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January 2025
"Happy New Year from Keystone Trails Association. We've assembled a 2025 calendar of activities packed with adventure, learning, and stewardship . . . and there's more to come. Keep an eye on the website and monthly newsletters for the latest information. We have a trailside feast of offerings for individuals and organizations sure to reward mind, muscles, and feet with extraordinary experiences. Let the expedition begin!" - Brook Lenker, Executive Director
President's Trailhead "Winter's cold, stillness, and sometimes white snow blankets our hiking trails. Consider joining a winter hike with a hiking group near you and check out the wonders of this season. It's during this period that the plants and animals that we enjoy on our spring hikes rest and prepare for it's arrival. Seeds and buds are dormant and will become the flowers of spring and summer and the fruits of summer and fall." - Wayne Gross, President, KTA Board of Directors
2025 Trail Care Season: A few remaining details are being hammered out, but the majority of the schedule is complete! View our trail maintenance schedule here. Find a trail maintenance event in your region, or travel across the state to explore a new trail/park! If you enjoy hiking, please consider giving back for a day or more with KTA. There are 20 total events scheduled. You may notice a focus on the Chuck Keiper Trail (CKT) in Sproul State Forest. KTA volunteers, PA Outdoor Corps crews, and Forestry staff have put in a lot of work over the past couple of years to bring this magnificent trail back to its former glory. There are more opportunities to be part of that transformation in 2025! Check out one (or all!) of the Code Orange one-day work events on the CKT and enjoy free camping at Panther Run cabin, the soon-to-be new KTA PA Wilds HQ.
2024 Trail Care Rewards: Shipment of 2024 Trail Care rewards has been delayed, but we hope to ship these out in the next two weeks. Sorry for the delay!
Trail Care Roadshow: We're firing up the tour bus and will be bringing Trail Care to a brewery near you in March - stay tuned for the 2025 Trail Care Roadshow! The current itinerary includes a stop at Olde Bedford Brewing on March 21, and we're lining up two other fun spots for March 14 and 28 (please note this change from the KTA print calendar if you have one). You'll have the opportunity, in person, to find out what KTA trail maintenance is all about, what to expect, and how easy it can be to get involved and make an impact. We’ll have brochures, handouts, and other first-hand information, as well as some giveaways. If you've volunteered before, we'd love to have you on hand to share some stories and why you love Trail Care!
Training Opportunity: Coming up in April is the resumption of the KTA Trail care Maintenance Institute. April 4-6th (please note this change from the KTA print calendar if you have one), we'll be offering training sessions on various trail maintenance topics, such as chainsaw safety, at Camp Nawakwa near Biglersville in Adams County. More information and registration coming soon here.
KTA's Appalachian Trail Section: There are currently a couple openings on the A.T. Trail Crew. We need a few section maintainers and two blaze masters. There are volunteer job descriptions and more information on the A.T. Section website here. Let us know if you're interested in helping out!
Trail Club Hours: Traditionally, KTA has collected volunteer statistics from our trail clubs. Most clubs request this information from their members and volunteers when they work on the trail: how many miles of trail, number of volunteers on the work trip, and round trip driving miles to the trailhead. We encourage you to collect this data if not already, and you can submit your 2024 data here. Thank you to those we've heard from so far (CCTC, ACW, STC).
Pennsylvania Hiking Awards
2025 is the year to achieve a Pennsylvania Hiking Award! ⭐ 🏆
🏆 APPALACHIAN TRAIL AWARD Applicant must have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania.
🏆 MERIT AWARD Applicant must have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania plus 200 or more miles on other Pennsylvania trails.
🏆 MERIT II AWARD Applicant must have hiked the Appalachian Trail between the Hudson River and the Potomac River plus 200 or more miles on other Pennsylvania trails in addition to those used for the Merit Award.
🏆 PENNSYLVANIA AWARD Applicant must have earned the Eastern and Western Pennsylvania Awards plus hiked an additional 500 miles or more on any trails in Pennsylvania.
🏆 EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AWARD Applicant must have hiked 200 miles or more on any Pennsylvania trails east of the Mid-State Trail, which may be counted for either the Eastern or Western Pennsylvania Award.
🏆 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AWARD Applicant must have hiked 200 miles or more on any Pennsylvania trails west of the Mid-State Trail, which may be counted for either the Eastern or Western Pennsylvania Award.
🏆 STATE FOREST TRAILS AWARD Applicant must have hiked all 792 miles of the 18 State Forest Hiking Trails in PA’s state forest system. Trails may be used to fulfill the requirements of other awards.
🏆 YOUNG HIKER AWARD Applicant must be 12 years old or younger and have hiked at least 25 miles on any trails in Pennsylvania in the current award season.
