Presentation Transcript

1. Adopt a Trail Training

   Trails Basic Rules and Responsibilities Appendix F
2. Your Basic Role Pick-up and Remove Trash Regularly Trim Back Vegetation Cut and Remove low branches & downed trees Rock Management Water Management “It’s simple: keep users on the trail and the water off of it” - Joey Klein, IMBA Trail Care Crew
3. Basic Responsibilities Maintain regular communications with Trail Coordinator Talk with users on trail conditions Report on Trail Issues Track Time and Effort Know Contacts for Tools and Resources Make suggestions on improvements
4. Acknowledgements We wish to express our appreciation to the IMBA for allowing us to use selected content and images from their “Building Better Trails” books. We also wish to thank David Stuart and Richard White for their contributions to this training presentation. The Ogden Trails Network and Weber Pathways
5. Trail Vision Overview The trails of Ogden Area (overseen by the Ogden Trails Network) and Weber County (overseen by Weber Pathways) provide a wondrous and beautiful experience for all who explore them. It is a unique and special experience to immerse oneself in the natural beauty along the Wasatch Front, Bonneville Shore Line and throughout Weber County. Our trail system provides a singular combination of constant evolution and ready access which is available to all and free to everyone. However to ensure the future of the trails it requires the efforts of many to protect and preserve their unique ecosystem. Toward this end we have created three key programs – Adopt-a-Trail, Trail Champion and Trail Pathfinder. Each addresses a key need in the maintenance and growth of the trail system. Adopt-a-Trail Taking on the stewardship of a trail is a privilege, and it is important that the adopter take the responsibilities of maintaining the trail seriously. That is why we have prepared the following requirements so that you understand the value you can bring and responsibility you are taking on. You are not alone since we are there for guidance and assistance when faced with key or larger issues. But understand adopting a trail puts you as the first line of protection of a very special and natural resource. The same care, thought and hard work that goes into new trail construction must be applied to trail maintenance. Thankfully, it shouldn’t take much to keep a well-designed trail in good shape for many seasons. Maintenance shouldn’t substantially change the character of a trail or diminish user experience. Just as a good trail appears to have always been there, good maintenance should be almost invisible.
6. Maintain the Trail Corridor Bushes grow, trees fall, and branches have an uncanny way of trusting themselves onto the trail – precisely at eye level. Thus, your first order of business is to make sure that the trail corridor is still passable and that the sightlines are acceptable. Scout the trail with an eye for unwieldy vegetation and tree branches in the trail corridor, trees that have fallen and blocked the trail, loose rocks on the treads and exposed roots that could pose a danger to users. Then follow these steps to remedy these problems: 6 feet (183cm) 3 feet (91.5cm)
7. Step 1: Clean Up Trash All bring a trash bag when you visit the trails and pick up any garbage. Take it to the nearest garbage can or recycle bin. Visit the trails regularly during the March to September time period (Ideally weekly)
8. Step 2: Trim Vegetation Keeping the corridor maintained helps keep people on the trail. For example, cutting back vegetation helps visitors stay on the center of the tread (primary trail path). Most forested areas require two corridor-clearing projects per year, and sometimes more. Early spring is an ideal time to clear downed trees, and fall is the best season to clear overgrowth. Creative pruning along alternative sides of a trail accentuates curves to keep a twisty trail twisty. Don’t trim more than necessary. Over-trimming tends to make a trail too straight, inviting speed. Remember to match the corridor height and width to the desired trail style (see guidelines later), and be sure to maintain a high ceiling (about 10 feet or 305 cm) on trails used by equestrians. 6 feet (183cm) 3 feet (91.5cm)
9. Step 2: Trim Vegetation (con’t) You can remove overgrown grass and light brush from the corridor with a weed whip. Loppers will come in handy for bushes and small branches. Be sure to cut branches outside of the bark collar (the branch joint to next larger limb). Completely remove stumps from the trail tread so they don’t pose a tripping hazard. Always wear protective clothing and items – gloves, safety glasses, closed toe boots, and a hat. Always bring a garbage bag for refuse found during the trimming process. Move cut material to the down-slope side of the trail or to cover “ghost trails” or washes. 6 feet (183cm) 3 feet (91.5cm)
