The art of trail maintenance
Trail maintenance is rooted in hundreds of principles and techniques. Each technique applies to specific types of geology and is impacted by different physical constraints present on the trail. Experience leads the trained eye to see the terrain in different ways, enabling effective, long-lasting trail maintenance. There’s no magic formula, which is what makes trail building so diverse and stimulating.
Despite the wide range of situations you’ll encounter on your trails, there are three basic maintenance practices that should be followed first and foremost to ensure that your efforts last a long time and that your trails remain safe.
Three essential trail maintenance tasks:
- Manage water so that it drains as frequently as possible, and prevent soil erosion along its course.
- Remove unstable objects, such as dead wood, rotting stumps, unstable rocks (also known as Potatoes or Baby Heads), partially detached roots and other debris.
- Remove vegetation and topsoil before shaping the trail surface.
1. Water management and erosion prevention
The passage of water promotes the erosion of soil and sand. The faster the water moves (which is related to the degree of slope), the greater the erosion. The greater the quantity of water, the greater the damage to the soil.
Dozens of techniques can be used to rapidly evacuate water from trails. Downstream sloping surfaces, raising the center of the trail, digging a parallel channel upstream, adding culverts, installing pipes, or adding water bars are examples frequently used to achieve this.
Dig !t draws on the collective knowledge of Leaders and Chapter Operators, so that these essential techniques are taught and used in all chapters. A simple way to explain the flow of water is to get your Greens or less experienced Teammates to imagine a golf ball rolling down the path. By imagining the trajectory of a ball, it becomes easier to anticipate the speed and direction of water under the effect of gravity. This powerful image helps new builders to understand drainage principles more easily.
It’s sometimes necessary to modify a path that requires recurring maintenance. Adding undulations to the trail creates high points that direct water towards low points, which should allow water to drain easily away from the trail. In addition, the addition of pavers, riprap and scree will reduce soil erosion.
In the end, remember that it’s essential to get water off the trail as often as possible, and to ensure that drainage points don’t fail under the repeated action of passing water.
2. Remove unstable objects
This task is simple to implement and essential to ensure the safety and durability of a trail. Dead leaves, dead wood, rotting stumps and unstable rocks (also known as Potatoes or Baby Heads) can move unpredictably, posing a danger to cyclists and hikers. Loose roots at one end also increase the risk of accidents. By eliminating these unstable elements, you ensure a more stable and predictable riding surface, which improves both safety and durability on the trail, while enhancing the user experience.
3. Remove vegetation and topsoil
Another essential technique is to never use the organic layer to shape the trail surface. One of the most common mistakes made by Greens (or negligents) is to use this rich, black, organic soil to build trail tread. This material contains a high concentration of organic matter and micro-organisms, which prevents the surface from hardening and remaining stable under foot traffic.
Organic material is not durable, does not compact well, and becomes soft in contact with water. A good practice is to transport this material in buckets and deposit it discreetly behind a rock, between two large stones. Scatter organic and unusable material evenly 20 steps down the trail, so that it is not carried away by the water and is as inconspicuous as possible.
The tread should always be composed of mineral soil (aka gold dirt), stone pavers or gravel. A discerning eye will find and recognize good quality soil.
Expertise and creativity in trail building
Once these fundamental principles have been respected, experienced trail builders can apply their creativity, knowledge and personal style to improve the layout and add “features”. At this stage, a builder adapts his or her techniques to the surrounding geology and natural resources, creating a trail that is sustainable, unique and enjoyable to navigate.
It’s essential that the techniques used are adapted to the local ecosystem, as they won’t necessarily work everywhere. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to consult other Leaders or Chapter Operators to make informed decisions.
