A Vlunteer s Guide t Trail Maintenance Self-Print Editin Ken R. Wiklund This guide prvides the basics f trail maintenance fr vlunteers wrking n wilderness trails (natural surfaced trails) There are many variatins f the methds indicated and nt all variatins are shwn, lcal cnditins r trail uses may dictate alternate methds Fr mre cmprehensive infrmatin n trails, see the BC Parks Trail Cnstructin Guide and/r the US Frest Service Trail Cnstructin and Maintenance Ntebk Cntents Safety & Planning... 1 Tls and Equipment... 3 Trail Brushing... 5 Ersin Cntrl Methds Outslpe... 6 Rlling Grade Dips... 7 Water Bars... 8 Knicks... 9 Swales... 10 Drainage Pipe... 11 Rck Drains... 12 Turnpikes... 13 Causeways... 14 Bardwalks... 15 Culverts... 16 Bridges... 16 Misture Barriers fr Wd... 16 Selecting Wd fr Trail Prjects... 17 Resurce Guide... 18 Safety Meeting Recrd... 19
General Safety & Planning Trail wrk requires an extra measure f planning as the remteness f many wrk lcatins makes transprtatin f injured persns difficult and the time required fr transprtatin can increase the severity f sme types f injuries r medical emergencies Mst typical trail wrk injuries (cuts, sprains, bruises, burns, heat exhaustin, etc) will benefit frm mre immediate medical attentin and transprting the injured will be t their benefit Sme types f injury (neck, spine etc.) can be wrsened if the individual is transprted withut prper equipment and training Cntact medical persnal fr advice befre transprting an injured persn if there is a pssible neck r spine injury and d nt transprt the individual if medical advice cannt be btained Medical Advice Phne #: When in a frested area, the risk level frm falling trees increases with wind speed and cancelling r pstpning a trail wrk day may be advisable when high wind cnditins exist One individual shuld be the main cntact fr cnfirming r cancelling a trail day and all vlunteers shuld be cntacted by a suitable means (text, phne, email, scial media etc) apprximately ne hur ahead (r as apprpriate) f the start time as t cnfirm whether the trail day is prceeding r is cancelled due t weather (r ther)cnditins Befre starting (1 r mre days ahead) In many areas the plice, ambulance and/r fire departments will nt respnd if the area is ut f their jurisdictin r beynd their assigned rle s find ut wh t cntact in case f a medical emergency, wh the first respnding agency will be and hw lng a typical respnse will take fr the intended prject area First Respnder: Tel: Determine the number f vlunteers with 1 st aid training (and training level) and if n ne has training, find smene with first aid training t jin the trail day 1 st Aid Trained Vlunteer: Level: 1 st Aid Trained Vlunteer: Level: 1 st Aid Trained Vlunteer: Level: Let smene knw where yur wrk lcatin will be and at what time yu shuld return. That individual shuld knw wh t cntact fr help if yu dn t return Page 1
Safety & Planning cntinued Befre starting (1 r mre days ahead) cntinued Have at least ne fully charged cell phne and determine if it can be used t summn help in the prject area Have a GPS unit and/r map f the area with lngitude and latitude markings s as t be able t prvide yur psitin t first respnders if needed Carry blankets, tarp and rpes in the event that an injured persn must wait fr qualified first respnders fr transprtatin and the weather is such that prtectin frm the elements wuld be beneficial Advise vlunteers t bring glves, suitable ftwear and a hat (The hat shuld have brim that shades the face and neck if wrking in direct sunlight) Have a flashlight, matches, fd, water, insect repellent, sunscreen ltin & bear spray Have a frestry wrkers type first aid kit and check it fr cntents Wrkers perating pwer tls and equipment must have the required training, applicable certificatins and related safety wear items Advise vlunteers t wear apprpriate wrk wear fr the expected weather cnditins and t bring additinal clthing (jacket, rain gear, etc) in case cnditins change Advise vlunteers as t whether they are t prvide their wn fd and water r will either r bth be prvided Advise vlunteers as t the start and anticipated finish times fr the trail day At the start f the trail