Trail Design, Construction, & Management

1. This document is contained within the Visitor Use Management Toolbox on Wilderness.net. Since other related resources found in this toolbox may be of interest, you can visit this toolbox by visiting the following URL: http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=toolboxes&sec=vum. All toolboxes are products of the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center.

2. Trail Design, Construction, & Management Jeff Marion, Unit Leader/Scientist Virginia Tech Field Unit, USGS, Patuxent WRC jmarion@vt.edu, 540-231-6603

3. Presentation Objectives • Present a trail system assessment process for evaluating the sustainability of existing trails. • Describe trail design and management strategies, including: • Selecting resistant alignments • Constructing resistant trails • Describe trail management strategies, including: • Maintaining trails to reduce impacts • Managing visitors to reduce impact

4. Trail System Assessment Definition: Identify trails that have a high physical potential for sustainable use (i.e., appropriate soils, hydrology, and vegetation), and also contribute to the overall recreation and transportation needs of the entire protected area. Requires initial identification of potential trails and further site-specific evaluation of trail conditions by trained personnel. Purpose: To provide a decision-making framework for selecting a trail system that is compatible with the landscape and provides recreation opportunities that fit within the stated agency mission.

5. Trail System Assessment Summary Administrative & Public Roads Field assessment of trail suitability Connecting & Destination Trails Core Road & Trail System Optimal Trail System Recreational Trails Identify trails with poor soil, vegetation, and topographic characteristics and/or conflicting uses Eliminate and/or identify alternative alignment for problem trails Trails used for Admin. & Resource Management Purposes

6. Trail Design and Management Strategies • Select resistant alignments – most important factor (trail alignment relative to topography, resistant soils) • Construct resistant trails • Maintain trails to reduce impacts • Manage visitors to reduce impacts

7. Resistant Alignments Trail Alignment Angle to the Prevailing Slope Low Alignment angle High Alignment angle

8. Trail Alignment Angles

9. Trail Profiles Trail Profiles with Different Topographic Positions and Trail Alignment Angles Upper Slope Upper Slope Mid-slope Lower Slope

10. Trail Grade Horse & Motorized Use Trails – Grades should not exceed 10% due to their higher potential for erosion. Gravel is also recommended unless soils are rocky.

11. Construct Resistant Trails Side-hill trails, outsloped treads

12. Construct Resistant Trails Crossing wet terrain

13. Construct Resistant Trails Tread design Rolling Grade Dip

14. Construct Resistant Trails Wood surfacing

15. Gravel Surfacing

16. Construct Resistant Trails Rock surfacing

17. Construct Resistant Trails Rot resistant wood

18. Construct Resistant Trails Gravel, concrete block, & cement surfacing

19. Construct Trails to Reduce Impacts Geotextiles

20. Construct Trails to Reduce Impacts Geotextiles

21. Maintain Trails to Reduce Impacts Relocations Needed

22. Gravel Rocks to Slow erosion Maintain Trails to Reduce Impacts Relocations Needed

23. Maintain Trails to Reduce Impacts Maintenance Features: Stream Crossing Impacts

24. Maintain Trails to Reduce Impacts Maintenance Features: Stream Crossing Solutions

25. Maintenance Features: Stream Crossing Solutions

26. Maintenance Features: Stream Crossing Solutions

27. Maintain Trails to Reduce Impacts Graveling

28. Maintain Trails to Reduce Impacts Tread Drainage

29. Manage Visitors to Reduce Impacts • Educate Visitors • Regulate Visitors

30. Leave No Trace: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces • Stay on formal trails when possible, walk single file in the center of the tread. Don’t create new trails.

31. Visitor Regulations Regulate the Type, Amount, & Behavior of Visitation