New Backpacking Trail Opens in the Allegheny National Forest

A blue-day sky with a light breeze drifting through the treetops deep within the Allegheny National Forest was the picture perfect setting for the trail dedication of the newly constructed Bullis Hollow Trail that took place at 10 a.m. today.

Forest Supervisor Erin Connelly opened the dedication by highlighting the important numbers associated with this trail-2.5, 8.3 and 305. Volunteers from the Tuna Valley Trail Association first approached the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) with an idea for a new trail that would connect the Tracy Ridge Trail System to the Marilla Trail System located just west of the City of Bradford -2.5 years ago. Working together through the summer season of 2011, Tuna Valley Trail volunteers and ANF personnel completed on the ground final trail layout along with archaeological and biological surveys. Environmental assessment work was completed by Allegheny National Forest personnel in the fall of 2011 and trail construction was just completed in May 2012.

The new trail is 8.3 miles in length. The Bullis Hollow Trail, a single-track, non-motorized trail crosses through the northeastern section of the Allegheny National Forest known as Chestnut Ridge. Trailheads are located just north of the Tracy Ridge Campground within the Allegheny National Forest along Rt. 321 and along Forest Service Road 173. With the opening of this trail, new hiking connections are made between the existing Tracy Ridge Trail System with 38-miles of interconnecting hiking trail loops through the congressionally designated Allegheny National Recreation Area and the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST).

The other number-305 is an important acknowledgment of the volunteer hours that where put into the actual construction and layout of the new trail. Construction was completed by a team of trail volunteers lead by experienced trail enthusiast Gene Cornelius, a member of the Tuna Valley Trail Association, who has years of experience and extensive knowledge of trail construction and maintenance. Help was provided by ANF personnel and Friends of the Allegheny Wilderness.

Following Connelly’s remarks, Linda Devlin, Director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau the official tourist promotion agency for McKean County, and Vice-President of the Tuna Valley Trail Association, welcomed everyone to “Trail Central.” Trail Central is the marketing brand developed by McKean County tourism to promote low impact-high return tourism that follows the principals of geo-tourism. “The new Bullis Hollow Trail begins to build links between the existing Marilla Trail System, our communities and towns, visitor services and our natural assets such as the trail system within the Allegheny National Forest, the North Country Trail and the Allegany State Park” explained Devlin, “with this new trail hikers have an opportunity to experience a 2-3 day backpacking experience.”

Trail volunteer, Gene Cornelius, gave thanks to his group of volunteers, affectionately nicknamed “The Geritol Gang.” This group includes John Shineberger, George Sanflippo, and Rick Lutz who are also very active members of the TVTA. In addition to these volunteers, a core group of eight men and women constructed the trail without cutting one tree and with a minimum foot print on the land. Volunteers and trail enthusiasts that wish to know how they can become involved in this and other trail activities are invited to visit www.tunavalleytrail.com to learn more.

Others attending the dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting were Ed Prince of Allegheny Site Management who handles the campsite concessions for the forest, camp hosts from the Tracy Ridge Campground, forest service staff, members of the North Country Trail and a group of hikers who came out to participate in the guided hike that immediately followed the ribbon cutting.

The Tuna Valley Trail Association has signed a volunteer agreement to continue to maintain the trail they helped to plan, design and construct.

Downloadable trail maps of the Bullis Hollow Trail and other trails within the region are available at www.visitANF.com. Camping reservations at Tracy Ridge can be made by calling 877-444-6777 or at www.recreation.gov.

Pictured, Forest Supervisor Erin Connelly is joined by Linda Devlin and Gene Cornelius, Tuna Valley Trail volunteers to cut the ribbon at the trailhead of the new Bullis Hollow Trail.
Photo courtesy of the ANFVB

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