10. Trim Vegetation guidelines The general rule is a 36 inch tread width (path) and 6 foot vegetation width (arms extended do not touch vegetation). Plan two trimmings, first in the Spring and then again in the Fall. Some trails may require trimming more often. Do a particularly aggressive cut-back with low thorn bushes to protect curious children. Work at making your trimming seem natural and random vs regimented. Keep the natural beauty were possible. 6 feet (183cm) 3 feet (91.5cm)
11. Step 3: Cut and Move Downed Trees Remove blow-downs and deadfall from the trail tread, especially if the trees in question force visitors off the trail or trap water. Logs are generally removed from beginning and intermediate shared-use trails. On advanced-level single-track, however, downed logs can be considered desirable obstacles, as they help keep speed down and provide experience users with a challenge. In that case, the log can be partially moved so the novice riders can pass it easily while more experience riders can ride over it. 6 feet (183cm) 3 feet (91.5cm)
12. Step 4: Remove Loose Rocks Trails that feature deeply embedded rocks can be a technical wonderland for advanced users. Loose rocks, on the other hand, are generally a hazard on beginner and intermediate trails. They are eventually torn from the tread, leaving holes that can trip trail users. Fill such holes and be sure to moisten and compact the soil. Embedded rocks are good for durability and retention so leave them unless they are loose. Don’t use loose rock for decorative edges on the down-slope since they will retain water (see Tread Tips) 6 feet (183cm) 3 feet (91.5cm)
13. Step 5: Examine Exposed Roots Yes, some mountain bikers like the challenge of riding over roots, but masses of exposed roots often indicate a larger erosion problem on the trail, requiring attention. Consider removing a solitary root from the trail tread if it poses a hazard. If you can catch your foot beneath the root, it should probably be removed. Roots that run perpendicular to the trail are usually less hazardous to users than irregular roots running the length of the trail. If you have questions about the number or type of roots and how to handle them please contact your Trail Coordinator. 6 feet (183cm) 3 feet (91.5cm)
14. Tread Tips Look for places where water is being trapped on the tread. Try to do this when it’s actually raining. Remove obstacles or features that cause puddles and force users off the trail to get around. (decorative rocks along the downhill side might look nice but create exactly this problem and worse, create slippery ice conditions in the Spring and late Fall). Restore the out-slope and/or remove berms. This is often the primary maintenance job. If a trail has become in-sloped or developed a berm, it will collect and channel water and increase damage and hicking/biking risks.
15. Tread Tips (con’t) Fill and pack any holes or ruts after removing a problem. Because certain soil types won’t bond to each other, you may need to fix a hole or a rut by skimming the surrounding tread down to its level. Don’t forget to re-establish the out-slope. On trails with very steep grades, or in rainy areas, “armoring” may be necessary to sustain the tread. Armoring means placing stones or other highly durable material into the tread surface. When using stones, be sure they’re large enough not be displaced by use. Proper armoring helps a trail bed last indefinitely.
16. Natural Obstacles Rocks may roll onto a trail and trees may fall across it. In most cases, these things should be removed. But sometimes natural obstacles are a blessing, giving a trail an interesting, technical character. If the majority of people can pass over or through an obstacle while staying on trail, and it isn’t trapping water, consider leaving it. Obstacles help keep speed down while giving experience trail users the challenge they like. If in doubt contact your Trail Coordinator for advice or assistance.
17. Drainage Even well built trails with proper out-slope can lose their tilt over time and begin trapping and funneling erosive water. There are two reasons for this: The center of the trail may become compacted with use, resulting in a U-shaped tread that traps water. Loose material can collect on the outer edge of the tread, forming a berm that traps water. Fortunately, the remedy is straightforward. Deberm the trail by scraping the mounded dirt off the tread’s edge, and reestablish a 5% out-slope Out-slope restoration and deberming are essential to maintaining water sheet flow across a trail. However, many contour trails (even those with proper out-slope) can benefit from improved drainage. If you feel this is necessary please contact your Trail Coordinator for assistance.
18. Special Issues Please contact your Trail Coordinator if: You believe additional drainage or erosion management is needed. A trail should be considered for redirection or a detour. A trail’s current layout creates users or water hazards A trail should be retired for safety, preservation or use reasons Unusual conditions are developing from current weather and user conditions