Trails Manual Section11

8/14/2019 Trails Manual Section11

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Crusher Fines Surface Trails

Installation of stone steps

The stones in stone steps are held in place by gravity. To have enough weight to be effective, each stone should havemore than enough height to create a step of the needed height, should be at least twice as deep as the height of thestep, and should be firmly anchored in undisturbed soil (or highly compacted fill). The best stones for steps have a fairlyflat top and a reasonably flat face, and are heavy enough that two or more people are needed to lift or move them.When more than one stone is needed to make one step, the stones should abut each other firmly so that crusher finescannot wash out through cracks between the stones.

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Installation of timber steps

Use pressure-treated landscape timbers, which have a rough-sawn finish for aesthetics, avoid pressuretreatments that perforate the wood with hundreds of small slits. Typically, the timber used for each stepshould be at least 2 wider than the trail so that the timber can fully retain the crusher fines above the step.

Since timber is not heavy enough to hold itself in place, they are held in place by 2 long sections of rebardriven straight into the ground, one at each end. Driving the rebar can be difficult or impossible in rocky soil.If the rebar bends after it is significantly in the ground, saw off the undriven part rather than bend it over.

Crusher Fines Path Construction Methods

Initial Grade Preparation

See Crusher Fines Trail Cross-Sections, p. 3-23.

The Contractor is responsible for disposing of excavated materials that are considered unsuitable and of anysurplus excavated material not required for embankments or backfill.

Selecting a Trail Construction Method

The construction method to use depends on the soil type, site drainage characteristics, and the amount ofvehicular traffic (both maintenance vehicles and, in the case of driveways or shared rights-of-way,private/public vehicles). Crusher fines may need to be separated from the subgrade with geotextile, a basecourse of pit run (river cobbles), or both. In some cases the separation is to improve drainage, but usually itis to keep the crusher fines from being absorbed into the subgrade over time. In extreme cases of poordrainage, concrete, boardwalk, or other surface must be used instead of crusher fines in that particular partof the trail. Crusher fines can also be used as a foundation for a future hard surface (concrete or asphalt), by

matching subgrade and site drainage conditions to the type and number of motor vehicular users. Theconstruction methods - numbered 1 through 6 in the table - are given on the following pages.

FloodingNone of the crusher fines specifications are designed to withstand a flood of moving water (although they canwithstand temporary standing water). A crusher fines trail impacted by a concentrated flow of moving waterwill have to be extensively repaired or rebuilt.



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Selecting a crusher fines trail construction method

Key: The numbers 1 through 6 refer to construction methods. If the site or subgrade conditions fit into more

than one category, use the higher-numbered specification.

If subgrade and site conditions are:

Very rocky or gravelly subgrade with little or no loose sand or soil; or an

extremely firm and rocky mineral soil which will not absorb crusher finesparticles; or a previously improved and well-compacted rocky surface

(well-consolidated gravel or road base); well-drained site

Use construction method:

1

Sandy soil, sand-gravel, or firm mineral soil; well drained and above thewater table (except possibly during spring snowmelt)

2 if no motor vehicles,2 if path used by maint. vehicles3 if shared with motor vehicles

Loam, silt sands, or fine silts; above the water table (except possiblyduring spring snowmelt)

2 if no motor vehicles,3 if path used by maint. vehicles,3 if shared with motor vehicles

Expansive or plastic soils and clays (including materials such asbentonite and gilsonite); above the water table (except possibly during

spring snowmelt)

2 if no motor vehicles,3 if path if used by maint. vehicles,4 if shared with motor vehicles

Trail surface within a seasonally high water table which lasts longer thanspring snowmelt (longer-term saturation of crusher fines likely);

seasonally wet or very damp subgrade but without standing surfacewater

4 if low-moderate user traffic,5 if high user traffic

Trail surface within a permanently high water table; or trail surfacesubject to frequent or constant surface water or seepage; or trail surfacesubject to concentrated water flows from average storm runoff; or site is

a bog or wetland which is almost constantly wet5

Crusher fines trail to be used as an interim surface until a hard (concreteor asphalt) surface is built later; any subgrade or site drainage condition 6

Installation of the Crusher Fines Surface

Except where otherwise noted, the compacted depth of fines should be 4 on foot trails, and 5 ontrails for bikes and/or maintenance vehicles.

