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Trail Challenge Award Presented To Accomplished Hiker: Lois Ludwig
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A former Washington County resident who hiked all 18 major state forest trails is being recognized for the achievement by the Keystone Trails Association and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Lois A. Ludwig, formerly of McMurray and now a resident of Cross Lanes, W.V., will receive the 2011 State Forest Trails Award at the Keystone Trails Association’s annual fall meeting at Camp Lutherlyn, Prospect, Butler County on October 1.
Ludwig, 69, a retired secretary who began hiking Pennsylvania’s wealth of major trails in 1977, will receive a certificate, patch and ceremonial wooden walking stick.
“Lois Ludwig blazed a trail others want to follow, and her accomplishment merits a strong salute from fellow hikers and DCNR,” said DCNR Secretary Richard J. Allan. “Some forest trails may be too challenging for some hikers, but sections of others can serve as portals to healthy days afield and new adventures outdoors.”
DCNR and the Keystone Trails Association first unveiled the honor, earned by hiking all 780 miles of the 18 state forest hiking trails, nine years ago. There is no required sequence, direction, speed or length of time to complete the achievement.
“There is a dual reason why we teamed up with the trails association to present this coveted award,” said Allan. “By honoring these major hiking achievements, we also draw attention to the vast wealth of hiking opportunities offered in this state.”
The 18 trails generally are longer and more rugged than other hiking opportunities offered in state forests and parks. Most of the trails were formerly part of the local trail networks, logging roads, tram railways and carriage paths. Many sections are designated for hiking use only and each trail has its own map or guidebook.
No stranger to tough trails, Ludwig lists among her hiking accomplishments the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia; 65 of the highest mountains in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire; and the Central Andes in Peru.
“I have hiked in Montana and recently in Utah, but Pennsylvania still is one of my favorite places to hike,” Ludwig said. “I’ve been living in West Virginia 16 years now, but I keep coming back to Pennsylvania to hike the new trails. I enjoy them now as much as ever, and hope to continue hiking there for many more years.”
Most of the Pennsylvania trails completed by Ludwig are maintained by volunteer hiking groups, such as the KTA and affiliated clubs, with support from DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry. The 18 trails making up the state forest hiking trail system are:
-- Baker Trail, one mile in Kittanning State Forest, Clarion County;
-- Black Forest Trail, 42 miles in Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County;
-- Bucktail Path, 34 miles in Elk State Forest, Elk County;
-- Chuck Keiper Trail, 50 miles in Sproul State Forest, Clinton County;
-- Donut Hole Trail, 90 miles in Sproul State Forest, Clinton County;
-- Golden Eagle Trail, nine miles in Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County;
-- John P. Saylor Memorial Trail, 18 miles in Gallitzin State Forest, Somerset County;
-- Lost Turkey Trail, nine miles in Gallitzin State Forest, Somerset County;
-- Loyalsock Trail, 48 miles in Tiadaghton and Loyalsock State Forests, Lycoming and Sullivan counties;
-- Mid State Trail, 173 miles in Buchanan, Rothrock, Bald Eagle, Tiadaghton and Tioga state forests through central Pennsylvania;
-- Old Loggers Path, 27 miles in Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming County;
-- Pinchot Trail, 23 miles in Lackawanna State Forest, Luzerne County;
-- Quehanna Trail, 75 miles in Moshannon and Elk state forests in Cameron, Clearfield and Elk counties;
-- Rocky Knob Trail, four miles in Michaux State Forest, Cumberland and Adams counties;
-- Susquehannock Trail, 83 miles in Susquehannock State Forest, Potter County;
-- Thunder Swamp Trail, 26 miles in Delaware State Forest, Pike County;
-- Tuscarora Trail, 38 miles in Buchanan and Tuscarora state forests, Franklin, Fulton, Cumberland and Perry counties; and
-- West Rim Trail, 30 miles in Tioga State Forest, Tioga County.
For more information on hiking in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR's Hiking webpage and the Keystone Trails Association website.
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9/12/2011 |
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