White Mountain National Forest United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Eastern Region Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Townships of Cutts Grant and Sargents Purchase, Coos County, NH and Town of Jackson, Carroll County, NH Scoping Report Prepared by the Saco Ranger District January 2014 Rocky Branch Slope Failure and Trail damage July 2013 For Information Contact: Desiree Johnston White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger Station 33 Kancamagus Highway Conway, NH 03818 Phone: (603) 447-5448, ext. 128 http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/whitemountain/landmanagement/projects
This document is available in large print. Contact the Saco Ranger District, White Mountain National Forest 603-447-5448 TTY 603-447-3121 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Printed on Recycled Paper
Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Background... 1 Project Area.. 3 Management Direction. 4 Purpose and Need...... 8 Proposed Action. 10 Other Alternatives Considered.... 11 Decision to Be Made. 13 How to Submit Comments..... 14 Appendix A Trail damage maps Appendix B Trail Class Information i
This page intentionally left blank ii
iii Map 1. Project Vicinity Map iii
This page intentionally left blank iv
Map 2. Project Area Map v
This page intentionally left blank vi
Presidential Range Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Introduction The Saco Ranger District of the White Mountain National Forest is seeking your input on a proposal to repair and maintain approximately 13 miles of hiking trails and to decommission a trail shelter located within and immediately adjacent to the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area, in the townships of Cutts Grant, Sargents Purchase and Jackson, New Hampshire. The Rocky Branch, Dry River and Isolation trails were heavily damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011, and action is needed to address unacceptable erosion, protect water quality, repair recreation resources, and provide access for backcountry recreation and emergency search and rescue operations. This report includes the purpose and need for the project, a description of the proposed action, the decision to be made, and information on how you can submit comments on this project to the Forest Service. Background On August 28, 2011, the White Mountain National Forest received heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Irene, which caused substantial flooding and severe resource damage in many drainages located within the Saco River watershed, including Dry River and Rocky Branch. These rivers and their tributaries became choked with gravel, boulders and trees that were washed downstream by the floodwaters. With their banks full, these waterways carved new channels, spilled water onto nearby trails, eroded streambanks and overwhelmed bridges and culverts. Trails which cross and/or run alongside streams and rivers, such as Dry River, Isolation and Rocky Branch, were the most severely damaged by the flooding. The Dry River Trail begins along NH Route 302 in Crawford Notch State Park. The trail follows the Dry River north about 9.5 miles to the ridge between Mounts Monroe and Washington, ending at the Lakes of the Clouds. The first half of the trail originally followed an old standard gauge railroad corridor used for logging during the 1800s. Once the trail leaves the old railroad bed, it becomes a steep, narrow path maintained according to trail standards for wilderness. The Dry River is a volatile, entrenched channel surrounded by steep, bedrock slopes, which responds quickly to storm events throughout the year, not solely during spring runoff. The trail includes several difficult, and potentially dangerous, river crossings. Much of the trail was relocated in the early 1970s to bypass hazardous crossings of the Dry River. In 1977, following two hiker fatalities, the Forest Service constructed a suspension bridge crossing the Dry River approximately 1 mile inside the Wilderness Area boundary. The Forest Service replaced this bridge in 2009. 1
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District Dry River slope failure and consequent damage The Dry River Trail is used by diverse visitors with a range of skill levels. The trail provides access to the Dry River, a single shelter (#3) and Dry River Falls, as well as Mt. Washington, Mt. Monroe, Mt. Franklin, Mt. Eisenhower and Mt. Pierce via several connecting trails. The Davis Path and Crawford Path both parallel the Dry River Trail, and are more popular and heavily used ridge-top routes to these same destinations. Dry River Trail receives less use than either the Davis or Crawford Path; therefore it provides more solitude for hikers to destinations in the southern Presidential Range. Inclement weather occasionally pushes distressed hikers, seeking refuge from high winds and cold temperatures at elevations above tree line, into the Dry River drainage and onto the Dry River Trail. Search and Rescue personnel also use the Dry River Trail to search for missing hikers, so maintaining this trail is also important for the safety of hikers and rescue personnel. The Isolation Trail runs east to west through the Presidential Range, linking the Dry River Trail to both the Davis Path and the Rocky Branch Trail. The Davis Path splits the trail into roughly 2 sections. The section located to the east of the Davis Path follows the Rocky Branch of the Saco River north about 2.6 miles, and includes 4 river crossings. The trail then joins the Davis Path and follows it north for about 0.3 miles, before diverging to the west and heading downslope about 2.4 miles to the intersection with the Dry River Trail. 2
