From June 15 to June 20, the KTA Summer Trail Crew tackled two of Pennsylvania’s most remote hiking trails, the Chuck Keiper Trail and the Donut Hole Trail.
The Western Clinton Sportsmens Association offered KTA Trail Crew volunteers wonderful hospitability and accommodations, but also the culinary expertise of Alice Tarr as crew cook. According to Rich Scanlon, trail crew leader, "Nothing like a hot shower, followed by a great dinner and a peaceful evening around a camp fire to rejuvenate you for the next day of trail care."
Work on both trails included general maintenance, with lopping, painting and brush cutting, along with two relocations of side hill in the popular Yost Run Loop. In addition, two days were spent on the western end of the Donut Hole Trail and the high water trail around Kettle Creek State Park beating back the ever present ferns and keeping the footpaths in good condition.
One highlight of the week was the awarding of a coveted honor bestowed by the KTA Trail Care Crew only once in the last 10 years, that of the Golden Pulaski Award. The Golden Pulaski Award is given in recognition of exemplary service and dedication to the hiking trails of Pennsylvania by a non-trail care member.
The very first award was given to Butch Davey, now a retired District Forester from the Sproul State Forest District and a KTA Board Member. Now the second Golden Pulaski is proudly awarded to Thaddeus “Ted” Ligenza, of the Sproul District Forestry Office for his many years of support and dedication to the trails of Pennsylvania and the KTA Trail Care members that assist in the maintenance of the trails.
