by Maurice Forrester
The third decade of KTA's existence proved to be the busiest so far. The organization continued to grow and established itself firmly as a force and voice for hikers throughout the Keystone State. Various new member services were implemented, and ever more energy was put into public policy concerns. More support was provided for trails on the ground. The ten-year period ended with two events that shaped much of the group's activities for a number of years into the future.
Organization
In 1978 it was decided that KTA should incorporate, and appropriate steps were taken to do so. Following successful incorporation, application was made to the IRS for 501(c)(3) status so that contributions to the organization might qualify for tax deductions. The application was eventually approved in 1981.
The practice of holding the fall Council meeting apart from the Annual Meeting and in a different part of the state, which was begun in 1972, was discontinued following the 1978 meeting. It had proved less successful than hoped in stimulating membership and interest.
Among other administrative changes:
- The KTA Constitution was amended to provide for a life membership category.
- A part-time position of Administrative Coordinator was established, providing KTA with its first paid staff support.
- In 1984 the organization's first computer was purchased, and KTA entered the electronic age.
Finally, in 1980 the members took advantage of the Annual Meeting, held that year at Camp Swatara, to celebrate KTA's 25th Anniversary.
Publications & Other Sale Items
A fourth, fifth, and sixth edition of the Guide to the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania were published during this period. In addition, an eighth and ninth edition of Pennsylvania Hiking Trails were published.
New trail publications unveiled in this third decade were a Tuscarora Trail Guide, and a guide book and map set for the newly opened Link Trail.
A Trailhead Transportation Guide was also developed and published. This was intended to provide interested hikers with information about trail access points that could be reached by public transportation -- mostly buses. It never elicited a great deal of interest, however, and was never updated or republished.
In an unusual cooperative venture between KTA and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Bureau of Geologic Survey, Geology of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania was published in 1983. This included many black-and-white photos, as well as a pocket inside the back cover containing a 30"x38" multi-colored geologic map of the entire Appalachian Trail corridor in Pennsylvania.
Finally, in an action that many saw as providing definitive proof that KTA was a "real" organization, a KTA t-shirt was produced and offered for sale in 1984.
Trails
Throughout most of this decade KTA was closely involved in the effort to establish a more acceptable route for the AT in the Cumberland Valley. When a route was finally selected by the National Park Service, and local opposition emerged, KTA participated vigorously in the public debate that ensued.
In the fall of 1977, the first proposal was made for the creation of a trail linking the Mid State Trail with the Tuscarora Trail, and thereby to the larger Appalachian Trail system. Within five years the Link Trail -- as it came to be known -- was open and hikable. Shortly thereafter a guide book and map set was made available.
Public Policy
On April 28, 1978, the Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail Act was signed into law, establishing a corridor for the trail in Pennsylvania consistent with federal legislation.
The policy of the Pennsylvania Game Commission prohibiting camping on State Game Lands had long been a problem for backpackers in the state, particularly in the St. Anthony's Wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail where the long stretch between shelters and approved camping spots was often a serious hardship. KTA approached the Game Commission with a proposal for modifying this policy to allow primitive camping along the Appalachian Trail. The Game Commission agreed to study the suggestion. Subsequently, in 1980, they sought legislation from the General Assembly to permit regulated primitive camping in the AT corridor. Legislation was eventually enacted and a policy for such camping was put in place.
Probably the biggest public policy success during these ten years involved widespread opposition to a proposed power project in Stony Creek Valley which would have had serious impact on the Appalachian and Horse-Shoe Trails in the St. Anthony's Wilderness area. Opposition to the power project extended far beyond the hiking community, however. Along with many other groups in Pennsylvania, KTA affiliated with the Stony Creek Valley Coalition to oppose the proposed project. The proposal was withdrawn in 1980.
Member Services
KTA purchased a measuring wheel and a brush-cutter for use by member clubs in their trail maintenance work. In a somewhat related initiative, a grants and loans program was established to provide financial assistance to the clubs to help cover costs related to trail maintenance.
In 1984, the TrailCare Program was set up to provide trail maintenance assistance of a somewhat different kind. A crew of volunteers was to be created each summer to go out and actually assist local clubs with trail work on the ground wherever there was exceptional need beyond the capabilities of local volunteers. During the first summer, an eight-week work program kicked off the project.
Another new initiative was launched in 1981, this one for the benefit of hikers on the Mid State Trail. In cooperation with the Bureau of Forestry, the Hiker Cabin Program took advantage of the fact that most fire towers were accompanied by cabins for use by fire wardens in the past, although at present they stood largely vacant offering a ready target for vandals. Volunteers were recruited to stay for a week at a time as caretakers at certain of the cabins along the Mid State Trail. Space in the cabin was then made available to backpackers for overnight use. In addition to benefiting hikers, the program assisted the Bureau of Forestry by reducing vandalism. Unfortunately, the program had to be discontinued following the 1985 season, since for various reasons only one cabin remained available. In addition, hiker usage had declined considerably following a flurry of interest at the start of the program.