And ANNOUNCING...
🏆 PA TEEN HIKER AWARD Applicant must be 13-18 years old and have hiked at least 50 miles on any trails in Pennsylvania in the current award season.
Join us April 25-27, 2025 at Lake Raystown Resort and get outdoors. The weekend will showcase regional hikes, environmental stewardship activities, an outdoor-themed book discussion, biking, kayaking, guest speakers, dog-friendly activities, and more. Event and meal registration goes live in January.
KTA has secured discounted rooms through March 10. Book the room of your choice by contacting the lodge directly at: (814) 658-3500 extension 0. When you call, be sure to say you are booking through Keystone Trails Association block rate; this will ensure you get a discount. You can explore lodging options here. Please note, our discounted rates expired after March 10; bookings made after that date will be at a higher price.
KTA Mini Grants
The KTA Grants-to-Clubs program offers funding to KTA member organizations for projects beneficial to trails, the vitality of their organization, and the practice of hiking (e.g., giving people a positive trail experience).
KTA's mini-grant application period will open in February. Details will be shared in the February newsletter. Applicants must be organizations that are members of Keystone Trails Association. Not currently a member? Renew or join today!
Meet A PA HIKER
👋 Meet David, KTA supporter from Allegheny!
Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you? A: "It's where I grew up, playing in the woods, hunting, fishing! I moved to Arizona after highschool and lost touch with nature. I moved back home and realized we have one of the most beautiful states in the Union."
Support KTA's mission to provide, protect, preserve, and promote recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. Photos used were crowdsourced from KTA members. Shop our 2025 program calendar and merchandise on the KTA Online Store!
KTA Webinars
🌐 "100 Years of the Appalachian Trail" by Jim Foster - Listen Here
🎤 "Fastest Known Time" with FKT Athlete Bob Stewart - Listen Here
🖥️ The North Country Trail Association Presents "The NCT in Pennsylvania" - Tuesday, December 10th at 6pm - Listen Here
📺 "Blazing Ahead" KTA Trail Care Watercolor and Blazing webinar Tuesday, January 7th at 6pm - Register Here
🎥 "Safely Hiking with your Dog" co-hosted by HSUS and Dr. Resnick, Veterinarian.Tuesday, February 18th at 6pm - Register Here
KTA WEBINAR SERIES: "Blazing Ahead!!" January 7, 2025 (Tue) | 6:00 PM This unique session will feature an engaging watercolor painting instruction by PA Wilds artist Julie Mader, paired with valuable insights on trail care blazing by KTA Trail Care Manager Jenn Ulmer. Registration is free, but required. Register here!
KTA WEBINAR SERIES:Hiking with Your Dog February 18, 2025 (Tue) | 6:00 PM Safely Hiking with your Dog co-hosted by HSUS State Director, Kristen Tullo and Dr. Resnick, Veterinarian. Tuesday, February 18th at 6pm. Registration is free but required. Register here!
Virgin Islands National Park Hiking & Eco Adventure| KTA International Trip Fundraiser January 19-26, 2025| Registration is now closed
Land Restoration Workshop: Live Staking with Horn Farm Center March 2, 2025 (Sun) 10 am - 12 pm| York, Pa "Live stakes" are stem cuttings from trees and shrubs. When planted or "staked" into the ground, these cuttings are capable of growing into new plants. This form of propagation is an evolved trait for many woody plants in streamside and wetland areas, since unstable conditions are an ecological norm in these habitats. For folks who are tending, protecting, and restoring natural landscapes--whether at home or on the trail--live stakes offer a promising and accessible alternative for bolstering native vegetation and reversing degradation. As plants establish roots and grow, they mitigate soil erosion, keep pollutants from entering waterways, and provide a myriad of other benefits. In this hands-on program, you will explore a live stake "nursery" at the Horn Farm Center while learning about the science of live stakes, which plants and habitats are best suited for this restoration technique, and how to harvest, store, and plant stem cuttings. Registration opening soon.
"Redd Up Tom's Run," an International Women's Day Trail Care Event March 8, 2025 (Sat) | Pittsburgh, PA Join Keystone Trails Association, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, @torytalkstrails & @hikesandhopsblog, Pittsburgh-based outdoor content creators to celebrate International Women's Day. Volunteers will gather in Pittsburgh for morning programming and education followed by spring cleaning after a winter season at WPC's Tom's Run Nature Preserve. After party celebration at Grist Brewing in Pittsburgh! Register here!
