Seth Eshelman, a 2002 graduate of Montoursville Area High School, worked with fellow scouts to blaze and construct a two-mile hiking trail on Blessing Mountain, west of Wallis Run in Gamble Township. The rugged trail begins just before the bridge over Wallis Run along Wallis Run Road and heads upslope, gently at first but then more steeply as it approaches the rocky crest of the ridge.

The yellow and blue-blazed trail passes under the shady canopy of old-growth hemlocks and white pines and ends at a rocky outcrop overlooking Loyalsock Creek. Plans for the future include clearing an vista at the rock outcrop and connecting the trail to the Ryder Park trail system.

The trail is named in honor of Eagle Scout Matt Mertes, who worked on the trail and died tragically on Oct. 17, 2001.

Article appeared in the Nov. 17, 2002 Williamsport Sun-Gazette