Recently, a new volunteer trail group has been making strides in fixing up “orphaned trails” around the Allegheny National Forest.
Formerly, the Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country Trail, the Allegheny Trail Crew was created through the coordinated efforts of ecosystems staff officer Nadine A. Pollock and executive assistant Kathy Mohney, both of the Allegheny National Forest.
Charter member Karen Klos said the two brought together Allegheny National Forest Service’s Bradford Ranger District Tony Martoglio, deputy district ranger, Bradford Ranger District Julie Moyer, Keith W. Klos, Josh Schrader and herself to take steps toward establishing the new trail group.
Once the groundwork was laid, the Allegheny Trail Crew signed a volunteer agreement with the Bradford Ranger District. With more than a dozen volunteers already, the group is steadily increasing in membership and will work on trails in the McKean and Warren County areas, according to Klos.
“The goal of this new trail group is to maintain, repair, build, develop and promote trails and create a positive working relationship with all interested parties,” Klos said, noting the crew will work with public and private landowners, surface and subsurface to meet their objectives.
She said the Allegheny Trail Crew will take on a variety of trail projects, along with other building projects. They plan to work on trails that have been abandoned or have not been designated to other organizations — “orphan trails.”
The Allegheny Trail Crew will work on five trails initially — the Tionesta Scenic Area Trail, Tanbark Trail, Tracy Ridge System Trail, Hearts Content ski trails and Tidioute Riverside Rec Trek Trail.
On Saturday, the crew met at Heart’s Content Campgrounds Amphitheater to work on the Tanbark Trail. Hearts Content Campground is located 15 miles southwest of Warren.
The group held its first organizational meeting and worked on the Tionesta Scenic Area Trail for National Trails Day on June 7, when events were held in all 50 states, U.S. territories and Canada. The trail is a 1.5-mile loop located near Wetmore Township.
One of the routine scheduled trail projects will be “Weekend Work Bees,” which combines trail work and camping, making it more convenient for the long distance traveler.
The Allegheny Trail Crew “charter members” include Joyce Appel, Jae Bennett, Patty Brunner, Gene Cornelius, Heather Emahizer, Paul Henry, Jim Huston, Patti Huston, Karen Klos, Keith Klos, Josh Schrader and Jode Vickerman.
Since the group is just starting out, it does not have any funding, according to Klos. She said the hope is for a mentor to help file for 501(c)(3) non-profit status in the future. Additionally, the group is accepting donations or sponsorships in trail tools and equipment.
