June 2026

Happy Early Summer!

Among the many tasks and experiences I’m enjoying in my new role, I’ve finally ventured into Trail Care (TC). My first event was the all-women TC at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in partnership with PA DCNR staff. Our task was to move rocks. Small rocks, but rocks nonetheless. You know when you’re hiking along a super steep switch-backy trail, and the rocks are under your feet acting like ball bearings, just hankering to sprain an ankle? We moved those. As part of this, I also helped build a waterbar, a feature that helps channel water off the trail. This involved lifting and placing much bigger rocks in a row across the trail (the lifting and placing done by my trail mentor, Judy, thank you). I helped dig the trench to hold the rocks. Three things became very clear: I really need to build some upper body strength; when encountering a waterbar, I will always appreciate the engineering, strength, and time it takes to build; and doing strenuous work in the woods with a group of women is seriously fun. 

My second event was our Trail Love: Kittatinny Edition, which took place at Dauphin County Parks and Recreation’s Detweiler House. Around 25 or so folks wandered in on Friday evening to pitch a tent or hang a hammock behind the house–a first for this property. We shared a meal and a lovely campfire complete with s’mores on the charming brick patio. On Saturday morning, we had a choice of four work teams. I chose the low-key trailhead work based on how I felt after the rock experience, and frankly, did very little this time because we had such an enthusiastic team. This effort was also supported by several partners–Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community, York Hiking Club, Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, PA DCNR, and Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape, as well as the entire KTA team–a masterful collaborative effort.  

I came away from these two experiences knowing these things: trail care can be difficult and immensely joyful. I will become stronger over time. I will meet interesting people who have fascinating stories. I can choose to take it easy if that’s what I need that day. I can combine trail care with birding by ear, gazing at wildflowers, absorbing the views, and inhaling the scent of ferns. I will be mentored with patience, kindness, and humor. I can focus on the task at hand and not be social if I choose. At the end of the day, I will be tired, dirty, sore, and extremely satisfied. Trail care isn’t just an activity; it’s a mindset. Or maybe it’s a way of life. Or maybe a pathway to peace. It’s whatever you want it to be. And I can’t wait for the next one. See you on the trail! ~ Holly Smith, KTA Executive Director

President's Trailhead

Congratulations to the club recipients of the KTA Grants to Clubs who are making a difference in preserving our trail experience. There are so many outstanding things happening in our local trail clubs throughout the state. These funds, which are part of the annual interest distribution from the KTA endowment fund, are making real "feet on the ground" impact on trails throughout Pennsylvania. ~ Wayne Gross, Preisdent, KTA Board of Directors

👉 Read the entire President's Trailhead here. 

Start Your 100-Mile Challenge

Keystone Trails Association's annual 100-Mile Challenge is back! Hikers of every ability are invited to tackle 100+ miles of Pennsylvania trails while raising funds to protect the trails we love. New this year, KTA has partnered with GoFundMe as our official fundraising platform, making it easier than ever to log miles, collect sponsorships, and share your journey. The goal is straightforward: raise at least $1 for every mile you complete. Cross the finish line and you'll be honored at KTA's Pennsylvania Hiking and Volunteer Award Celebration on November 21, 2026.

Need some inspiration? KTA's Executive Director Holly Smith has started her 100-Mile Challenge! You can track her progress and support her journey here!

👉 Ready to sign up? Register and learn more here! 

13 Member Organizations Awarded KTA Mini-Grants

The KTA Grants-to-Clubs program awarded mini-grants to 13 member organizations in its Spring 2026 round. Each recipient received up to $500 to support projects that benefit trails, strengthen their organizations, and promote hiking across the region. This round's recipients include:

🧡 Big Woods Running Club
🧡 Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club
🧡 Chester County Trail Club
🧡 ClearWater Conservancy
🧡 Discover Bedford County
🧡 Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community
🧡 Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy
🧡 Mason-Dixon Trail System
🧡 Mountain Watershed Association
🧡 STHS Hiking and Environmental Club
🧡 Susquehannock Trail Club
🧡 Warrior Trail Association of Greene County Pennsylvania
🧡 York Hiking Club

Funded projects range from trail maintenance equipment such as tools, brushcutters, and chainsaws, to youth hiking trips, bridge construction, hike-leading supplies, and organizational needs like insurance and web fees.

KTA Trail Care Recognized by Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

Keystone Trails Association is honored to receive the Group Improvement Award at the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation's 2026 Awards Dinner!

This award recognizes our Bald Eagle State Forest Bridge Flash Crew, a small but mighty team of volunteers who made a huge impact on the Mid State Trail and Devils Elbow Trail this past year.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to the volunteers who made it all happen: Tom Bastian, Woody Loudenslager, Tom Krebs, Donna Thompson, and Jenn Ulmer.

