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November 2025
Thanks to all who attended the recent Keystone Hiking and Outdoor Weekend (KHOW) in the PA Wilds. The days were filled with beautiful hikes and engaging programs, led by an impressive variety of partners and volunteers. Special kudos goes out to Kate Prisby, KTA's Manager of Events and Programs, who orchestrated this fun, fine-tuned gathering of outdoor enthusiasts. My appreciation extends to the rest of the KTA team who supported KHOW in numerous ways, and the wonderful sponsors who helped make it possible. The year is quickly winding down but two important convenings are coming up: the KTA Symposium at Kings Gap for trail and hiking groups on November 15, and the Pennsylvania Hiking and Volunteer Awards Celebration at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art on December 6. At the latter, please join us for a memorable evening of food, friendship, and commemoration of inspiring hiking feats and selfless acts of service. The Awards Celebration is presented by Pennsylvania American Water. Dr. Nathan Reigner, the commonwealth's Director of Outdoor Recreation, joins us as Master of Ceremonies. It's a stellar lineup. Did I mention the guided hike that afternoon led by center staff?
Despite the excitement these activities engender, the shortening days of fall are personally tinged with a bit of melancholy as I prepare to retire in February. The people and places in the KTA orbit are extraordinary. When I embark on my next journey, the organization won't stop believing in the transformative power of trails and hiking, it will write exhilarating new chapters in the annals of the state's recreation and conservation history. KTA will climb to new heights. This newsletter shares the announcement for the Executive Director position. If you know qualified candidates with boot-worthy passions, please encourage them to apply.
As the newsletter shows, there are always opportunities to explore, learn, and give back. Unfortunately, there is never a shortage of threats to the nature we love. Read how you can oppose egregious plans for a new shale gas access road in the Loyalsock State Forest. Together, our voices do make a difference. ~ Brook Lenker, Executive Director
President's Trailhead
Dear Hiker, thank you for your continued support in furthering our mission to provide, preserve, protect, and promote recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities across Pennsylvania.
I hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy the stunning fall colors on our state’s many trails—especially those who joined us for KTA’s Keystone Hiking & Outdoor Weekend in the PA Wilds. Perhaps you even spotted an elk! A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff for the many hours of planning that made the weekend and its programming a success.
👉 Read about the KTA board of Director nominations and the entire President's Trailhead here!
Don't Miss the Pennsylvania Hiking and Volunteer Awards Celebration
Don’t miss KTA’s Pennsylvania Hiking Awards and Volunteer Celebration on December 6 at the Ned Smith Center! Enjoy dinner, good company, and an inspiring ceremony recognizing hikers and volunteers who make a difference. Make it a full evening with a pre-event hike on the center’s trails.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor: Pennsylvania American Water!
Shop Holiday Gifts and Support Pennsylvania Hiking Trails
Shop Keystone Trails Association this holiday season and support Pennsylvania trails! Order by December 15th to receive in time for Christmas. Free shipping on orders over $50.
KTA Life Member Mike Barlup passed away recently. Mike became a Life Member on July 3, 2007 and still had the thank-you letter from Thyra Sperry thanking him for his membership. In 2025, Mike resumed a more active role in KTA attending group hikes and helping at community outreach tabling events to give visibility to KTA. Thank you Mike for your long-time involvement with KTA. We'll miss seeing you on the trails.
KTA is Hiring
With Brook Lenker retiring in February, Keystone Trails Association is searching for our next Executive Director, a passionate leader ready to help shape the future of hiking in Pennsylvania. KTA is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to promoting, protecting, and maintaining PA’s hiking trails. The Executive Director oversees daily operations, staff leadership, fundraising, partnerships, marketing, advocacy, and support for local trail clubs.
What we’re looking for: • Nonprofit leadership experience • Strong background in grant writing (required) • Skilled in fundraising, partnerships, and community outreach • Able to guide staff, programs, and strategic initiatives
A new 3.9-mile shale gas access road and staging area is proposed inside Loyalsock State Forest. This development could directly impact trails, wildlife habitat, forest recreation, and the quiet backcountry experiences we value. As Pennsylvania’s statewide hiking organization, KTA urges you to speak up. Public comments—and requests for a public hearing—are critical to ensuring hikers’ voices are heard before decisions are made.
According to Dave Hess' recent post, on his PA Environment Digest Blog, "The permit will authorize the construction, operation and maintenance of twenty (20) permanent stream crossings, nineteen (19) temporary stream crossings, eight (8) permanent wetland crossings and ten (10) temporary wetland crossings. The project will impact Wallis Run (Exceptional Value), Bottom Bar Hollow (Exceptional Value), Jacoby Hollow (Exceptional Value), and multiple wetlands at multiple locations."
