WTC HISTORY

The Beginning

The Wilmington Trail Club started out as a small group of young and mostly single people (until the first of what was to be many Trail Club marriages took place), many of whom were newcomers to Delaware. Almost all lived within the city of Wilmington as there were no suburban developments in those days. The city was subject to “blue laws” at the time so shops and restaurants were closed on Sundays and there were few opportunities for weekend recreation or social activities for young people often living far from their home towns. The Trail Club filled this need.

Paddling 1949

There was one hike a week, on Saturday or Sunday, everyone knew everyone else and attended regularly, making it possible for buses to be chartered for “away” hikes. The scope of social activities other than hikes was broader than today owing to the group being relatively small and close knit. Being akin to a family, the club kept detailed records for the first few years including an annual scrapbook containing descriptive and humorous articles written by members summarizing the events of the year, and also a log book of photos and newspaper articles. All of these are still preserved in our club archives.

So, how did the Wilmington Trail Club come into being? Ted Darling, a hiking enthusiast newly arrived to work for DuPont, proposed the idea of a club to a group of fellow employees in early 1939. The response was positive, with the suggestion that a women’s group should be approached to ensure that participation was mixed (these were young single males, remember!) and that the club should have an official sponsoring organization. Ted approached Phil Ahrens, program director for the YMCA, and they agreed the club would be sponsored as a function of the YMCA program. The local branch of the AAUW was invited, to ensure female participation. Letters were mailed to 76 people inviting them to a preliminary meeting held on April 4th. 25 people attended, voted to organize, and the Trail Club was born.

Cycling 1949

Within a year of its founding in 1939, WTC affiliated with the Wilmington Ski Club. While the activities appear to have had a downhill focus, some pictures in the 1950 Yearbook show X-C skiing at Split Rock in the Poconos. The affiliation lasted into the 1950s, and the separation led to a focus on X-C, a type of skiing that is more consistent with hiking. By the early 1970s regular weekend trips that focused on X-C with some snowshoeing were being scheduled in north central Pennsylvania with a few excursions to western Maryland, and one to the Catskill Mountains of New York. Also in the nineties, week-long trips to Lake Placid, NY, and Val David, Canada, became regular features.

Skiing 1949

For the first hike, on April 8th 1939, participants were invited to meet in the rose garden near the Van Buren St Bridge. They hiked along the Brandywine and through Alapocas Woods to an outdoor fireplace near Rockwood Tower, where they were met by the Superintendent of Parks and his wife who provided coffee, hot dogs and doughnuts. In 2014, 75th anniversary celebrations included a re-creation of the first hike with participants in period dress; also re-creations of the first recorded bike ride that started out from Rockford Park, and the first paddling trip on Rancocas river.

75th Anniversary Gathering

The Appalachian Trail (AT)

————————————— The Wilmington Trail Club had a 26 year stewardship of a section of the Appalachian Trail! ———————————-

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, stretching over 2,190 miles across 14 U.S. states between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Conceived by forester and regional planner Benton MacKaye, the first section opened at Bear Mountain in New York and the last section in Maine during 1937. The Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) was formed in 1925 to organize construction and later managed maintenance by recruiting local hiking clubs to take on segments from a few miles to hundreds of miles. By 1968, it was clear that the trail would be lost to development unless political action was taken, and Congress passed the National Trails System Act, which designated the AT as the first National Scenic Trail and turned it into a linear national park. ATC, now known as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, was contracted to continue maintenance through it’s network of almost 30 trail clubs.

The club has long sponsored hikes on the AT; the first instance found in the club’s Bulletin archives is in May of 1939, within a month of the Club’s founding. The hikers did a weekend trip to Blue Mountain, near Hamburg, PA and on the Sunday, they hiked on a portion of the AT. During all those early years, the trail was maintained by a group of hiking clubs throughout the northeast, middle Atlantic, and southern states. In late 1994, when member Bob Epps, ATC Mid-Atlantic Vice-Chair, alerted us that one of the clubs (The Philadelphia Trail Club) could no longer deal with their section, the club under the leadership of former president Ned Sohl immediately volunteered to take over a 7-mile section between Fox Gap and the Delaware River Water Gap. Thus, in 1995 the crown jewel of hiking trails joined the portfolio of trails the club helped to maintain, which included our own Brandywine, the Horse-Shoe, and the Mason Dixon. Club volunteers joined Ned, the AT Supervisor until 2000, on periodic (and long – over 2 hours each way) maintaining trips.

