Trail building

[horsemom]

Hi ladies. I am entering a new phase of cycling/horse endurance riding, and wanted to share it with you. I am getting pretty nervous about it, really. Here is the history---

I took a sustainable train building course on a whim a couple years ago. Having ridden thousands of miles of trail in more than half the states on either my horse or my mt bike, I realized right away that many, many trails are not built correctly and are not sustainable to user and natural impacts. I became intrigued with the notion that trails are more than someone cutting the branches and letting people ride it.

That first class led to a mechanized class which led to an instructor class. Now the local mt bike club has contracted me to help them build a trail on state land that connects a trailhead on a main road to their extensive trail system. I have flagged a two mile trail up a steep slope, utilizing three switchbacks and trying to remain inside the sustainable trail rules (10% average grade and nothing that is more than 50% steeper than the side slope) while making this trail accessable to intermediate riders.

The first work day is Saturday when the mt bikers come out to help clear the flag line, and I will start digging tread with the machine. Darn, I am nervous about it!!

Anyway, just thought I would share....

Laura

[DebW]

Wow. Good for you to undertake the building of sustainable trails. I help maintain and manage hiking trails where bikes and horses are not allowed. So we only have to manage for foot traffic and natural erosion. How are trails built to handle bike and horse impact? Can you describe mechanized trail building?

[Irulan]

Wow. Good for you to undertake the building of sustainable trails. I help maintain and manage hiking trails where bikes and horses are not allowed. So we only have to manage for foot traffic and natural erosion. How are trails built to handle bike and horse impact? Can you describe mechanized trail building?

Hikers, horses, bikes, the concepts of sustainable trail building are pretty much the same. You consider topography, fall line, potential for erosion, soil type and so on. Bikers usually like a twistier trail, horses need a higher corridor... those are the main differences.

Mechanized trail building is good in some situations - you can put a lot of trail in fast, and I do believe it really depends on what kind of terrain you are on, and what kind of soil. Not every one has access to that kind of equipment or the funds to hire it. Our club is lucky to have 2 Mcloeds and 6 Pulaskis.;)

The whole concept of a sustainable is trail is that it is appropriate for many users with a mimimum of maintenance.
Everything you need to know is in this book:
http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/images/ts_cover_med.jpg