The Keystone Hiker - June 2016 
The voice of PA's hikers
MEMBER CORNER
July 29-31, 2016

Hikers will be able to explore new and exciting parts of the Sproul State Forest that are only seen when hiking with a DCNR guide. The weekend begins with the Donut Hole Trail Relocation Ceremony on July 29th. The new trail miles are all over the Hike Schedule. Prowl the Sproul is a beloved hiking weekend for a reason. Join us in Renovo!  Read more and register HERE .

Did you know that KTA is a membership-based organization?
Since 1956, we have depended on contributions from hikers and hiking trail advocates like you to help us achieve our mission of providing, preserving, protecting, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. We receive no federal or state funding.

Check out who joined between July 2015 and January 2016! And look for January to July 2016 in the August edition of The Keystone Hiker. 


Enjoy, enjoy the great outdoors!  I'm Stacey Weidler, 46 years old, wife of Rich Weidler, mother of 3 daughters, Ariel, Alivia, and Abbey.  Although we started our outdoor adventures later in life, we are trying to make up for lost time. I try to tell everyone I come across about the KTA Trail Challenge (former Super Hike).  Keep reading...


Peaceful footpaths of the future depend on our valuing trails enough to sustain them with a financial commitment. The following individuals generously supported Keystone Trails Association in Fiscal Year 2015 (October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015) as a KTA Trail Patron. Follow this link for the names of 2015's Trail Patrons.
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Back to Health Chiropractic - Jason Hockenberry, Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician
522 South Mount Union
814-542-3127     jhockdc@gmailcom        fax: 814-542-3128
 YOUR HIKING ADVOCATE
 
"...Most of the Commonwealth's residents would like at least one day a week to stroll in our woodlands and forests without the fear of guns and hunters and the perceived safety issues they create."  Keep reading...
And at the  Poe Paddy Tunnel  Re-Opening Ceremony  - May 19

"...Keystone Trails Association, the Mid State Trail Association, DCNR [Department of Conservation and Natural Resources], the PA Game Commission, and the PA Fish and Boat Commission share many common goals. Our mission statements converge here on this Pennsylvania footpath. Our organizations protect the wilderness, waters, and habitats that surround these paths." Keep Reading...


"...Remember, KTA is entirely member supported. Contributions from you, the trustees of Pennsylvania's natural resources, make KTA's work possible."  Read more, or donate now.

Thank you!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Want to cheer on those amazing 25k/50k trail runners and hikers while helping KTA pull off its biggest annual event?   Keep reading...  or sign up NOW
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KTA's website is not mobile-responsive. We need help modernizing! Tap/Click HERE to read more or reply to this email 
(ktaadmin@verizon.net) to volunteer. Thank you!
HIKER NEWS
now through June 5

For several years, KTA has teamed up with the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to present PA Hiking Week, a celebration of Keystone State trails.  All KTA members and Club members are encouraged to submit hikes to the PA Hiking Week site.

Read more about PA Hiking Week, HERE. Check out the schedule, HERE.



After they attended their first Keystone Trails Association hiking weekend, I asked grandfather and granddaughter Roy and Dominique Walker to share some memories about the weekend, or why they enjoyed themselves. HERE is what they sent. 

by Wanda Shirk, President, KTA Board of Directors

Opening his Saturday night keynote speech at the Spring Hiking Weekend in Wellsboro, Tioga County, with a question, outdoor writer Mike Bleech asked the assembled KTA audience, "Why do we hike?"  Keep reading...

"I drove to R.B. Winter State Park and hiked through the Rapid Run Natural Area." Keep reading...

Stretching almost 100 yards through West Paddy Mountain, the Poe Paddy Tunnel is very popular with visitors to Poe Paddy State Park and the surrounding Bald Eagle State Forest. It was closed in Feb. 2013 because of deteriorating conditions. 

...Many are wondering what the status of the event will be, regarding the conflict at Holtwood Recreation Area. Previously, both hikes went through this privately-owned property. By moving the 25k start to Susquehannock State Park, we've successfully avoided this area.  Keep reading...
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Chilcote Auto Sales - Michael Chilcote owner/operator - Route 22, Mount Union, PA 17066 
814-542-7255
MAINTAINER'S CORNER

by Ed Lawrence, KTA Trail Care Chair
If you are interested in getting first hand experience in bridge building contact the KTA office to have your name added to the list and you will be notified when the project moves forward. Read about the project HERE .

Kudos to the 10 volunteers who came to Whipple Dam State Park, Huntingdon County, on May 7 for a Code Orange event. These folks got to enjoy the sunniest day of the week while working to improve the Whipple Lake Trail hiking loop.  Keep reading...

Despite the forecast for a rainy weekend 12 volunteers convened in the Group Camping area of Colton Point State Park on Saturday morning, May 21st, to join crews for the West Rim Trail Trail Care.  Picking up where work stopped last year, the participants continued to cut back the abundant laurel overgrowth that is constricting sections of the treadway on the southern half of the WRT.  Keep reading...
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Bello's Restaurant-Bar   -   116 N. Division St   -  Mount Union, PA 17066
CLUB CONNECTION

via The Batona Hiking Club
Help us perform this vital job of maintaining our 8-mile section from Plowville to Knauers. Our portion of the 140 mile trail is short but beautiful, and we need your help to maintain it properly. It's no harder work than you would normally do in a backyard garden. Your efforts will benefit countless hikers. No cost.  Keep reading...
 
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October 14-16: KTA Fall Hiking and Meeting Weekend, Emlenton, Clarion County 

October 21-23: Trail Care - Quehanna Trail 

November 4-6: Trail Care - Bucktail Path

Keystone Trails Association | 717.766.9690 | shaxby@kta-hike.org | kta-hike.org
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