Last Friday, our usual morning endurance workout looked a little different. Instead of rowing, running, or circuit training, our team headed to Devil’s Lake State Park. There, we volunteered with Friends of Devil’s Lake for trail work. Our mission? Move gravel to the run-down trail near Balanced Rock—one bucket at a time.
It sounds simple enough until you realize those quite heavy buckets had to be carried roughly 200 feet down the trail, followed by a 200-foot hike back up… and then repeated that over and over again.
The goal with Trail Work? Do Your Personal Best
Some of us filled buckets, some carried them. Then some made two trips while others made six. But that’s exactly what made the day so rewarding. Everyone leaned into their own strengths, encouraged each other, and contributed in the way they could. No one was keeping score—we were all working toward the same goal.
That’s something we talk about often in training. Progress doesn’t look the same for everyone. Every person brings different abilities, different experiences, and different capacities on any given day. When everyone shows up willing to give their best, amazing things happen.
Theres Functional Fitness in Tail Work
The trail work also fit within Summit’s belief that fitness doesn’t have to happen inside four walls.
Our Friday morning crew usually tackles a more traditional endurance workout, but this was an incredible way to mix things up. Carrying awkward loads over uneven terrain, hiking steep trails, and spending a couple hours moving outdoors challenged us in ways that felt purposeful and refreshing. Functional fitness isn’t just about lifting heavier or moving faster—it’s about being capable enough to help your community when it needs you and there are few places more deserving than Devil’s Lake.
Giving Back Where It Matters Most
Whether you climb, hike, paddle, trail run, or simply enjoy the scenery, Devil’s Lake is a place that means something to so many people in our community. It’s where countless adventures begin, friendships grow, and memories are made. Being able to give back to a place that gives so much to all of us made the work feel incredibly meaningful.
The best part? We were back at Devil’s Lake the very next day for our Gym-to-Crag outing with Apex Adventure Alliance, spending the day climbing on the very cliffs that make the park so special. It was a great reminder that taking care of these spaces today helps ensure they’ll continue to inspire future adventures.
Want to Get Involved with Trail Work?
We’re grateful to Friends of Devil’s Lake for organizing the project and for all they do to help preserve this incredible place.
If there’s one thing we hope people take away from our day, it’s this:
- Get outside
- Try a new way to move your body
- Trade your workout for an adventure every once in a while
- Find a community that supports you, challenges you, and gives you opportunities to give back
You’ll probably end the day exhausted and a little dirty, but a whole lot stronger—not just physically, but as part of something bigger.
Looking to get involved? Reach out at www.friendsofdevilslake.org/volunteer