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&s ec=vum. All toolboxes are products of the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center. http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=toolboxes&s ec=vum

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 1. Present a trail system assessment process for evaluating the sustainability of existing trails. 2. Describe trail design and management strategies, including:  Selecting resistant alignments  Constructing resistant trails 3. 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 Connecting & Destination Trails Recreational Trails Trails used for Admin. & Resource Management Purposes Core Road & Trail System Identify trails with poor soil, vegetation, and topographic characteristics and/or conflicting uses Field assessment of trail suitability Eliminate and/or identify alternative alignment for problem trails Optimal Trail System

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

8. Trail Alignment Angles 0-22 degrees Impossible to drain water, will erode except on low trail grades 23-45 degrees Poor – difficult to drain water, will erode on steep trail grades 46-67 degrees Good – easy to drain water while still gaining elevation 68-90 degrees Excellent - easy to drain water, trail doesn’t gain elevation very fast

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

10. Trail Grade Remarks Drainage Spacing 0-2Avoid – difficult to drainNot possible 3-6%Ideal for general uses500 ft 7-10%OK in places if maintained300 ft 11-15% OK for short segments if well- maintained or in rocky soils 100 >15% Avoid unless steps are constructed <50 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. Side-hill trails, outsloped treads Construct Resistant Trails

12. Crossing wet terrain Construct Resistant Trails

13. Tread design Construct Resistant Trails Rolling Grade Dip

14. Wood surfacing Construct Resistant Trails

15. Gravel Surfacing

16. Rock surfacing Construct Resistant Trails

17. Rot resistant wood Construct Resistant Trails

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

19. Geotextiles Construct Trails to Reduce Impacts

20. Geotextiles Construct Trails to Reduce Impacts

21. Maintain Trails to Reduce Impacts Relocations Needed

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

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

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

25. Maintenance Features: Stream Crossing Solutions

26. Maintenance Features: Stream Crossing Solutions

27. Graveling Maintain Trails to Reduce Impacts

28. Tread Drainage Maintain Trails to Reduce Impacts

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