Trail Camp for Big Kids

Have you ever been jealous of all the kids who get to go on camps every summer? It sucks being a big kid with responsibility but here at the annual Trail Camp for big Kids, we are now inviting you, the big kid! This camp will focus on a variety of things, team building, navigation, community service, friendship, and of course a bit of running! 

Trail camp is for adults to get away from the busyness of life and a chance to play in the mountains for a long weekend. This camp welcomes all levels of runners and even non-runners! Camp consists of sharing campfire stories, trail stories, bad jokes, and miles throughout the forest. Camp is a no-pressure weekend so you are welcome to run as much or as little as you like. 

Welcome to Trail Camp for Big Kids! This long weekend is meant to be relaxed and fun with some running mixed in! We are headed back to Mount Mitchell and the highest point east of the Mississippi!

You are welcome to run as much or as little as you want! It is completely up to you. We will have some planned runs and we can split into groups that will stick together! All paces and abilities are welcome and we will not let people run on their own (unless they want to and are comfortable with it). The weekend schedule will be loose but follow the structure below. 

If you have any dietary restrictions, please plan to bring adequate food for yourself. We will try to offer vegetarian/vegan options but when planning for the masses, this can be difficult! 

When: July 24th - July 27th 2025

Where: Briar Bottom Campgroup - 50 Black Mountain Campground Rd, Burnsville, NC 28714

Thursday

• Campers arrive after 1pm

• Set Up Camp, Relax, Crack a Beverage

• Briar Bottom Campground - Two Group Sites 

Friday: 

• Breakfast Provided

• Group Shakeout Run - Noon

• Route - River loop from back of camp. Posted HERE

• As a group, we will run from camp on the South Toe River Loop Trail. We will stop at the bridge and do some walking drills before finishing the run. After the run, enjoy a dip in the river and then break off for dinner.

• Dinner plan: Camper responsible for own meal 

Saturday

• Saturday will be our longest day on the trails. Find a group who wants to do one of the routes below and be prepared to be on the trail for a while. Hydration pack with plenty of water or a filter is recommended.

• Breakfast 7-8 am

• Pancakes, Bacon, eggs? - Provided by Camp RDs

• Lunch - on trail, Runner responsible

• Dinner - Provided by camp FOOD SIGNUP HERE

• The run options are below. In order to do the Death by DNF loop, we will need someone to drive to Colbert's ridge trailhead with food and water for resupply at the halfway point. We can also look into dropping a car with supplies prior to the run. But if anyone isn’t planning on running, they can use my truck. This will also be the bailout point for anyone not planning on doing the full loop..

• Run Start time: 8-9am

• Options:

  • Mount Mitchell (up and down) ~ 11 miles Posted HERE

  • Death by DNF loop half (pickup at Colbert's ridge)

  • Death by DNF loop ~26 miles, aid at halfway. Route Here 

Sunday: 

Option 1: 

• Sunday is an open book. There are two options, Wake up early and hike the Mitchell trail to the top to watch the sunrise (weather depending).  The hike up will most likely take 3 hours or more so this may not be feasible for some people. I am not sure if the gate to the parking lot will be open at this time so driving might be an option for some.

• Option 2 is to sleep in and then go for a run on the MST trail or head out on the Green Knob trail to the firetower.

• Sunrise option (weather permitting):

• 2 am wake up to climb up Mitchell trail to the observatory to view the sunrise. Run back down post sunrise

• Breakfast to follow run - Camper’s responsibility/leftover pancakes/bacon

Option 2: 

• Sleep in.

• Breakfast 7-9 am

• Green knob fire tower trail or MST Posted HERE

• Campers leave in the afternoon. Option to stay until Monday

• Lunch - Camper responsibility

• Dinner - Camper responsibility