by Karen Klos, Allegheny Trail Crew
The Allegheny Trail Crew (ATC) is a new, independent, volunteer-run organization that maintains, repairs, builds, develops, and promotes trails that are abandoned or not designated to other organizations (so-called orphan trails).
In July, the ATC tackled the Tanbark Trail an 8.8-mile trail extending from US Route 62 north of Tidioute, Warren County, to the Heart’s Content Recreation Area. The northerly part of the trail passes through the Allegheny National Recreation Area, which offers some of the most primitive woodlands in the Allegheny National Forest. The trail is unique in that it offers hikers access to other trails and special places in the Allegheny National Forest.
On Saturday, July 26, ATC members met with 10 enthusiastic volunteers at the Heart’s Content Campground amphitheater. Keith Klos gave the job hazard analysis safety talk required by the forest service, distributed information on ticks and snakes, handed out hard hats, and provided special cooling headwear to volunteers. He also explained emergency protocol, split the participants into 2 groups, and gave each group a first aid pack.
One group went to the eastern section, going from Forest Road 116 to Heart’s Content Road. This group repaired or replaced a few footbridges and did some water control work. The second group brushed the middle section of the trail and cut, brushed out, and blazed some downed trees.
That evening, volunteers traveled back to the campsite for a hearty meal of hot meatballs, s’mores brownies and a buffet of side dishes brought by members. It was time to relax and get comfortable in lounge pants for the handout of the Lounge Pants Awards. This was a fun experience, with participants donning lounge pants and bursting forth from their tents to roars of laughter. Michael Bleech emceed and judged these otherwise walking works of art as each paraded and modeled to a crowd response of applause and gut-wrenching laughter. The awards were a success, and everyone had a great time! Afterward, the campfire meeting began. The day’s trail work was discussed, plans for the next day’s work were laid out, future plans were discussed, and the trail compact and by-laws were discussed and voted on. Wanda Shirk, President of the KTA, addressed the members with a proposal.
The next day, crews working on the northern section, from Pennsylvania Route 337 to US Route 62, found it was basically in good shape. The beginning needed only brushing out; however, the hill near the river had many downed trees that the crews cut. From a fallen hemlock tree, the crews even fashioned a bog bridge. The last, northern part of the trail went down a steep hill, with the last 0.3 mile needing erosion control work. Water barreled along this section, and the crews explored different ways to address the problem. After completing their work, the participants all said their good-byes and headed home.
Sponsoring the work weekend was King Building Supply, House of Printing, Lowe’s Home Improvement, B & N Trophies & Awards, and the employees’ fund from the Franklin, PA, Kmart store.
The next ATC work weekend will be at the Tracy Ridge Trail System on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5. No experience is needed; many hands will make the work go faster! If interested, or for directions or more information, e-mail Keith Klos at cloudy09@verizon.net or call him at 814-484-7420. Plan to meet at 9 AM at the Tracy Ridge Campgrounds; bring along your drinking pleasure and lunch, any shovels or mattocks you have, good work boots and gloves, and a hard hat if you have one (some hard hats will be available on-site).