Wilderness Trail, Inc.

About Wilderness Trail

Jump to: Our Ministry | Our Location | "The Sweeper"

Our Ministry

Our mission is to lead youth and adults on their journey with Christ.

Wilderness Trail is a 501(c)3 North Carolina nonprofit that uses backpacking as a tool for discipleship. Our week-long Summer Events for youth take place between June and August each year. During May, September, and October we offer weekend experiences geared toward families where ages 5 and up can participate.

Although we pick a theme for each season, all our events touch on the Christian core issues of servant leadership, the body of Christ, overcoming challenges, self-worth, and unconditional love. Wilderness Trail's process is based on experiential learning and the belief that often faith is "caught more than taught." Through our events, hikers are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and experience the Christian journey at a deeper level.

Part of our mission is to make our ministry as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. This means keeping our registration fees low and scholarshipping many hikers. This also means that Wilderness Trail depends on donations to continue and to grow.

Where Wilderness Trail is Located

Wilderness Trail, Inc., operates out of a small town called Troutdale, in the southwest corner of Virginia. We are located near Mt. Rogers, the highest point in the state, and about 12 miles from Damascus, VA, home of the annual "Trail Days." The area around our property has been called "the Montana of the east" for its peaks and highlands. Backpacker Magazine has ranked "Buzzard Rock," on Whitetop Mountain, as one of the top ten views in the United States. During our hikes, we pass through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, and Grayson Highlands State Park. We use the Appalachian, Iron Mountain, Pine Mountain, and Virginia Creeper trails, among others.

Click here to learn more about our Property and how to get there.

"The Sweeper"

L.B. Izzi was one of the founding members of Wilderness Trail and is the namesake of our Lodge ("The Sweeper's Place"). While Rob and Sarah Blackburn were serving LaFayette Street UMC, L.B. went on one of Rob's weekend hikes. L.B. had one of those "heart strangely warmed" experiences and became convicted that this Christ-centered backpacking experience should be available to more than just the congregation Rob was currently serving. As a successful businessman, L.B. was the type who didn't just talk about doing something - he did it. So although Rob was hesitant to start an official ministry, L.B. was persistent. In 1987, Wilderness Trail became an official North Carolina 501(c)3.

In addition to his organizational leadership, L.B. helped lead countless hikes with Wilderness Trail. He quickly gained the nickname "The Sweeper" for his love for the last position in a hiking group. Often he would patiently hike behind the last hiker, quietly encouraging them no matter how slow the pace. L.B. was a man of few words but deep faith. His example of servant leadership is at the core of our identity as a ministry.

L.B. passed away in the spring of 2000, but his legacy lives on. Everything from the existence of our Lodge - to our leaders' patience on trail - to our love for t-shirts with our logo on them - can be accredited to this founding member. He is a reminder that our faith is not just something we talk about, but something we live.

Wilderness Trail, Inc. | P.O. Box 742 Waynesville, NC 28786 | (828) 734-3142