McDowell Tech Trail School

08/10/2026

Presenting tomorrow at the Great Trails State Conference in Winston Salem, NC. Excited to have such a great group on the panel!

05/21/2026

Even more local trail jobs!!! They just keep comin!!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BodsKuAcQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Want to turn your passion for the outdoors into a career and make a lasting impact on some of the most iconic trails in the country?

We’re hiring! Pisgah Area SORBA is looking for dedicated individuals to join our team in building, maintaining, and protecting the incredible trail networks that define our community.

We are currently accepting applications for:
Lead Trail Specialist - (1 position)
Trail Specialist - Brevard (2 positions)
Trail Specialist - Asheville (2 positions)

If you want to work alongside a passionate team of advocates, land managers, and volunteers to help keep Pisgah’s trails thriving for generations to come, we want to hear from you.

Head over to the link in our bio to view the full job descriptions and apply: pisgahareasorba.org/job-openings

For general inquiries, reach out to us at [email protected]

05/11/2026

More trail jobs in WNC!!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18yjM82jdV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Are you looking for a trails job in Western North Carolina? Our Northwest NC Mountain Bike Alliance chapter is hiring for TWO positions! Find out more and submit an application at the link.

https://ridenwnctrails.com/jobs/

04/16/2026

Free Outdoor Training in Old Fort!

April 23rd at 5:30p.

04/16/2026

Do you build or maintain trails? Want to improve your use of rock in trail repair and construction?

We’ll be conducting Hurricane Helene trail repair on Hickory Branch Trail near Curtis Creek in Old Fort, NC.

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 is a 3-day intensive workshop with the Master of Rock: Fred Lashley who has taught all over the east coast and worked with stone for over 30 years. Do not miss this chance to learn from one of the best!!!

Proper rock building technique addresses the following: water movement, trail problem analysis, types of rock structures, tools for rock work, safely moving heavy loads, locating rock, rock selection, building sound foundations, proper and stable placement, and finish work. Many trail builders and maintainers have a fascination with building with stone, yet just don’t know where to start.

This class will serve as a primer to all future advanced rock work classes. Along with proper building technique, the instructors will set up and demonstrate proper use of winches, griphoist, highline, drag line, mechanical advantage with sn**ch blocks, possible use of drills for feathers and wedges, sledge hammers, rock bars, rock hammers and many other specialty tools.

More info and to register: https://mcdowelltech-register.fundfive.com/course/section/34481

Only $126.30

Wild SouthSouthern Off-Road Bicycle AssociationProfessional Trailbuilders AssociationMcDowell Technical Community CollegeNorthwest NC Mountain Bike AllianceThe G5 Trail CollectiveMcDowell Trails AssociationPisgah Area SORBACarolina Mountain ClubCarolina Climbers CoalitionFire Mountain Trails

03/30/2026

Here’s your chance to learn to design, layout and build sustainable trails by hand! Join the The G5 Trail Collective and McDowell Tech Trail School in this intensive workshop in Old Fort, NC.

In this class you will learn:
- sustainable trail design
- trail layout via lidar and topo map
- trail flagging and clinometer
- corridor clearing (brushing)
- hand bench cutting
- stone and other natural features

For more information and to register:

https://mcdowelltech-register.fundfive.com/course/section/33667

McDowell Technical Community CollegeFire Mountain TrailsNorthwest NC Mountain Bike AllianceSouthern Off-Road Bicycle AssociationMcDowell Trails AssociationPisgah Area SORBACarolina Mountain ClubCarolina Climbers CoalitionProfessional Trailbuilders AssociationWild South

03/23/2026

SOLD OUT - currently working on July and late fall dates for more classes. I have an email waitlist that you can get onto by emailing [email protected]

Want to learn to build singletrack trail with excavators? Have some machine experience?

Join Casey McKissick of Old Fort’s Foothills Watershed Watershed Bike Park and Jeremy Poore of McDowell Tech Trail School for 3 days of singletrack trail construction. You’ll take the operator’s seat on one of two Caterpillar 301.7 mini-excavators and work on a new beginner loop at the Bike Park. Students will gain valuable seat time and practice in constructing basic trail features: bench cutting, grade reversals, rolling contours, berms, drains, rollers and tables.

Note: This class is grant supported by the Recreational Trails Program of the NC Dept of Natural & Cultural Resources.

Cost to you: $126.30 Normal cost: $1200 per person

Dates: May 15-17, 2026

More info and to register at link below:

https://mcdowelltech-register.fundfive.com/course/section/33244

Mountain Top Shuttles The G5 Trail Collective McDowell Trails Association Destination McDowell McDowell Technical Community College Northwest NC Mountain Bike Alliance Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association Pisgah Area SORBA Chestnut Mountain Nature Park Carolina Mountain Club Carolina Climbers Coalition Fire Mountain Trails Professional Trailbuilders Association Wild South MADE X MTNS Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail Conservation Corps North Carolina Cumberland Gap Trail Alliance

02/09/2026

Yet more trail jobs in the WNC area! Trail work is on the rise!!! Average pay $22.79-$26.59/hr.

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for these parks is May - November, but the season may be extended or reduced due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2026 Open to the first 100 applicants or until 02/2...

02/08/2026

More local trail jobs! Go get em!!!

Current Job Openings Trail Crew Leader This position will lead a crew performing trail maintenance, new trail construction, bridge repair and construction, and

01/23/2026

With over 1600 closed ski resorts across the US, and the race to turn these slopes into mountain bike trail networks THE TRAIL ERA IS HERE!!!

Get your training at McDowell Tech. Spring classes will be posted soon!

https://www.singletracks.com/mtb-trails/over-1600-us-ski-resorts-have-been-abandoned-now-many-are-being-reborn-as-mtb-trails/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAPgWVxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe6SIdGqgWRU3aAz0OS4IyjvzwcYFcqDUczS0COTSKw-qgwxpUX-Q_9fEc0lM_aem_NzFXpRxMsaLidOnltnBbRw

As climate change kills off small ski resorts across the Midwest and Northeast, their steep hillsides are being transformed into the next generation of pedal-accessed flow trails.