As part of Field Day, San Marcos High School held the Rattler Run with over 150 participants running (or walking) the brand-new SMHS Rattler Ridge trail. Students and staff are walking the trail daily, and the run has led to more interest in cross-country running and in the other trails in San Marcos (especially Purgatory Creek Natural Area). An estimated 300+ hours of student volunteer work was invested in building the just over one-mile-long trail. Some of the students have caught the trail building bug too. There's lots of talk about a phase 2 extension, bridge building, kiosks, etc.
SMGA donated a sign for the trail, loaned some tools, and provided expertise in trail design and building techniques. Special thanks to SMGA Stewardship Committee chair Charlie O'Neil, who was out there working with the kids for hours and hours.
It's exciting to hear and experience the buzz of a new trail and new experience for many of the students. One in particular has taken his whole family mountain biking out there, and then led a group of 10+ high school kids to hike from the Wonder World trailhead to the Upper Purgatory entrance. The following article has some information about the SMHS Bike Club, which sponsored the trail, and early information about the trail itself: http://www.smcisd.net/popup_info.cfm?story=1136 or http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/local/x977558985/Block-lunches-inspire-love-of-bicycling.