How to Submit Your Comment & Request a Public Hearing: 👉 Email the DEP Oil & Gas Program: RA-EPEASTERNOGPRG@pa.gov (You may also call 570-321-6550)
November 2025 KTA Trail Care Updates
Trail Care #19 on the Chuck Keiper Trail
As of last Saturday, the official 2025 Trail Care schedule has been completed (But check out the Women’s Pop-up Event 11/16 – more info below)! To recap the last three events:
#18 Code Orange at Gifford Pinchot State Park 10/4: Ten volunteers contributed 60 hours of awesome trail work on the Ridge Trail. We used materials provided by the park and staged and transported by the Friends of Pinchot volunteers, to install French mattresses (aka trail “burritos”.) These structures create a durable surface in wet areas, while allowing water to pass underneath. Volunteers also trimmed encroaching vegetation along this 1.7-mile stretch of trail and reshaped the trail edges to crown the trail and to establish dips. Many thanks to Tom Bastian, Judy Bennett, Paul Brechbiel, Bob Coia, Bill Conroy, Emory Ehrenfeld, Betsy and Amelia Leppo, Jim Lugar, and Alan Noble. Many hands make light work! Thanks also to coordination efforts from park staff Paige Steffy and Jen Park, and to the Gifford Pinchot Friends Group for snacks provided.
#19 Chuck Keiper Trail weekend 2.0, 10/9-12: This year’s Trail Care Blitz on the Chuck Keiper Trail wrapped up with an awesome weekend event. We had 12 people contribute 148 hours this weekend as we began to work on one of the last remaining problem spots on this trail, Burns Run Wild Area. This section traverses steep hillsides at the bottom of a deep gorge. One crew descended the hollow with digging tools to begin repairs to the steep sidehill sections. Another crew walked through to clear blowdowns and clear brush and encroaching saplings. On the second day the digging continued and the sawyer crew also managed to completely re-open a short section that had been obscured and blocked by blowdowns in the very steep Owl Hollow. All together there were 4.7 miles of trail cleared of downed trees and vegetation, and more than 400 feet of sidehill rehabilitated. Camping at the Panther Run cabin was peaceful and relaxing as always and with fall colors as a backdrop, who could ask for a better weekend in the PA Wilds? Thanks to Tom Bastian, Chris Brady, Paul Brechbiel, Gavin Kline, Dave Mitchell, Tom O'Donnell, Jim Perry, Tony Robbins, Pat Roberts, Hailey Sands, and Nicholas Woody.
#20 KTA’s Lehigh Gap Section of the Appalachian Trail, 11/1: Once again, volunteers showed up in force to help out on KTA’s section of the A.T.! Our group of 13 split into four crews: One repainted a sign then helped with lopping, one crew headed up an access road on the west side of the Lehigh River and cleared about four miles of trail, and two groups worked north and south from another access road off Blue Mountain Drive to clear another four miles of ferns and grassy vegetation! Yet another crew set out to verify the crucial A.T. corridor boundary. Much appreciation to A.T. leader Jim for scouting work sites and procuring access to the service roads, Randy and Kathy for leading crews, and the following volunteers for a job well done: Tom Bastian, Fran Buehl, Kathy Corpora, Nick Filone, Jim Foster, Jess Garsed, Bailey and Addi Gemberling, Carin Hollis, KTA E.D. Brook Lenker, Randy Miller, Mike Murphy, and Audrey Zilz.
In closing, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Whether you came to one event, or nearly all of them, Al and Jenn and Pennsylvania’s amazing hiking trails thank you. I say it all the time (because it's true): there would be no Trail Care Program without our awesome volunteers! As a token of thanks and recognition, those who volunteered most often, at 5 or more events, or 3-4, will receive rewards (and possibly some new, fun awards) at KTA’s 1st Annual Hiking Awards Celebration, to be held Saturday, December 6th at 5pm, at the beautiful Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art near Millersburg in Dauphin County. There is a discount for awardees and youth.
And, stay tuned for even more fun in 2026! We’re planning a full calendar of events – returning to some trails, and hitting some new areas.
Photo from Trail Care #20 on the KTA section of the A.T.
Women’s Pop-Up Trail Care
Are you new to trail maintenance or want to meet like-minded people? Join Keystone Trails Association, Trish Turo (@Coach_Trish), Friends of Pine Grove Furnace, and Michaux Forestry personnel for a half day of giving back to trails. No experience necessary -- we offer "on the trail" training and provide all necessary tools and equipment. This event is designed to create a safe and inclusive space for female-identifying new trail volunteers.
Gather in Pine Grove Furnace State Park for introductions and safety and tool instructions. Then we'll walk or carpool to nearby trail work sites. Volunteers can choose from invasive pulling/trimming along Pine Grove Furnace State Park trails, or helping to construct an exciting new trail just outside the park boundary in Michaux State Forest. Afterward, we're planning to head to Big Hill Ciderworks near Gardners to celebrate our achievements!
