Tackling a Switchback in Oklahoma

Nobody got off easy this day. First, we had to find big rocks to build the crib wall. We started the day with three wheelbarrows and ended with only two - not bad for all the work we did!
Marcel spent most of the day pounding rock, while James inspected his work. Each layer of the wall had to be backfilled with crushed rock and a layer of dirt.
Joey helps Dave to spread out some good soil. (Lesson learned ­ don't dig your borrow pit downhill from the work site!)
From the top you can see the turn forming, using the center tree as a natural obstacle to ride around.
Lora works at creating the crown on top of the switchback. The crown must have a five percent outslope all over it in order to shed water. Learn more about how to build rolling crown switchbacks.
The final picture of a tired yet proud group, 10 hours after the project started.
Charles Duke, IMBA's Oklahoma state representative, rides the new section. A big thanks goes out to Charles, who brought out a good turnout for the work day - and showed us some great trails.

In March of 2002, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew members Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner paid a visit to the Oklahoma Earthbike Fellowship and the Bicycle League of Norman in Watonga, Oklahoma. Mark and Lora presented an IMBA Trailbuilding School to 16 eager volunteers, including a representative from the local motorcycle club who was hoping to pick up some tips on how to build sustainable trails for motorcycle areas.

After some classroom instruction, it was time to get down to work at Roman Nose State Park. The group undertook a project that would go down in Oklahoma history: a true rolling crown switchback!

Participants in the day's labor still don't know what possessed them to tackle such a project, but it was well worth it. Over the course of 10 hours, 16 trailworkers managed to design and build a 5-foot high, 16-foot diameter switchback. Whew!