day Befre starting wrk, have a safety meeting t discuss dangers specific t area including danger trees, wildlife, waterways, pisnus bites and ther risk factrs see sample frm n page 19 Make everyne aware that persns that are perating pwer tls/equipment may nt be aware f thers nearby due t nise and/r sight restrictins and that extra cautin will be needed in these situatins With a large grup f vlunteers, assign a vlunteer the rle f Safety Officer wh then mves trail wrk signs as needed, mnitrs use f pwer equipment fr safe practises & mnitrs vlunteers fr safe wrking distances and safe tl use Demnstrate the cntents f the first aid kit and hw t use bear spray and let vlunteers knw where these items can be fund During the trail day Wrkers shuld keep a minimum distance f 4 meters (12 ft) apart s as t avid accidental cntact with tls being used Use cautin while refuelling pwer equipment as fuel tank pressures can build up and spray fuel when pened fr refuelling Place Cautin Trail Wrk Area signs at bth ends f the wrk area at a suitable distance t prvide ntice t trail users (attempting t clse the trail usually des nt wrk) Advise the wrk crew t let trail users pass thrugh the wrk area if its safe t d s r t stp trail users and make them wait until it is safe t prceed Page 2
Tls and Equipment The available tls and equipment will vary by rganizatin. Listed belw are cmmnly used trail maintenance hand tls. The use f pwer equipment will greatly imprve the rate at which wrk can be accmplished. See the Resurces sectin fr mre infrmatin n tls and equipment. Signs - Safety item used t ntify trail users Pin Flags - Marking specific wrk areas 5-Gal Bucket - Mving sil, rcks/stnes Wheelbarrw General trail wrk Mattck Pick General trail wrk Spade Shvel General trail wrk Tamper Used t cmpact sil Pulaski Axe General trail wrk Mcled Tl Raking, levelling & cmpacting Lppers- Trimming f branches Bw Saw Cutting & Trimming Pry Bar Used t mve large stnes r rcks. Brush Cutter Fr brush cutting Chainsaw Cutting branches & windfall Brush Mwer Fr brush cutting Brush Puller Remves plants by pulling the ut the rts alng with the plant. It is an ptin t cntinually trimming back the same plants. Muntain Bike & Trailer Fr hauling tls/supplies. The weight f the tls and the grade f the trail will affect maximum distance that it can be used UTV Transprtatin f vlunteers, tls and supplies UTV Trailer Cnnects t UTV t allw fr hauling additinal tls and equipment Tl Kit If using pwer tls & equipment Page 3
Trail Brushing Befre Trail Crridr Trail Tread After 2 meters A slight prtrusin int the crridr is OK 2.5 meters Trail Tread Cut branches n all sides t maintain a balanced appearance Page 4
Trail Brushing Trail brushing is the prcess f cutting back fliage that hinders trail use. General All the fliage within the trail crridr shuld be cut back but it is nt necessary t trim branches that are slightly within the trail crridr Fr a single-track trail, the trail crridr is a 2 meter (6 ½ ft) wide by 2 1/2 meter (8 ft) high area, hwever a wider and/r higher trail crridr is ften used fr hrse r ff-rad vehicle use Grass & Similar Plants Grass & similar plants d nt need t be cut as they are generally fast grwing and will usually return t the pre-cut height in a shrt time These plants have nn-wd stems as a such dn t significantly affect trail affect trail users in terms f causing scrapes r cuts When a brush mwer is used, the grasses will be cut alng with all the ther plants at the same time and this is an example f a situatin f when cutting f grasses becmes practical Shrubs/Brushes Cut plants as clse t the grund as pssible If pssible cut the entire plant t grund level even if nly part f the plant is within the trail crridr as the plant will usually quickly re-grw any trimmed sectins if large amunts f the remaining plant are left intact A brush puller can be used t cmpletely remve the plant in rder t eliminate the need fr future trimmings Brush pullers are mre effective when high sil misture cnditins exist such as after a prlnged perid f rain Trees Remve branches frm all sides f a tree s that a balanced appearance is maintained On smaller trees less than 3 meters (10 ft) in