Moisture no match for Last Day Hikers on Butler-Freeport trail
WINFIELD TWP — The group of Butler-Freeport Community Trail members who attended the Last Day Hike on Saturday, Dec. 31, morning were no doubt feeling pretty smug about their decision a few years ago to build a pavilion along the trail in Cabot, as they sipped cocoa and chatted while steady drizzle fell on the roof.
The sixth annual Last Day Hike saw Chris Ziegler, trail association president, accompany about 15 trail members, volunteers and community members in a four-mile hike on the trail, heading south from the Cabot trail head.
The unusually warm New Year’s Eve temperature was perfect for a brisk hike, and most participants wore a light, waterproof jacket and hood as they smiled and laughed during their hike.
Ziegler said she decided to do a Last Day Hike six years ago for one specific reason.
“There is so much competition for a First Day Hike,” Ziegler said. “Jennings Nature Reserve, Moraine State Park, McConnell’s Mill, I think they all have them.”
She said the main reason for the hike is to get together with her members and volunteers, and to welcome community members to the trail.
“We have a very active core group of volunteers, and I haven’t seen them for a couple months because of the weather,” Ziegler said.
She said there have always been participants for the Last Day Hike, no matter the weather.
“We were in a blizzard a few years ago and we didn’t go very far,” Ziegler said, “but we did go eat after.”
She is looking forward to 2023, when a one-mile section of the trail in Cabot will be paved to allow people of all abilities to enjoy nature.
Ziegler said project engineers worked with nearby Concordia Lutheran Ministries to ensure the vans from the organization’s senior living facilities will easily fit into the parking lot, so seniors can use walkers or canes on the paved section of the trail.
Dave Foster, of Penn Township, attended his first Last Day Hike on Saturday.
As a member of the trail, he received an email alerting him that the event was to take place.
“I thought I’d like to get to know these people, because I walk this trail all the time,” Foster said.
He appreciates the 21-mile trail because it is flat and has mile markers. He normally does four to eight miles during his walks.
“I walked this trail when the tracks were still here,” Foster said.
He praised the trail association for its work in installing the rail trail, which is from Butler to Freeport, and maintaining it for 30 years.
“They do such a good job on the trail,” Foster said. “You take a walk and see a tree down and the next time you walk, it’s gone.”
Joanne Harrity, of Freeport, was another first-timer on the Last Day Hike.
Harrity’s goal in 2023 is to attend local events, meet people and continue her successful weight loss journey.
“I’m here, so we’ll see what happens,” Harrity said. “I didn’t talk myself out of it, so I’m excited.”
She and Foster chatted with Valerie Mueller of Butler Township, an avid trail walker and cyclist since its inception 30 years ago.
Mueller, who also volunteers on trail work days, has attended all six of the Last Day Hikes.
“I’m the one who walks the fastest, so I guess I’m the leader,” she said. “The Last Day Hike gets me out into the weather, no matter what it is, and into the fresh air, and I love the camaraderie with the group.”
She called the trail “a true gem” in the county.
“Everyone should try it,” Mueller said.
Steve Nehus, of Fawn Township, Allegheny County, also volunteers on trail work days and whenever any help is needed to repair or maintain the trail.
“It’s a great community asset,” he said of the trail.
He enjoyed chatting with everyone who came to the Last Day Hike on Saturday.
“We just have a good time,” Nehus said.
The caboose along the trail was open and festively decorated for Christmas, complete with carols playing softly in the background.
Shirts for sale in the pavilion benefited the trail association.
For information on the trail or becoming a member, visit butlerfreeporttrail.org.
