Celebrating 50 Years of the Rachel Carson Trail

By Steve Mentzer

In 1971, volunteers from the Pittsburgh chapter of American Youth Hostels began blazing a new trail in the northeast suburbs of Allegheny County. Over the next four years, they scouted a route that included portions of the Baker Trail, which had connected Camp Guyasuta near the Highland Park bridge to Harrison Hills Park, that had been disrupted by development.

The objective was to establish a trail between Harrison Hills Park and North Park, passing through municipal parks along the way. Outside of the parks, they obtained consent from private landowners, both corporate and individual. In some areas, the only viable route was along utility rights-of-way. These electric and gas corridors usually take the most direct route across valleys, which meant the trail did too.

They named this new trail, blazed yellow just like the Baker Trail, after Rachel Carson, "because the trail passes close by the birthplace of Rachel Carson, in Springdale, and because of the interest of AYH members in our environment, it was considered appropriate to name the trail after one of our early ecologists."

AYH volunteers like Cliff & Marilyn Ham, Joe Levine, and Bruce Schenker were instrumental in the trail's creation. They spent countless hours scouting routes, talking with landowners and, with the help of many others, clearing and blazing the new path. We are indebted to them for their vision and perseverance.

Without constant maintenance, the trail would be reclaimed by nature, and without adaptation, the trail would be lost to development. The construction of Route 28 led to the AYH suspending publication of the trail guidebook in April 1986 because "several portions of the trail are no longer suitable for hiking."

A second generation of volunteers, including Blanche Asherman and Jim Ritchie, took the initiative to restore and reconnect the trail. Jim spent many hours just finding the trail, and even more rerouting, clearing, and reblazing it.

Along with Leo Stember, Jim's determination culminated in the creation and staging of the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge in 1996. The purpose was to raise funds for trail maintenance supplies, to promote the trail so that more people would hike it and wear in the pathway, and to recruit volunteers to help maintain it.

The Challenge succeeded in doing all of this and more, by leaps and bounds. It has grown to be a hugely popular event that has allowed the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy (which took over from the AYH as caretaker in 2004) to protect the trail through land acquisition. Today, the RCTC owns over 320 acres covering about two linear miles.

It also attracted more volunteers dedicated to maintaining and improving it, including Don Erdeljac, Barb Peterson, Kate Fissell, and Steve Mentzer.

The third generation of volunteers is just as determined to make the trail better than ever. Mark Eyerman, Lloyd Clarke, Joe & Diane Kostka, Ben Brucker, Levi Wilson, Doug MacPhail, Bob Reiland, and many more embody the unapologetic ruggedness and persistence of the Rachel Carson Trail.

As the Rachel Carson Trail turns 50, it stands as a testament to the commitment of its volunteers. Its varigated path, steep inclines & declines, and hilltop views continue to test and inspire hikers. The trail is more than a space for the physical, it's a space for the spirit and a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting our natural heritage for future generations to enjoy.

To celebrate the 50th birthday, we'll be hosting a hike on Sunday, March 9, 2025 from North Park to Hartwood Acres. On this date, exactly 50 years prior, the first hike was held on the completed Rachel Carson Trail. Come and celebrate with us!

Yesterday and Today, 50 Years of the Rachel Carson Trail

By Mark Eyerman

The Rachel Carson Trail was completed and the first hike held 50 years ago this coming March. While I'm familiar with most of our core volunteers over the past 25-30 years, I didn't know much about those involved with the founding of the trail, so I thought I'd research those folks and salute them and their amazing accomplishment. Checking around I couldn't find any of our emeritus volunteers with knowledge of the founding, and our archive of newsletters and documentation were scant in acknowledging individual contributions, which left me with not much 'meat' to write this article.

Reading through our archive though, it struck me that we are the same sort of people, and we face many of the same challenges as those from 50 years ago. Yesterday and today, we are folks with an extreme passion for the outdoors, for getting out and getting some exercise while surrounding ourselves with the great outdoors. We're people proud of our community, the beauty in our back yards, and we want to share it with our neighbors.

But yesterday, as today, the things we would like to do, our goals, are limited by our volunteer pool. Very early in the history of the RCT there was the declared goal of connecting our trails and linking them to other local trails. We've had some successes - we've achieved the goal of extending the trail through North Park (and connecting to the since established Harmony Trail). And we still have our challenges, even though the Freeport bridge now includes a pedestrian lane, we're still working to make the connection to the Baker Trail. We've also gotten closer to the goal of connecting to the Fox Chapel trails, but we're still lacking the resources to finalize the Hartwood/Beechwood Farms connection.

The Rachel Carson Trail is currently in its best condition ever. Over the past 5 years we've rebuilt the trail eliminating about 5 miles of road walking and building about 8-9 miles of new trail. We have nearly 40 Trail Stewards maintaining the trail, and dozens more who show up for Work Crews rebuilding and improving the trail, so in many ways we are stronger today than at any time in the past 50 years. But we suffer the same limitations as our founders, we struggle to find hike leaders, and to organize and staff work projects. We aspire to do more, to complete our long term goals, to grow beyond individual trails into an integrated trail system for our region. The missing ingredient today is the same as it was 50 years ago — YOU! So if you have it in your heart, join our team and help us make the next 50 years of the RCT better than the first 50.