Presidential Range Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project The Rocky Branch Trail begins at the Jericho trailhead located at the end of the Rocky Branch Road (Forest Road 27) in Glen (Bartlett), New Hampshire. The trail follows the Rocky Branch of the Saco River north along the former Rocky Branch railroad line for approximately 2 miles to Rocky Branch Shelter #1, located near the intersection with the Stairs Col Trail. The trail continues to follow Rocky Branch along the old railroad grade for about another 4 miles to Rocky Branch Shelter #2, located near the intersection with the Isolation Trail. The trail then runs east about 1 mile, where it passes through a saddle on Rocky Branch Ridge, and then terminates approximately 2.8 miles downslope at the trailhead located on Forest Road 623, near NH State Route 16. Dry River, Isolation and Rocky Branch Trails predate the designation of the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area by Congress in 1975. Rocky Branch Shelter #2 is located within the Wilderness Area. The existing shelter was built between 1965 and 1970, prior to designation of the Wilderness Area by Congress in 1975, and replaced an earlier shelter constructed at this location in 1936. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) has adopted the White Mountain National Forest as one of fourteen beneficiaries in its Treasured Landscapes, Unforgettable Experiences campaign. This campaign focuses on building public-private partnerships in support of large-scale forest and watershed restoration, and will provide additional resources to the Tropical Storm Irene recovery effort. The Presidential Range has been selected by NFF as one of the three project areas located on the Forest. Project Area The project area encompasses approximately 1,113 acres of National Forest lands; an estimated 1,065 acres (roughly 95%) of which are located within the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area. Terrain within the project area is highly variable, ranging from ridgetops to extremely steep river drainages. Elevations within the project area range from about 1,400 feet at the southern end of the Dry River Trail, where the trail enters the Wilderness Area, to about 5,000 feet at Lake of the Clouds. A large portion of the Montalban Ridge is located within the project area, including Mt. Davis and Mt. Isolation. Major streamcourses located within the project area include most of the Dry River and an estimated 5.7 miles of the Rocky Branch of the Saco River, as well as numerous perennial and intermittent tributaries. A variety of forest types and habitats are found within the project area; northern hardwoods, mixedwood and softwood forest occurs at lower elevations (below 3,000 feet in elevation), riparian habitats are found along streams, rivers and other waterbodies, and boreal spruce-fir, mountain paper birch and mountain ash forest generally occurs at upper elevations from 3,000 feet to timberline. 3
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District The project area includes the entirety of the Isolation, Mt. Clinton and Dry River Cutoff Trails, as well as sections of the Dry River Trail that are located within the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area (about 8 miles). The project area also includes approximately 4 miles of the Rocky Branch Trail that follows the Rocky Branch of the Saco River, about 7 miles of the Davis Path, as well as short sections of the Stairs Col and the Mt. Eisenhower Trails. Three backcountry shelters (Dry River #3, Rocky Branch #1 and #2) are located within the project area. Dry River and Rocky Branch of the Saco River are both potentially eligible for designation under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Management Direction The White Mountain National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) provides management direction for the White Mountain National Forest. The Forest Plan allocates lands to a variety of Management Areas (MA), each of which emphasizes particular goals, objectives, and desired conditions. Each MA also has a set of standards and guidelines that set parameters on activities to ensure protection of the character and resources of the land. Applicable Forest Plan goals, objectives and standards and guidelines were used to design the project. The project area includes the following Forest Plan Management Area allocations: MA 5.1: Wilderness (~1,065 acres) includes lands located within Congressionallydesignated Wilderness Areas. These areas are managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act and the White Mountain National Forest Wilderness Management Plan. Only non-motorized activities are permitted in Wilderness, except in emergencies and, in rare instances, for administrative use. Isolation Trail, Rocky Branch Shelter #2, and sections of the Dry River Trail located within the Project Area all occur entirely within the Wilderness MA. The majority of the section of the Rocky Branch Trail (~5.5 miles) that is located within the Project Area occurs in MA 5.1. Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines for MA 5.1 that are applicable to this project include: Only non-motorized activities are allowed. Management actions, such as dispersing use or increasing developments, must not result in a change along the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum or Wilderness Management zone scale from less- to more-developed. For example, management actions must not change a zone from A to B, B to C, or C to D. Zone B must be managed according to FSH Level I standards and according to primitive ROS standards. Zones C and D must be managed according to FSH Level II standards and according to semi-primitive ROS standards. 4
Presidential Range Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Consistent with zone descriptions, fords must be used for drainage crossing, except where public health and safety or resource protection requires a bridge. Wilderness management and recreation management should follow the White Mountain National Forest Wilderness Management Plan, including implementation of a zoned management strategy using Zones A-D. Trail construction, reconstruction, and maintenance should be consistent with the appropriate Wilderness zone management direction. Nonconforming structures should be evaluated for their historical and cultural values. They may be retained if 1) they do not threaten public safety or resource protection, 2) their cultural value is integral to that of Wilderness, or 3) they reflect Wilderness character. Existing facilities must be assessed to determine whether recreation impacts, or historical or cultural significance, warrants retention or removal. Existing overnight facilities that are not identified in area-enabling legislation must be removed if they can no longer meet health and safety standards without full replacement, and if they are not needed for resource protection. Shelters not meeting historic or resource protection needs should be removed. Restoration efforts should be site-specific and small scale, such as rehabilitating campsites or other sites impacted by recreation. The White Mountain National Forest Wilderness Management Plan, found in Appendix E of the Forest Plan, includes 4 different mapped Wilderness Zones (Map 3). These zones are differentiated by their ecological characteristics, social conditions and management needs, and are labeled A, B, C and D. Zones generally run from least used (Zone A) to most heavily used (Zone D). The majority of the Dry River and Rocky Branch Trails are mapped as Zone C. The western portion of the Isolation Trail, located within the Dry River drainage, is mapped as Zone B; the eastern portion of the trail, located within the Rocky Branch drainage is mapped as Zone C. Rocky Branch Shelter #2 is located within Zone D. MA 6.2: Semi-Primitive Non-motorized Recreation (~48 acres) includes expanses of relatively undisturbed landscapes where hiking, backpacking and related foot trail recreational activities which provide a relative sense of isolation and remoteness are emphasized. MA 6.2 occurs in the far southeast corner of the Project Area. A short section, less than a mile, of the portion of the Rocky Branch Trail that is located within the Project Area occurs in MA 6.2. 5
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District Map 3. Presidential-Dry River Wilderness Zones 6
Presidential Range Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines for MA 6.2 that are applicable to this project include: Motorized trails are prohibited. A semi-primitive non-motorized recreation opportunity is the dominant objective. Some areas may be managed for primitive recreation experience opportunities. Project-related and emergency motorized administrative use may be allowed. This use should consider potential impacts to social conditions and ecological resources in the area. Where applicable, project-related motorized administrative use will be timed to minimize social and ecological impacts. Forest Service Trails Management Handbook (FSH 2309.18) provides direction for trail classification. Trail Classes are an inventory convention used to identify applicable Design Parameters and to determine relative cost (and trail attributes) to meet the National Quality Standards for trails. There are a total of 5 Trail Classes, however only Trail Class 1 and 2 apply to this project. Dry River, Isolation and Rocky Branch Trails are all currently classified as Class 2. This project proposes reclassifying sections of these trails to Class 1. Trail Class 1 is categorized as minimal or undeveloped. Trails in this class may require