Nady Hollow Trail Maintenance
By: Lloyd Fink Jr.
In the last few months, The Nady Hollow Trail of Sizerville State Park has been getting lots of attention.
Sizerville State Park is only a hop skip and a jump from several close knit towns of North Central Pennsylvania. (Emporium, Coudersport, Port Allegany, Austin, and Smethport) The Park is approximately 400 acres and is pristine Pennsylvania wilderness. It was opened in 1924 with the first facilities being erected in 1927. With rich history of being created by the Civilian Conservation Corp during the height of the great depression, Sizerville is an amazing Gem.
The morning of August 16th I, Steve Manginell Outreach Coordinator @ The Lumber Heritage Region of PA, Inc., and several Sizerville employees met to discuss the plan of attack on the Nady Hollow Trail mess. Trail maintenance of the Sizerville Trails has been few and far between the last few years. Luckily the Park hired Emily Embick, Environmental Interpretive Tech. to spear head the maintaining of the park trails, and so far she has done an amazing job of getting folks together in maintaining a modest trail system.
The Nady Hollow Trail every year gets overgrown with annoying plant life, fallen trees, trail erosion, and at times can disorient hikers who may not see the marked “Orange Blazes” on the trees. Our goal was to eliminate any trail obstruction that would impede a leisurely hike.
The Park employees drove to the top with all of the equipment (Chain Saws, Weed Eaters) while Steve and I decided to hike up the hollow side of the loop. Although a bit longer in length the hollow side of Nady Hollow Trail is a bit more forgiving an ascent. The opposite side of the loop is an immediate ascent of over 700 feet.
Steve and I headed out at a good pace from the office past pavilion #5, across a neat little foot bridge, and to the start of the hollow. The weather was a bit humid, but in the trees it was bearable with a few cool breezes. Steve and I discussed the importance of keeping our trail systems in North Central Pa up to snuff for the enjoyment and good health of everyone. With a few breaks here and there Steve and I made our way to the summit after climbing over several downed trees and walking through a bit of a mud bog right before the last climb leading to the top.
We were surprised that we had made it to the top before Emily and the rest of the crew, but we waited patiently and explored the small park road leading to the other side of the loop trail. We heard some talking back from where we came and hurried to join the rest of the folks, 5 of us all together to begin the arduous task of clearing the down trees and weed eating the many briar bushes and stingy nettle that riddle the trail.
As we worked and laughed, the hollow side of the trail took shape. No more down trees in the way and a nice clear unencumbered hike for hiker friendly folks to go and check out. More work needs to be done on the steep section of the Trail and it will be done… in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. But for now, we could use the communities help and get out on The Nady Hollow Trail to help us turn it into one of the best trails around!
It just so happens after our big day Steve and I made our way to Emporium’s Aroma Café on Main Street to replenish the several hundred calorie burn of the day. After this very satisfying day, Steve gave me and my business, “Hiking to Beer”, documents to create a partnership with The Lumber Heritage Region of PA, INC (LHR). I was very excited to accept and look forward to working with this great organization more in the future.
www.hikingtobeer.com