Maintenance consisted of basic cleanups of the Kirkridge shelter and the adjacent privy, trimming brush along the trail, repainting the iconic white blazers, cleaning out drainage structures, and removing fallen trees and brush and other obstacles from the trail.

In 1996 the National Park administrators released a new Resource Management Plan for the trail, which required maintaining clubs to do extensive evaluations of the assets along the trail and sign a memo of agreement with the Appalachian Trail Conference. WTC President Joan March signed on June 2, 1997. With this agreement came the additional task of monitoring the AT corridor boundaries by hiking along them, repainting orange blazes, identifying survey monuments, and looking for the very rare incursions.

Ned relinquished the trail supervision to a three-man team of Mike Kintner, Bill Tinney, and Henry Chisholm in 2000, and they served until 2009. During their term, the monumental job of rebuilding the Kirkridge shelter was planned and carried out in 2006 (the illustrated story of this work is below).

By the time Jan King took over as AT Trail Supervisor in 2012, a change in members’ attitudes about traveling long distances for hikes and other activities had begun to take hold. By the time 2021 rolled around and the COVID epidemic had taken its toll on activities, we were one of 31 trail-maintaining clubs for the AT, and Jan’s pool of volunteers had shrunk by 80% to 4 or 5. In addition, no member stepped up to succeed Jan as AT Supervisor when he retired. As it was impossible to carry out the required maintenance, the club reluctantly decided to give up the
responsibility in 2021.

————————————— The Wilmington Trail Club’s Section of the Appalachian Trail has a Shelter in Pennsylvania – A 2006 Open Letter! ———————————-

Kirk Ridge AT Shelter 1

On Sunday, April 2, 2006, the construction phase of our new shelter was completed. The planning stage began almost one year ago, April, 2005. The actual construction took place over the weekends of March 18, 19; March 25, 26; and April 1,2. The construction was under the direction of Ed Twaddell, Ben Woodland, and Tom Wheatley. Many thanks to Tom for arranging to bring in his two co-workers from Gunton Corp. to construct the shelter. Ed, Ben and Tom provided tools, generator and compressor. We can’t thank Gunton Corp. and Ms. Gail Davis enough for their kindness and willingness to help erect our shelter.

Kirk Ridge AT Shelter 2

We were very fortunate in having these volunteers join us on two Saturdays: Henry Chisholm, who coordinated the car pools and the good lunches; Bill Linn; Debra Palermo; Tom Bergan; Jerry Rensch; and Mark O’Neal. Jim Marsh joined us on two Sundays. Joan Burke, Tom Burke, and Jim Davis joined us for one day. These hard working WTC members were instrumental in making this project a success.

Financially, we want to thank Ms. Karen Lutz, Regional Director of ATC Mid-Atlantic for ensuring that we received our grant; to the WTC Council for allocating funds; and to the many WTC Members who graciously made donations. Thank you to everyone who helped finance the shelter construction.The 4th photo above, shows Bill Tinney, Mike Kintner and Henry Chisholm at rest in the ‘New’ Kirk Ridge Shelter.The ‘New’ Kirk Ridge Shelter is the most beautiful shelter on the entire Appalachian Trail. If you’re ever in the vicinity of Delaware Water Gap, please stop by and visit.

Kirk Ridge AT Shelter 3

Finally, to my Co-ATC Supervisor, Bill Tinney. Bill has been there with me from the beginning. Without his planning, hard work, and dedication this entire project would not have happened. He is not only a valuable member of the WTC, but also a good friend who tries to keep me on the straight and narrow.