height, remve nly the lwest set f branches yearly if pssible Fr branch remval, make a bttm cut abut 1/3 upwards, then start a new cut n the tp in line with the bttm cut in rder t reduce tearing f the bark Leave a branch stub that is abut 12mm (1/2 inch) lng Windfall trees (trees lying n the grund) shuld be cut s that the ends are nt less than 1 ½ meters (5 ft) frm the trail centerline. Mve cut pieces f lgs away frm the side f the trail s that they nt readily seen. Trees taller than 5 meters that are within the trail crridr and require remval must be felled by qualified persns nly Cut stumps t grund level when within the trail crridr Raking Remve lse stnes and/r rcks by raking Page 5
Ersin Cntrl Methds Out-Slpe, Drainage Dips, Water Bars & Knicks Out-slpe, rlling grade dips, water bars and knicks are methds used t divert water s that it des nt run dwn the trail in flw rates high enugh t cause ersin and t keep the trail as dry as pssible. Out-Slpe The bjective is t limit the amunt f water that flws dwn a trail, hwever, water flw acrss the trail is acceptable and necessary Fr single-track trails, the trail tread shuld have a 5 percent slpe s that sheet flw water will travel acrss the trail and cntinue dwn the slpe Remve slugh and berm and use this material t create a slping trail tread Shape the black slpe t an angle f nt mre than 70 degrees Create a runded shape where the natural slpe meets trail back slpe and where the dwnhill side f the trail bed meets the natural slpe Fr duble track r ther trails where utslping is nt pssible r practical, a small swale can be created next t the backslpe (and parallel t the trail) t catch sheet water flw r ther water surces and then direct this water dwn t a drainage dip, water bar r knick where it will crss the trail and be discharged (see illustratin at bttm f page) Uphill Side Swale Trail Tread Berm (new) Existing Berm (typical) Duble Track r Wide Single Track Trail Page 6
Rlling Grade Dips The dwn slpe f a trail is interrupted by a dip sectin and then a ramp sectin s that water is frced ff the trail at the pint where the trail changes frm a dwn slpe t an upslpe As the grade gets steeper the verall length gets lnger and depth f the dip and height f the ramp becme larger Slpe the bttm f the dip a 10% twards the discharge side Sediments need t be remved frm the dip sectin peridically Make sure that the area next t the bttm f the dip allws water t drain readily away Advantages A rlling grade dip ften has the mst natural appearance f the varius ersin cntrl structures The lng dip sectin desn t need t have sediments remved as ften as a water bar usually des Disadvantages Takes mre effrt t cnstruct than a water bar r knick Page 7
Water Bars A water bar can be cnstructed f rck, sil, wd, rubber r ther materials The water bar shuld be cnstructed at an angle f 45 degrees relative t the trail s that water is diverted ff the trail with the bttm slped 10% twards the discharge side The verall length is abut 3 meters (10ft) and the depth f the drainage channel and the height f the tp f the water bar can be adjusted fr the expected water flw A water bar is a mre cmpact structure than a rlling grade dip Make sure that water can readily flw away frm the bttm f the water bar Advantages Easy t cnstruct Disadvantages Unnatural appearance May require frequent remval f sediments Page 8
Knicks A knick is the remval f material frm ne side f a trail in rder t drain water Slpe the bttm 10% twards the discharge side The verall length is abut 2 t 3 meters (6-9ft) A knick is ften the smallest size ersin cntrl structure Make sure that water can readily flw away frm the bttm f the knick. Advantages Easy t cnstruct Effective fr draining a wet sectin f a trail Disadvantages Limited ability t divert water ff trail May require frequent remval f sediments Page 9
