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 and around the trail. Experience leads the trained eye to see the terrain in different ways, enabling effective, long-lasting technique uses. There’s not any magic formula, which is what makes trail building so unique to each region of the world.
Despite the wide range of situations you’ll encounter on trails, there are three basic practices that should be followed first and foremost to ensure that your efforts last a long time and that your trails remain safe when aging. Dig !t draws on the collective knowledge of Leaders and Chapter Operators to teach these essential techniques to newer Teammates in all chapters.
Three essential trail maintenance tasks:
- Remove vegetation and topsoil before shaping the trail surface (i.e trail tread).
- Manage water so that it drains out of the path 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.
1. Remove vegetation and topsoil
One essential technique is to never use the organic layer onto trail surface. 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.
One of the most common mistakes made by Greens is to use rich, black, organic soil to build the trail tread. This material contains a high concentration of organic matter and micro-organisms, which prevents the surface from hardening and remaining stable under traffic. Organic material is not durable, does not compact well, and becomes soft in contact with water.
A good practice is to get rid of this material using buckets (or a 5’x7′ tarp). Move it away on the lower side of the trail, so that it can’t be carried back into the trail. Hide it far from the trail, counting 20 steps before dropping it. Scatter organic and unusable material evenly on the ground.
BTW, we know and love loamy trails (they are sure a lot of fun to ride), but they wear out fast, are unsustainable on the long run and too often create major erosion problems.
2. Water management and erosion prevention
A simple way to explain the flow of water is to get newcomers to imagine a golf ball rolling down the path. By thinking about the trajectory an rolling ball would take, it becomes easier to anticipate the speed and direction of water under the effect of gravity. This powerful image helps new builders to easily understand drainage principles.
Water going down a slope creates erosion of soil and sand. Erosion problems are directly affected by the quantity of water and the speed it gains through a slope section.
Dozens of techniques exist to rapidly evacuate water from the trail. Downstream sloping surfaces, raised trail center, upstream parallel ditch or channel, culverts, pipes or water bars are frequently used techniques to achieve this. Raising the trail center is always a good way to use. Adding undulations to the trail creates high points that direct water towards low points. These low spots allow water to easily drain away from the trail.
When a trail section requires recurring maintenance, it’s sometimes necessary to re-route it completely. Stones paving is the best way to create long-lasting trail sections.
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.
3. 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, creating a danger to cyclists and hikers. Loose roots at one end also increase risks.
By eliminating these unstable elements, you ensure a more stable and predictable surface, which improves both safety and durability on the trail, while enhancing the user experience.
Expertise and creativity in trail building
Once these fundamental principles have been adressed, 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 each of those won’t necessarily work all the time. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask experienced trail builders. Their knowledge will help you do better work !