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Born in Old Fort.
Built for Everyone.

G5 Trail Collective is a community-driven trail program connecting five counties, two federal agencies, and hundreds of volunteers around a single idea - that great trails build great communities.

Get Involved Our Story
Our Mission
Leverage resources, increase volunteer support, and engage communities in the development of recreational infrastructure across the Grandfather District.

G5 Trail Collective is the trail program of non-profit Camp Grier, built on a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, local communities, and recreational trail user groups across Western North Carolina. We believe that well-built, freely accessible trails are among the most powerful tools a rural community has - driving health, economic vitality, and lasting pride of place.

Community-led. Conceived by local residents in Old Fort as a direct response to underfunded trail maintenance on public lands.

Publicly accessible. All G5 trails are on USFS land and free to use - forever. No memberships, no fees.

Economically intentional. Designed to be a driving force for healthy and economically vibrant rural communities across five counties.

G5 trails in Western North Carolina
What G5 Means

The Name Says It All

G5 isn't a brand - it's a declaration of geography and purpose. The name captures exactly who we are and where we work.

G
Grandfather Ranger District
The USFS Ranger District encompassing the public lands we build and maintain trails on across WNC.
5
Five Counties
McDowell, Burke, Caldwell, Avery, and Watauga - the five counties the Grandfather District serves.
Old Fort, McDowell County
Home base. Where G5 was conceived, where Phase I launched in 2019, and where the full 21 miles of Phase I trail opened by June 26, 2022.
Burke County
Phase II expansion area. Home to some of the most dramatic ridgeline terrain in the system.
Caldwell County
Part of the planned Phase III cross-county connector trail system.
Avery County
High-elevation terrain that will anchor the northern end of the full 42-mile loop.
Watauga County
The western terminus of the planned full loop, linking to existing trail networks around Boone.
Volunteers building trail in WNC
How We Got Here

The G5 Story

PRE 2019
The Problem
A District Without Resources

The Grandfather Ranger District - one of the most scenic and trail-rich public land areas in the Eastern U.S. - was chronically underfunded for trail maintenance and new development. Local communities recognized the district as a tremendous untapped asset.

2019
2019 - The Idea Takes Shape
G5 Is Conceived in Old Fort

A working group of local residents, trail users, and community leaders in Old Fort came together with a bold proposal: create a community-driven trail collective to fill the funding and capacity gap. G5 Trail Collective launches as a pilot program of Camp Grier.

2019
–21
2019–2021 - Building the Foundation
$200,000 Raised for Planning & Design

G5 raised more than $200,000 for planning, design, and permitting - laying the groundwork for a proposed 42-mile trail expansion on USFS lands surrounding Old Fort. The vision grows from a local pilot into a multi-county trail system.

2022
June 26, 2022 - Phase I Opens
21 Miles & 105-Space Trailhead

Phase I is complete. 21 miles of hand-built singletrack and a brand-new 105-space parking area open to the public - a landmark moment for Old Fort, McDowell County, and the entire WNC trail community. Riders and hikers show up in force.

NOW
Today - Phase II Underway
21 Miles Open, 21 More to Build

G5 continues to grow - leveraging volunteer support, private funding, and USFS partnership to push toward the full 42-mile system. More than 340+ volunteers and 8,200+ donated hours have helped get us here. The work isn't done.

Who We Work With

Built on Partnership

G5 Trail Collective works because of the organizations that believe in what we're building.

Parent Organization
Camp Grier

G5 Trail Collective is a program of Camp Grier, a non-profit organization based in Old Fort, NC. Camp Grier provides the organizational infrastructure, 501(c)(3) status, and operational backbone for all G5 activities.

Land Manager
USFS Grandfather Ranger District

All G5 trails are built and maintained on U.S. Forest Service lands within the Grandfather Ranger District. The USFS partnership is foundational - without it, none of this is possible.

Trail Advocacy
IMBA

The International Mountain Bicycling Association provides trail building standards, crew leader certification, and national advocacy support that shapes how G5 designs and constructs every mile of trail.

Regional Advocacy
SORBA Western NC

The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association's WNC chapter provides regional volunteer coordination, trail stewardship support, and connections to the broader mountain biking community across Western North Carolina.

The People

Leadership Team

G5 is run by a small, dedicated team of trail builders, community organizers, and outdoor advocates who believe deeply in the mission.

Christine Anderson
Christine Anderson
Director
Jan Smith
Jan Smith
Community Coordinator
Jay Jones
Jay Jones
Trail Lead
Mike Black
Mike Black
Volunteer Coordinator

Ready to Be Part of the Story?

Whether you show up with a shovel or a check, you're helping build something that will outlast all of us.

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