~With warmest regards to all WTC Members, and, with a BIG “Thank You!”Mike Kintner,
Former Appalachian Trail Supervisor for the WTC

Kirk Ridge AT Shelter 4

The Brandywine Trail (BT)

The Brandywine Trail is a long-distance hiking route in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, originally conceived by the Wilmington Trail Club in 1941. It began at Henry Clay on the Brandywine Creek just south of the Hagley Museum, following the river valley north toward the Horseshoe Trail, which connects to the Appalachian Trail north of Harrisburg. Permission was secured from landowners, including members of the DuPont family and H. G. Haskell of Hill Girt Farm, Chadds Ford.

1942–1948
Early development:
Work started in 1942, and by 1948 the trail reached the Horseshoe Trail near Bacton, PA, covering about 28 miles.

1970s–1990s:
The Chester County Trail Club took over maintenance north of Chadds Ford, rerouting the upper section to join the Horseshoe Trail at Ludwig’s Corner, PA, making the total about 36 miles marked with white blazes . In 1997, development at Rockland forced a reroute to cross Rockland Bridge and end in Brandywine Creek State Park.

2000s–2010s:
The trail was intended for exclusive use by the two maintaining clubs and guests, though much of it traversed public roads and parks. The main use was in late winter/early spring for warm-up hikes leading to the annual End-to-End event. Early hikes were informal, with carpooling and self-supplied gear; by the 1960s, coffee and doughnuts were offered at the finish, and by 1982, the Don Brown Walking Trophy was introduced for the first finisher.

2010s–2020s:
The annual End-to-End became a major event, often attracting over 100 participants. Around 2018, landowner changes and COVID-19 disruptions led to cancellations and shortened distances (27 miles in 2022–2024). In 2024, the 60th annual End-to-End was the last held on the Brandywine Trail, after the club shifted to a shorter loop hike in Delaware.

Trail use and culture:
The trail’s scenic Brandywine Valley route through parks, farms, and country roads made it a popular destination for long-distance hikers. Safety measures included a safety chairman, release forms, and safety articles in the club bulletin.

The Brandywine Trail (BT)

The Wilmington Trail Club began planning the Brandywine Trail in 1941, shortly after the club was founded. Starting at Henry Clay, on the Brandywine Creek just south of the Hagley Museum, it was planned to follow the river valley north towards the Horseshoe Trail (HT), which in its turn connects with the Appalachian Trail north of Harrisburg. Permission was obtained from landowners, including four members of the du Pont family, and H. G. Haskell, owner of Hill Girt Farm, Chadds Ford. Work commenced in 1942, and by 1948 the HT was reached near Bacton, PA, a distance of 28 miles. Annual club-sponsored hikes of the entire trail in one day (later called End-to-End), see below) began in 1959. During the 1970s, the Chester County Trail Club (see http://www.cctrailclub.org) took over maintenance of the trail north of Chadds Ford, and the upper section was rerouted to join the HT at Horseshoe Trail Road near Ludwig’s Corner, PA, making a total distance of approximately 36 miles – all marked with white blazes. Over the years development pressure and ownership changes forced many reroutes, the most significant in 1997 because of a development on part of the Pierre S. du Pont III property at Rockland. That prevented access to the southernmost section on the Brandywine’s east bank and the trail was rerouted to cross Rockland Bridge and terminate in Brandywine Creek State Park (BCSP), on the west bank of the creek.

A 2018 decision by the landowners between Fairville Rd and Smithbridge Rd. to require significant liability insurance and then the COVID Pandemic in 2020 marked the beginning of a series of events – End-to-End hike cancelled in 2018 and 2020, and 2021 and shortened to 27 miles in 2022, ’23, and ’24 – that culminated in abandoning the event in favor of the Brandywine Valley Trails Challenge (see below). The final annual End-to-End hike in 2024 was the 60th on the Brandywine Trail.

The trail was intended for exclusive use of members of the two maintaining clubs and their guests; but the significant portion that traverses public roads and parks was accessible to all. The main use of the trail occurred in the late winter and early spring when preparatory warm-up hikes were held for the annual End-to-End hike, but both clubs scheduled hikes during other seasons.

