Introduction to Trail Maintenance Workshop

Are you a trail user curious about trail construction and maintenance? Have you thought about volunteering for a trail crew event but would like to know a little bit more first? Are you a new maintainer and want additional hands on experience or discussion?

Come and join us! You’ll learn why trails are designed the way they are, the challenges they face, and basic skills of trail maintenance.

This is a hands on workshop. You will be carrying and using things like clippers, loppers, saws, shovels, picks, and other tools. After demonstrations, you will have the opportunity to practice typical trail maintenance tasks on short sections of trail. Equivalent in exertion to short periods of moderate yard work interspersed with short hikes and talks. We have fun! Really!

You do NOT need to be a PATC member to attend. Bring a friend!

All participants must be at least 18 years old.

No pets or other animals

TOPICS INCLUDE:

Safety

Tool use

Types of trails and associated design standards (e.g. wilderness, multiuse, grade, obstructions)

Water control (design, dips, bars, nicks, outslope, etc.)

Vegetation control (weeding, clipping, sawing, invasives)

MEETUP USE: The ATTEND button is an RSVP that helps in making plans for tools and trail work. Please do not click ATTEND unless you are actually planning to attend. Understandably, sometimes things come up that make it necessary to cancel. If that happens, please change your status to NOT GOING. Doing so automatically notifies the next person on the waitlist that a spot is available. THANK YOU!

LOCATION:

George Washington National Forest 22 miles southwest of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Trimble Mountain Trail near Todd Lake in Augusta County. Search Google Maps for "Trimble Mountain Trailhead". There are no access or parking fees. Paved road access. Park in the gravel lot along the road. Do not park in or block the driveway.

MARCH DETAILS:

Every workshop and trail crew starts with a safety talk. Then we’ll introduce typical trail tools and their use. Afterwards, we'll slowly carry our tools uphill along the trail no more than about one and a half miles. Along the way, we'll discuss the trail’s characteristics (both good and bad) and differences associated with wilderness, multi-use, forest, and park trails. We'll clip some vegetation in a responsible, sustainable way; improve and/or create some water control features; and practice small tree blowdown removal analyzing risks and cuts as we go. We’ll discuss procedures, placement, and types of blazes. The exact work will depend on the number of participants, their interests and experience level, and the weather. If you have particular interests, let me know.

You can contact me with questions using Meetup’s Event Chat (public), Meetup Message (private), or via my email address trailgary777@gmail.com.

THINGS TO BRING:

Clothes appropriate for the weather including rain gear and something you would feel comfortable wearing doing yard work. Long pants and long sleeves required. There will be periods of both activity and inactivity so bring layers so you can adjust for the level of exertion - working, hiking, talking.

Sturdy shoes with good tread and support. Hiking boots would be best.

Work gloves (I’ll have a few spares if someone needs to borrow a pair)

Sunscreen and Insect repellent.

Water, snacks, and lunch. We’ll stop somewhere on the trail midday for a quick lunch.

Toiletries for outdoor bathroom use should the need arise (e.g. TP, digging tool). There are no bathrooms or other facilities.

Daypack

I will provide hard hats and safety glasses the use of which is required.

SOME RISKS INCLUDE:

Widely varying weather conditions. Check the forecast. Make sure you have plenty of water if its hot!

You will be carrying and using sharp, heavy tools on uneven ground that may be wet and slippery in places.

The land drops off steeply to the side of the trail in some places.

This is a multiuse trail which means we may encounter fast traveling bicycles.

COVID-19.

Do not attend if you feel unwell, have symptoms associated with COVID-19, or have reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID-19.

WANT A PREVIEW?

Basic Trail Maintenance - Georgia ATC (some local practices and terminology differ)

https://youtu.be/ozpbU5otbPg

What they call a rolling grade dip we call a grade reversal (a trail design that eliminates long downhill runs of water).

What they call an earthen waterbar we call a rolling grade dip (an added structure to control water erosion on a trail with a downhill run of water ).

What they call checksteps, we call checkdams.