Under Jenn's leadership, this crew removed, rebuilt, and replaced 5 wooden hiking bridges, logging 158 volunteer hours and drove more than 1,800 miles combined to get the job done. Working in challenging conditions and hauling materials into remote sites, they helped keep vital trail infrastructure in Bald Eagle State Forest safe and accessible for every hiker who crosses those bridges.

Thank you to the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation and sponsor Stahl Shaeffer Engineering for this recognition.

Keystone Trails Association is on the Road

KTA Board Member and Volunteer Christian Alexandersen

Stop and see KTA at an event near you! Thank you to our fantastic tabling volunteers! 

🥾 Outdoor Adventure on Tap- Sunday, June 14 in Bellefonte

🥾 Experience Codorus Outdoors- Sunday, June 14 at Codorus State Park, York

🥾 Duncannon AT Festival- Saturday, June 20 in partnership with York Hiking Club in Duncannon

🥾 PA Firefly Festival- Friday, June 26- Saturday, June 27 in Tionesta 

🥾 PA Outdoor Conservation Collectibles Expo & Gear Swap- Saturday, June 27 at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

🥾 Riverfest Bicentennial Celebration- Saturday, June 27 in Lancaster

Featured KTA Store Item

Lean more about Pennsylvania's Wildest Footpath, the Mid State Trail. A comprehensive guide to hiking the Mid State Trail, the 13th edition features detailed historical context for the areas along the route and newly added elevation profiles to help hikers plan their journey. Shop here and support KTA!

KTA's Trail Care Crew helps maintain the Mid State Trail. Learn more about the Trail Care program here. 

June KTA Trail Care Updates

Trail Love 2026. Photo by Jenni Short

It has been an action-packed month for the Trail Care team! To start with the most recent event, we held our third Trail Love event June 5-6 in the  Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape (KRCL). This is a large CL, spanning from Maryland, sweeping east along the ridge, to New Jersey. Our event covered a small portion north of Harrisburg. Thirty-four eager volunteers gathered to improve the Appalachian Trail in three locations with projects like invasives mitigation, trailhead structure rehab, and brushing back vegetation. A fourth group installed a brand-spanking new trail route on the Detweiler House property, offering recreationists an opportunity to skip a habitually wet portion of trail. Kudos to our partners who led crews: Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community/York Hiking Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club. Much thanks also to Dauphin County Parks and Recreation for the exclusive experience of camping at Detweiler House.

Going back to May, there were Trail Care Events every weekend after Spring Hiking Weekend! May 7-8, Al hosted a small but mighty group of volunteers who worked to prep, paint, and spruce up our PA Wilds base of operations, Panther Run Cabin.

The next weekend, 19 volunteers contributed 232 hours of work on the Mid State Trail in the Woolrich Region. We built four new bridges to replace sagging planks. A large portion of new trail was also constructed on private land to help establish a new route due to landowner access changes. Mountain laurel and other vegetation were also trimmed back north and south of Ravensburg State Park. 

May 22-23 brought 8 volunteers to Panther Run Cabin (KTA’s Trail Care hub in the PA Wilds) to work on the Chuck Keiper Trail. Over two miles of trail was brushed, with Saturday’s crew working in the chilly rain. Nearly 9 miles was cleared of blowdowns as well. Wow!

The last weekend of May featured two Trail Care Events. Saturday May 30 was the first of three All Women's Trail Care Events! We greatly improved the treadway of the switchback trail at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park by removing hundreds of angular quartzite rocks, smoothing the way for future hikers. Judy and Holly also installed a water bar to improve drainage. We are mighty! Al’s event up in the PA Wilds found 12 volunteers gathered to work on the North and South Link Trails–connector trails that “link” the Susquehannock Trail to the Black Forest Trail, that then make a great backpacking loop. They were able to work on the entire South Link, and about 50% of the North Link--altogether about 15 miles of trail. Both routes are more open and hikable than they have been in a long time!

Trail Care #2 on the Mid State Trail, Woolrich Region

We'd love to see YOU at a Trail Care Event

Here's a link to the Trail Care homepage. Volunteers for the upcoming events are needed!

🗓 Sat. June 13: KTA's A.T. Section
🗓 June 11-14: Mid State Trail-Everett Region (challenging terrain, but rewarding work!
🗓 June 18-21: Mid State Trail-Tioga Region (lots of varied trail work to do, alongside the usual mowing)
🗓 June 25-28: Mid State Trail-State College Region (focusing on trail sections in Union and Centre County)
🗓 Sat. June 27: KTA's A.T. Section (constructing a new kiosk at Little Gap)
🗓 July 16-19: Tioga State Forest Trails (registration coming soon!)
🗓 July 24-26: ALL WOMEN'S Trail Care in Sproul State Forest (Your chance to stay at Panther Run Cabin and spruce up the Little Beaver Loop)

Before and After on the Chuck Keiper Trail. Photo by Al Germann

Unable to make it out to volunteer at  Trail Care event? You can still support our Care Crew by making a donation. Donate here to our Trail Care Fund. 

