Our Stories

2024 Volunteer Awards: Boots on the Trail

  The Boots on the Trail award is presented to volunteers who regularly lead hikes that are well-advertised and promoted to the public as a way of building NCTA membership and support for the trail. Recipients typically lead more than one hike per year, make them interesting by sharing their knowledge or being helpful to […]

2025 NCTA Staff Introductions

Kenny Wawsczyk, Regional Trail Coordinator Kenny’s venture into “the trail world” began in 2007 when he packed up his backpack and went to work through an AmeriCorps program, spending the majority of the five months in the Emigrant Wilderness (Stanislaus National Forest, California). While it was the most mentally and physically difficult experience of his […]

Waterbar Workshop in Western Pennsylvania

Waterbar Workshop in Western Pennsylvania Water is ubiquitous across the North Country Trail. These eight trail states host thousands of rivers, creeks, ponds, and lakes. Hilly, stream-filled Western Pennsylvania is no exception. Thus, water management is a critical component of trail maintenance. Heavy rains carve up the soil, exposing roots, rocks, and other hazards. Flooding […]