by Ed Lawrence, KTA Trail Care Chair
We may not be able to grasp the ineffable sound of one hand clapping but we do know the sweet resonance of many hands making light work at a KTA trail care, and May offers an opportunity to make that 'joyful noise' at a quartet of events. A Code Orange one-day trail care will return to Whipple Dam State Park on Saturday, May 7th where volunteers will help Park Manager Michael Dinsmore continue to lay out a more sustainable hiking trail system around the park's lake. Although there are no camping facilities at Whipple Dam, Code Orange participants will have the chance to camp at nearby Greenwood Furnace State Park, both Friday and Saturday nights, as a bonus for attending.
A regular Trail Care will put us back on the West Rim Trail overlooking Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon the weekend of the 20th - 22nd, based out of Colton Point State Park. Volunteers will pick up where we left off last year, clearing laurel, opening up the corridor and improving the treadway on the southern half of this well known and enticing trail.
May will also kick-off the weeklong Trail Crew season where hearty meals are part of the package, so be sure to register (from the KTA website) so that the cooks know how many eggs to bring for the omelet. The Standing Stone Trail will host Week #1 camping at Greenwood Furnace State Park the week (Tuesday through Sunday) of May 17th - 22nd, and The North Country Trail will be the site of Week #2, staying at the historic Davis Hollow Cabin in Moraine State Park the week of May 31st - June 5th. Volunteers can come for the entire week or any combination of days that fits individual schedules.
The KTA Trail Care Program is an all volunteer 'hands on' project. Participate and get to really know the trails you hike.