The Brandywine End-to-End (E2E)

Early End-to-End hikes were informal affairs with the hikers using their own vehicles for car-pooling and carrying their own supplies. The first one, in May of 1950, was called Bargain Day; the second and third had occurred by May 1951, and it became an annual event in 1959. Earl in the 1960s, a few members decided to wait at the end with coffee and doughnuts for the hikers and began the practice of recording finishing times. By the 21^st hike in 1982 competition between some of the hikers was developing and a visiting hiker from Virginia created a mosaic, which member Turner Darden made into a plaque and framed as the Don Brown Walking Trophy awarded to the first hiker to reach the end. Spurred by the growing participation of hikers, often reaching over 100, member Tom Dueber and family created a Women’s Walking Trophy, awarded to the first woman to finish. It was renamed in 2020 to the Blackmore-Mealey Award in honor of two early female volunteers.

Over time, the hike evolved to a format with buses taking hikers from BCSP to the trailhead for the 6:00 a.m. start, trail guides, refreshment checkpoints and sweeps. Before a route change in 1997, hikers clambering over the rocks opposite Hagley Museum property were cheered on from across the creek bank by the team at the final checkpoint near the entrance to the museum. After 1997, hikers preparing to ascend the final hill in Brandywine Creek State Park enjoyed a welcome from the team looking out from a vantage point at the Hawk Watch Pavilion, where a celebratory cookout was provided.

The series of reroutes and cancellations described above between 2018 and 2024 led the club to create the shorter loop hike featuring a series of parks mostly in Delaware.

The Brandywine Trails Challenge (BTC)

In 2025, to replace the End-to-End, the club introduced the Brandywine Valley Trails Challenge

– a 50 km event for hikers and runners, with a 35 km option.

The BVTC starts and finishes in Brandywine Creek State Park (BCSP) at the Hawk Watch

Pavilion. It starts with a loop in the beautiful forests and meadows of Winterthur Museum,

Garden and Library by special permission. The route continues along the Brandywine River to

Smiths Bridge Parking Lot, then through First State National Historical Park (FSNHP), and on

past Penns Woods Vineyard with small stream crossings in a beautiful forest. The route

continues south through FSNHP and on to BCSP on the east side of the Brandywine and out of

the woods to Garden of Eden Road. Finally, the route winds its way to Alapocas Run State Park.

After traveling through Alapocas Woods, the final leg enters the Northern Delaware Greenway

Trail and heads north back to a finish in BCSP. (Participants may choose to skip the Alapocas

loop, shortening the hike by ~ 15 km).

The BVTC is an impressive tour of beautiful areas. It goes through old growth climax forests,

around cultivated fields, horse pastures, a vineyard and many scenic hills with much less road

walking than the End-to-End. It will surprise many hikers that such natural areas are so close to

Wilmington. We consider this long hike to be at least as challenging as the End-to End because

of the hilly terrain. Similar to the End-to-End, the hike is well-supported with rest stops and a

cook-out at the finish.

The Club Cabin

Early in 1942 discussion began regarding the securing of a cabin for Trail Club use, but it was to be seven more years before this became a reality. In 1949 Woodlawn Trustees offered use of an existing cabin at Peter’s Rock and a decision was made to rent it as a base for weekend activities and trips along the Brandywine. Work quickly commenced on improvements – the addition of an outdoor grill, a casement window, an entrance platform, a spring box and pump to supply water, a privy, a fence to keep the cows out, and an adjacent volleyball court! The interior was cleaned and painted and the cabin was then ready for use by club members and their guests. However the initial enthusiasm quickly passed. A note in the Council minutes of October 1950 mentions a need to promote interest in more frequent use of the cabin, by means of scheduled events such as picnics. By 1953 maintenance work and costs had become problematic, and by 1956 lack of use and increased vandalism prompted the council to terminate the lease. Sometime later the cabin burned down but the chimney can still be seen among undergrowth on the bluff overlooking Peter’s Rock parking lot.