The Pacific Crest Trail Association’s annual awards recognize people and partners for their extraordinary dedication to the Pacific Crest Trail. Below is a summary of the award winners recognized throughout 2019. The PCT will benefit from these trail champions’ outstanding contributions for years to come. Congratulations and thank you to all!
Alice Krueper Award
This is the PCTA’s top honor recognizing outstanding trail maintenance volunteers. The award represents a spirit of dedication exemplified by Alice Krueper. Often, the award recipient has previously received a Regional Trail Maintainer of the Year award.
Mark Sinclair
Mark Sinclair (second from right) received the Alice Krueper Award while volunteering with the PCTA’s Can Do Crew. From left to right: Ben Barry, PCTA Southern Sierra Regional Representative; Keith Dawley, Northern Inyo Trails Supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service; Mark Sinclair, award winner; Paul Cardinet, Can Do Crew leader and 2011 Alice Krueper Award winner.
Mark Sinclair was recognized for his remarkable 20-year commitment as a leader, maintainer and advocate for the PCT. His willingness to involve others and share the meaning of the trail with them is exceptional. His efforts exemplify volunteer leadership on the PCT.
Diamond Hitch Award
This award recognizes the services provided by a volunteer packer whose passion and ongoing commitment assists with maintenance of the PCT in wilderness areas and remote locations.
Jim and Sue Forsman
Jim and Sue Forsman received the Diamond Hitch Award for their pack support and leadership on and off the trail.
Jim and Sue Forsman were recognized for their professional, friendly and reliable support and leadership on and off the trail, including developing and providing trainings that have made pack support safer and more approachable for all PCT volunteers. Jim and Sue were also recognized for their tireless effort bringing tools and supplies to remote places for our crews.
Partnership Award
This award is given to a partner who has provided exceptional assistance to the PCTA and contributed to our mission.
PCT Days
Jason Waicunas (left) received the Partnership Award from PCTA Executive Director and CEO Liz Bergeron during 2019 PCT Days in Cascade Locks, Oregon. Photo by Gray Feather Photography.
The growth of PCT Days is largely due to the efforts of one man, Jason Waicunas. Since its early beginning as a small gathering of thru-hikers, Jason has nurtured the event to become the largest community gathering on the PCT. Jason was recognized for his vision and steadfast leadership in raising awareness about the PCTA’s mission and in increasing support for the trail.
Agency Partner Employee Award
This award is given to an agency employee who has been very helpful to the PCTA. Often, more than one Agency Partner Employee Award is given each year.
Andy Smith, San Bernardino National Forest, San Jacinto Ranger District
Andy Smith (left) received the Agency Partner Employee Award from PCTA Regional Representative Anitra Kass in thanks for his tireless work, collaboration and expertise following the Mountain and Cranston fires.
Andy Smith was recognized for his exceptional dedication to the trail and his commitment to providing an outstanding trail experience following the Mountain and Cranston fires. His tireless work, collaboration and expertise resulted in a successful phased recovery of the trail in the burn areas. The PCTA and PCT users are deeply grateful for his partnership.
Anthony Benedetti, Fremont-Winema National Forest
Anthony Benedetti received the Agency Partner Employee Award for championing wilderness, volunteer stewardship and collaboration in Southern Oregon.
Anthony Benedetti was recognized for his exemplary work as a partner in the management and maintenance of the PCT. Anthony cares deeply about trails and public lands, is an educator and protector of our wilderness areas and truly believes that volunteer stewards are an asset to public land management. He’s a champion for wilderness and volunteer stewardship in Southern Oregon.
Kevin Wilson, British Columbia Parks
Kevin Wilson received the Agency Partner Employee Award for his incredible contributions to the successful replacement of the Northern Terminus Monument. Photo by Loren Schmidt.
Kevin Wilson was recognized for his incredible contributions to the successful replacement of the PCT Northern Terminus Monument. Throughout this uniquely complicated project, he exuded good will and embodied collaboration. By providing the needed helicopter time, he eliminated the most challenging aspect of the structure’s installation. The PCTA is grateful for his assistance and that PCT hikers and horseback riders will enjoy the new monument for decades.
Regional Trail Maintainer of the Year
This award is given to an individual in each region who has distinguished him/herself in hours and service to trail maintenance during the past year.
**Not all regional awards had been presented at the time of publishing.**
Region 2 – Southern Sierra
Dennis England
Dennis England received the Southern Sierra Regional Trail Maintainer of the Year Award in thanks for his 11 years of service to the PCTA’s Can Do Crew.
Dennis England was recognized and thanked for his 11 years of service to the PCTA’s Can Do Crew. In addition to the decade of rigorous and devoted trail work, Dennis participated in scouting ventures to line out the crew’s work, strengthened his leadership style and for many years has volunteered to clean and sharpen the crew’s tools and equipment. PCTA staff, fellow volunteers and partners recognize his passion and commitment to caring for the PCT and the wild places it travels through.
Region 3 – Northern Sierra
Jim Beatty
Jim Beatty received the Northern Sierra Regional Trail Maintainer of the Year Award in thanks for his commitment to the region’s Scouts and Adopters program and the PCTA’s Pounder’s Promise Trail Crew. From left to right: Jim Beatty, award winner; Liz Bergeron, PCTA Executive Director and CEO; Connor Swift, PCTA Northern Sierra Regional Representative.
Jim Beatty was recognized for his dedication to the longevity of the PCT and its maintainers. His commitment to volunteering has been instrumental in the expansion and success of the Northern Sierra Scouts and Adopters program and the PCTA’s Pounder’s Promise Trail Crew. The energy and expertise he brings improves the condition of the trail and the experience it provides.
Region 4 – Big Bend
Linda Krawczyk
Linda Krawczyk (left) received the Big Bend Regional Trail Maintainer of the Year Award from PCTA Regional Representative Ian Nelson in thanks for her passion and commitment to the trail. Photo by Mick Mc Bride.
Linda Krawczyk was recognized for the love she gives to the trail and trail community. Her passion and commitment to maintaining the PCT run deep and helped launch a formal volunteer stewardship program with the PCTA’s Southern Oregon Rockers. Fellow volunteers are quick to share that Linda “always gives, never takes.” The PCTA is proud to recognize her dedication.
Region 5 – Columbia Cascades
Frank Jahn
Frank Jahn (second from left) received the Columbia Cascades Regional Trail Maintainer of the Year Award in thanks for helping lead the charge to repair trails damaged by the Eagle Creek Fire. From left to right: Leif Hovin, Mount Hood Chapter Chair; Frank Jahn, award winner; Dana Hendricks, PCTA Columbia Cascades Regional Representative; Liz Bergeron, PCTA Executive Director and CEO.
Frank Jahn was recognized for his exceptional dedication to the PCT and its connected trails. With talent, good nature and an indomitable spirit, he helped lead the charge to repair the PCT and other trails damaged by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. His leadership is an inspiration to his fellow volunteers and the trail-loving public and will benefit trails for countless years to come.
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We’re now accepting nominations for volunteers and partners who made outstanding contributions in 2019. If you would like to nominate an individual for an award, please fill out the online Annual Awards Nomination Form by Jan. 5, 2020.