Maintenance 101

April 2010

What a maintainer needs to know

• Tools and equipment needed• Blazing techniques• Safety procedures• Reporting procedures

Trail Maintenance 101Welcome and introductionsWhy be a maintainer?Managing trail maintenanceWhat does a maintainer do?Tools and equipment

10 Minute Break!Blazing demonstration Health and safetyUnauthorized trail use

Lunch Field work

The NY-NJ Trail Conference

• Volunteer based organization with staff support

• Began in 1920• Currently maintains 1,700+ miles of

hiking trails• Members contribute 40,000+ hours

annually• For more information: www.nynjtc.org

NY/NJ Trail Conference

Trails Council

Trail Chair

Trail Crew ChiefSupervisor

Club Trail ChairMaintainer

Club Maintainer

Overall responsibility for trails within a geographic region (e.g. East Hudson, North Jersey)

Supervises maintainers in a single park or area

Maintains a trail section of roughly 1.5 to 2 miles

Determines trail policies; approves new trails and major changes

Trail Maintenance Organization Structure

Why the Trail Maintainer is Important

Provides for a pleasant and complete hiking experience

Makes trail safe for usersLimits potential for lost hikersMinimizes impact of trails on the environment

Educates hikersReports trail abuse

What Does a Trail Maintainer Do?

Inspects trail and file report at least twice a year

Clears vegetation and maintain blazingRemoves litter, fire rings, graffiti, etc.Reports problems requiring assistance

– Bridges, steps, water bars, etc. needing repair

– Large blowdowns needing chain sawingMakes trail improvements (often with help from others) - erosion control, wet areas, minor relocations

Yearly Maintenance Cycle

Inspect for and clean up winter and spring storm damage

Look for water problems

Plan projects

Winter

Summ

erSprin

g

Fall

Clip after spring and early summer growth

Best time for blazing

Inspect trail (if conditions permit)

Inspect trail Clean up Complete projects

Tools every maintainer needs

Loppers

Hand pruners

Bow saw (24-inch blade best) or folding saw

Blazing tools– Tag blazes, hammer,

nails- or -

– Painting toolsLitter bagsLeather work gloves

Tools For Trail Maintenance

Other tools you might want Weed whip or pruning shears for low-growing plants Pick-mattock or shovel

Clearing the Trail

4 feet wide

8 feet high

Trails with little backpacking traffic may be narrower with less overhead clearance--check with supervisor

Be sensitive to the environment -- do not clear excessively

Appalachian Trail specification:

Clearing the Trail

Cut branches flush with the main stem or at a fork

• Cut brush or small trees at ground level

Drag branches off the trail with the cut end away from the trail

Cut branches which obstruct the view of blazes

Block side and unauthorized trails with brush to avoid confusion

Cut here

Clear all blowdowns–Not an effective deterrent to ATVs–Hikers will walk around blowdowns, causing trail widening

–Trail without blowdowns can provide a fire break

Use a bow or pruning saw for trees up to 6-8 inches in diameter

Blowdowns

Large Blowdowns

Call supervisor for larger blowdowns requiring chain saw and describe blowdown 3 ways Size – diameter

Position – across, along or hanging over trail

Location – notable landmark or distance

Use of chain saw requires certification: contact supervisor if you want take the certification course.

Clearing Blowdowns

Blowdowns on the ground

Compression and TensionDue to gravity, one side is in compression and one in

tensionTension pulls apart--cut from tension side so saw will

not bind

If supported at both ends, bottom is in tensionSaw from bottom if possible; otherwise use a lever or wedge

SupportedSupported

SupportedSupported

Compression

Tension

GravityGravity

Compression and Tension If supported at only one end, top is in

tension– Cut from top at 1 and then at 2

Tension

Compression

SupportedSupported

UnsupporteUnsupportedd

12

GravitGravityy

Blazes

Paint Blaze Tag Blaze

Paint or tag blazing depends on landowner

Supervisor will specify type and color of blazing for trail

Cairns , Posts, and SignsCairns may be used where

there is nothing to blaze or to emphasize an important trail junction

Posts may occasionally be needed in treeless areas

Signs clarify where you are and give distances

Blaze Patterns

StandardBlaze

Right Turn(upper blaze shows direction of turn)

Start of Trail

End of Trail

Blazing Turns

Place turn blaze before the turn if possible

If nothing to blaze before the turn, can place turn blaze here instead

Trail

Confirmation blaze a short distance past the turn

In general, place turn blazes at turns of 45 degrees or more

Blazing Hints

Don't overblaze or underblaze–When passing a blaze, next blaze should be visible

–Fewer blazes on woods roads, more in difficult areas

–Trailheads and trail crossings must be blazed clearly

Blazing Hints - 2

Make a separate trip for blazing, preferably with two people

Blaze one direction, then the other direction

Don't just repaint blazes; take a fresh, objective look

Where to put Blazes

Blazes should be just above eye levelBlaze trees which catch the eye, preferably large trees near the trail with dark-colored bark

