Rothrock Trail Alliance Celebrates Grand Opening of Musser Gap Phase 1 Trails

On July 10th, the Rothrock Trail Alliance (RTA) welcomed community members, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, PA DCNR officials, and project supporters to announce the grand opening of the first phase of our ambitious trail system expansion in Rothrock State Forest. This event marked a significant milestone for trail users, representing years of vision, dedication, and unwavering support.

Public officials, RTA members, and the community gather for the Phase 1 ribbon cutting

A Vision Seven Years in the Making

During the grand opening event, RTA president Jay Ziegler spoke about the seven-year journey the organization has undergone to make its vision a reality. In 2018, RTA, working in conjunction with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Department of Natural Resources (DCNR), set out to enhance the public's recreational experience and develop a sustainable trail system for future generations within Rothrock State Forest. Officially joining forces with Clearwater Conservancy in 2023 only further strengthened RTA, as Clearwater has provided crucial support and expertise to see through not only the first phase of this project but also future projects.

Ziegler also remarked on the incredible perseverance required to make the new trails a reality. He recalled a time-sensitive issue that threatened to delay Phase One permanently. After a brief discussion with DCNR Secretary Dunn, the issue was quickly resolved, and the work was able to proceed. The commitment of DCNR to this project and RTA's vision have been crucial to this unprecedented project, as it is the first time a natural surface trail system of this scale has been constructed in a Pennsylvania state forest. RTA is proud to be at the forefront of this initiative in Pennsylvania, with other state forests observing our progress to implement similar projects.

Community Support Fuels Our Progress

While the community took time to celebrate the opening of the new trails, we're reminded that there is still more work to be done. While Phase One of the project is nearing completion, Phase Two, which commenced this past June, is planned for completion by year's end. Upon completion, these two phases will provide 18 miles of new trails for exploration. Phase Three is awaiting grant funding with an anticipated start in 2026, and discussions for Phase Four, scheduled for 2027, are already underway.

Each phase of this project relies on public funding; approximately $100,000 is needed for each phase to create the match funds necessary for RTA to even apply for funding grants. Every contribution, big or small, has been vital in allowing RTA to succeed in securing grants and completing each phase. The ongoing dedication from community members, businesses, and organizations is crucial to achieving full completion of this project and preserving our state forest and recreational needs for future generations.