VolunTourism in McDowell County
By Kimberly Button
Travelers to western North Carolina are seeking an opportunity to share their time and help rebuild areas that have been impacted by the flooding and debris from Hurricane Helene. Many destinations in the mountains have been significantly affected by the unprecedented storm and your favorite bike trails in Pisgah National Forest, scenic overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway or local restaurants and breweries may currently be closed to tourism.
(a natural recreation area affected by Hurricane Helene)
While these spots may not be open to visitors yet, they are open to those who are looking to share their time, energy and efforts to restore and rebuild the communities and leave a lasting legacy of trails and outdoor spaces. Known as VolunTourism, the concept of volunteering while on vacation is growing in popularity after the storm and offers families and friends the chance to make a lasting positive impact on the destinations they visit.
The town of Old Fort, North Carolina is an excellent location for VolunTourism and trail-cations, where volunteers spend part of their time maintaining and building trails that will then be enjoyed by everyone for years to come.
This isn't a new concept for our towns in McDowell County, though. Many of the mountain biking trails in Old Fort and the Pisgah National Forest exist because of passionate volunteers who have come from around the country to spend a few days both working and playing. Now the outdoor spaces need volunteers to build back the bridges, trails, waterfalls and bike tracks that have suffered significant destruction from flooding and tree debris due to Hurricane Helene.
Trail-cations and VolunTourism is made easily accessible thanks to the McDowell Tech Trail School, a hub for workshops and classes that provide instruction on trail building and maintenance, as well as hands-on work in the national forest and on private trails.
One of only a few trail schools in the United States, the unique educational program is designed to train new volunteers as well as providing guidance in finding established volunteer organizations with opportunities for helpers. The 2-3 day classes are perfect for anyone who wants to make an immediate impact in the community during a visit to the area.
Two unique trail-cation opportunities are currently available to help rebuild McDowell county trails and recreational areas.
National Sawyer
To cut downed trees in national forests, volunteers need to have credentials in the National Sawyer database. The U.S. Forest Service database tracks the training and credentials of volunteers, as well as employees and partners, who operate chainsaws and crosscut saws on National Forest System lands.
(Sawyer class demonstration taking place in the Pisgah National Forest)
The McDowell Tech Trail School is offering several classes throughout the year to meet the demand of hundreds of people who want to be a part of the database. Once registered, you can volunteer locally to remove debris in Pisgah National Forest and assist in rebuilding public lands. Your credentials then allow you to continue to lend help across the United States when working through a volunteer organization that has a legal relationship with the U.S. Forest Service land.
The 2-3 day long comprehensive training and evaluation combines classroom instruction with practice in clearing debris in the forest. Small groups of 6 volunteers are paired with an instructor for education and hands-on skills.
"Volunteers are always needed on public lands because the Forest Service doesn't have enough employees or budget to do it," said Jeremy Poore, a co-instructor for classes at McDowell Tech Trail School. "It is a beautiful collaboration between non-profit volunteer groups and the national forest to keep public lands in tip top shape."
Pump Track
McDowell County is known for some of the nation’s best mountain biking trails, and this is your opportunity to help build a new bike experience. The Old Fort Community Learning Pump Track will be built at the trailhead of the Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail (F3ST).
A pump track in biking is similar to what a skatepark is in skateboarding, a place to practice skills, get a workout and build community.
When the new trailhead was being designed, a 15,000 square-foot pump track was included with an agreement to fund and build it through a series of classes at McDowell Tech Trail School taught by Peter Mills of Elevated Trail Design, LLC, a member of the Professional Trail Builders Association. The project is a partnership between F3ST, The Town of Old Fort, McDowell Tech Community College, Mountain Top Shuttles LLC and Elevated Trail Design.
The Pump Track Design and Construction classes are 3-day learning sessions with plenty of hands-on opportunities to move and mold the 1,000 cubic yards of dirt to build and shape the public track. You will participate in discussions about design considerations while also learning about geometry and drainage of the unique components of a track for cycling.
For more information on upcoming Trail and Sustainability classes, check out the McDowell Tech website HERE.
Lodging
If you want to build friendships and enjoy camaraderie with other volunteers, Camp Grier is an excellent location to stay during your trail-cation. Like-minded travelers often go out for bike rides or brewery visits after a day of training or meet up for late-night talks around the campfire.
Located less than 3 miles from the Old Fort Workforce Education Center, Camp Grier works with the Trail School for housing opportunities. Heated bunkhouses or campsites with access to showers and bathrooms are available.
Additionallodging can be found in nearby Marion, or at Airbnbs and Bed and Breakfasts in Old Fort. Check our "Stay" section for more.