Except where noted in Crusher Fines Trail Cross Sections, the edge of the finished surface should

be flush with ground level or less than 1/2 inch above it. To help prevent undesired low and high spots in the finished trail surface, the subgrade should be

smooth and formed to a uniform depth below the planned finished surface.

Fines should be spread and compacted within a week after delivery. The fines are sprayed withwater in the crushing process to give them 4 to 5 percent water content - this amount is optimum forcompaction. The longer the fines sit in piles on the site, the more they dry out and make compactiondifficult. Dry crusher fines cannot be adequately compacted (nor can wet fines).

The path surface will need to be shaped with drainage features (pitch, superelevation, crowning, anddrainage dips) as specified in Crusher Fines Trail Drainage, p. 3-28. These should be shaped intothe fines before compaction and adjusted as needed after compaction.

Compaction should be done with a roller, vibratory compactor, or (ideally) a vibratory roller. Thesurface should be adjusted and recompacted until no unplanned high or low spots remain.

In adjusting the surface, avoid excessive raking. Raking tends to separate the course particles fromthe fines and produces an uneven distribution of coarse and fine particles on the trail surface.(Coarse particles alone on the surface do not bind together. Fine particles alone on the surface areunstable when wet and dusty when dry).

If the trail surface is below ground level after compaction, more fines must be added to bring it up toor above ground level.

If backfill is needed against the edge of the crusher fines, it should be done after compaction of thefines.

The trail will not obtain its final hardness until the fines have absorbed one heavy rain and dried outcompletely. The rain activates the binders, and, like concrete, drying sets them. User traffic willcompact the trail still further.

Excess crusher fines should be stockpiled (on site or elsewhere) for future maintenance.



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After several heavy rains and several months of user traffic, the County is responsible for adjustingthe path surface (with a Bobcat and/or hand labor) to eliminate unplanned high and low spots.Adjustments and recompaction will be easier if the top several inches of the crusher fines are dampfrom a recent rain. Fines may need to be added where compaction was inadequate. Any washoutsshould be filled at this time and the sources of the washouts corrected.



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Method 5 Alternatives to Crusher Fines in Wet Areas

Crusher fines cannot be used on sites which are often or permanently wet, or which are subjected toconcentrated water flows. Other materials and methods can be used instead, some of which are listed here.

Side swalesIf altering the water table on the site is acceptable, swales on both sides of the trail may be able to lower thewater table just enough for crusher fines to be used (see Side Swales and Culverts in Crusher Fines TrailDrainage, p. 3-28).

BoardwalkA short section of boardwalk can cross a wet area and create a feature along the trail (see Boardwalk, p. 2-88).



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Stepping stonesOn a low-traffic pedestrian-only trail, stepping stones can be used to cross an area that is sometimes wet ordamp (see Stepping Stones in Crusher Fines Trail Drainage).

Concrete swale or path sectionConcrete swales or short sections of concrete path can cross areas subjected to concentrated water flows(see Swale Crossings in Crusher Fines Trail Drainage).

BridgeA low bridge can be considered across a wet or boggy area. The bridge can be a desirable feature along thetrail (see Bridges, p. 2-56).

Stone pavementOn a pedestrian-only trail, a short pavement of fitted stones can cross an intermittent channel or anoccasionally wet area (see Swale Crossings in Crusher Fines Trail Drainage).

Wood deckingA ground-level boardwalk can rest on the ground and provide a dry crossing of a damp area without piers orrailings (see Boardwalk, p. 2-88).

CausewayIn some conditions, a causeway can elevate the crusher fines trail above ground level (see Causeway andChannelization in Crusher Fines Trail Drainage).

ChannelizationOn a pedestrian-only trail, a causeway with a short section of stone paving at ground level can channeloccasional surface water across the stone pavement (see Causeway and Channelization in Crusher FinesTrail Drainage).

Method 6 Crusher fines as a Precursor to a Hard Surface

By building to the highest specification for the combination of subgrade and site conditions for crusher finesand for the selected hard surface, a crusher surface can become the foundation for a hard surface to beconstructed later.Several steps must be taken to prepare the crusher fines surface, foundations, subgrade, and excavation fora future (potential) hard surface. These are listed below and partially illustrated on the next page.