Harmony Trail Construction

By Bob Mulshine

Harmony Trail users have noticed construction equipment and supplies in the parking lot on Route 910 for a few weeks now. This is all part of the build up by a Pine Township contractor to install a safe crosswalk over busy Route 910. Trail users will not be directed straight across the busy road. The contour of the land makes the sightlines too short at that point to be safe. A new path, that includes a bridge, will be built along Route 910 from the top northeast corner of the parking lot to a point across from the new Brennan Road which leads into the new Wexford Station Development. A crosswalk will be installed on Route 910 at that point. A set of yellow lights will be built down the road in each direction from this crosswalk. A pedestrian button will be installed within the crosswalk. When pressed, this button will activate the two blinking yellow lights. This will alert cars approaching the crosswalk from both directions to use caution and presumably allow the person pressing the button to cross safely.

Pine Township has already had sidewalks installed on the Wexford Station side of Route 910. These sidewalks can be used to safely get to the new walking path below the development. This path, like the Harmony Trail follows the route of the Harmony Trolley Line. It is parallel with the old Brennan Road and runs the complete distance of the Wexford Station Development.

On a different note: The Harmony Trail Committee has been cutting back the knotweed along the trail two or three times a year. We also had goats chew it down a few years back. Although knotweed is ridiculously hardy it is showing some signs of weakening. We are finding another invasive, stilt grass, growing along the shady edge where the knotweed is the shortest and thinnest. We are currently investigating vegetation we can plant in the knotweed patch to further challenge it’s growth with a hope of eventually replacing it. If anyone knows of a successful competitor for knotweed or would like to help in our fight against invasive vegetation, please email info@rachelcarsontrails.org

Stick City Brewing Company and the RCTC - a partnership worth toasting

By Paul Sauers

Stick City Brewing Company located in Mars, PA has become a great partner and friend of the RCTC these last three years. Nick Salkeld and his parents, Ron and Elaine, own and operate the brewery which opened in April 2018. Nick started brewing beer with his brother in the 2009/2010 timeframe using their father’s home brewing equipment. In 2016, the family started working towards the goal of opening a brewery.

Nick indicated that the name Stick City came from his family hanging out in the “sticks” in the rural parts of Butler County. Ron would say they were going to Stick City on these trips.

Stick City was the first craft brewery in Pennsylvania to join the 1% for the Planet Movement. The brewery donates 1% of its sales to environmental non-profits. Nick says they do this because they genuinely care about wild areas and waterways.

RCTC first met the Stick City folks at the Oboz Trail Challenge (sponsored by Public Lands) finish picnic, which was held at the brewery that year, and our partnership bloomed quickly thereafter. We quickly discovered that Stick City’s beliefs dove-tail neatly with the RCTC’s beliefs and goals. Starting with the 25^th Rachel Carson Trail Challenge celebration event in 2022, Stick City has partnered with RCTC making specially brewed beers specifically for the events.

The event T-shirt logos (different each year) are incorporated onto the beer can design logos through Nick’s efforts. This has become a big hit at the event! The cans as well as the T-shirts are commemorative and unique to each year’s event.

Since hazy ales and IPA’s are the most popular beers for the last several years, Nick has endeavored to brew up special unique hazy ales for the RCTC. Event participants really enjoyed the beers and look forward to them each year. Nick’s goal is to produce a very tasty and enjoyable hazy ale / IPA with a moderate alcohol level (APV) of about 5 to 6% so they aren’t too strong.

Of note, wheat is commonly used in beer recipes as part of the grain bill (barley is typically the largest grain source in most beers) but Nick leaves out wheat in RCTC beer recipes to eliminate the possibility of a negative reaction to the presence of gluten that some people may have.

Each year some 1,200 to 1,400 sixteen-ounce cans are filled for the event and while the rest of the beer is kegged. Four packs and draft beer are sold at the dinner the night before and at the Challenge. If there are any beers left after the event, they are available at the brewery until sold out. The ratio of cans to kegs has been adjusted slightly to reflect the ratio of sales.

Stick City Brewing donates 20% of the net sales of the beer to the RCTC which has amounted to $2,500 or more for each event. Over the three-year partnership, the RCTC has received more than $7,000.

The RCTC values our partnership with Stick City and looks forward to seeing what the 2025 RCTC Challenge beer will taste like. In the meantime, grab your Stick City beer at the brewery located in Mars, PA.

For more information about Stick City Brewing contact them at stickcitybeer.com or 724-687-7849.

