Forest Trail Handbook

RECREATION TRAILS

The recreational trail is built for recreationists in order that they might enjoy some scenic route or reach some point of scenic interest. The recreation trail is different from other Forest Service trails which serve some definite utilitarian purpose of land area coverage, for use under ordinary circumstances by experienced Forest Service employees. Because the recreation trail is built for a different purpose and is used by different types of people, different requirements are established which necessitate different methods of trail construction.

Recreation trails may be grouped into two classes for consideration — (1) short trails to points of particular scenic interest, and (2) long trails of extended scenic interest. A short trail to a point of scenic interest, used by tourists and inexperienced recreationists, should have an easy grade or when the differences in elevations are such that an easy grade cannot be maintained, the trail should have an ample number of resting points, overlooks, seats, etc., built at convenient points. A longer trail connecting extensive recreation features and used by experienced recreationists might be of various grades arranged to meet the difficulties of construction as economically and as easily as possible.

A few general considerations regarding the design and construction are given, realizing that no specific sets of directions will meet all conditions.

GENERAL DESIGN

A curved line in plan is usually more interesting from a scenic point of view than a straight line, as all the features cannot be seen at one time and are undolded as progress is made along a trail. However, in passing through an area of uniform natural conditions, the trail might become uninteresting by too much indirectness and meandering. Interest may be maintained and even intensified under such circumstances by building a straight trail through the uninteresting area with interest created by modifying the profile. That is, a straight trail through a long uniform setting with a concave or undulating profile is often better than a very irregular line with uniform grade.

The building up of interest until an objective is reached will help lead the recreationist to the objective point. This kind of climax interest may be accomplished by opening up minor views of the objective itself and taking advantage of incidental side views of minor interest along the way.

A trail with varying grades, not necessarily a loss in elevation is preferable to a sustained uniform grade.

In areas of great scenic interest it is often desirable to locate trails so that the interest is centered at outstanding points rather than to attempt to feature all views at one time. The reason for this method of treatment is that the human eye is so constructed that the concentrated vision at one point is limited to an angle of about thirty degrees.

Also, because of this fact, panoramic views are often more pleasing when framed by natural barriers, concentrating the vision at particular points.

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CONSTRUCTION

Recreation trails along streams end lake shores should not exactly follow the waterline. Under actual field conditions this would be often impossible because of construction difficulties. Ideally, the trail should be away from the stream or lake shore but accessible to the water's edge and touching it at a few important points of interest. Side trails or spur trails may often be built to interesting points when the trail is away from the water's edge.

Trails connecting extensive recreation features may also have spur trails built to points of interest that are not on the main trail itself. Added interest may be incorporated in scenic areas by having loop trails serve as alternate routes.

Trails to be built to approved recreation standard may have many of the construction characteristics of roads, only on a smaller scale, as, inslope, outslope, waterbars, drain logs, switchbacks, culverts, bridges, turnpiked areas and areas requiring surfacing, etc. The construction method which will stand up under long periods of use with the least maintenance is the method which should be used to meet the existing conditions

Clearance and tread should be wide enough for two people walking abreast in areas of mild exertion and with ample clearance for a pack horse. The width of the tread may be narrowed in trails of the extended sort, but should have ample pack horse clearance.

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GRADE

The grade of the trail should vary, avoiding long stretches of uniform grade. The ideal maximum grade should be ten percent but under certain circumstances may be increased to fifteen percent for short distances where certain definite objectives must be reached.

Switchbacks should be avoided whenever possible as people descending the trail will want to "shortcut" which will result often in forming unsightly wash channels. In rocking up the inside point of the turning area of the switchback, special attention should be given to the placing of the rocks. They should be placed with their longest dimension into the bank so that they become imbedded into the earth and rest securely on their own faces. Do not build a veneer of rocks on the earth's surface subject to wash and slipping.

CLEARING AND BURNING

Because the recreation trail is used chiefly by the public, particular attention should be given to clearing, burning and construction. All burning should be done along the actual trail where the trail construction will cover the scars left by burning or well away from the trail. The brush piles should be small and will be less noticeable if on the uphill side of the trail or well below, out of sight of the trail. Particular care should be given at all times in safeguarding and protecting existing growth. While rocky ledges may provide a safe place for burning, the damage done to surrounding plant and lichen growth is very severe and such places for fires should be used only when there is no better place.

SIDE SLOPES

Side sloping on the recreation trail is an important feature. When properly done, it will blend the trail construction into the existing surroundings with little damage to the landscape picture. The side slopes should vary with the ground conditions in which the trail is constructed. A much more natural cross section will result if the slopes are varied instead of being built at a set standard as 1 to 1 or 2 to 1. The rounding of the top of the slope should also vary with conditions. The raking down of the slope and removal of needles and plants makes a neat looking job from an engineer's point of view but may do considerable damage to plant growth. The natural damage will be greatest at this point because of the change in natural condition. Much plant growth should be left undisturbed, preventing surface wash and future sloughing to a large extent.

BARRIERS AND RAILINGS

Trails along steep side hills, and a long or near precipices should have some form of barrier along the outside edge. The barrier may take the form of logs securely fastened to the ground, log railings, irregular stones, dry stone walls or masonry walls. The kind of barrier to be used will be determined to a large extent by the expected use of the trail and the kind of material at hand. Trails convenient to recreation centers will have more varied use and will require greater safety precautions than a trail in the remote back country.

SURFACING

Under ordinary conditions, the existing dirt will provide suitable trail surfacing; but under special situations, the trail surface will require special treatment. In areas of rock where there is insufficient fine material, dirt should be brought in for surfacing. In areas through bogs and at places even if the trail is properly drained, sandy gravel may have to be brought in to make the trail usable during wet weather. When a trail has exceptionally heavy use and becomes dusty, other surfacing methods may have to be used. Oil, if lightly and correctly spread, will keep the dust down without damage to plant growth; under severe conditions regularly prepared tarred aggregate may have to be used. Calcium chloride may have some use in well defined trails but the correct amount for use will have to be determined by experiment.

FIXTURES AND FEATURES

Recreation trails of meandering, intimate scenic surroundings, convenient to highways and centers of recreation concentration may well have seats, benches, picnic tables, etc., located in secluded nooks convenient to the trail and featuring some scenic focal point. Shelters and registry booths may also be located at strategic places. Structural features should not be located at every important point as they may interfere with the natural surroundings. Usually such points require and should be given special study in order to fit the proposed development into the surroundings in the best and most satisfactory manner. Where trails are loops or portions of an extensive system of trails, shelters and mountain camps should be provided at suitable scenic spots, ordinarily an easy day's travel from each other. The location of such sites should be given special attention especially in connection with highway takeoff points. Other minor stopping points should be provided where the traveler might stop for lunch in a suitable prepared area.