Trail Building with Excavators

Destination Training: come to Old Fort, NC nestled in Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains just 25 minutes from Asheville. Stay in our trail town, ride/run/hike/fish, enjoy local restaurants, breweries and art galleries. For local lodging try Airbnb (Hey Old Friend), VRBO, Wunderland Resort, Curtis Creek Campground, Catawba Falls Campground, Copper Ridge Cabins at Grier Village and more...

This class begins with an overview of basic sustainable trail design and construction. We’ll review planning maps, utilize LIDAR imaging for ultra-detailed terrain visualization and review Avenza Maps GPS coordinates.

Next, we’ll walk the flagged trail corridor and discuss “ground truthing” while making sure our trail layout works with sustainable trail principles. Then, it’s time to hop in machines and begin building.

Machines can do a lot of work in the hands of skilled operators. Even still, there will be some amount of hand finishing required. Students will be instructed in all aspects of design, build, finish and will be participating in hand finishing of the trail including: feature shaping, back slope shaping, root removal/covering, trail tread packing, drain shaping/water management.

All hand tools will be provided including: mcloed, pulaski, rogue hoe, loppers, hand saws, rakes, shovels, plate compactors, blowers and more.

Bring your bike! As we are building trail for mountain biking, you’ll have the opportunity to ride (bike park waiver required) trail that we finish to ensure quality work and determine any needed changes or adjustments.

See class link for more info and to register!

Location

49 East Main Street
Old Fort, North Carolina 28762

Trail Competencies

• Trail Construction
• • Mechanized Trail Construction
• • Trail Finishwork
• • Water Management/Drainage Features

Relevant Trail Types

• Bicycling Trails