some route finding, and obstacles such as logs or rocks, and wet crossings may be present. Any constructed features on Class 1 trails are minimal and of native materials. Generally Class 1 trails do not include bridges across streams; and signs are the minimum required. Trail Class 2 is categorized as simple or minor development. Trails in this class have a discernible trail tread, which can be narrow and rough in areas. Obstacles are occasionally present. Vegetation may encroach into the trail to a lesser extent than on Class 1 trails. Structures are of limited size, scale and number, and primitive foot crossings and fords are common. Signs are the minimum required for basic direction and are generally few in number. Class 1 trails generally receive minimal maintenance and are distinguished from Class 2 trails by narrower tread width (14 inches vs. 18 inches) and clearing limits (minimal vs. 2 feet from centerline and 10 feet overhead), and by more obstacles on the trail and missing trail segments. Bridge stream crossings on Class 1 trails are uncommon. Please see Appendix B for more information on Trail Classes. 7
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District Purpose and Need for Action The Dry River, Isolation and Rocky Branch hiking trails all sustained major damage from the high water flows associated with Tropical Storm Irene. Multiple sections of each trail were washed away by the swollen waterways and floodwaters ran down the trails eroding deep trenches. The steel suspension bridge crossing over the Dry River was also damaged by the floodwaters and debris, but it has since been inspected and determined serviceable by a certified engineer. In response to the damage and to provide for visitor safety, the White Mountain National Forest closed all 3 of these trails during and immediately following Tropical Storm Irene. Emergency repair work was done to repair the suspension bridge over the Dry River in 2011. Dry River, Isolation and Rocky Branch Trails currently remain closed, pending repair work. Upper Dry River slope failure and loss of trail tread Tropical Storm Irene resulted in damage that makes foot travel on the Dry River, Isolation and Rocky Branch hiking trails difficult and dangerous. Numerous sections of trail are now completely missing, and many others have become deeply incised gullies or cross now-unstable slopes where footing is extremely variable (Appendix A). These trails provided easy to moderately difficult hiking opportunities prior to the storm, however numerous sections of these trails are currently unnavigable and unsafe. Repairing these trails is needed in order to maintain a range of recreation opportunities in the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area, specifically to provide opportunities to experience solitude while maintaining Wilderness character. In addition, there is a need to develop sustainable trail access in accordance with Forest Service trail standards that will increase visitor safety and to 8
Presidential Range Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project minimize further soil erosion and impacts to water quality. Rocky Branch Shelter #2 requires significant maintenance to bring it up to standard, or needs to be decommissioned. The roof structure has fallen apart and needs total replacement, many of the deck boards are rotten and some of the siding is missing. In 2008, the Forest completed a Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA) to provide recommendations for management of developed recreation sites on the Forest. Rocky Branch Shelter #2 was recommended to be decommissioned as an outcome of this analysis. Permanent structures, such as shelters are generally considered to be inconsistent with Wilderness management objectives and are used as a management tool only when absolutely necessary. Removing this structure, which requires extensive repair, would help restore the area s wild character. Rocky Branch Shelter #2 According to the Forest Plan, the historical or cultural significance of man-made structures in place when Wilderness designation occurred should be evaluated when determining whether the structure warrants removal or retention, particularly facilities that are determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Forest Plan heritage guidelines state the exception being where they threaten public safety or resource protection. Rocky Branch Shelter #2 is under 50 years of age, so it does not meet the criteria for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. 9
