1996
As the period begins, it is noted that reported volunteer trail-work hours have passed 25,000 and that the Link Trail is nearing completion. Unfortunately, achieving the last few remaining miles of the Link became a challenging quest. Fickle and fluctuating landowners frustrated efforts to finalize the best route.
1997
The first Summer Trail Crew (then called "Extended Trail Care") is formed to tackle trails needing more attention than could be provided by weekend crews. The first crews spend 5 days each on the Donut Hole, Oil Creek and Mid State trails with great success. The Summer Trail Crew program has continued and grown each year since. The first year was funded by grants from Eastern Mountain Sports and other sources.
The first of a set of new 4-color maps for the AT in Pennsylvania is released to great acclaim. The map covers the area from the Susquehanna River to Swatara Gap. The map, and another one to follow, replace the old, and much-maligned, black and white ones.
PennDOT began looking into a way to make the AT road crossing at PA 225 atop Peters Mountain safer. A new KTA T-shirt is offered featuring a picture of hikers at Pine Creek Gorge, and the first article concerning the 1,000 Steps on the Link Trail appears in the Newsletter. The campaign to "Save OurSteps (SOS)" is kicked off in the Fall. KTA pledges to help raise $90,000 needed to buy the property on Jack's Mountain near Mt. Union. Members are urged to "Buy A Step". Volunteer hours reach 33,000.
1998
At the beginning of the year, 27.3% of the SOS goal has been raised. By year's end that rose to 84.3%. Growing concern arises regarding the use (or mis-use) of hiking trails by bikers and equestrians. A September meeting in Harrisburg, convened by DCNR, results in a sometimes-contentious confrontation between hikers and those who want to use fragile hiking trails for their not-so-fragile activities.
The 10th Edition of the PA AT Guide is released as is the second of the full-color maps. This map covers the sections from the Delaware River to Swatara Gap. The 12th Edition of Pennsylvania Hiking Trails is also released.
The American Hiking Society (AHS) awards a $4,000 grant to KTA to fund the 2nd year of the Summer Trail Crew; volunteer hours slip to 32,000.
1999
Discussions continue regarding conflicts between hikers and bikers/equestrians. KTA drafts a petition for KTA members to send to DCNR Secretary John Oliver urging "positive posting" of all State Forest Hiking Trails which would designate them as footpaths only. In the Fall, DCNR and the Bureau of Forestry (BOF) announce that all 18 of the State Forest Hiking Trails and the 3 National Scenic Trails will remain "Hiker Only". Despite the sometimes well-funded efforts of the horse and biker interests, the hiking community prevailed.
Another victory for hikers is celebrated with the successful completion of the SOS campaign as the 1,000 Steps property is deeded over to the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy for eventual ownership by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. DCNR names KTA as "Conservation Volunteer Group of the Year" in recognition of many years of work on hiking trails in the Sproul State Forest.
AHS awards KTA another $2,000 grant for the Summer Trail Crew program and Joe Healey takes over as co-coordinator. A map and guide to the Bucktail Path, written by Jim & Ginny Owen, is released; the Mid State Trail celebrates their 30th anniversary, and volunteer hours grow to 35,500.
2000
The ATV issue explodes into our consciousness as the Sierra Club warns of the possibility of DCNR allowing the expansion of ATV trails in State Forests. KTA immediately mounts a campaign to oppose any such moves and urges greater enforcement of existing rules.
The Allegheny Front Trail, conceived in 1995 as the Lost Mountain Trail, is dedicated on May 20th. Ralph Seeley spearheaded planning and building of the 40+-mile trail in the Moshannon State Forest.
250 people attend the Spring Meeting in Wellsboro and Council votes to raise individual dues from $9 to $15.
Legislation to authorize Sunday Hunting is introduced in the PA Legislature, but fails to get anywhere. The issue will continue to re-appear on a regular basis. Hikers oppose the proposals.
Plans are announced to publish a Pennsylvania Hiking Trails calendar for 2002. Wayne Gross will lead the effort. A beautiful calendar is eventually produced, to great acclaim, but prohibitive costs prevent continuing with the project. Mildred Forrester announces plans to retire as KTA Administrator and Treasurer. Panic and anguish overwhelm the KTA President. Volunteer hours reach 42,305.
2001
The AT biennial conference is held at Shippensburg University, July 13-20. Thyra Sperry chairs the event with many KTA clubs and members involved in planning and support.