Swales, Rck Drains, Drainage Pipes & Culverts Swales, rck drains, drainage pipes and culverts are used allw water t crss a trail. The right methd t use depends n the amunt f water flw and amunt f trail use. Swales A swale is simply a shallw ditch that allws water t flw acrss the trail Abut 2-3 meters in length but the width and depth can be altered as required t accmmdate the water flw When the depth increases, the width shuld als increase The discharge side shuld be cleared peridically as sediment may frm and create a puddle if nt maintained It can be hardened by placing stnes r rcks level with the bttm Advantages Easy t cnstruct Nt as prne t clgging as ther sme methds may be Disadvantages May need t be hardened with rck/stnes t prevent creating a mud hle effect The discharge side needs t be maintained s that water will flw acrss and will nt stand (pl) in the area f the trail bed Page 10
Drainage Pipe Drainage pipes allw fr lw rates f water flw under a trail A gd chice fr drainage pipe is 4 inch diameter nn-perfrated weeping tile Weeping tile is lightweight, lw cst, easy t transprt and can be cut with a utility knife Fr sme installatins it is necessary t cnstruct a catch basin at the inlet side f the pipe Slpe the pipe s that the discharge end is lwer than the inlet (150mm r mre) The catch basin may need t be cleared f bstructins peridically Place stnes r ther natural materials near the discharge end t hide the pipe Cver the pipe with a least 150mm (6 ) f trail tread material Advantages N pen water flw that culd becme muddy Lw visual and trail use impact Disadvantages Inlet and discharge require regular inspectin and remval f sediments The pipe may becme clgged and cleaning may be difficult Excavatin, pipe placement and backfilling will require mre effrt than a swale by cmparisn Page 11
Rck Drains A rck drain is suitable fr lw water flw rates and will drain surface water flwing n the trail A channel is made and then filled with rcks/stnes and water flws thrugh the gaps between the stnes They vary in width and depth with a typical size f 30 cm (12 ) width and 30 cm (12 ) depth A 4-inch diameter perfrated weeping tile placed at the bttm imprves perfrmance An alternative design uses landscape fabric r getextile placed n the tp f the rck drain with a cvering f 5 10 cm f trail tread material t reduce clgging frm surface runff Advantages Uses site-surced materials Disadvantages May clg with sediments and there is n easy way t remve the sediments Requires a nearby supply f suitable rcks/stnes Limited t lw flw rates Excavatin, rck placement and backfilling will require mre effrt than a swale by cmparisn Page 12
Turnpikes, Causeways & Bardwalks Turnpikes, causeways and bardwalks are used t raise the trail tread t allw passage thrugh a wet area. Bardwalks can als be used t prtect sensitive r unstable sils. Turnpikes Turnpikes are used t raise the trail tread abve wet grund A ditch is created n each side f the trail and the material frm the ditches is used t raise the trail tread A 4 drainage pipe installed every 5 meters (r clser) allws fr water t flw frm ne side t the ther and prevents a dam effect Turnpikes can be earthen nly r lgs/lumber can be used t retain the sides f the trail tread with stakes r galvanized tie wire used t hld them in place Landscape fabric r getextile can be added 5-10cm belw the trail bed surface fr additinal sil stability If installed n slping grund, the lwer ditch shuld have additinal drainage channels (installed at 90 degrees t the side ditch) s that nly a minimal amunt f water will stay in the ditch The higher the tp f the trail tread is in relatin t the surrunding area determines the effectiveness f it with higher being better The water table near the trail can be lwered by digging the ditches t a greater depth and prviding a means fr the water in the ditches t flw away s that nly a minimal amunt f water remains in the ditches Advantages Avids the need t re-rute a trail arund a wet area Uses site-surced materials Lw maintenance and lng service life Disadvantages It may require a substantial amunt f effrt fr the digging, sil placement and cmpacting Page 13
