Reposted with permission from Pennsylvania Wilds published 17 April 2026
All photos courtesy of Shira Blady
By Shira Blady, trail care volunteer and Keystone Trails Association board member
It was early November 2018. After a six-hour drive from Philadelphia, my husband and I finally found the historic Fire Tower Cabin. It was late and dark, and we had been driving slowly along the dirt road in Elk State Forest, straining our eyes so we didn’t miss the next turn. When we pulled up to the fire tower gate, not knowing anyone or what to expect, we were greeted by a jovial man. It was almost 11:00 p.m., and we quickly learned this man typically retires for the night hours earlier. He had stayed up to await our arrival. We entered the cabin, warm and cozy from the fire, not yet realizing that our lives would be changed from that moment on.
We had never done trail care before, hadn’t even heard of it. We recently fell in love with backpacking and were getting out on the trail as much as we could. We had been listening to a hiking podcast, and one day they talked about trail care and how most of the trails we all love and enjoy are maintained by volunteers.
Wanting to give back to the trails that brought us so much joy, we searched the internet and found Keystone Trails Association and its trail care program. After some emailing and further internet searching (“what is a Pulaski?”, what is “sidehill”?), we were equal parts excited and clueless, and we couldn’t wait.
The weekend was cold and rainy, but the people and the cabin were warm and welcoming. We met folks from all walks of life, and despite some obvious differences, we had a lot in common. The work was hard, but rewarding. The rain came and went throughout the weekend.
We dug sidehill and became very familiar with the Pulaski and its favorite sidekick, the hazel hoe. We trimmed encroaching bushes and re-routed water so it wouldn’t wash out the trail. All of us worked together, side-by-side, along the trail. The crew took breaks as needed, ate lunch, and enjoyed the beautiful views of the forest. When the work was finished, we all cleaned our tools and gloves in the freezing, yet beautiful creek. It was magic.
At the end of each workday, the trail crew regrouped in the cabin. Some folks made chili to share, others brought home-baked goods. Together in the cabin and warmed by the fire, we shared stories, talked about the many long trails that Pennsylvania has to offer, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company. I even learned a valuable lesson that I will never forget. A long-distance hiker nearing 80 years old and still camping in an ultralight tent taught me, at the age of 32, how to tie my shoes so that the laces don’t come undone.
That weekend on the Bucktail Path changed my life and my husband’s life forever. We were hooked from that moment on and spent every spring, summer, and fall since planning which trail care events we can attend. We’ve even started to lead a few events and recruited some buddies from Philly to join in the fun and fall in love with the work the way we have.
It’s hard to really say what we love so much about trail care and what keeps us coming back. A huge part of it is the camaraderie and the new, lifelong friendships we’ve made with folks from all over the state. You spend all day working with a crew. Some of you are running a brushcutter, others are painting blazes, but you’re all working together. Sitting around the campfire at the end of a workday, you can’t help but feel like your cup is full. You feel good because you spent the day outside working on the trails. Your body is tired, but your heart swells with pride, not only for the work you’ve accomplished, but for giving back to the hiking community and helping to make Pennsylvania trails welcoming for all.
When I hike, I feel wonderful. My body is moving, and I feel strong. My mind is clear, and all the stress of life falls away. I focus on the trees, the birds, the ferns, and the moss; the trickling streams and gushing waterfalls, the adorable chipmunks and red efts, and all the fascinating insects and arachnids.
Doing trail care has allowed me to connect with the trails more deeply. I notice and appreciate carefully crafted sidehill, water bars, rock steps, trimmed brush, sawed blowdowns, and all the sweat and volunteer hours that went into maintaining the trail corridor, so that I could enjoy the path and my time in nature.
Some of our best memories are from trail care weekends: Being engulfed by the mountain laurel during a super bloom, celebrating birthdays for our Philly friends still in their 20s, and for new friends, keeping strong at the age of 70.
Whether it’s early spring and the air is cool and crisp, or a warm summer day that ends with a dip in the stream, it’s always a good time, and I can’t wait for the next one.
About Keystone Trails Association:
Keystone Trails Association is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit dedicated to providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities across the Commonwealth. Through volunteer programs, advocacy, and community events, KTA works to ensure Pennsylvania’s trail network remains accessible and vibrant for generations of hikers to come.