1. Select the hard surface typeBefore constructing the crusher fines path, determine whether the hard surface will be concrete or asphalt(see Hard Surface Materials: Concrete and Asphalt, p. 2-17).

2. Determine the width and height of the finished hard surfaceBoth concrete and asphalt can be laid directly on top of crusher fines, but this raises the trail surface by thethickness of the concrete or asphalt and can alter site drainage, trail drainage, and the users perception of

the trail. Raising the surface is most appropriate on steeper cross slopes and on cuts and fills where there isno natural ground level adjacent to the trail surface.The preferred method for minimal cross slopes is to lay the hard surface at ground level by excavatingcrusher fines to the appropriate depth. The excavated fines can be reused if they do not become mixed withsoils during excavation.

3. Determine the width and drainage of the crusher fines trailDepending on whether the hard surface will be laid on top or within the crusher fines, the width of the crusherfines trail and the drainage features must be designed to eventually accommodate the hard surface.

4. Determine the necessary foundation for the both trail types



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The sub grade preparation and base courses must meet or exceed the specifications in this Handbook forboth the crusher fines trail and the eventual hard surface. Choose the appropriate foundation method forcrusher fines from Methods 1-5 given above, choose the appropriate foundation method for the hard surface,then combine the features of both to produce a foundation which meets or exceeds the specifications in thisHandbook for both trail types.

5. Consider the location of an adjacent soft surface trail for the hard surfaceDuring the planning phase for the crusher fines trail, determine the likely location for an adjacent soft surface

trail once the hard surface is installed. A corridor should be planned and reserved for the adjacent softsurface trail in initial planning and construction. If crusher fines are excavated and replaced with the hardsurface, some of these fines may be usable in the new soft surface trail.



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Crusher Fines Trails for the Physically Challenged

The following concentrates on crusher fines adaptations for wheelchair users only. For general guidelines onfeatures for the physically challenged (including wheelchair users) also see Features for the PhysicallyChallenged, p. 2-107.

Accessibility and ApplicationCrusher fines surfaces are not smooth enough to be considered fully accessible, but crusher fines trails canbe barrier-free and usable by wheelchair users. Some modifications to the trail surface can increase thesafety, enjoyment, and mobility of wheelchair users over the standard techniques given elsewhere in thisHandbook.

Which trails should be adapted for the physically challenged?Given 1) the steep grades which may unavoidably occur on many trails and 2) the modifications in traildesign, drainage, and maintenance necessary to help make crusher fines suitable for wheelchair users, theCounty of Simcoe will not seek to make every part of every crusher fines trail barrier-free. Rather, the Countywill identify sites that are most conducive to a quality outdoor experience for physically challenged personsand attempt to make those sites barrier-free. If an entire trail can be reasonably adapted for wheelchair use

or uses by other physically challenged persons, then the County should do so. Otherwise, only the sectionsof trails directly accessible from trailheads need be adapted for wheelchair users. The identification of whichsites to adapt is left to the County to decide on a site-by-site basis.

Trail Design and Layout Considerations

The following are specific for crusher fines. For additional general guidelines, see Features for the PhysicallyChallenged, p. 2-107.

1. Try to avoid trail grades over 5%

Pushing or manually moving a wheelchair on crusher fines on a grade over 5% is difficult.

2. Add extra lime to the crusher finesWhen the crusher fines are made, have the mill add 2-3 times more lime to the mix. The lime will helpharden the trail surface, increasing mobility and ease-of-use for wheelchair users.

3. Consider using a concrete surface on steep sections. Where a trail has to be steep for a short timebut it is desirable to minimize barriers, consider surfacing the steep sections with concrete. This providesa smooth maintenance-free surface for wheelchair users both during climbing and braking. (Concrete isconsidered more accessible than asphalt.)

4. Design for slow-moving users at a pedestrian scale. Crusher fines trails have the potential to bemuch more intimate with their site than hard surface trails. If at all possible, design the trail to be rich intrailside detail. By the concept of intermediate path goals (see Section 1 Part E), interesting features onor visible from the trail should occur as often as possible - this makes a short trail rich in experience.

5. Vary the width of the trail. While the trail should be at least 5 wide to allow two wheelchairs tocomfortably pass, the width of the trail should vary with the site and site features. Pullouts can beconstructed to encourage stopping, but widening the trail in logical locations serves the same purpose ina more naturalistic and less obvious way.