Backpacking 101 March 29, 2025 (Sat) | Harrisburg, PA Join Keystone Trails Association & Dauphin County Parks and Recreation with a one-day seminar on backpacking basics. This training is geared towards avid day hikers who are interested in learning about backpacking from a group of experienced backpackers. Topics will include differences between day hiking and backpacking, clothing, footwear, gear (packs, sleeping bags, stoves, lights, stuff sacks, poles, tents), food preparation, campsite selection, potential dangers (ticks, waterborne diseases, bears, snakes), Leave No Trace and unique considerations for women with available resources (online and print). A light continental breakfast will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch to consume during the designated lunch break. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities. Registration opening soon.
Trail Maintenance Training Institute April 4-6, 2025 | Biglersville, PA Back by popular demand, KTA will be offering workshops on various trail maintenance topics, including chainsaw safety training. For new and returning volunteers, KTA Trail Care volunteers, hiking club members, etc., there will be something for everyone. Tools, personal protective equipment, meals, and lodging at Camp Nawakwa will be provided. Participation is limited to 12 people. Participants must bring their own boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants, water bottle, and, if available, shatterproof safety goggles and work gloves. The session begins Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. and concludes Sunday afternoon by 5:00 p.m. Registration opening soon.
Spring Hiking Weekend April 25-27, 2025 | Raystown Lake Registration will open in January, Please see the article above to book Spring Hiking Weekend accommodations at Raystown Lake. Registration opening later this month!
Wales: Mountains & Coast Hiking Adventure | KTA International Trip Fundraiser August 3-14, 2025 | Save the date! Experience Welsh culture with KTA on a hiking adventure through the rugged mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) and the eclectic island of Anglesey. Spend three days exploring Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in North Wales. Hike to the top of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales. Not feeling up for the hike? Take the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the top! The second half of the trip will be spent exploring the Anglesey Coastal Path. The path traverses a landscape that includes farmland, coastal heath, dunes, saltmarsh, cliffs, and woodland. The trip includes roundtrip airfare from Dulles (IAD), ten night's lodging, all ground transportation, guided daily hikes, breakfast each morning, and lunches on hiking days. Optional transport to and from Dulles is provided at an additional cost. Luggage transport is included so that participants will never need to carry more than a daypack while hiking. Accommodations are in modern hotels/inns. Registration opens February 1st, 2025 - for selection by lottery Price: $4,495 (double occupancy)
In celebration of dark skies, The Appalachian Mountain Club put together a guide to the must-see celestial events of 2025. View the AMC guide for the first part of 2025 at Appalachian Mountain Club.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of volunteers from the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club (the local Trail Club) the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) has been realigned through the Port Clinton rail yard at NOBO mile 1,220.0. This new alignment directs hikers along a different path through the yard and includes switchbacks to replace some unstable steps.
Voting is now open for the 2025 Pennsylvania River of the Year, which recognizes a waterway to raise awareness about its value and increase stewardship of these important water resources. Review the nominees, and vote for your choice for the 2025 River of the Year at Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s is celebrating 100 years! The ATC protects one of our country's most treasured places — the Appalachian National Scenic Trail!
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is now hiring for its 2025 nine-month young adult crews in: Altoona, Dubois, Harrisburg, Laurel Highlands, Meadville, Manayunk, Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport. Learn more about this exciting opportunity to learn real-world job skills while completing work on public lands at Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Listen to the Fastest Known Podcast with Heather Anderson as she dives into the standout Fastest Known Times of 2024. Listen here, Fastest Known Times.
The National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone for during six days in 2025. Fee free dates can be found on The National Park Service.
The Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation discussed new economic data and provided context about what it means for the Commonwealth in this webinar, recorded Wednesday, December 11. Watch here, ELEVATE.
Other PA Club & Org Events
1/13: Outdoor Inclusion Network Full Moon Hike. Join OIC in Pittsburgh at Riverview Park. Learn more at Outdoor Inclusion Network.
1/24: Mountainfilm on Tour is an evening of adventure-packed, culturally rich, and inspiring documentary short films curated from the annual Mountainfilm festival held each May in Telluride, Colorado. Mountainfilm, Gettysburg, PA
2/5: Exploring our Emancipation Landscape by Lancaster Conservancy. Lancaster Conservancy
2/23-2/27: Hike the Hill Washington DC is hosted by the American Hiking Society the the Partnership for the National Trails System. Hike the Hill is organized in an effort to bring together the trails community to advance shared trail priorities with congressional and federal agency leaders including: trails funding, public lands management and conservation, equitable access, and other top priority issues that sustain trails and improve access to public lands. Learn more at and register with the American Hiking Society
2/14-17: SkiDance is a volunteer-led activity sponsored by Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO). After almost 40 years, the organizers have decided to make this our last event, so if you’ve ever thought about joining us or haven’t been in a few years, make it a reunion and come help make it our best! Register here
2/26: Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Virtual Book Club. Learn more at PPFF
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