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District Project design includes providing designated primitive tent sites near the shelter site in order to limit the resource impacts from continued overnight camping use of the site. Removal of this shelter is needed to address the health and safety concerns associated with the deteriorating structure, as well as bringing the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness into closer alignment with the values of the 1964 Wilderness Act and the standards and guidelines of the Forest Plan. Proposed Action Since Tropical Storm Irene, a variety of natural resource specialists have visited the project area to assess the feasibility of restoring Dry River, Isolation and Rocky Branch hiking trails in their historic alignments. These specialists also explored the surrounding area to determine where trails could be relocated to provide more sustainable alignments while restoring connectivity and natural function in the watershed. Based on identified needs, input from Forest Service resource specialists and resource management partners, as well as guidance in the Forest Plan, a proposed action was developed to: Relocate missing trail sections on the Dry River Trail, totaling approximately 1,000 to 1,500 linear feet, by defining a minimal tread where terrain allows, and change the trail class from 2 to 1 on the section that extends from the suspension bridge north to the intersection with the Crawford Path (7.9 miles). Clear storm damage and delineate trail corridor in damaged areas of the Isolation Trail by defining a minimal tread and removing debris. This is needed on the section of trail located west of the intersection with the Davis Path. In addition, change the trail class on this section of trail from 2 to 1 (2.4 miles). Relocate missing trail sections on the Rocky Branch Trail, totaling approximately 1,000 to 1,500 linear feet, by defining a minimal tread where terrain allows, and change the trail class from 2 to 1 on the section that extends from the intersection with the Stairs Col Trail (near Shelter #1) north to the intersection with the Isolation Trail, near Shelter #2 (4.1 miles). Remove (decommission) the Rocky Branch #2 Shelter and rehabilitate the site by removing the fire ring and shelter material and placing brush on the site, and then construct 3 new primitive tent sites on the west side of the trail near the current shelter location. Repair and maintain sections of all 3 mentioned trails where trails remain in their current alignments, including removal of extensive amounts of blow down timber from the upper section of the Dry River Trail. 10
Presidential Range Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Most of these proposed project activities would occur within the Presidential Range- Dry River Wilderness Area (Map 4). In accordance with Wilderness Area management direction; power/mechanized equipment would not be used to implement proposed activities within the Wilderness Area. All proposed activities on the Dry River and Isolation Trails, as well as on the Rocky Branch #2 Shelter and sections of the Rocky Branch Trail located within the Wilderness Area, would be implemented using hand tools and native materials found on site. Trail reclassification would also entail an administrative correction to the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness zoning map (Forest Plan, Appendix E), which would be made prior to or concurrent with project implementation. Other Alternatives Considered In developing the proposed action, the interdisciplinary team and responsible official discussed and considered several trail management options: 1) Decommission damaged sections of trails. The interdisciplinary team considered several options for decommissioning one or more damaged trails and/or sections of trail. The first option considered proposed decommissioning the most heavily damaged sections of trail. Under this option, approximately 3.9 miles of the Dry River Trail; from the Forest boundary north to the intersection of the Isolation Trail; and approximately 4.1 miles of the Rocky Branch Trail; from the intersection with the Stairs Col Trail north to the intersection with the Isolation Trail, near Rocky Branch Shelter #2, would be decommissioned. Maintenance or repair work would not occur on these damaged trail sections, instead they would be decommissioned and removed from the Forest inventory. Upper sections of the Dry River Trail and the East/West portion of the Rocky Branch Trail would be maintained and remain open. Under this scenario, Mt. Clinton Trail would also need to be decommissioned, since it would no longer connect to the decommissioned section of the Dry River Trail. Access to backcountry shelters and Dry River Falls would be provided via remaining sections of trail. Another option that was considered would have decommissioned and closed the Dry River and Mt. Clinton Trails. Under this option, only the Rocky Branch Trail would be reconstructed using minor relocations, trail repair and maintenance. These trails are needed for access and management of this area. Options which would decommission them would not meet the project Purpose and Need of maintaining access to these drainages for public recreation and administrative access, and were therefore not selected. 11
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District Map 4. Proposed Action 12
