“The trail leads not merely north and south, but up to the body, mind and soul of man.” –Harold Allen
Exhibit Details
The OA Trail Crew was formed in 2007 to promote the much-needed rehabilitation of the HSR trail system. Though promoted and organized by the Octoraro Lodge #22, work and credit towards the OA Trail Crew award is open to anyone.
Adjacent to Camp Horseshoe, the Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens were the site for this mid-winter trail work day in February 2008.
Goat Hill Trail Work
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
The sign for the DCNR Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens at the front of the sanctuary.
Break Time
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
A crew of a dozen young men and adults take in a little nourishment in the middle of their trail work.
Scouting the Trail
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
The camp rangers Ray Hayden (left) and Chris Wilder work with former ranger David Hutchinson and their DCNR liason to discuss the day’s activities.
April 2008
Display Details
Approximately fifteen Octoraro 22 members convened to build a new Athletic Field access trail as “Heart Attack Hill” had fallen in disrepair. Along with collapsing the old trail, the crew built the new one to have switchbacks and a bridge, and is much easier on the ankles.
Sweating it Out
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
Sean Bealer (left) and Scott Salvatore take a break for a few minutes before continuing with the grueling trail work.
Bootsie Pannell
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
Bootsie Pannell works on cutting back some of the greenbriar on the edge of thew newly formed trail.
Non-Manual Labor
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
Though fifteen or more heavy lifters can get a lot done, there are some mechanized requirements for building an entirely new trail in a day.
Preparing the Bridge
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
The trail crew works to ready the area before laying the telephone poles.
Lunch Time
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
Andrew Coe (left), Sean Bealer, and Frank DiMarzio take a quick lunch break before heading out to further clear the new trail.
Anchoring the Poles
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
The crew works to anchor the telephone poles in the soil before adding planks.
Bridge Builders
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
The OA trail crew lays the planks across telephone poles for what will be the new trail’s bridge. The trail would later be named the “Murphy Trail”.
Completed Bridge
2008 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
The new bridge, completed.
April 2009
Display Details
The crew concentrated on the much-maligned red trail, whose proximity to the Octoraro creek had made it difficult to maintain.
Red Trail Scouting
2009 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Camp Ranger Ray Hayden checks out the trail before the crew gets started.
Red Trail Work
2009 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tom Murphy and Johnny Boldin work on clearing logs and other debris on the red trail in April 2009.
Break Time Already
2009 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
After only a few hours of hard work, the crew takes a break as hiking the Red Trail is hard enough- working on it’s steep climbs is another story altogether.
Moving the Wood
2009 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
A canoe is used to move lumber that will be used as water bars on the trail.
Heaving the Rope
2009 – Contributed by Thomas Murphy
Lee McIlvaine tosses the rope over to the other side of the river so that the folks on the other side can drag lumber across for building retaining wall steps.
April 2010
Display Details
Further work on the red trail was performed by the OA Trail Crew.
Cutting up the Trees
2010 – Contributed by Scott R. Salvatore
Paul Bowling works on removing a fallen tree on the red trail.
May 2010
Display Details
The crew focused on connecting a steep trail past the Ranger Office at Camp Ware to the Green Trail.
Men at Work
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The crew sets out about their tasks in the morning, sizing up the scope of the work.
Ranger Ray Picks Away
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Ranger Ray Hayden shows the way with some bench cuts to flatten the trail.
Measuring the Water Breaks
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Depending on the width of the trail, various sizes of 6x6s were cut for use as water breaks.
Lunch Break
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The crew rests for lunch.
Prepping the Water Break
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The water break has been placed in a trench, now some rebar is required to hold it in place.
Building Wall
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The crew is putting some large rocks together as an alternative form of step.
Lunch Time
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Frank DiMarzio holds down the fort at lunch.
September 2010
Display Details
This trail crew activity took place on September 25th, 2010 as part of Octoraro 22’s 2010 September Fellowship Weekend.
Sequoia hangs out with Tom Bowling to make new friends.
Team Work
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
More than a dozen trail crew workers came down to volunteer on this Saturday to clear out brush, cut logs and trim back briar to clean up the Camp Ware Green Trail.
Hacking Away
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Underbrush and greenbriar were no match for the OA Trail Crew on the Green Trail.
A Short Break
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tom Bowling (Left) and Paul Bowling take a break on the back of the Kubota while they figure out how much more trail has to be cleared after lunch.
Jake Segal
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Lodge Chief Jake Segal makes sure the tools get to and from the work site using the trusty Kubota.
