Rebuilding WNC's Hiking Trails
Helene left its mark. The trails need work. And we need people like you.
There are two ways to help:
Trail Crew Leader (TCL) Training
Trail Work Needs Volunteer Leaders. This program trains them.
Hiking trails across Western North Carolina took a hit after Hurricane Helene. The demand for volunteers is higher than ever—and so is the need for qualified volunteer Trail Crew Leaders (TCL) who can guide and manage trail workdays.
This two-day, hands-on training program prepares volunteers and staff to lead safe, effective trail maintenance crews. No new trail construction, no heavy machinery—just the critical skills needed to restore and maintain trails properly.
Learn from experienced instructors.
Get hands-on field training.
Earn a Crew Leader Certificate.
Scholarships covering 50-100% of program costs are available through the Rebuild Black Mountain Resilience Fund.
Program Overview
This course covers the essential skills needed to lead trail crews:
Trail assessment & maintenance → Learn to identify issues and fix them effectively.
Crew safety & leadership → Gain the skills to manage volunteers safely.
Hands-on fieldwork → Spend half the day in the classroom, half the day on the trail.
Tailgate & safety talks → Learn how to guide teams in the field.
Classes will be held across the 27 counties affected by Helene. Each session is hosted by a local land manager or trail organization.
Minimum class size: 9 students (max: 12). Larger sessions available upon request.
Fee: $700 per student (scholarships available).
Prerequisites:
Must be 18+
Prior trail work experience required
Must bring personal protective equipment (helmet, gloves, eye protection, boots)
Sign Up
More Information & Downloads
Download the Program Overview (PDF)
Download the Class Description (PDF)
Still have questions? Contact us here.
Volunteer Opportunities
Rebuilding Trails. Restoring Access.
Western North Carolina’s trails took a hit after Hurricane Helene. The good news? You can help.
Trail work isn’t just about fixing damage—it’s about ensuring these trails stay open, safe, and accessible for everyone. Whether you’ve got years of experience or you’re stepping onto the trail for the first time, there’s a way to get involved.
Join a workday.
Give back to the trails you love.
Be part of a passionate outdoor community.
Volunteer with These Organizations
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Foothills Conservancy
Conserving Carolina
Carolina Mountain Club
Pisgah SORBA
G5 Trail Collective
Friends of DuPont Forest
Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Pisgah Conservancy
FAQs
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Individuals are welcome to participate and receive a scholarship, however they must apply through a non-profit trail organization (which could be the organization hosting the class date/location they wish to attend). Acceptance of individual applications is at the discretion of the non-profit organization.
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Since each class requires a Trail non-profit organization to host, dates and locations will be determined as mutually agreed by the host organization and Mountain Top Trails, LLC.
Interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to subscribe to the email list for trail training so that Rebuild Black Mountain can keep you in the loop on dates/locations.
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This Program and specifically the scholarships are intended to help recovery in the counties affected by Helene. Our partners are the non-profits already conducting volunteer trail work in WNC. That said, any non-profit organization from outside WNC is welcome to contact us to learn more about this program.
And, there are several Trail Crew Leader classes offered throughout the U.S., along with the other classes you would need for a new program. Contact us for suggestions on who to contact.
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You can find volunteer crews doing work throughout WNC by checking their websites for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
See above under the volunteer organizations for more details on these opportunities. -
Yes. But a better path might be contacting the McDowell Technical Community College’s renowned Trail School, which is focused on developing talent like yours for jobs in the industry.
The Trail Crew Leader (TCL) class in this program is designed for volunteers; The Trail School offers a selection of relevant classes, training, and job experience. You can learn more here. -
Reach out to us:
Training@RebuildBlackMountain.org or call 828-417-2222.