““Man’s heart away from Man’s heart away from Nature becomes hard.”Nature becomes hard.”

-Standing Bear-Standing Bear

Water is the EnemyWater is the Enemy

High volume and high velocity water must be taken into consideration in trail design

Where other areas can get by with 10% grade, desert trails should aim for no more than 5-7%

Soils are Less StableSoils are Less Stable

• Sandy and rocky• Little clay• No organic binders• Low shear strength

Design a Design a Positive Positive

ExperienceExperience

Design For SafetyDesign For Safety

• Calming devices• Sight Lines• Appropriate

Width

Protect ResourcesProtect Resources

• Habitat• Historical/Cultural• Trails that meet

needs

Give ‘em What They Give ‘em What They Want!Want!

• Viewpoints• Loops• Places of interest

Or they will go there anyway!

Make it Fun!Make it Fun!

• Contours, turns and dips

• Variety is the spice of trails

Be ConsistentBe Consistent

• Sudden changes = bad

• Sudden changes without warning = very bad

Safety FirstSafety First

• Calming devices can be fun

• Open sight lines• Wide at beginning• Wide on steep side slopes

ConstructionConstruction

Crossing DrainagesCrossing Drainages

• Check dams above and below

• Contour into large drainages

• Cross at a right angle

Crossing Large Crossing Large DrainagesDrainages

• Build up with crib walls

• Direct flow to middle

• Downstream side higher

Rocks RockRocks Rock

MolarsMolars

• If placed by Nature they work well

• If placed by man, not so good

• If necessary, think big

• If not big, use several rocks to interlock

Crib WallsCrib Walls

• Good when bedrock or big rocks make benching impossible

• Must be stable; pass the “jump test”

• The bigger the rocks the better…

• …But sometimes smaller rocks fit better

Crib Wall ConstructionCrib Wall Construction

• On rocky side hills, let wall be above tread a few inches to hold soil

• When possible, weather side out

• Fill big to small

ArmoringArmoring

• When all else fails…

• Leave an option for stock

• Find a molar

Getting Water OffGetting Water Off

• Rolling grade dip, not so good

• Grade reversal is best

• Done properly, knicks work well

DiversionsDiversions• Why wait?

Sometimes you can take the water off before it hits the trail

OutslopeOutslope

• Aggressive is good (5-8%)

• Ankle roll test

AestheticsAesthetics

• Build with a light touch

• The desert recovers slowly

• Make a new trail look old

Aesthetics Tips 1Aesthetics Tips 1

• Take clippings out of sight, cut end away from trail

• Palo Verde branches can be put under another tree, cut end to trunk (1-2)

• Prune for a natural look• No hat racks• Rub dirt on fresh cut

Aesthetics Tips 2Aesthetics Tips 2

• Work dirt lengthwise on trail to keep it from spreading downhill from tread

• Pile dirt in middle, then broadcast (far) or cart away

• Save rocks with weathered side above trail, place strategically after tread is done

Aesthetics Tips 3Aesthetics Tips 3

• Rocks without weathered surfaces (excavated) should be out of sight

• If you mine rocks above the trail, cover holes (and slides) with weathered rocks

• After work is complete, look above and below for any construction debris, cuttings

MaintenanceMaintenance

• No trail is maintenance-free, but sustainable trails require minimal work

• Walk completed trail several times to look for potential trouble spots

• Walk after first significant rain to check performance

Thank You!!Thank You!!