Lunch Guys
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Doc Sherwood (right) and Frank DiMarzio make sure the Trail Crew is always well fed.
Trail Crew Trailer
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Trail Crew Trailer gets its snazzy logo emblazoned on the side.
Raking it Up
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The OA Trail Crew raked and widened the Green Trail near the Octoraro Creek.
Videos
Into the Fray In October 2010, the OA Trail Crew descends down the Green Trail “Spur” on their way to cleaning up the 3+ mile trail. 2010 – Contributed by Andrew CoeAdvanced Hedgetrimming Loppers and fire rakes are great, but sometimes a more “subtle” approach is needed with greenbriar during the October 2010 OA Trail Crew event. 2010 – Contributed by Andrew CoePlanning Session In October 2010, before heading back after lunch, the OA Trail Crew plans on how to tack the rest of the Green Trail at Camp Ware. 2010 – Contributed by Andrew CoeRaking the Trail The OA Trail Crew beats back the greenbriar to widen the Green Trail at Camp Ware in October 2010. 2010 – Contributed by Andrew CoeCleaning Up The Trail Crew rakes and cuts up the Green Trail debris during a cool October 2010 morning. 2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
March 2011
Display Details
The OA Trail Crew works on removing tree debris from Camp Ware campsites and throwing it onto a burn pile.
Chris Wilder and Jake Segal prepare to head out to work.
Finding the Timber
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The crew walks across the Camp Ware quad on this cold Saturday morning, on their way to chipping, cutting, hauling and burning.
Preparing for the Cut
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Richard Crompton Jr. (left) and Andrew “Wombat” Walker size up a leaning tree that needs to be felled.
Chipping the Down Timber
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Max Pfeiffer leads the chipper to rid the storm debris in the Jubilee campsite.
Burning Down Logs
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
A controlled burn was used to manage the massive amounts of down timber created during the 2010-2011 Winter Season.
Burn Pile
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The fire roars on during this Trail Crew clean-up at Camp John H. Ware 3rd.
Lunch Time
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
After a long morning of labor, the OA trail crew takes a break for lunch.
Meeting Time
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The OA Trail Crew meets after lunch to get direction from Ray Hayden before returning to work.
Videos
Burn Pile Chris Palmer helps feed the flames during this March 2011 OA Trail Crew Cleanup. 2011 – Contributed by Andrew CoeFelling a Tree Rick Crompton Jr. and Turtle Pfeiffer work on taking down a leaning tree during the March 2011 OA Trail Crew cleanup day. 2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
July 2011
Display Details
The OA Trail Crew works on the Green Trail at Camp Ware in July 2011.
The Octoraro Lodge 22 Trail Crew uses a gas powered trimmer to clean up the Green Trail.
Equipment Trailer
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The OA Trail Crew equipment trailer.
Videos
Trimmer Use At the July 2011 trail crew event, the OA Trail Crew uses a gas powered trimmer to take down some of the bigger brush on the Green trail. 2011 – Contributed by Andrew CoeRemoving Briar and Weeds The OA Trial Crew goes high and low to clean up the Green Trail in July 2011. 2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
October 2011
Display Details
The Rose Trail of Goat Hill State Forest is opened and Octoraro #22 is there to help commemorate the occasion.
Rose Trail Cake – Map
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
This fanciful cake is also functional! Though probably not 100% to scale, this map / confectionary treat was featured during the Rose Trail dedication on October 1st, 2011.
Joe Frascetta Speaks
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Joe Frascetta from Pennsylvania’s DCNR speaks about the extensive amount of planning and work that went into preserving the Goat Hill State Forest as well as the contributors to the actual trail, including Octoraro Lodge #22.
Ribbon Cutting
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Rose Chase, environmental advocate and the earliest champion of preserving Goat Hill, stands by (from left) Dick Sprenkle, Joe Fraschetta, Bud Cook (partially hidden) and one of Octoraro’s youth representatives as she cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the “Rose Trail”.
The Trail Is Open
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The major stakeholders of the Goat Hill State Forest get one last photo after the trail officially opens.
March 2013
Display Details
The OA Trail Crew hosted an event on the Old Camp Road at Camp Horseshoe to remove fallen limbs along the path.
Placards
2013 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Here are some nice placards added to the trees along various trails at Horseshoe Scout Reservation.
Cliffhanger
2013 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Mike Steinberger stands atop a cliff overlooking the progress of the OA Trail Crew.
Lunch Time
2013 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The OA Trail Crew participants get their fill of bologna sandwiches, chips and apples before heading back along the trail.
