.net.