Susquehannock Trail System

08/01/2026

THE ANNUAL CAMPOREE IS COMING: by Bill Boyd

And now, as we enter a brand new month, we begin with our annual Camporee. This is the time when we all gather at Ole Bull State Park for some camping, our monthly meeting, and lots of visiting time. Often we get to see some of those folks that we haven't seen since the last Camporee. This outing runs from the 6th through the 9th, with Friday the 7th the main arrival day. This is a day to do what you wish - some will take part in some trail maintenance, some will do some hiking, and some will just chill and visit.
The first Camporee was held at the Lew Baker campground, west of Galeton, in 1971. So these get-togethers have been going on for some 55 years, minus some missed years. We have 10 free sites this year, and the dinner hour has been changed to 2:00 pm on Sat. the 8th. This gives those who attend a lot more daylight to drive home in.
Some attendees bring a bundle of wood with them, as campfires are a big hit each night. Time for story telling and maybe even roast some hot-dogs or marshmallows. So if you have a favorite tale to tell or song to sing, bring it along.
There are always some stretches of the trail down that way which are in need of mowing, and other maint., so we bring a couple of DR mowers and other tools. If you are so inclined this is the day to help out, and these work parties usually only last to around noon so it doesn't cut into your social time. And, weather-permitting, it should be a great time.

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07/27/2026

Bill Boyd

Next week many of our members will be heading to Ole Bull State Park for our 55th Camporee. This get together began in 1971 and took place at the Lew Baker Campground, west of Galeton, Pa. There was the usual visiting, hiking, cooking over an open fire, and camping. On one hike, they encountered a rattlesnake, which Lew dispatched with his trusty .22. Back at camp they skinned the snake, cooked it, and those who cared too had a sample. (Note) rattlers are a protected species now days)
Over the years Ole Bull has become the meeting place of choice. The park provides, without charge, our club with several campsites, some with electricity. And. also over time it became tradition to do some trail care since we were already nearer the southern areas of the STS. Maybe this was overhyped, as one member remarked - the Camporee has become a Workoree! Actually this is not the case at all - it just points out that those who wish to help with trail care while at Camporee, can do so of their own choosing.
Some members arrive on Thursday evening, but most show up on Friday morning for a "do as you wish day." Then, in closing, we have a dinner and meeting at the big pavilion. This year that will take place at 2:00 pm, rather than 5:00 pm This gives those making a long drive to the park, to return home with plenty of daylight. .

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07/19/2026

Written by Bill Boyd.

This is just my recollection of some of my early days with the STC/STS. I joined the STC around 2000, after a 38 year stint with NFG, and before that a 4 year Navy hitch. At that time Wil Ahn was President, with his wife Betty serving as Secretary.

Apparently trail-clearing tools had not been a big item, and the trail showed it. Seems it was hit and miss with the members own tools. At that time I had a small Homelite chainsaw which required usually around 40 pulls to get started. Then came surprise-surprise....at a club meeting, Tom Leete suggested that the club buy Bill Boyd a chainsaw, as he was tired of watching me trying to start mine! The club had scant money to begin with and Wil was quite hesitant about spending it. But lo and behold I ended up with a new Stihl 170. After that it seems like the 170's were coming out of the woodwork - everyone seemed to show up with one, and the trail showed it. Even today, this saw appears to be the go-to tool. And with increased membership. and some great donors, we have more resources to buy tools. And the trail has earned a very good reputation (thanks to the maintainers). As a side note: Please Don't tell me that you need a 24" bar/chain to cut a 24" tree - just work from both sides, Duh. I'm well aware that some like to carry a big saw, and that's their business.
I worked with Dick Hribar quite a bit in the beginning, and with machetes we did a number on more overhanging limbs than you can imagine. And our President Wil, was right out there shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of us on occasion. Some areas in the Hammersley were so overgrown that a hiker had to get off trail on the downhill side, find his way for a considerable distance sometimes and then get back onto the trail - all because of heavy briar growth. But the "Hamm" is a tough place for trail care, one needs to carry the tools uphill no matter which way you work it. We're still trying to figure some way to get the DR mower in there so that machine can do wonders for the trails.
Long story short - the STS is a well-regarded trail, so get out there and enjoy it. And thank the volunteers - they make it happen!

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06/27/2026

50 years ago; the Bi-centennial wagon traveled Rt6.

06/24/2026

Our trail club had a perfect weather day for kayaking Sinnemahoning State Park, Cameron County. Park staff led the way & narrated interesting features along the way.

06/20/2026

We met at Cherry Springs Vista June 20 for a hike amongst the Mountain Laurel. Thanks to Larry Holtzapple for leading us down the Susquehannock Trail & another connecting trail on a beautiful Saturday.

