To the KT Community:
It's an honor to announce that the new 0.6 mile climbing trail, Moriah's Ascent, is now complete and open!! Named in memory of Moriah Wilson, a rising star in the gravel and MTB race scene, former KT employee, Burke Mountain Academy alumni, and a beloved daughter, sister, and friend to many. We know that this trail will help preserve Moriah’s legacy in our community, a legacy made to live on forever.
Moriah’s Ascent is built as a climbing trail that begins just above the bottom of Moose Alley and brings you to the to Butter Tubs or mid way up Moose Alley. Entirely hand built with multiple switchbacks for a mellow grade, it also offers a few short, punchy climbs. Built to be Adaptive MTB friendly, the trail travels through beautiful hardwoods and towering hemlock stands.
Throughout the months of June and July, numerous and diverse groups donated their time to work on the trail, equaling a total of 200 volunteer hours! Ground was broken on Saturday, June 25th with a mixture of volunteers from the KT Board, community members, and the Wilson’s family and friends. This group cut in the first section of the trail, laying way and direction for future groups and work to be done. Trail crews supplied by the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and Northwoods Stewardship Center came next, completing over 100 hours of trail work amongst the groups. From Northwoods came an all-women's crew, the first of its kind working on the KT network! Along with the 9 teenage girl volunteers from the Saratoga Shredder MTB camp, these two groups work to break down barriers and empower women in our local community, a mission close to Moriah’s heart.
Throughout the month of July the KT Trail Crew made headway in constructing the newly cut-in trail, furthering the trail’s length, making way for completion towards the end of July. A large thank you goes to our KT Trail Crew, who work hard to maintain the KT network while building new trails. On July 30th, KT hosted the final Volunteer Work Day on Moriah’s Ascent. Alongside numerous community member volunteers came a youth cycling group from Rhode Island, 1PVD Cycling. A group that envisions a world where all students have a safe place to pursue their physical, social and emotional development, 1PVD Cycling works to overcome obstacles by giving opportunities to students to pursue MTB and cycling opportunities they might otherwise not have had. In the second year of coming to KT, the group has now worked on two trails and continues to return to give back and learn even more!
Moriah’s Ascent will be dedicated on Thursday, August 11th, 2022 with the Wilson Family and numerous community members in remembrance of the remarkable impact Moriah Wilson had on our community. CJ Scott, Trail Director at KT reflected: “The KT Trail crew is honored to help create a lasting memory for Moriah through the construction of this trail by honoring her name and legacy. It is a fitting tribute to her and we are humbled to be a part of celebrating her life with the dedication of this trail.”
We hope that you will feel the reverence, joy, and tranquility as you ride this trail in the future! A huge thank you to all of the volunteers and trail crew for all of their hard work! Another huge thank you to the landowners who made this trail possible: William & Teresa Binney and Burke Mountain Operating Company. Thank you Landowners! Enjoy your first ascent up Moriah’s Ascent, and remember to Ride with Gratitude ;)
