Apr 1, 2016 By Annie Mcglaughlin, For The Greene County Messenger 3 min read

A trail running through Greene County was used for flint trade, hunting, and even warfare.

With over 5,000 years of age and 67 miles in length, the Warrior Trail was once used by Native Americans. Today, it is a walking path for the casual hiker.

An association of members called the Warrior Trail Association voluntarily maintains the trail. The association is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Leading the association is President Llew Williams, who is in his 16th year of presidency and got into the association when he moved to Greene County.

“In 1991, I moved to Greene County and I noticed the yellow dots,” Williams said. “I like to hike and my wife likes to hike, and someone told me I could buy a trail guide at the Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce to keep hiking, and I did. The front of the guide mentioned meeting times and I went to their next meeting.”

Williams said it was never his intention to become president, but he is in it for the long run at this point.

“I never had a burning desire to be president, I got backed into it,” said Williams. “I think it’s a lifelong commitment now.”

The association came about in the 1960s through former Waynesburg College president, Paul R. Stewart; and the Paul R. Stewart Museum curator and professor emeritus of music, Fuzzy Randolph.

By 1965, the first meeting for the WTA was held, and by 1966, the organization was legally recognized as a non-profit.

Williams mentioned how amazed he was at how quickly those men got the association up and running.

Today, members of the association pay $10 a month to become tour guides and help keep the trail going.

Local high schools and service groups also work with members to maintain the trail. Williams himself goes on work hikes to paint markers, cut up trees that may have fallen, weed-whack and other duties to keep the trail in good condition.

“It gets me outside once a month,” said Williams, speaking to what he loves most about being in the association.

The trail starts in Greensboro and, with the Monongahela River, runs all the way to West Virginia with the Ohio River. The trail is marked by a series of yellow markers on trees and posts on either side of the road.

Maps and trail guides can be obtained for $10 mailed to the association. The map, “Hikers Guide for the Warrior Trail,” was first published in 1988 and gives more information about the trail and the places throughout it.

Hikers looking to use the trail can access it from any intersection of the road on the trail, as long as they look for the yellow signage.

According to ExplorePATrails.com, the trail is easy for casual hikers, though they should also be considerate that some of the trail passes through private property.

Williams said the first step to starting a hike is to get outside and obtain a county map or trail guide. He said they also have a Facebook page with information for interested hikers.

The association holds its monthly meetings on the third Thursday of every month.