On Monday, March 26th, AMC and its consultant, Campbell Thomas & Company, presented a conceptual trail plan for the Musser Scout Reservation, located in the Unami Forest of Montgomery County.

The Presentation

Members of the Highlands Trail Steering Committee, along with members of the public, Township representatives, and a representative from the Boy Scouts, participated in a presentation given by Bob Thomas, AIA of CT&C and Tricia McCloskey, AICP of AMC. The presentation included trail maps and drawings and discussed the conceptual alignment of the planned trail through the Musser Scout Reservation. The public had the opportunity to ask questions and offer input about the trail alignment, and possible future connections to the Perkiomen Trail, the Borough of Green Lane to the south and to existing Bucks County trails to the north.

The trail, which will be a part of the Highlands Trail, will be located within access easements held by Natural Lands, and will be open to the public. Within the Scout camp, the trail will be located between the Unami Creek and Swamp Creek Road. A bridge is being considered to cross from the east side of Unami Creek to the west, which will provide access to Green Lane Borough. The trail will be roughly 2.5 miles in length and is proposed to be developed as a crushed stone trail suitable for pedestrian and bicycle use.

To view the conceptual trail drawing, click here. The yellow line represents the proposed conceptual trail alignment. Next steps in the project include seeking grant funding for design, engineering and construction.

The Unami Hills and Forest

Musser Scout Reservation is a large tract privately owned by the Boy Scouts of America, Cradle of Liberty Division. The camp is located within the Unami Forest area of Montgomery County, and includes the Unami Creek valley and the unique diabase geology which defines the area.  The Unami Forest is a conservation area of the Pennsylvania Highlands, and is a designated Audubon Important Bird Area. Read more about the Unami Hills and other conservation areas of the PA Highlands here.