Breaking trails and building community with the Keystone Trails Association

Hemlocks to Hellbenders

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This episode is sponsored by the Keystone Trails Association.

Most people never know how much volunteer work goes into their favorite hiking trail. Countless hours are spent breaking trails, cutting back brush, moving rocks, building steps, preventing water erosion and blazing trails.

Then, after the trail is built, even more hours are spent maintaining it. When wind knocks down trees, they need to be cleared out. When invasive species develop, they need to be removed. When the painted blazes fade, they need to be repainted. Hundreds of hours can go into a single trail.

Now imagine, being responsible for maintaining hundreds of miles of trails throughout Pennsylvania. That’s what the Keystone Trails Association does.

Since 1956, KTA has worked hard to provide, protect, preserve and promote recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. The volunteer-directed public service organization is made up of a federation of membership organizations and individuals.

2024 marks the 40th year of the organization’s Trail Care Program. This incredible program helps maintain Pennsylvania’s extensive system of hiking trails. They maintain trails like the Mid-State Trail, Chuck Keiper Trail, Allegheny Front Trail, Loyalsock Trail, Standing Stone Trail and a portion Appalachian Trail.

But KTA is much more than just a trail maintenance club, it also serves as the statewide voice of the hiking trail community and trail advocate in the state capital.

KTA also hosts a number of amazing events that include trail races, hiking weekends, first aid classes, backpacking trips, webinars, guided hikes and much more.
I’m most excited about their upcoming Keystone Hiking and Outdoor Weekend from Oct. 18 to 20th in the Susquehanna Riverlands. During this three-day event, participants will have the opportunity to go on hikes, take classes, tour the Susquehanna, learn from outdoor experts, backpack and so much more.

This exciting weekend gives participants the chance to explore, learn and connect in a stunning landscape.

I’ll be hosting a trivia and smores event at 8pm on Oct. 18th at the Susquehannock State Park Ballfield Pavilion. Come test out your knowledge of Pennsylvania’s parks, forests, trails and waterways or just grab a smore!

Be sure to visit KTA-hike.org to register and sign up for individual events.

On this episode, I speak with Brook Lenker and Haley Feaster. Brook is the executive director and Haley is the manager of communications and development at KTA.

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Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen
Music: Jon Sauer
Graphics: Matt Davis