Moving the Chipper
2013 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Jake Segal walks up to the Kuboda to move the chipper down the road aways.
Stone Structures
2013 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
During the winter lack of foliage, you can see these stone pillars that were used to hold cable as a railing along the Old Camp Road.
Chipping Away
2013 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Jake Segal and others on the OA Trail Crew feed fallen limbs into a chipper along the Yellow / Red Trail.
November 2014
Display Details
On November 15, 2014, 10 Order of the Arrow brothers came out to work on the hillside below the OA Lodge Building to clear it of greenbriar and brush. The work allowed one to look from the back porch of the OA Lodge Building all the way down to the athletic field.
his is the hillside after many greenbriar plants and other assorted brush are removed.
Clearing Greenbriar
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Steve Waldschmidt works on clearing greenbriar from the hillside.
Plant Cover
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Stuart Watson works down the hill with a hedge trimmer to clean out the brush and greenbriar.
Trail Crew
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The trail crew is hard at work clearing out the brush from the hillside.
Clearing the Hillside
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The trail crew is nearly finished their work to clear the hillside.
Videos
Hedge Trimming Stu Waston lays waste to the greenbriar and other brush on the hillside below the OA Lodge building in November 2014. 2014 – Contributed by Andrew CoeManual Work Though much of the work was using electric tools, fire rakes, loppers and just pure old fashioned brute strength were also needed to clear the hillside of greenbriar and brush in November 2014. 2014 – Contributed by Andrew CoeWeed Whacking Pat Conway uses a weed whacker to remove a lot of the brush near the top of the old “Heartattack Hill” trail in November 2014. 2014 – Contributed by Andrew CoeClearing Brush Members of the OA Trail Crew clear a field near the OA lodge in November 2014. Greenbriar and a few clusters of small trees were littering the area before hedge trimmers, fire rakes and chainsaws entered the picture. 2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
November 2015
Display Details
9 members of the Octoraro 22 OA Trail Crew head to Goat Hill Forest on November 14th, 2015 to work on the trail which had been overgrown with Greenbriar.
Gus Sauerzopf attempts to get the hedge trimmer going before starting to work on the Goat Hill trail.
Starting Work
2015 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Here we see a few Octoraro 22 youth at the beginning of the day’s work.
Trail at Mid-Afternoon
2015 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
After several hours of work, the trail crew progresses down the slope towards the Octoraro Creek.
Brief Pause
2015 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
While the hedge trimmer and weed whacker are at full tilt, the trail crew members use fire rakes behind them to clear the remaining green briar. Here we see a brief pause as they get caught up to the trimmers.
Videos
Getting the Trimmer to Work Here, several individuals strive to get the hedge trimmer to work at the beginning of the work day in November 2015. 2015 – Contributed by Andrew CoeLeaves and Green Briar OA Trail Crew members worked a long day of removing green briar and leaves from an overgrown trail at Goat Hill in November 2015. 2015 – Contributed by Andrew CoeRaking and Trimming OA Trail Crew members used hedge trimmers to cut away the briar and fire rakes to clean up the mess in November 2015. 2015 – Contributed by Andrew CoeClearing Briar The trail crew working hard to remove green briar from a Goat Hill trail in November 2015. 2015 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
April 2017
Display Details
About 15 members of the Octoraro 22 Trail Crew worked on the Green Trail at Camp Ware on Saturday April 8th, 2017.
Members of the OA Trail Crew load up gear during the April 8th, 2017 Trail Crew event.
Unloading the Gear
2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Members of the OA Trail Crew unload tools and safety equipment from the OA Trail Crew trailer during the April 8th, 2017 Trail Crew event.
Starting the Work
2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Members of the OA Trail Crew prepare to start the work during the April 8th, 2017 Trail Crew event.
In the Distance
2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Members of the OA Trail Crew clear brush during the April 8th, 2017 Trail Crew event.
Clearing Brush
2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Members of the OA Trail Crew clear brush on the Green Trail during the April 8th, 2017 Trail Crew event.
The Pitchfork
2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Mike Steinberger stares at a pitchfork during the April 8th, 2017 Trail Crew event.
Lunch Time
2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Members of the OA Trail Crew enjoy lunch at the Mohegan campsite during the April 8th, 2017 Trail Crew event.
Walking the Trail
2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Members of the OA Trail Crew walk the Green Trail during the April 8th, 2017 Trail Crew event.
Clearing Brush
2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Members of the OA Trail Crew clear brush on the Green Trail during the April 8th, 2017 Trail Crew event.
Clearing Brush
2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Members of the OA Trail Crew clear brush during the April 8th, 2017 Trail Crew event.
