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Carolina Mountain Club creates woodsy trail for Rugby cross country team

Carolina Mountain Club volunteers cut a trail through the woods for Rugby cross country team. [CONTRIBUTED]

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 14, 2024

Rugby Middle School runners will enjoy a new trail through the woods for cross-country practice and meets in the upcoming school year thanks to the work of Carolina Mountain Club volunteers.

Spearheaded by West Henderson cross country Coach Aaron Saft, the initiative aims to revive high school cross-country meets at Rugby with a unique route winding through the woods. Unlike the flatter grassy trails that have become common in recent years, Rugby's new trail emphasizes the experience of running through wooded terrain and hills.

Coach Saft initially sought assistance from fellow runner and CMC member Victor Marino. Realizing the scale of the project, they reached out to CMC President Les Love for additional support. Love in turn enlisted CMC crew leaders Madison Evans and Jan Onan to assess the trail, and Onan collaborated with Paul Curtin to coordinate several CMC crews to begin work this summer.

Preparation for the community workday on June 22 involved extensive mapping and clearing of thick rhododendron areas. The community day was a success, clearing half the route. Subsequent CMC efforts have focused on trail-brushing, dead tree removal and marking the 1.3-mile addition with flags and ribbons.

On Friday, July 12, the Asheville and Pisgah Friday crews, along with other teams, completed cutting through the rhododendron and continued the tread work. Under the supervision of CMC trail supervisor Tom Weaver, a crew started installing a bridge for stream erosion control and runner safety.

CMC will continue scheduling their crews until the trail is complete, including the Thursday Crew joining for the first time on July 18. Coach Saft extended his heartfelt gratitude to the crew leaders and their members for bringing his vision closer to reality.

Crew leaders involved in organizing, planning, and implementation were Paul Curtin, Asheville Friday crew leader and Appalachian Trail Supervisor; Tom Weaver, trails facilities manager and past CMC president; Les Love, CMC president and secondary trail supervisor; Jan Onan and Madison Evans, Section Rovers Co-Crew Leaders; David Pizzolato and Ken Hummel, Asheville Thursday co-crew leaders; Rob Bolt, Pisgah Friday co-crew leader; Don Cooper, Pisgah Friday co-crew leader.

For more information on the Carolina Mountain Club visit carolinamountainclub.org.