KTA Webinar: The Underground Railroad Along the Mason-Dixon Line
June 16, 2026 - 6:00 pm | Virtual
The Mason-Dixon line, once drawn to settle a border dispute, became one of the most charged dividing lines in American history, separating bondage from freedom and risk from refuge. Join Randy Harris, Research & Community Outreach specialist at The Stevens & Smith Center at LancasterHistory, as he traces the origins and reach of the Underground Railroad from urban Philadelphia to farming communities west of the city. Throughout South Central PA today, many public lands were part of this pathway to freedom. Registration is free, but required. Register here. 

America250 PA Cumberland County Appalachian Trail Hikes
Jun 27, 2026  | Cumberland County
Step foot on the most iconic trail in the United States, the Appalachian Trail. Join Jim Foster for this hike!  Jim hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2007, maintains sections of the trail, and chairs KTA's Appalachian Trail Section committee. Register here!

Wilderness First Aid Certification
July 27-28, 2026 | Stone Valley Recreation Area, Centre County
Learn general medical concepts and basic life support skills so you're ready for a mishap in the outdoors. This training is targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures. This training can be paired with Leave No Trace on July 29-30.  Learn more and register here. 

Leave No Trace Level One Instructor Certification 
July 29-30, 2026 | Stone Valley Recreation Area, Centre County
Delve into low-impact skills for outdoor recreation and explore your outdoor ethics. This training is geared toward hiking enthusiasts, trail maintainers, outdoor educators, and those working to preserve public and private lands for recreational use. This training can be paired with Wilderness First Aid on July 27-28. Learn more and register here. 

Trekking on the International Appalachian Trail Ulster-Ireland- International Fundraiser
August 9-20, 2026  | International Appalachian Trail​
The lottery has closed for this event.

Keystone Trails Association Pinchot Trail Slackpack
October 2-4, 2026  | Pinchot State Forest
Save the date for a primitive slackpack!

Keystone Hiking & Outdoor Weekend 2026
October 23-25, 2026  | Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape 
Join KTA in the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape for a weekend of guided hikes, water activities, ecological restoration events, biking, and more! Registration opens summer 2026!  

Spring Hiking Weekend 2027
April 29 - May 2, 2027  | Erie
Hike the shores of Lake Erie, get on the water, tour a vineyard, bike Presque Isle, climb a lighthouse, attend a birding program, or take a guided ecology walk!  All of these are in the works for 2027. On April 29, and the morning of April 30, there will be hands-on stewardship opportunities for those looking to arrive early. The traditional Spring Hiking Weekend will take place mid-day April 30 through May 2. Activity and meal plan registration will open late 2026/early 2027. Lodging is at Erie Bayfront Hotel, right on the water.  KTA has secured discounted rooms; book now through April 2, 2027, to get the reduced rate. Book your room here.  

• Did you submit a petition for Mountain Watershed Association on behalf of Blue Hole Creek? There was unfortunately a glitch! Please sign back into your account and resubmit your petition here. 
• New Shelter Completed Along Standing Stone Trail! The Standing Stone Trail Club recently completed its third trail shelter, located in the borough of Three Springs. Eagle Scout Nathaniel Heller of Huntingdon's Troop 28 built the shelter in May 2026, creating a legal campsite where hikers can overnight, resupply, and enjoy a meal in town — with views of the East Broad Top Railroad potentially on the horizon. The project was a collaborative effort between the Standing Stone Trail Club, Three Springs Borough Council, and Scouting America, with additional thanks to the Susquehannock Trail Club for their guidance and support. Learn more about the Standing Stone Trail Club here. 
• The Lancaster Conservancy is developing a master plan for its eight preserves along the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County, covering habitat protection, ecological restoration, and sustainable public access including trail connections and recreation. KTA members will have a particular interest, as the upcoming Fall Hike on the Water passes through much of the area. Hikers and trail users are encouraged to share their input before the September 1 deadline at the Lancaster River Hills Conservation Area Master Plan webpage here. 
• Alpine Club of Williamsport Welcomes New President! The Alpine Club of Williamsport has elected Reuben Stugart as its new President. Stugart expressed deep honor in taking on the role and looks forward to connecting with members on the trail and at club meetings. Learn more about the Alpine Club of Williamsport here. 
• The Lancaster Conservancy has broken ground on renovations to Climbers Run Nature Center, its hub for conservation education and volunteerism. Updates include a new universal access trail, restored wetlands, expanded outdoor learning spaces, and improvements to the Russo Family Foundation Barn and Education Center. The preserve is closed during construction and is expected to reopen in late 2027. Learn more here.
• Discover Clarion County recently published a personal account from Bud Tristano, a hiker who completed the entire North Country Trail, reflecting on his journey through the region. Read the full piece here.  

