Upload
clark-dixey
View
220
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
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