6. Consider using cuts and fills, bridges, and/or boardwalk sections to cross uneven terrain.Even on a crusher fines trail, boardwalk sections and bridges can be used as needed to span terrain thatmight ordinarily be crossed on the ground in a series of grades.



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7. Minimize grades at drainage crossingsInstead of possibly sharply dipping down and back up at drainage crossings, establish a trail grade whichdips only slightly, or which uses a bridge, culvert, or fill to span the drainage with minimal grades on theapproaches.

8. Pay very close attention to trail drainageAs described on the following pages, trail drainage is somewhat compromised by minimizing drainagestructures. The ability to adequately drain a trail is a prime criterion in deciding whether or not to try to

adapt it for wheelchair use.

Trail Drainage Modifications

1. Minimize or eliminate outslope, crowning, and superelevation

These basic drainage mechanisms tend to cause wheelchair users to roll toward the sides of the trail.For wheelchair users, the surface pitch for drainage should not exceed 2%, and less or no pitch ispreferred as practical. At locations where a surface pitch could divert a wheelchair into a dangerousplace, such as off a steep cross slope or into a retaining wall or railing, the pitch should be as close to

0% as practical.Overlooks, pullouts, and other stopping points should be as level as practical, not exceeding 2% pitch orgrade in any direction.

2. Keep excessive site runoff off the trail surface

Minimizing or eliminating surface pitch makes it more difficult to drain the trail surface. This requiresmore effort to keeping site runoff from reaching the trail in the first place. If trail grades are 4% or aboveand the site has significant runoff, consider using side swales to keep site runoff from reaching the trail.Another technique is to raise the crusher fines surface at least 5/8 to 1 above the adjacent ground level(Consistently raising the trail surface more than I tends to make trail users feel detached from the siteand is hence not advised.) The raised surface has to be maintained in order to be effective.

3. Replace drainage dips with frequent small grade breaks

While grade breaks are OK for wheelchairs, the standard drainage dip is a wheelchair trap. Use theguidelines below to create small grade breaks to replace drainage dips and to also double as a rest stopalong the trail. In the absence of outslope and crowning, these small grade breaks need to be used atfrequent intervals in order to drain the trail. Small grade breaks should be used at 2-3 times the specifiedfrequency of drainage dips. Because their shape is subtle, they also need simple but more frequentmaintenance to maintain their shape and drainage characteristics.



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Crusher Fines Trail Maintenance

Inspection, Maintenance, and Preventive Maintenance Checklist

The trail maintenance program is designed to find and fix all problems while they are still small. This calls forfrequent inspections and maintenance that should be relatively easy and inexpensive. Since most repairs are

minor when corrected early, most of the regular maintenance should be possible to perform with 1-2 people.

An example of typical trail maintenance equipment. Bush-hog used for trimming maint. Swath as well ascutting grassed trails. Capable of cutting small shrubs as well.



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The Aquacide Unit offers an alternative method of killing weeds embedded in soft surface trails by usingsteam to boil weed root systems. Excellent for areas near playgrounds and pet trails where pesticides shouldnot be used.



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Example of trail grader used to grade soft surface trails to perfection.

1. Inspect the trail surface for water damage:

Check the entire trail surface for any signs of washouts or water damage - no matter how small. Look for

signs of concentrated water having flowed down the trail or across the trail. If any problem is found,identify the source of the excess water and add appropriate drainage features. For instance, it may benecessary to adjust the outslope or crown, add another drainage dip uphill, or install an inside swale.(Although difficult, the best way to thoroughly understand the problem is to watch the trail while water isactively flowing).

Regrade any parts of the trail surface with incorrect outslope, crown, or superelevation. The stockpile ofextra fines ordered when each trail was built can be used to add fines to a trail as needed.



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Example of trail maintenance chart complied by trail volunteers in Collingwood.

If the water source cannot be diverted or kept off the trail surface, it may be necessary to rebuild that partof the trail with a hard surface.



