Public Comment re: PA Hiking Trails

“I'm now on the board of directors of KTA (Keystone Trails Assoc) which is PA's state-wide hiking and backpacking trail organization.

I'm interested in public comment and ideas about how to improve PA's trails.

What are your thoughts?

Do you think there is a need for:

Shelters?

Improved parking and trailheads?

Improved road signage?

More trail systems?

More scenic routes?

Do you think PA trails far too often follow old grades and forests roads?

What natural features do you look forward to seeing while hiking?

What other amenities would you like to see on trails?

Your input and ideas are greatly appreciated.”

“Congratulations, I think bridge upgrades or additions where needed. I don't see where other trails need shelters except the AT.
last edited: 2/03/08 12:41:16 PM”

“all of the above.

IE... BFT is the best trail in PA, but it's trailheads aren't too great. Signage isn't great.”

“I say add signs at confusing trail junctions, and better signage at trailheads w/ roads. Using old grades and roads minimizes our impact by not cutting new trails and they make for easier hiking opportunities.
Also I say give Jim Stauch "The Inn Keeper" of Quarry Gap Shelter on the AT a big pat on the back for his meticulous efforts to maintain this shelter. It is probally the best shelter on the AT complete with benches, a landscaped yard, and a stack of dry split firewood when it's cold.”

“It is probally the best shelter on the AT

how many AT shelters have you been to?”

“Congrats on getting on the board. Jmitch for Prez in 2012!

Shelters?
They're fine for the AT but I don't think we need them on the trail systems.

Improved parking and trailheads?
What ENS said about the BFT.

More trail systems?
There are still plenty of Pa trails I haven't done. I'd say concentrate on maintaining what we have now.


Do you think PA trails far too often follow old grades and forests roads?
Not really, I agree with what Antelope said about that. 2 exceptions that I can think of though are the Link Trail (or whatever the new name is now?) and the dreaded road walk on the Loyalsock.

What natural features do you look forward to seeing while hiking?
Waterfalls and trees, lots of them.

What other amenities would you like to see on trails?
More pubs at road crossings. ;o)
Seriously, I would love to finally see that bridge over Saw Creek on the Thumderswamp.
last edited: 2/03/08 2:07:38 PM”

“I think shelters would be good on the longer linier trails like the Standing Stone and Midstate Trails, especially now that they are part of the GET and plus, camping opportunies are nil over large portions of them. The southern part of the MST is unbackpackable and the SST is difficult to backpack with the camping situations. I know that is a challenge though because of the SGL.

I've been thinking of a loop that would play with the Tuscarora trail near the Blue Mountain Tunnel, north of Mechanicsburg and west of Harrisburge and south of Lewisville. I think a link of the Lt to the OLP and MST would be cool.

The grades aren't so bad, sometimes there pretty awesome because they're generally flat, but sometimes they get old. Alot of PA trails follow roads to much, like Pennsy said about the LT.

I think the SGL should allow some camping on PA trails that go through the lands as long as they're contained.
last edited: 2/03/08 3:15:53 PM”

“pubs along the trail would be cool. The BFT is always good for that.”

“Congrats!

I would like to see more rocks and fewer switchbacks.”

“Hi, i think it would be great if we could pave it!”

“needs escalators”

“Thanks everyone.

Sometimes I hear on the boards how people liked one trail, didn't like another, etc. Just looking to see how they can be improved.”

“In all seriousness, I think more signs are needed, especially in no camping zones and on private property.

Some additional bridges at known high water points would be nice as well.”

“I don't need more shelters (since I don't stay in them unless it's pouring rain). More maintainers (a very hard one). More loop trails (PA is good that way with the BFT, QT, ST and CKT - but I prefer loops to long linear trail where you have to backtrack.) I don't mind woods roads, but don't like paved. Sometimes there's no choice though, and I do understand that.”

“LMNOP, ATT&T, ESPN and don't forget ROFLMAO”

“The responses are great.

I think shelters are a good idea at select locations on the longer linear and big loop trails. I usually stay in a tent, but a shelter is nice in inclement weather, or in winter.”

“I'm on the fence with the shelters.

I think shelters at select locations would be nice as long as the locations selected don't lend themselves to easy access.”

“I don't like shelters at all...its supposed to be wilderness camping folks!!!!”

“I have found some great trails within Game Lands. However, they are terribly marked and poorly maintained. If you can have any pull over this, please do so.”