Causeways A causeway is similar t a turnpike but withut the ditches and is used t raise the trail tread abve a wet area Tw rws f rcks r lgs/lumber are placed n the grund the area between the rws is filled in Using rck and stnes allws fr better water flw thrugh the causeway Weeping tile can be used t imprve drainage frm ne side t the ther A layer f landscape fabric r getextile can be placed abve the base f rck and stnes and keeps the spaces between the rcks pen t maintain water flw If landscape fabric r getextile is used, a 5-10cm layer f trail tread material is placed n tp f the fabric If available, rcks and stnes can be used t frm the trail tread surface When lgs/lumber are t frm the edges f the causeway, stakes r tie wire are used t keep them in place Advantages Avids the need t re-rute a trail arund a wet area Uses site-surced materials Lw maintenance and lg service life Disadvantages Requires a nearby supply f suitable rcks/stnes r lgs It may require a substantial amunt f effrt fr the mving and placement f the rcks/stnes & fill Page 14
Bardwalks (als referred t as punchens) A bardwalk is a wd sidewalk that is used t prtect the sil when traversing wet r unstable sils There are numerus ways t cnstruct a bardwalk and the illustratin belw is a basic type suitable fr pedestrian r bicycle use If the bardwalk will be used by hrse riders r mtrized vehicles, the cnstructin wuld be f a wider, strnger and a mre cmplex design than what is illustrated In general a bardwalk cnstructed f site-surced materials will have the benefits f lw cst and ease f cnstructin since fewer materials need t be transprted t the wrk lcatin hwever the trade ff is likely t be faster decay due t wd rt A bardwalk cnstructed f rt resistant materials will prvide the benefit f a lnger service life hwever the material cst and effrt t transprt the materials t the wrk lcatin will be greater Check with the land manager t determine if apprval is required befre cnstructing a bardwalk Add ramps (sil r wd) at each end Advantages Avids the need t re-rute a trail arund a wet r unstable sil area Disadvantages Higher effrt t cnstruct than sme ther methds Transprtatin f lumber t the wrk site adds t the time and cst Depending n cnstructin methds, it may be prne t a high rate f decay Cnsider using a causeway r turnpike as an ptin t a bardwalk Page 15
Culverts Culverts may require clearing peridically t remve bstructins Check fr sil ersin arund the inlet and discharge ends Repair ersin damage by hardening inlets and discharges with large rcks r stnes Bridges Inspect fr lse, rtted, split r warped stringers (main beams), decking and handrails Inspect fr ersin near the structures that supprt the stringers (abutments) The streambed shuld be kept as clear as pssible 10 meters befre and after the bridge by remving lgs and large rcks When re-decking bridges, install bards with the end grain pinting up Reprt any deficiencies fund t the land manager/authrity Misture Barriers fr Wd Wd rt requires xygen, misture and a sufficient temperature and if ne is remved, the rate f wd rt is greatly reduced Wd that wuld nrmally be in direct cntact with sil can be wrapped in rubber rfing underlay which is typically abut 1mm in thickness and has a self-adhesive backing Rfing underlay ften cmes in rlls abut 75 cm (30 ) in width x 19 meters (60 ft) in length and is available at hme imprvement stres Once the wd has been wrapped, use aluminium rfing nails alng the seams t prevent unwrapping. Seal ends and gaps with rf patching cement The wrapped wd wuld nw have a much lwer misture cntent and wuld nt be in direct cntact with the micrrganisms in the sil that cause decay Overlap area Aluminium Rfing Nails Page 16
Selecting Wd fr Trail Prjects Rugh Cut r Milled Lumber Rugh cut lumber is un-milled lumber and has a rugher finish and is slightly larger than milled lumber in bth width and thickness The larger size and increased tractin prvided by rugh cut lumber is generally better fr trail use Pressure Treated Lumber Pressure treated lumber is available as milled r rugh cut lumber (preferred) The amunt f preservative in the wd after treatment is called the retentin level and check t insure that the retentin level is suitable fr the intended use (wd in that is in cntact with the grund r nt) Pressure treated lumber is ften crrsive t metal s stainless steel r duble galvanized steel may be required fr any metal jiners r parts used Cedar & Fir Cedar and fir are cnsidered as being rt resistant with cedar mre s than fir Use rugh cut cedar and fir Spruce & Pine Untreated spruce and pine lumber can be expected t have a high rate f deteriratin due t rt Treat these wd species with an apprved wd preservative t extend the service life These wd types are what many lumber yards and hme imprvement stres have in stck fr general purpse use Site Surced Lgs & Lumber A cmmn practise is t use site surced lgs as the purchase cst and difficulty in transprting dimensinal lumber t the wrk lcatin can be a deterrent A high rate f deteriratin may be expected if the wd is untreated and the species may nt be ideal fr rt resistance hwever this can be ffset smewhat be using versize lgs as the larger size f the lgs will take lnger t decay Sited surced lumber is prduced by cutting site surced lgs int planks, hwever the skill and equipment required is such that it is beynd the scpe f rutine trail maintenance fr vlunteers Measures t reduce the rate f decay fr site surced lumber such as the use f wd preservatives and misture barriers will extend the service life f site surced lgs and lumber Page 17
Resurce Guide Tl/Equipment Available At/Frm Cmment Shvel, Pick, Axe, Pry Bar, Lppers, Bucket, Wheelbarrw, Tamper, Bw Saw Safety Signs, Pin Flags Mcled Tl Brush Cutter Chainsaw Brush Mwer 1) Misc. Hardware Stres 1) Inter-Mtn, www.inter-mtn.cm 2) Sign Stres check lcal r nline 1) Inter-Mtn, www.inter-mtn.cm 2) Rgue He,www.rguehe.cm 3) Misc. Frestry Tls Suppliers 1) Stihl Dealers 2) Husqvarna Dealers 1)Stihl Dealers 2) Husqvarna Dealers 1) Outback, www.billygat.cm 2) DR Equipment, www.drpwer.cm 1) Check lcal stres 2) Ask abut warranty 1) Ski Hill/Bike Park Supplier 2) May need t be custm made 1)Ski Hill/Bike Park Supplier 2) Tl Manufacturer 3) Check lcal stres r nline 1) Use reciprcating cutter head instead f rtating blade cutter fr increased safety 1) Lw cst brands ften have high vibratin levels and can be unreliable 1) Often available fr rent at pwer equipment rental lcatins Brush Puller 1) Pullerbear, www.pullerbear.cm 1) Varius sizes available Bike Trailer UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) UTV Trailer 1) Bb Trailer, www.bbgear.cm 1) Kbta, Jhn Deere, Bbcat 1) www.cuntrymanufacturing.cm 2) check lcal UTV dealers 1) Requires custm extensins t carry lng tls such as a trailer brusher, shvels etc. 1) These are utility mdels hwever recreatinal mdels are als a gd chice If yu have any suggestins fr additinal tpics r imprvements please cntact: avlunteersguide@gmail.cm Page 18
Safety Meeting Recrd (cmplete befre starting prject) HAZARDS POSSIBILITIES SOLUTIONS checked Danger trees Fall n wrkers Depart frm the fall zne f the danger tree and cntact land manager fr remval Dead r dangerus branches Cntact injuries (*eyes) Remve dead r dangerus branches Trip hazards: windfall trees, rts, rcks, bgs etc. Pwer tls: brush cutters/mwers, chainsaws & ther equipment Hand tls: shvels, rakes, pickaxe, bw saw, pry bar, hammer etc. Cngestin f wrkers: Venmus creatures: snakes, spiders, ticks etc Expsure: sunburn, heat strke, dehydratin, frst bite Falls resulting in injuries Nise, prjectiles, cuts, sprains Impact prjectiles, lse cntrl f tl and create bdy cntact Trips and bdy cntact Serius infectin/illness Sunburn, illness r death Mark r remve the hazards/diligence Persnal prtective equipment eye & ear prtectin, chainsaw chaps etc as required. Wrkers need be trained fr prper use Maintain suitable distance between persns using these tls. Training and diligence Cmmunicatin/ diligence, Maintain suitable distance between persns Advise wrkers f the ptential f relevant creatures in the prject area and what curse f actin t take if encuntered Apprpriate clthing, liquids, sunscreen ltin, limit time expsed during high UV r temperature cnditins, buddy system Exertin: bdy straining Injuries Training/diligence Water: creeks, rivers, pnds, lakes Drwning Buddy system, diligence, lifejackets Wildlife General Wildlife attack with resulting injuries r death Blisters, splinters/slivers, scraps, minr cuts, head and ft injuries Dn t apprach wildlife, stay in grups, use bear spray as a defence Use glves, lng sleeve shirts and pants t prvide mre prtective. Use hardhats and apprved safety ftwear t risk f injury Page 19