Ken Springer
Contributing Writer
Walking is conducive to thinking, and thinking often leads to great ideas. Likewise, walking, particularly in the forest, may engender an absence of thought, transporting us to a state of just being. Such a state can heighten awareness and serenity. But walking a long path may change one’s life altogether.
West Virginia is known for its many splendid trails and trail systems. Here in Pocahontas County, there is no shortage of trails; we enjoy the many trails at Watoga, the surrounding state and national forests, and the Greenbrier River Trail. We are also blessed to have the longest trail in West Virginia, the Allegheny Trail, passing through our region. This footpath, with its awe-inspiring views and tranquil landscapes, is approximately 330 miles long, and offers a journey of unparalleled beauty. Some of our residents have hiked portions of the trail here in Pocahontas County, or perhaps as a “thru” hiker. Most of us are at least aware of the Allegheny Trail. But did you know the surprising story of how the trail was conceived?
The Allegheny Trail wasn’t just a project conceived by a few bureaucrats sitting around a conference table; it was a genuine grassroots effort, a testament to the community spirit that makes our region so special.
A bit later in the story, we will discuss in some detail the big extravaganza celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Allegheny Trail, but first, we’ll examine its interesting history.
A discussion of the Allegheny Trail, and many West Virginia trails, for that matter, would be complete only by mentioning Doug Wood. Doug was an early member of today’s West Virginia Scenic Trails Association.
Doug and many other volunteers provided the labor and vision for a trail that would traverse our beautiful mountains and valleys from the Virginia border in the south to that of Pennsylvania in the north. As such, he remembers the early days of the trail in his essay, “A Path in the Woods.”
Here’s how Doug recalls the flash of inspiration for the Allegheny Trail and the nascent years of the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association (WVSTA) and its forerunner, the West Virginia Scenic Trails Conference.
“In 1958, members of Explorer Scout Post 4, sponsored by Kanawha Presby- terian Church in Charleston, West Virginia, were backpacking on the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Post Advisor, Doug McGrew, was an inspiring leader of young men. One Explorer Scout, in particular, remembers the positive influence McGrew had on his charges.
‘Nicolas B. Lozano, who was 15 years old at the time and now a retired insurance executive, refers to his former Post Advisor as the “Grandfather of the Allegheny Trail.” According to Lozano, McGrew’s leadership inspired his Scouts and led them into life-changing outdoor experiences, such as that backpacking trip in 1958.’
Nick remembers thinking upon his return home to West Virginia after that trip, “Why should we West Virginia scouts have to travel to other states to experience the adventure of long-distance backpacking? We have the Allegheny Mountains with all of their natural splendor and wildness to rival the Great Smoky Mountains. Why can’t we have a trail like the Appalachian Trail running through the mountains of the Mountain State? Doug McGrew is the Grandfather of the Allegheny Trail because Nick Lozano is one of its founding fathers.”
And, as they say, the rest is history.
Now, decades after Lozano’s brainchild and tens of thousands of hours of volunteer work, the WVSTA announces a momentous event to honor the 50th anniversary of the Allegheny Trail. This is a celebration you will want to attend.
The trail has four sections, offering some of the Appalachian Mountains’ most breathtaking wild and rural scenery. If you hike the southern region of the trail, you will encounter the famous Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory atop Peters Mountain.
A trail is a good thing, but one with amenities, maps, and infrastructure is a great trail. The Allegheny Trail (ALT) currently offers its hikers the following, all built with volunteer labor: 29 trailheads signed and adequately developed, 21 unsigned and inadequately developed, six footbridges spanning 20 feet or more over streams, 12 shorter bridges, 10 backpacker overnight shelters, and 125 miles of the trail on public roads.
The West Virginia Scenic Trails Association (WVSTA) serves as a steward of the ALT and is a non-profit organization comprised entirely of volunteers. The increasing trend in volunteer hours, from 1,749 hours in 2020 – 2021 to 2,115 hours in 2021 – 2022 and a projected 4,000 hours in 2022 – 2023, is a testament to the growing support for the Allegheny Trail and the dedication of its volunteers.
I recently talked with Nicolle Flood-Sawczyszyn, WVSTA’s knowledgeable and enthusiastic outreach coordinator, about the prodigious anniversary event scheduled for Friday through Sunday, September 6, 7 and 8, on the grounds of the Green Bank Observatory.
I asked Nicolle what attendees could expect at the celebration. She explained that the three-day schedule is packed with outdoor workshops, art, drama, live music, food and presentations related to the Allegheny Trail.
There is free on-site camping. However, it is tent-only, with no hammocks or RVs. Your cell phone will be dead weight in the quiet zone surrounding the Green Bank Observatory. I assure you that not having cell service will cause no harm for a single weekend; you may even enjoy the break.
Whoever developed the schedule of activities for the ALT’s celebration spared no effort in attracting all first-rate presenters. It may be hard to choose, considering the topics are all interesting and helpful. I counted no less than 18 workshops, tours, walks and other trail-related activities, including:
• Watercolor Painting Class – Heidi Nisbett
• First Aid and Best Practices for Hiking with Dogs – Nancy East
• Art inspired by a Thru-walk of the Allegheny Trail – Heidi Nisbett
• Trail-building Tools and Techniques – Jeff Byard
• Gear Shakedown – choosing quality gear and lightening your pack load – Justin Mullins
• Hanging Rock Raptor Migration – Brian Hirt and Rodney Davis
• Allegheny Trail History – Doug Wood
• Eating Well in the Woods – Dianne Anestis
• Fort Warwick and Colonial Hiking – Bob Sheets
• Nature as a Revitalizer – Becca Lusk Childress
• Laurel Fork Falconer – Collin Waybright
• Tagging Butterflies – Pollinators – Amy Settle
• Fun Run presented by WV Mountain Trail Runners – Adam Casseday
• Mountain Biking – Charles Evans
• Skiing on the ALT – Chip Chase
• Mushroom Walk – Drew Palmer and Carla Beaudet
• Tick Education – Jane Birdsong
• Forest Therapy Walk – Jessica Bryzek
In addition to the above events, you can take a 45-minute tour of the Green Bank Observatory for a modest $10.
Each day of the celebration, from 9 a.m. to noon, you can participate in the gear swap to help fund the WVSTA. Just bring any functional, clean, and good-condition hiking or backpacking gear.
Proceeds will go directly to the WVSTA for ALT improvements, various trail events, trail equipment purchases, volunteer safety equipment and meals. Borrowing from NPR’s “donate your old car” campaign, that fine old benching tool in the shed can help WVSTA maintain the Allegheny Trail.
Finally, back to Nicolle Flood-Sawczyszyn, whom I talked to at length about the celebration and the goals of the WVSTA’s.
Nicolle’s position as Outreach Coordinator is perfectly matched to her infectious enthusiasm and knowledge about the ALT, its storied past, and its bright future. I asked Nicolle about activities planned for the immediate future of the Allegheny Trail.
She said that WVSTA will, of course, continue maintaining the trail. In addition, plans are underway to enhance the trail’s infrastructure, move more of it from road surfaces, and improve the economies of local communities along or near the trail.
After our conversation, I am confident these goals will be met, and you can help maintain and improve West Virginia’s longest trail by becoming a volunteer.
For more information about the celebration, visit: www.ticketsignup.io/Ticket vent/AlleghenyTrail50thCelebration