KTA Webinar: Centred Outdoors November 18, 2025 - 6:00 pm|Virtual “Awe for All”: The How, The Why, and the Challenges of Creating Inclusive Outdoor Experiences. Join Olivia Stas of ClearWater Conservancy as she shares how the Centred Outdoors program strives to create outdoor programming that is inclusive and accessible for all. Registration is free, but required. Learn more and register here.
KTA ExtraGive Hike on the Conestoga Trail November 21, 2025 - 2:00 pm| Lancaster, PA Trek five miles of a historic Lancaster County trail! We'll pass cultural sites and follow the Conestoga River before a celebratory happy hour at Lancaster City's South County Brewing Co. ExtraGive is a day of giving to nonprofit organizations that support a vibrant, healthy Lancaster County. When you register, we ask that you make a donation of your choice. Thanks for your generosity! Learn more and register here!
KTA ExtraGive Happy Hour at South County Brewing November 21, 2025 - 5:00-7:30 pm| Lancaster, PA Come raise a pint, grab a bite, and make a donation to support the work of KTA during ExtraGive in Lancaster City on November 21. ExtraGive is a 24-hour online fundraising event to support nonprofits that have a presence in Lancaster County. Make a donation online on November 21 and/or come to happy hour. No RSVP required; come in your favorite hiking attire and join us at South County Brewing (26 West King Street, Lancaster, PA 17603).
Moonlight Hike at Laurel Hill State Park December 4, 2025 - 6:00 pm| Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset, PA Join Keystone Trails Association and Laurel Hill State Park for an evening hike under the glow of the full moon! This guided two-mile hike will lead participants to a scenic mountain vista, where the forest comes alive in the soft winter moonlight. The terrain is moderate—perfect for anyone seeking a refreshing after-work adventure and a peaceful connection with nature. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight or headlamp to help light your way along the trail. Participants will meet at the Visitor Center, where we’ll arrange a quick carpool to the trailhead due to limited parking. The moon will rise as the sun sets around 4:30 PM, so by the time we set out at 6:00 PM, the forest should be beautifully illuminated. Come experience the quiet magic of Laurel Hill State Park after dark—and see the trails in a whole new light! Learn more and register here!
KTA Webinar: Animal Tracks, Scat and Sign December 9, 2025 - 6:00 pm|Virtual Co-hosted by Dan Lynch, Public Relations Director, Pennsylvania Trappers Association, as well as a Retired Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Specialist. Dan will be featuring a PowerPoint on Pennsylvania's wild critters and what to look for when scouting for sign and tracks in various habitats. Dan has twenty-seven years of experience teaching folks about wildlife with the Game Commission and close to forty years as a Pennsylvania trapper reading sign for various furbearers across the Commonwealth.​ Registration is free, but required. Learn more and register here. KTA Webinar: Winter Bird Migration January 20, 2025 - 6:00 pm| Virtual Join Brant Portner, Environmental Education Specialist for the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and Pennsylvania Game Commission, for a webinar on Winter Bird Migration. Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is a unique State Game Lands with over 6,000 acres and many recreational opportunities. Late winter and early spring, it becomes a popular location to view the spring waterfowl migration, where over 100,000 snow geese have been seen on a single day! Learn about all Middle Creek has to offer! Registration is free, but required. Learn more and register here.
A major trail gap has been closed! The Pine Creek Rail Trail is now connected directly to Wellsboro, boosting local recreation access and strengthening Pennsylvania’s $19B outdoor economy. Read more via Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
It’s time to shine a spotlight on Pennsylvania’s waterways! The nomination period is officially open for the 2026 River of the Year, encouraging organizations across the Commonwealth to nominate a river they believe deserves the title and a year of celebration. Learn more through the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
Enjoy South Mountain Partnership's Podcast with Hemlocks to Hellbenders. Listen here.
Discover the great outdoors with comfort: Pennsylvania is introducing 61 new “glamping” sites across eight state parks, safari-style tents with real beds, climate control, and lighting. Reservations for Spring 2026 are now open! Learn more through Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
State Game Lands 211 in Dauphin County just grew by 509 acres, enhancing access and conserving critical habitat along the Kittatinny Ridge.
Public lands need our voice more than ever. More Than Just Parks, written by award-winning conservationists, the Pattiz Brothers, offers powerful insights into the growing threats to national parks and public lands, and the movement to protect them.
The North Country Trail Association has made its first-ever land purchase, eight acres along the Beaver River near Wampum, PA, protecting 900 feet of trail and securing permanent access to this scenic section of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Read more via WeConservePa.
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