by Ed Lawrence, KTA Trail Care Chair
Published in the Centre Daily Times
Along with spring blossoms comes the opportunity to get outside and join other volunteers helping to maintain hiking trails in Pennsylvania. The Keystone Trails Association, PA's state wide hiking organization, coordinates work weekends on hiking trails through its all volunteer 'Trail Care Program'. The 2016 season will kick off the weekend of April 22-24 with work on the Mid State Trail, based out of The Seven Mountains Boy Scout Camp's Rimmey Cabin just off Route 322 east of State College. No experience is needed, participants will be assigned work crews and supplied with the hand tools needed to clear the trail corridor. Complete details about the Trail Care Program can be found on the Association’s website: KTA-Hike.org.
The Keystone Trails Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is comprised of hiking clubs and individuals from across the state, and is dedicated to promoting and protecting the hiking experience in Pennsylvania. The KTA Trail Care schedule includes work at Whipple Dam State Park on Saturday May 7th and on the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania's West Rim Trail May 20-22. There are other volunteer events planned for every month through November. Volunteers work alongside other participants in a convivial atmosphere and will find trail work both enjoyable and rewarding. This work helps to ensure that PA's hiking trails will continue to be safe and accessible to anyone who wishes to avail themselves of some quality time in the great outdoors.
Ed Lawrence