by Sue-Ann Roades
Growing up, Denise “Dee” Erich, from Penfield, Clearfield County, remembers following paths in the woods—paths that seemed to call out for her to follow them and to which she responded by seeing where they went.
Dee started actively hiking 15 years ago. At that time, she was living in southern Louisiana, where she and her sister would go hiking together in the Pisgah Forest. She fell in love with the challenges, the scenery, and the exercise. Everything about it made her feel so good that she could hardly wait to return for her next hike.
Dee moved back to Pennsylvania 9 years ago, but she put hiking on a back burner. It wasn't until last fall that she realized Parker Dam State Park—only a 10-minute drive from her home—had many trails, including the Quehanna Trail. She decided to head there to check them out. From that moment on, she was hooked on hiking again! She rediscovered the peace of mind that hiking provides her, along with the excitement of experiencing new things each time she hits the trail.
Sadly, Dee recently lost 2 brothers; this left her and her family devastated. She says that hiking Pennsylvania’s beautiful trails has helped her come to terms with her loss. Hiking the trails makes her feel so much closer to them because they, too, had a love for the Pennsylvania outdoors.
As Dee’s passion for hiking has increased, so has her desire to explore new trails. Recently, Dee Googled “Trails in PA” and discovered the KTA. That led to her interest in wanting to help preserve Pennsylvania’s hiking trails. Her decision to participate in the KTA’s 100-mile challenge was 2-fold: first, because she loves a good challenge, and second, to raise money for KTA so that, Dee says, “these great trails can be preserved for years to come.”
Dee plans on hiking much of the Quehanna Trail to meet her 100-mile challenge because it’s so close to her home. She is also eager to hike the Golden Eagle Trail, the trails at Bilger’s Rocks, the Allegheny Front Trail, and the trails at Rickett’s Glen State Park.
Dee encourages anyone who is bored, lonely, or seeking adventure to get out and hike one of Pennsylvania’s beautiful trails. “You will come back feeling so much better about yourself and life,” she says. “It’s a great way to help one think more clearly.“ Dee’s advice to new hikers is to “just get out there and do it!” She uses MapMyRun on her iPhone, which maps out her hike, gives her the distance hiked, the time it takes to complete the hike, and the number of calories burned. If one is looking to lose a few pounds, hiking up and down these trails will certainly do it! The best part is the fun you’ll have while doing it!
Dee took the Challenge. Will you? Click here to join KTA's 100-Mile Trail Challenge!