Videos
Clearing the Widowmaker Members of the OA Trail Crew clear out a leaning limb during the April 8th, 2017 event at Camp Ware. 2017 – Contributed by Andrew CoeClearing Brush Members of the OA Trail Crew clear brush to widen the Green Trail during the April 8th, 2017 event at Camp Ware. 2017 – Contributed by Andrew CoeFilling Up On Gas Pat Conway gasses up the weed eater during the April 8th, 2017 event at Camp Ware to clear brush on the Green Trail. 2017 – Contributed by Andrew CoeClearing Brush Members of the OA Trail Crew clear brush to widen the Green Trail during the April 8th, 2017 event at Camp Ware. 2017 – Contributed by Andrew CoeClearing the Brush Members of the OA Trail Crew clear brush to widen the Green Trail during the April 8th, 2017 event at Camp Ware. 2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
March 2018
Display Details
Over 100 participants came out to Camp Horseshoe on March 10th, 2018 to clear debris from storm damage on March 2nd, 2018. Affected areas included Rothrock and Roberts, Campcraft, the Athletic Field and surrounding areas, and C.O.P.E.
This adirondack in Roberts Campsite was severely damaged in the storm on March 2nd, 2018.
Deploying the Crew
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
HSR Camping Director Jake Segal deploys over 60 participants to the various sites for bucking down trees, hauling wood, and then chipping it.
Gathering for the Fun
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Trail Crew participants arrive at the Goodman Pavilion to get their instructions for the day’s work.
Line for the Chipper
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Limbs of downed pine trees are dragged to the chipper by the Trail Crew event participants on March 10th, 2018. The trees came down as part of a massive storm that hit the reservation on March 2nd, 2018.
Feeding the Chipper
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Trail Crew drags limbs from downed pine trees to the chipper.
Chipper and Chips
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Camp Ranger Tom Murphy tinkers with the chipper while a hefty haul of pine chips sits in a dump truck.
Chipping the Pine
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Downed pine trees litter the Campcraft area of Camp Horseshoe, and these helpful servants gather up the debris to feed the chipper.
The Chipper
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The 12 inch chipper was doing great… until it wasn’t. A 15 inch chipper was later deployed to replace it.
Gathering for Lunch
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Trail Crew participants gather in Goodman Pavilion for a brief respite from the chipping work.
Grabbing Lunch
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
After a long morning of chipping tree debris, the Trail Crew participants grab some pot luck lunch along with hot dogs for a hearty meal.
The Lunch Crowd
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
By noon, over 100 participants for the work arrived at Goodman Pavilion for lunch.
Videos
Chipping the Pine Lots of debris had to be cleared due to the storm damage on March 2, 2018, so over 100 participants came out to help haul the limbs to various chippers around Camp Horseshoe. 2018 – Contributed by Andrew CoeChipping the Pine Lots of debris had to be cleared due to the storm damage on March 2, 2018, so over 100 participants came out to help haul the limbs to various chippers around Camp Horseshoe. 2018 – Contributed by Andrew CoeChipping the Pine Lots of debris had to be cleared due to the storm damage on March 2, 2018, so over 100 participants came out to help haul the limbs to various chippers around Camp Horseshoe. 2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
March 2019
Display Details
The March 2019 Trail Crew work day occurred on March 16, 2019 at Camp Ware.
Preparing for Work
2019 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The trail crew workday participants gather to start the long day of work.
Memorabilia
Display Details
Only a few memorabilia items, but lasting memories from the effort they certainly brought for those who earned a t-shirt or the award.
Horseshoe Trail Crew Award
2009 – Contributed by Dr. David J. Sherwood
This award is presented to those who participate in at least 12 hours of service to rehabilitating the HSR trail system. This award is sponsored by Octoraro #22 and the first recipient of the award was Dr. David Sherwood.
Trail Crew T-shirt
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Neon green Trail-Crew T-shirts (so other hikers can see them from afar) were available to HSR Trail Crew members and others in 2010.
Documents
Display Details
Here are a few items of interest from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) highlighting the involvement of Chester County Council and Octoraro Lodge #22.
This page of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources newsletter describes the Rose Trail of Goat Hill and gives special thanks to the Boy Scouts (including the OA Trail Crew) for helping build the trail. 2012 – Contributed by Ray Hayden
This letter from DCNR Forest Patrolman Donald Schultz gives a detailed synopsis of the Chester County Council Boy Scouts’ involvement in building the Rose Trail. 2012 – Contributed by Ray Hayden
