by David Galbreath, Clarion Chapter of the NCTA
The Clarion Chapter of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) invites you to challenge your hiking skills with the 2016 Tour de Clarion. The challenge, covering the 93 miles of the Clarion Chapter section of the NCT, is a series of monthly hikes beginning in January 2016 at mile marker 1 in Parker (the southernmost point), continuing northward to mile marker 93 near Vowinckel (the northernmost point), and finishing in December 2016. Each participant will be given a passport to track their progress.
The Clarion Chapter section of the NCT follows the Allegheny River from Parker through the Rockland and Kennerdell Tunnels to the Belmar Bridge. From the Belmar Bridge, the trail follows Sandy Creek Trail to Van. From Van, the trail follows the Clarion Highlands Trail to Shippenville. At Shippenville, the trail enters State Game Land (SGL) 63, circumnavigates the Clarion Airport, and exits SGL 63 at East End Road. The trail crosses Route 66 and Myers Road, continues along Doe Run Road to US Route 322 at the Clarion River Bridge. The trail skirts Anchor Village, crosses Kiser Wagner Road, and enters SGL 72. The trail follows Toby Creek, crosses Miola Road at Highland Drive, follows Highland Drive into the state forest land, and continues to Gravel Lick Road. The trail piggybacks the Baker Trail, reenters state forest land, and continues to the terminus at Pennsylvania Route 66.
The Clarion Chapter of the NCTA will organize each monthly hike and provide shuttle service. The chapter will use the honor system to credit mileage for anyone completing sections not on the monthly schedule. Any hiker completing the challenge will receive a long-sleeved shirt noting their accomplishment.
Additionally, any mileage accrued during this event can be applied to the North Country 100-Mile Challenge for 2016 commemorating 100 years of the National Park Service. Anyone hiking 100 miles or more during 2016 on the NCT will be entered into a drawing for prizes.
For more information, contact Dave Galbreath (814-226-5574 or dgalbreath@zoominternet.net) or Ed Scurry (edsdc85@yahoo.com).
2016 Tour De Clarion Itinerary
· Saturday, January 23, 10:00 AM: Parker to Emlenton (6 miles)
Meet at Parker Trailhead
· Saturday, February 13, 10:00 AM: Emlenton to Rockland Tunnel (7 miles)
Meet at Emlenton Trailhead
· Saturday, March 12, 10:00 AM: Rockland Tunnel to Kennerdell Tunnel (7 miles)
Meet at Rockland Tunnel
· Saturday, April 16, 10:00 AM: Kennerdell Tunnel to Belmar Bridge (9 miles)
Meet at Kennerdell Tunnel
· Saturday, May 14, 10:00 AM: Belmar Bridge to Van (8 miles)
Meet at Belmar Bridge
· Saturday, June 4, 10:00 AM: Van to Fern Road (8 miles)
Meet at Shippenville Country Fair
· Saturday, July 23, 10:00 AM: Fern Road to Deer Creek (9 miles)
Meet at Shippenville Country Fair
· Saturday, August 13, 10:00 AM: Deer Creek to Kiser Wagner Road (8 miles)
Meet at Shippenville Country Fair
· Saturday, September 17: Kiser Wagner Road to Highland Drive (11 miles)
Meet at Shippenville Country Fair
· Sunday, October 9, 10:00 AM: Highland Drive to Gravel Lick Road (6 miles)
Meet at Highland Drive
· Sunday, November 13: Gravel Lick Road to Cook Forest Environmental Center
Meet at Cook Forest Environmental Center (6 miles)
· Sunday, December 4: Cook Forest Environmental Center to Pennsylvania Route 66
Meet at Pennsylvania Route 66 Trailhead (8 miles)