Presidential Range Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project 2) Reconstruct damaged sections of trail to Trail Class 2 standards. Several options were considered that would maintain the entire length of both Dry River and Rocky Branch Trails by repairing and/or reconstructing trail to current, e.g. Trail Class 2, standards. An estimated 2-3 miles of the Dry River Trail, extending from the suspension bridge north to the intersection with the Isolation Trail, would be relocated upslope from damaged sections, away from the river banks. This option would also create a short new trail segment, or spur, to connect the relocated section of Dry River Trail to the Mt Clinton Trail, if feasible. If not, Mt. Clinton Trail would need to be decommissioned. Damaged sections of the Rocky Branch Trail would also be repaired and/or reconstructed to current (Class 2) standards. This option would require significantly more trail relocation, i.e. reconstruction, on both Dry River and Rocky Branch Trails, on steep, wet or otherwise unstable side slopes above the river, at much greater expense in some locations. These options were not selected because they would entail additional trail construction, which is not consistent with Forest Plan direction regarding Wilderness Area management, and they would not provide a long-term sustainable trail tread or access due to the inherent instability of the wet, steep slopes where trail repair work is needed. In addition, the reconstruction methods required to ensure the longevity of the relocated trails would exceed that of which is appropriate to trail standards in Wilderness. 3) Reconstruct Rocky Branch Shelter #2 This option was considered, however it would not be consistent with Forest Plan Wilderness management direction which calls for removal of shelters that do not meet historic or resource protection needs. Decision to Be Made District Ranger Mike Martin is the Responsible Official who will be making a decision whether or not to implement the proposed trail repair, reconstruction and reclassification and the shelter decommissioning activities described above, an alternative design, or not to implement any project at this time. After considering public input, recommendations of an interdisciplinary team of resource specialists, and the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Responsible Official will determine whether any additional environmental analysis is needed for this project. It is expected that the decision regarding implementation of this project will be made sometime in spring 2014. 13
How to Submit Comments White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District The Forest Service is seeking your comments on this project. Your input will help us refine our proposal, determine whether any additional alternatives need to be considered and identify potential environmental and/or social effects of proposed project activities. Please submit comments by February 16, 2014 to ensure they receive consideration in finalizing project design. In your comments, please include the following information: Your name, address, and telephone number; The name of the project you are commenting on: Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project; and Specific comments about the project, and any supporting information, that you believe the Forest Service should consider about potential environmental effects from proposed activities in this project. Submit your comments to District Ranger Michael Martin in one of the following ways: Mail: FAX: (603) 447-8405 email: White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District 33 Kancamagus Highway Conway, NH 03818 comments-eastern-white-mountain-saco@fs.fed.us In addition, oral comments may be received in person at the Saco Ranger Station or via telephone (603) 447-5448 (TTY 603-536-3665), during normal business hours (8:00 AM 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday). Please direct any questions about the project to Desiree Johnston by calling (603) 447-5448, extension 128. Be aware that your name, address, and comments will become part of the public record and may be available for public inspection. If this is a concern, please contact us at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your interest and participation in the management of the White Mountain National Forest. 14
Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Scoping Report Appendix A Trail Damage Maps Map A-1 A-1
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District This page intentionally left blank A-2
Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Scoping Report Map A-2 A-3
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District This page intentionally left blank A-4
Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Scoping Report Map A-3 A-5
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District This page intentionally left blank A-6
Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Scoping Report Appendix B Trail Classes are general categories reflecting trail development scale, arranged along a continuum. The Trail Class identified for a National Forest System (NFS) trail prescribes its development scale, representing its intended design and management standards. Local deviations from any Trail Class descriptor may be established based on trail-specific conditions, topography, or other factors, provided that the deviations are consistent with the general intent of the applicable Trail Class. Table B1 - TRAIL CLASS MATRIX 1 Trail Attributes Trail Class 1 Minimally Developed Trail Class 2 Moderately Developed Trail Class 3 Developed Trail Class 4 Highly Developed Trail Class 5 Fully Developed Tread & Traffic Flow Tread intermittent and often indistinct. May require route finding. Single lane, with no allowances constructed for passing. Predominantly native materials. Tread continuous and discernible, but narrow and rough. Single lane, with minor allowances constructed for passing. Typically native materials. Tread continuous and obvious. Single lane, with allowances constructed for passing where required by traffic volume in places where there is no reasonable opportunity to pass. Native or imported materials. Tread wide and relatively smooth, with few irregularities. Single lane, with allowances constructed for passing where required by traffic volume in places where there is no reasonable opportunity to pass. Double lane where traffic volume is high and passing is frequent. Native or imported materials. Tread wide, firm, stable, and generally uniform. Single lane, with frequent turnouts where traffic volume is low to moderate. Double lane where traffic volume is moderate to high. Commonly hardened with asphalt or other imported material. May be hardened. Obstacles Obstacles common, naturally ocurring, often substantial, and intended to provide increased challenge. Narrow passages; brush, steep grades, rocks and logs present. Obstacles may be common, substantial, and intended to provide increased challenge. Blockages cleared to define route and protect resources. Vegetation may encroach into trailway. Obstacles may be common, but not substantial or intended to provide challenge. Vegetation cleared outside of trailway. Obstacles infrequent and insubstantial. Vegetation cleared outside of trailway. Obstacled not present. Grades typically < 8%. 1 FSH 2309.18 - Trails Management Handbook, Chapter 10 - Trail Planning, 14.2 - Exhibit 01 B-1
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District Trail Attributes Trail Class 1 Minimally Developed Trail Class 2 Moderately Developed Trail Class 3 Developed Trail Class 4 Highly Developed Trail Class 5 Fully Developed Constructed Features & Trail Elements Structures minimal to nonexistent. Drainage typically provided without structures. Natural fords. Typically no bridges. Structures of limited size, scale, and quantity; typically constructed of native materials. Structures adequate to protect trail infrastructure and resources. Natural fords. Bridges as needed for resource protection and appropriate access. Structures may be common and substantial; constructed of imported or native materials. Natural or constructed fords. Bridges as needed for resource protection and appropriate access. Structures frequent and substantial; typically constructed of imported materials. Contructed or natural fords. Bridges as needed for resource protection and user convenience. Trailside amenities may be present. Structures frequent or continuous; typically constructed of imported materials. May include bridges, boardwalks, curbs, handrails, trailside amenities, and similar features. Signs 2 Route identification signing limited to junctions. Route markers present when trail location is not evident. Regulatory and resource protection signing infrequent. Destination signing, unless required, generally not present. Information and interpretive signing generally not present. Route identification signing limited to junctions. Route markers present when trail location is not evident. Regulatory and resource protection signing infrequent. Destination signing typically infrequent outside wilderness areas; generally not present in wilderness areas. Information and interpretive signing uncommon. Route identification signing at junctions and as needed for user reassurance. Route markers as needed for user reassurance. Regulatory and resource protection signing may be common. Destination signing likely outside wilderness areas; generally not present in wilderness areas. Information and interpretive signs may be present outside wilderness areas. Route identification signing at junctions and as needed for user reassurance. Route markers as needed for user reassurance. Regulatory and resource protection signing common. Destination signing common outside wilderness areas; generally not present in wilderness areas. Information and interpretive signs may be common outside wilderness areas. Route identification signing at junctions and for user reassurance. Route markers as needed for user reassurance. Regulatory and resource protection signing common. Destination signing common. Information and interpretive signs common. Accessibility information likely displayed at trailhead. Accessibility information likely displayed at trailhead. Typical Recreation Environs & Experience 3 Natural and unmodified. ROS: Typically Primitive to Roaded Natural. WROS: Typically Primitive to Semi-Primitive. Natural and essentially unmodified. ROS: Typically Primitive to Roaded Natural. WROS: Typically Primitive to Semi-Primitive. Natural and primarily unmodified. ROS: Typically Primitive to Roaded Natural. WROS: Typically Semi- Primitive to Transition. May be modified. ROS: Typically Semi- Primitive to Rural WROS: Typically Portal or Transition. May be highly modified. Commonly associated with visitor centers or high-use recreation sites. ROS: Typically Roaded Natural to Urban. Generally not present in Wilderness areas. B-2
Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Scoping Report Table B2 - POTENTIAL APPROPRIATENESS OF TRAIL CLASSES FOR MANAGED USES 2 This matrix shows the potential appropriateness of each of the Trail Classes for the Managed Uses of National Forest System (NFS) trails. These combinations are generally applicable throughout the NFS, although local deviations may occur. Managed Trail Class 1 Trail Class 2 Trail Class 3 Trail Class 4 Trail Class 5 Use Minimally Developed Moderately Developed Developed Highly Developed Fully Developed Standard Terra Non-Motorized Standard Terra Motorized Snow Trail Hiker/ Pedestrian Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Bicycle Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Pack and Saddle Motorcycle All-Terrain Vehicle 4WD Vehicle > 50 Cross-Country Ski Snowshoe Snowmobile No, although may be allowed No, although may be allowed No, although may be allowed No, although may be allowed No, although may be allowed No, although may be allowed No, although may be allowed Yes Yes Yes No, although may be allowed Yes Yes Yes No, although may be allowed Yes Yes Yes No, although may be allowed Yes Yes Yes No, although may be allowed Yes Yes Yes No, although may be allowed Yes Yes Yes No, although may be allowed Yes Yes Yes No, although may be allowed Trail Class 1 includes the least developed and most challenging NFS trails. Trails in this category are typically very rugged and steep, with little or no defined tread or clearing and many or continuous obstacles. Trail Class 5 includes the most highly developed and least challenging NFS trails. Trails in this category are typically wide, paved, and heavily used and are also often fully accessible 2 FSH 2309.18 - Trails Management Handbook, Chapter 10 - Trail Planning, 14.3 - Exhibit 01 B-3
White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District Table B3 Trail Levels Attributes Level I Level II Level III Level IV ROS Class Primitive Semi-primitive-non-motorized Semi-primitive motorized Roaded Natural, Rural Drainage Maintain or construct all cross drains, ditches, and waterbars necessary to remove water from the tread and prevent erosion. Same as Level I Same as Level I Same as Level I Brushing As necessary to allow backpack clearance. Only brush ingrowth along the trailsides that are advanced enough to block passage. Remove blowdowns and small trees bent into the treadway. 14 tread width. 2 from centerline and 10 overhead. Only brush ingrowth except where it is advanced enough to block passage. Remove blowdowns and small trees bent into treadway. 18 tread width. Clear 3 from centerline and 10 overhead. Remove all blowdowns and brush out trailsides to this standard. 24 tread width. 4 from centerline and 10 overhead. 48 tread width. Tread Maintenance None Maintain for public safety Maintain tread for public safety and user convenience. Fill all bogs or cover with split log walkways, install rock steps over steep ledges, remove loose rock and high roots, reshape tread surface, etc. Maintain tread for public safety and user convenience. Tread will be smooth, firm, and stable. 48 tread width. Backslope 3/4:1 3/4:1 1:1 1:1 Sign Maintenance Replacement may be deferred Provide signing only as necessary to indicate direction of travel, warn of hazards and to indicate distances (distances will not be listed on signs within Wilderness). Same as Level II Maintain signing to a high level indicating direction of travel, pointsn of interest, warning of hazards, etc. Structures Drainage crossing Bridges Maintain on an as-needed basis. No new structures will be installed. Construct or maintain a ford with step stones in all cases unless safety requires a bridge. Only when dictated by public safety Maintain and replace as needed. Maintain and replace as needed. Maintain and replace as needed. Up to 14 : ford with stepstones 14 +: 2 split log (side by side) Local standard: Install step stone on either side of bank. Split log with handrail up to 20 span. Above 20 span: Treated timber or native material. Metal, flat stone, or treated timber culverts. Local standard: Install step stone on either side of bank. Treated timber metal or treated timber culverts. Treated Timber B-4
Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area Trails Project Scoping Report Attributes Level I Level II Level III Level IV Bog Areas Stepstones Split log puncheon or stepstones. Bog bridging Unclassified fill and surfacing Retaining walls Use only as necessary to stay within minimum grade. Use only as necessary to stay within minimum grade. Use only as necessary to stay within minimum grade. Ditching None Minimal Ditching: Ditching: Use as necessary to maintain and to grade and tread width. Use stone or treated timber. B-5