Running the Baker Ultra at 74

By Kathleen Ganster

When Lee Dougherty glided into the finish at the Baker Trail UltraChallenge, a 50-mile ultramarathon, he made it look easy. Which is impressive for anyone, but for someone over the age of 70, well that is truly impressive. Dougherty, 74, completed his second UltraChallenge in August and already has his third in sight for 2025. “That will be my south section revenge race which will give me the third piece of the UltraChallenge unique medal. And also, it is the ‘Rolling Pin Year!’” he said. Dougherty referred to the medals given to successful race finishers, each section having a separate piece of a three-part medal. Once a runner successfully completes all three sections, he/she receives the commemorative rolling pin holder to display all three medals.

The 2025 Baker will cover the southern 50-miles of the 134-mile Baker Trail. The first time Doughtery attempted the UltraChallenge, it was on this section but he didn’t complete the event, thus his “revenge race.”

The Mt. Lebanon resident grew up in rural Illinois and began running 10ks in the early 1970s, his first marathon was in 1973. “Someone asked me if I had ever run in a marathon before, and I said, ‘No, but I think I will,’” he said. Since that time, Doughtery has run over 130 marathons including the well-known Boston Marathon 10 times, and three 100-mile races including the Leadville 100, a race in Colorado known for its grueling course and high elevation. These days, Doughtery said the only marathon he participates in is the one here in his hometown of Pittsburgh, mostly participating in trail races and runs, such as the Baker. “Running on trails is easier on the body. I run primarily with South Park Trail Runners, North Park Trail Runners, and City of Bridges Running Club,” he said, running four or five times a week.

Dougherty first heard of the UltraChallenge from some of his fellow runners. “I was looking for a 50-miler close to Pittsburgh. The UltraChallenge also had the challenge of running three-50-mile sections - one every year of course,” he said. Although he claims that he doesn’t have a favorite section on the trail, Doughtery said his fastest time was when he ran the middle.

The event is now one of the veteran runner’s favorites. “I love the Baker Trail and the community. The race is very well organized and there are very good volunteers. There's nothing I don't like about the UltraChallenge, however, there is the challenge of completing all three sections. If you DNF during one of the races, you have to wait three years to finish that section,” he said.

For those considering competing in the UltraChallenge in the future, Dougherty strongly suggests taking advantage of the training runs offered through the Conservancy.

As far as his own efforts, Doughtery plans to continue running for the foreseeable future. “I just enjoy it so much. Running is really part of my life and the running community is just great,” he said. Doughtery often runs with friends, but joked, “Runners in my age group do thin out as time goes on. Sometimes all I have to do is show up to a race to place in my age group.”

How I Got Involved

By Paul Sauers

My involvement with the RCTC dates back to the Summer of 2005 when I met my wife-to-be Kathleen just after that year’s Challenge. Kathleen had been training for the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge but had an injury so she volunteered that year.

I had never heard of the Rachel Carson Trail or Challenge nor had any experience with long distance hikes. At that time I rode bicycles on rail-trails and thought I was in great shape. To my great joy, I would soon learn otherwise.

Kathleen and I went on an 8‑mile or so hike on the Rachel Carson Trail in the Hampton Township area. Needless to say, I gained an immediate respect and admittedly some fear of the trail. The hills and rough terrain were tough on me, unlike the bike rides. Kathleen also showed me how to read the trail road map aka the yellow blazes.

We trained for and completed the 2006 Challenge. I almost had to pull out at the top of what was called the “roller coaster hills” section (no longer on the trail) of the trail near Springdale. A trail angel (a guy in a pickup truck with ice water) saved my day by helping me hydrate and cool down. This was the toughest physical challenge I ever participated in. At this point I was getting hooked, so to speak, and we went on to do the full Challenge again in 2009, 2010, and 2012.

Along the way, I joined the Planning & Promotions (P&P) Committee have been a member since. The P&P gets involved in a variety of things including, planning both trail events (Rachel & Baker),  organizing training and seasonal hikes on the trail, soliciting donors, social media, web development, writing, photography, outreach and education, etc.

To help promote the Challenge, Kathleen and I started doing Preparing for the Challenge talks at both REI locations (now there is one location), then later at 3ROC and Public Lands. These talks have been well received and we often meet our “graduates” on the trail and several have become volunteers.

I’ve also become the beer guy so to speak over the years. We first worked with ShuBrew in Zelienople, then Voodoo Brewery in Homestead to get beer for our events / picnics / annual meeting. We’ve been very fortunate to work closely with Stick City Brewery the last few years where they produce special recipe beers for us. Our T-Shirt logo designs are incorporated on the beer cans which has become very popular with the Challenge participants.

I’ve been on the Board since 2017 where I have learned so much in regards to all the efforts it takes to manage hiking trails – more than I ever realized. I also assist on trail work crews when time allows. Kathleen and I worked on first developing then maintaining the Rachel Carson Geocaching Trail.

The greatest thing about the RCTC is the amazing people that you get to know and work with. We now have numerous friends who we met through our association with the RCTC. Another great thing with the RCTC is that you can do as little or as much as you want to do and also find things that you like to do most.

I highly recommend getting involved. It’s great getting outside on the trails while helping to maintain and improve the trails in so many ways.