Never blaze dead treesAvoid blazing rocks if possiblePaint out unneeded blazes with gray or brown spray paint

Blazing Two Trails on the Same Treadway

Always place blazes for both trails on the same trees, one above the other

The same blaze should always be on top

Blazes for long-distance trails such as the AT should be above blazes for local trails

Trail

Appalachian Trail blazeLocal trail blaze

Tag Blazes

Use 2 inch galvanized roofing nails

Do not nail tight against tree--allow at least 3/4 inch for growth

Use 2 nails, one near top and one near bottom, never at sides (a few trails use one nail--your supervisor will advise you)

TreeBlaze

3/4 inch

Nail

Nail

Paint BlazesSupervisor will indicate proper color

Scrape trees with rough bark; never scrape through the bark

Use a template to get accurate blaze size and shape: 2x3 inch, except 2x4 for Long Path and 2x6 for AT

Use a small brush

Avoid blazing if rainy or temperature is below 50 degrees

Paint Blazing Tools• Scraper• Brush – 1/2 to 1 inch

wide with cup and plastic wrap

• Paint in screw top jar• Template• Equalizing spray paint

(gray/brown)• Rags, disposable

gloves

Scrape

Paint

Done!

Lets Try it!

Can you spot the problem?

Stepping StonesPlaced in wet areas and stream crossings so that hikers

do not widen the trailUse large, steady stonesContact supervisor if the job is too big for you to handle

Water Bars

Water flowsoff treadway

Clear debris from behind water bars regularly

Built by trail crew, cleaned by maintainerRemove debris from behind water barDirt is on downhill side so trail level is at top of

water bar Direction of water flow

Water flowsoff treadway

Clear debris from behind water bars regularly

Switchbacks

Switchbacks give a gentler slope and reduce erosion

Block off shortcuts with branches and debris

Trail Relocations - Why

Follow terrain in a more natural wayPrevent erosionAvoid wet areas (Are there better alternatives?)

Make trail saferGain improved viewsConform to landowner requests

Trail Relocations - Approvals

Minimal relocations–Can be done by maintainer, but let supervisor know

–Not likely to be noticed by a hiker familiar with the trail;

– Typically affects less than 20 feet of trail

Supervisor will advise on approvals needed for all other types of relocations

SafetyConstant attention is needed to avoid accidents

Learn safe practices and use common sense

Use the proper tools and use them safelyDo not work too close to others in your group

Know your limitations--ask for help if you need it

Follow safe hiking practices

• Avoid maintaining alone and tell others where you are going• Be aware of health risks due to heat and cold• Take plenty of water• Take first aid kit, flashlight, and other critical gear• Avoid poisonous snakes, rabid animals, and yellow jackets• Check for ticks; be aware of tick-borne illness

Other outdoor hazards

Ticks

Deer Tick Dog Tick

Deer Ticks carry Lyme Disease

Stinging Insects

Yellow jackets, wasps, and honey bees look similar. The first two insects sting multiple times. Honey bees sting once and then die.

Special (and not so special)Plants on Your Trail

Threatened and endangeredInvasivesExotics

Threatened and endangered species

Identified on a few trail sections (mostly on the AT) – this information is confidential

Supervisor will advise of any maintenance restrictions

If you identify such species on trail, notify your supervisor

Invasive Species

• Many (e.g. barberry, garlic mustard, bittersweet, wild grape purple loosestrife, multiflora rose, Japanese stilt grass) are well established

• Remove whenever possible. • No herbicide use

Barberry Invasion

Work to fight new invasions so as to make your job easier.

Multi flora Rose

Garlic Mustard

Poison Ivy

Use great care in clearingLeaves of three – Let

them be The hairy vine is also

toxic

Unauthorized Trail Use

ATV's, horses, mountain bikes, hunters– Know regulations for your area–Avoid confrontation and use good judgment–Try to get description, license plate number, etc.

–Depending on significance, contact park office and/or enter information into form on Trail Conference web site

Vandalism, cut trees, encroachment on park property, etc.–Contact supervisor and/or park office

Reporting

Supervisor will provide report forms and they are available on the Trail Conference web site

Submit reports to supervisor on timeEnd of June and November, covering work done during the reporting period

Report– # of workers, hours including travel time– Nature of work done– Location and description of problems

Let your supervisor know

• What problems exist in maintaining your section – don’t have to wait until the reporting period.

• If you decide you want to stop being a maintainer.

•

Our trail network is possible because of

hundreds of dedicated volunteer trail maintainers

We hope you will become a maintainer

It was great having you at the workshop