Other PA Club & Organization Events

• Chainsaw Training for Volunteers — Fri, June 19, 2026 | New Alan Seeger Picnic Area. Rothrock State Forest will host a chainsaw training class for volunteers on June 19, 2026 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at the New Alan Seeger Picnic Area. The course will cover chainsaw safety, proper PPE, limbing, bucking, and brushing. Registration is required through the volunteer website — space is limited to 15 participants and registration closes June 18. Participants may bring their own saws; chaps and hard hats will be available. Required gear includes a hard hat, eye protection, chaps, and leather boots. The makeup date, if needed, is June 26 at 8:00 am.
  For questions, contact the recreation forester at (582) 322-6709 or samclemens@pa.gov. Register and learn more here. 

• Grandma Gatewood's Walk with Anne Van Curen — Sat, July 11, 2026 | Appalachian Trail Museum, Gardners, PA. The Appalachian Trail Museum will host actress Anne Van Curen on Saturday, July 11 at 2pm. Van Curen transforms into Emma "Grandma" Gatewood to bring to life the story of the first woman to solo hike the Appalachian Trail in 1955. The program features a 35-minute monologue followed by a question and answer session held outside near Furnace Stack parking. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. The museum is located at 1120 Pine Grove Rd, Gardners, PA 17324.
• Appalachian Trail Museum Arts & Culture Festival — Sat, June 20, 2026 | Furnace Stack Pavilion. The Appalachian Trail Museum will host its Arts & Culture Festival on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Furnace Stack Pavilion, a short walk south of the museum. The festival celebrates the AT community's talents and creativity, bringing together authors, historians, storytellers, journalists, musicians, and artists. The event will also feature a barbecue lunch, with parking available next to the pavilion. The museum will be open from 9am to 4pm. Admission is free, though donations for lunch are welcome. More information to come. 
• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Summer Nature Camps — June 15-Aug 7, 2026 | Kempton, PA. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary announces 2026 Summer Nature Camps—eight weeks of hands-on outdoor learning for youth in grades 1–5, running June 15 through Aug 7. Learn more here. 
• Duncannon A.T. Festival — Sat, June 20, 2026 | Duncannon, PA. The Duncannon A.T. Community (DATC) will host its annual A.T. Festival on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm in Duncannon Square on Market St. between Cumberland and Ann St. The festival features food and craft vendors, live music on two stages, educational booths, and children's activities. For more information or to volunteer, contact datc@duncannonatc.org.
• Party at the Lake: Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail 50th Anniversary — Sat, July 18, 2026 | Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA. Seven Springs Mountain Resort will host Party at the Lake on Saturday, July 18 from 3 to 9pm, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. This free community event, sponsored by Somerset Trust, features guided hikes led by DCNR officials, exhibits from outdoor recreation organizations, food and beverages, and prize giveaways. Pittsburgh classic rock band Good Karma takes the stage at 7pm. Guests are encouraged to dress in 1970s attire. Registration and information on discounted lodging and adventure passes can be found at GoLaurelHighlands.com
• PA Wilds Dinner & Awards — Thurs, July 30, 2026 | DuBois Country Club, Clearfield County. The PA Wilds Dinner & Awards will be held on Thursday, July 30 at the DuBois Country Club in Clearfield County. The premier networking event for the region, the evening features recognition of Champions of the PA Wilds award winners and an update on the regional effort. An early bird rate is available through Monday, June 15. More information and registration can be found at pawildscenter.org/program
• ALDHA 44th Annual Gathering — October 9-12, 2026 | Gettysburg, PA
  The Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association will host its 44th Annual Gathering over Columbus Day Weekend at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA—just a half hour from the Appalachian Trail. The four-day event welcomes section hikers, thru-hikers, and all lovers of trails to share adventures, discover new routes, and connect with fellow wanderers. Numerous workshops covering lightweight gear, food, and first aid are designed to help those planning to thru-hike the A.T. in 2027 prepare for the trail ahead. Learn more here. 
• 21st Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum — November 13-15, 2026 | Shepherdstown, WV. The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay will host the 21st Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum at the National Conservation Training Center. Save the date and learn more here.