The DCNR Advisory Council convenes a meeting of 60+ representatives from recreational interests and government agencies to discuss ATV issues. Some broad conclusions are reached, but not much else. The Legislature passes House Bill 154 (Act 68) which significantly improves the regulation of ATVs in the state. One of the bill's provisions establishes an ATV/Snowmobile Advisory Committee in DCNR. John Motz is named as KTA's first representative. The PA Game Commission, also feeling pressure from non-hunting recreationists, including ATVs, establishes an ad-hoc committee to deal with unregulated and harmful uses of state Game Lands. John Stein represents KTA on that committee.
In an effort to enhance KTA's relationship with the BOF, KTA proposes the establishment of a Letter of Mutual Understanding between the two groups. It takes until 2004, but the agreement is finally finalized between KTA, BOF and the trail clubs that maintain trails on BOF lands.
Plans are announced for the first-ever PA Hiking Week to be held May 11-19, 2002 in cooperation with DCNR; the KTA Multi-Use committee drafts and prints a brochure outlining trail etiquette practices for hikers, cyclists and equestrians using multiuse trails; the Mid State Trail will explore the idea of extending their trail to the New York border to connect with the Finger Lakes Trails system, and volunteer hours drop to 34,700.
2002
The concept of "Endangered Trails" emerges as a means of directing attention toward, and encouraging action for, those trails whose integrity are threatened by any number of pressures.
Pam Metzger is named as the new KTA Administrator and the KTA mailing address moves to Confluence, PA. Pennsylvania Hiking Week kicks off with Gov. Schweiker and DCNR Secretary Oliver participating in two of the more than 100 scheduled hikes.
Tom Thwaites retires as Trail Chair after many years, he will be succeeded by Joe Healey. The Link Trail Hiking Club is formed, and volunteer hours rise to their highest level ever - 42,677.
2003
KTA is awarded a $13,800 grant from DCNR for the purchase of new trail care equipment and a new trailer to haul it. Actual release of the money is delayed for nearly a year while waiting for the Feds to free it up.
An initiative to revamp KTA's mission and structure is presented to Council at the Fall meeting by members of the Endangered Hiking Trails (EHT) committee. This results in the establishment of a number of committees to study and implement the various aspects of the proposal
2004
The various committees dealing with the EHT proposal conclude their work and make their reports to Council. A new set of Bylaws is drawn up after many drafts and is approved by Council at a summer meeting and by the full membership at the Fall meeting. The new Bylaws provide for, among other things, a Board of Directors to manage the affairs of the organization. A committee begins the search for nominees to the Board.
The new AT bridge of Rte. 225 on Peters Mountain is dedicated on November 8th. The bridge eliminates a very dangerous road crossing.
The new Trail Care trailer makes its first appearance at the Fall meeting. Everyone is impressed!
First mention is made of a new problem (and acronym) for trail builders and maintainers: the Highway Occupancy Agreement (HOA). PennDOT decides that such an agreement, accompanied by cumbersome paperwork and documentation, well beyond the capabilities of the average volunteer trail club, needs to be undertaken for every instance where a hiking trail crosses a state highway. The implications for trails and clubs are frightening. With a lot of help from Rick Carlson at DCNR and the tireless efforts of Tom Kelliher, an agreement with PennDOT for a simplified and much more manageable procedure is devised.
The first "Prowl the Sproul" weekend is planned in cooperation with the Sproul State Forest and the Western Clinton Sportsmen's Association and is a great success. It's well on its way to becoming an annual event. A mail appeal nets more than $10,000 for Trail Care...oh, yes, and volunteer hours for 2004 came to 31,500.
2005
2005 is a quiet year as the Association prepares for the transition to the new board of directors form of management. Work progresses on the 13th edition of Pennsylvania Hiking Trails, a Guide to the Link Trail and a new edition of the AT Guide.
In June, KTA presents testimony before the Game & Fisheries Committee of the PA House of Representatives setting forth our opposition to legislation that would enable the Game Commission to permit Sunday hunting.
In October, the new Board of Directors and a new set of officers takes over. Their first priority is to initiate a strategic planning process that would allow them to set goals and priorities.
Council turns management responsibility for the Link Trail over to the Link Trail Hiking Club, thereby relieving the Association of responsibility for any specific trails and allowing it to be directed to protection of all of the Keystone State’s hiking opportunities.