Raking, Rolling, Rocking, and Riding in Alabama

The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew works with Monte Sano State Park to build a rolling crown switchback.

A group of eager volunteers pauses for a photo in front of Monte Sano's newly restored community center. The Trailbuilding School was the first public event in the building in over 50 years.
The bigger the rock, the better when building a stone retaining wall.
Volunteers gather rock, rock, and more rock as the retaining wall is put together. The entire wall will need to be backfilled and crowned to create a proper turning surface.
The retaining wall is almost at its finished height.
Matt rides the finished turn to test the flow and be the first to put tracks on the new tread.
A special thanks to Mike from SORBA for bringing one of SORBA's tool trailers for the weekend. Each trailer houses enough tools for 75 people.
Thanks also to Monte Sano State Park for providing such wonderful accommodations for the Trail Care Crew during their stay. This historic stone cabin was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) almost 80 years ago!

More than 40 enthusiastic riders, runners, hikers, and climbers volunteered at Monte Sano State Park this March to learn the secrets of building sustainable and enjoyable trails from Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew team veterans, Lora Woolner and Mark Schmidt.

Blessed with steep terrain, oodles of rock, and rewarding views, Monte Sano is a hidden treasure in the city of Huntsville, Alabama. With more than 20 miles of trail already, the park will add a 1.5-mile connector trail to complete the loop around the entire mountain. The crew tackled one of the most difficult trail structures to build - a rolling crown switchback. Normally a 200+ hour project, the eager work crew was blessed with lots of rock and endless energy and completed the switchback in one day.

Lora and Mark's visit not only taught the basics of trail design, construction, and maintenance, it connected the park with community volunteers who are now trained and ready to make a difference at Monte Sano. Thanks to all who provided food (especially the dutch-oven meal that was served on the trail!), and the great Southern hospitality.