Caring for the Trails 

• Our volunteer maintainers and trail crews have gone into overdrive, cleaning up over 1,100 miles of trails, after a particularly messy winter. Can we talk about blowdowns?! 
• PATC has hired six new Ridgerunners, who will spend the summer walking the AT from the base of SNP, up to Micheaux State Forest, assisting hikers and protecting the integrity of the trail. (They will also be piloting our new Junior Ridgerunner program to honor and celebrate volunteer trail advocates of all ages!) 
• We are certifying volunteer sawyers and crosscut sawyers for ongoing trail work and plans are in place to refurbish 2.5 miles of a heavily used section of the AT near Harpers Ferry. 
  

Sprucing up the Cabins & Shelters 

• We are preparing for the installation of a brand new HVAC system at Highacre in Harpers Ferry, WV. This Victorian house, built in 1887, is the crown jewel of the PATC cabin system! 
• Maintainers removed and replaced the firepit at the Whiskey Hollow Shelter. 
• Stoner Cabin, the 49th edition to our cabin system opened last month and plans are underway for a major rehab and expansion of the porch at (the recently renamed) Mel Merritt’s Mutton Top Cabin. Have you seen the extraordinary panoramic view? 

Preserving the Land 

• We are building a new and more comprehensive database to track the more than eighty parcels of natural land (spanning well over 3,000 acres) that are owned and maintained by PATC. 
• The Lands Committee is evaluating several new opportunities and proposals for land acquisitions, donations, and transfers that could result in new trails, more cabins, and more protections for existing trails, trailheads, and viewsheds. 

Strengthening the Community 

• After the tremendous success of 2024’s TrailFest, leaders are exploring new and even better events and activities to celebrate and cultivate the PATC member and volunteer community. 
• Oh!...and we are just beginning to plan for PATC’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2027! 

Like we said…there are so many exciting projects underway at PATC this Spring and it’s made possible with the support of members and donors like you. Please consider donating today. Whether it's a one-time gift or a recurring monthly contribution, your generosity directly impacts our ability to complete this list of initiatives and so much more to support our members and enhance our beloved trails.