*Written with the help of end-of-season notes by Trail Work Leader of the Western Slope Team, Karl Waizecker
Western Slope Wednesday Dig Nights: A Season of Progress, Good People, and Pure Fun
What a season. We set out with a simple but daunting goal—finish the first section of the new climbing trail from the parking lot to the first gravel road—and y’all absolutely ran with it. The energy was back, the shovels were moving, and the stoke was high.
We hit the ground running
That first section? Finished faster than anyone expected. Huge credit to the steady crews who kept showing up, week after week, and to the first-timers who jumped in with smiles and questions and left with calluses.
Dawn patrol scouts & a fast second section
A handful of Western Slope team members even got out for dawn patrol sessions—scouting and flagging the next line before work. Thanks to that prep (and a strong push from our friends at the Appalachian Conservation Corp), the second section saw amazing progress too.
“Sponsor a Night” brought new faces
One idea that really clicked this year was inviting groups to sponsor a dig night. With Morgan’s organizing, we had new folks rolling in every week—fresh hands, new stories, and a lot of momentum. Shout out to Rocktown Bikes, Shenandoah Bicycle Company, the Her+ Trail Run, Monday Night Women’s MTB Ride (2x!!), Mole Hill Bikes, Redeemer School, Wednesday Night Social Ride, Mundies, and the Phi Chi Pre-medical Fraternity at JMU.
Looking ahead: potential partnerships
Our Trails Team pulled the final plan together and brought it to partners and and the community. Fingers crossed—more to come there!
Why it worked – volunteers, volunteers, volunteers
Simple: volunteers. From the regulars to the first-timers, and the Trails Team who sat around tables hashing out tough decisions, this season was a masterclass in what happens when people with different backgrounds and interests show up for a shared vision.
And we had a BLAST doing it.
By the numbers
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- Volunteer hours: 457.75 (a record high since 2020!)
- People involved: 89 (also a record high since 2020!!)
Gratitude, plain and simple
To everyone who sharpened or swung a tool, shared a ride, brought snacks or drinks, or wrangled signups—thank you. You didn’t just build trail, you built community.
See you out there next season!