06/18/2026

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR HELP ON THE TRAIL, by Bill Boyd

Volunteerism - the use or involvement of volunteer labor, especially in community services.
Our communities certainly have a good helping of volunteerism, and we feel that the Susquehannock Trail Club ranks right up there with the best of them . After all, what could be more important than keeping people healthy? Of course the utmost in that endeavor would be the medical profession. Our endeavor begins long before that.
It is well established that walking/hiking is the best single thing a person can do to stay healthy. To do that we try to maintain the 84 mile STS (Susquehannock Trail System) so that people can enjoy walking through some of the forests of Potter County. This takes quite a number of volunteers - actually this is the main reason the Susquehannock Trail Club (STC)was formed. Around 20-30 members each year turn out to help with this chore.
The trail crews are all volunteers - we do have dues and donations to support some equipment purchases. Over the years we've managed to equip our crews with a modest amount of tools, including trimmers, brushcutters etc. , even a DR mower, a machine that runs a little over $3000, and worth every penny. With that we can clear (mow) more trails in a day than we used to in a week. (this is where those donations help tremendously).
All this is still volunteerism mind you - including our own vehicles and many private tools. None in the club receives any compensation of any kind from anyone.
So anytime you wish to get that warm, fuzzy feeling of helping out your fellow citizens, come along with us out on the trails - you'll even be helping yourself - how can you go wrong?
The club meeting for July 11 will be at Lyman Run, at noon, and you are invited.

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06/09/2026

Saturday June 20, 2026 Larry Holtzapple will lead a 4 mile Hike to view Laurel in Bloom

10:00AM, meet at Cherry Springs Vista on RT44. Hike pushes on rain or shine if Thunder and Lightning are about, we will wait for its passage so arrive prepared. The hike will cover the STS, Cherry Springs Shelter, Wingard Trail, and Hopper House Hollow Trail. This is not the same route Wayne used so The STS CARDIAC CLIMB section will not be included in this hike. Larry says you will see more Laurel on this hike than previous. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Don’t for get to spray for ticks!

Sign up with Larry by 6 pm Friday the 19th. .717-515-0597 [email protected]

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06/08/2026

As of Saturday afternoon ( June 6), another God's Country Marathon is in the books. The STC set up our water station at Mile 19, just west of Denton Hill on Rt. 6. We were set up and ready for runners by around 8 AM, thanks to our able crew, consisting of Henry, Helen, Janet, Doug, John, me, and our President Wanda.
On our table lay cups filled with water or Gatorade, awaiting the 200 or so runners who were signed up for this race. Henry and Janet, armed with binoculars and clipboard, stationed themselves so as to spot runners descending the hill. They then could identify most by the placard worn on the chest. In years past this was almost impossible as the placards were worn on the hip, and had to be at quite close-range to be identified.
The presumed winner and some frontrunners don't even slow down for a little refreshment, which is amazing after running about 19 miles. The theme for this Marathon is "Conquer The Hill", which means just that, several miles of elevation rise to reach the summit, and then the following descent. Back in the days when the Potato City Inn stood at the top of the hill I have seen some of those runners finish the marathon and then dance the night away at the hotel - WOW, talk about being in shape! I think some may be able to do that today, as the frontrunner was minutes ahead of the rest and still at the top of his game (after 19 miles).
So thanks to all the runners and our crew for another great day in God's Country (despite a couple of showers).

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06/06/2026

Happy Summer Trails!
Here are the STC announcements for June 2026...

Tomorrow - Saturday June 6: The STC will again sponsor the God's Country Marathon water station at Mile 19, located on Route 6 just west of the crest of Denton Hill. Join our little crew any time between 8:30 and 11 a.m. for the rah-rah, camaraderie, and fun time cheering on the runners for a few hours or whatever time you can spare. We all enjoy chatting, trail talk, and club-friends talk between runners. You'll leave happy!

Saturday June 13: Our picnic-meeting this month will be at noon at LYMAN RUN STATE PARK PAVILION. Note the change of location as we enjoy the outdoors between the woods and the lake for an almost-officially-summer meeting. As always, bring a dish to share and your place setting. Our new vice president, Janet Smith, with be in charge of this month's meeting, as I will be out of state, so come and support the new VP for discussion of what's happening on our trails.

Also Saturday June 13: Many of us knew and loved Art Huber, whose life will be celebrated by his wife Robin, sons, and other friends and family at his home -- 422 Dry Run Rd., Coudersport -- from 2-6 p.m. Food, beverages, and desserts will be available, along with great conversations and sharing of memories. Art was a stalwart trail maintainer, part of a team known a decade ago as "the Ready Five," who would hustle out to clear the trail at the least report of any blowdown. When we lost Art, I was reminded of the honoring words of an indigenous culture: "A Big Tree Has Fallen." Robin invites all STC members to come share memories with family and friends out in Hebron Township. It'll be a beautiful, green, tree-ful drive to another end of the county after the meeting at Lyman Run.

As the Great American State Fair and America 250 celebrations begin in the coming weeks, Curt Weinhold shares the attached photo of a wagon trail from 50 years ago when our country celebrated its bicentennial. It's interesting to see the original STS Northern Gateway Trail sign in the 1976 photo and compare it to the upgrade -- made by Joe Allis --in the second photo.

CHEERS TO THE RED, WHITE, and BLUE!
~ Wanda