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2. Inspect drainage dips and grade breaks for water damage:

Except for exceptional downpours (such as an inch per hour), drainage dips and grade breaks shouldshow no signs of erosion. If the bottoms of drainage dips or grade breaks show any signs of scouring orerosion, too much water is being concentrated at those points:

If an alluvial fan of crusher fines is deposited in the outlet of a dip, the problem is potentially serious.Monitor the dip after each subsequent heavy rain to see if the erosion was a one-time occurrence. If fines

continue to be washed out, install additional drainage dips uphill of the eroded dip or grade break, install aninside swale to keep water off the trail, or otherwise catch and divert some of the water at a higher point. Ifthe concentration of water cannot be diverted, consider adding a hard surface in this part of the trail.

If a dip begins to fill with crusher fines sediments, the problem is already serious - a few rains will fill the dipand render it ineffective, possibly causing a large washout further down the trail in a domino effect of faileddips. Immediately fix the problem as described in the previous paragraph.

3. Inspect side swales and culverts

Inspect for the effects of too much water, too much sediment, or poor drainage:

If the bottoms of side swales show erosion (other than erosion of bare soil before the vegetation cover isrestored), an intermediate culvert or other means of draining the swale at more intervals should beinstalled. In extreme cases, riprap can also be added to the bottom of the swale to harden the swalechannel against erosion.Inspect culvert headwalls and tailwalls for settling and water damage. If settling, erosion, or waterdamage is occurring to these structures, identify the source of the problem and repair it.If the outlet below a culvert is eroding, add riprap beneath the outlet. Use all sizes of rocks in the riprapto try to create a more naturalistic appearance.If a swale or culvert is beginning to fill with leaves or sediment, clean it out long before it fills. If sedimentis the cause, find the source of the sediment and, if possible, reduce the amount of sediment flowing intothe swale or culvert. If the sediment is crusher fines from the trail, the source of the trail washout shouldbe corrected.

4. Inspect and repair all trail structures:

Carefully inspect all trail and trailside structures (including retaining walls, bridges, drainage crossings,railings, signs, fences, etc.) for any damage caused by humans or the elements. Any damage thatcompromises the functionality or aesthetics of these structures should be repaired, as should any minordamage that will become worse in time if not repaired now.

5. Inspect and repair revegetation efforts:

Carefully inspect all revegetation efforts. All plantings should be at the appropriate stage of growthdepending on the season and when they were planted. Any areas that are stunted or behind scheduleshould be monitored.Any erosion in revegetated areas should be stopped through the use of erosion control blankets, bales ofhay or straw, diverting site drainage, or other appropriate means. The eroded areas should be reseeded

or replanted (if the time of year is appropriate), then protected by mulch or erosion control blankets asnecessary. See Site Preservation, Restoration, and Revegetation, p.2-103, for details.In maintenance during the spring, replace plantings that did not survive the winter unless site or growingconditions indicates otherwise.For future reference, keep records of which plants do best and worst under their site conditions.

6. Perform general cleanup and repairs:

The high-quality public image of the trails and county property must be maintained. All litter, no matterhow small, should be picked up and hauled off the site. Any vandalism or graffiti should be fixed orremoved.



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Any fallen branches or trees on trails should be removed, as should any live or dead trees that are likelyto fall on the trail. In ecologically sensitive or pristine areas, removed wood can be scattered close towhere it fell in order to preserve the local chain of growth and decay. In less sensitive or developedareas, removed woody material should either be hauled off, mulched in a chipper and reused onsite, orbroken into smaller pieces and left to decay in widely scattered spots on the site - do not form piles orobvious dumping places.

7. Examine any social trails:

Social trails are unplanned, unofficial trails created by users, usually by shortcutting. Any social trails,which have begun to emerge, should be noted and monitored. Find the reason why people are creatingthe social trail, and if there is good reason for a trail to be there, consider making the trail official now orin the future. Making the trail official means that the trail will need to be designed, constructed,maintained, and managed according to the standards in this Handbook.

If the social trail is damaging the site, could damage it in the future; or if a trail is inappropriate in thatlocation, close the trail and post the closure (see Signs, p. 2-68). The closure will have to be enforced,and that enforcement will need to become part of the management plan for the main trail and/or theCounty property.

Crusher Fines Trail Inspection and Maintenance Schedule

Most serious potential maintenance problems with the trail surface can be identified and corrected in the firstyear. Correcting problems early saves a great deal of damage, time, expense, and inconvenience later.

First Year

Inspection and maintenance are more frequent during the first year in order to find and correct problemsearly. Some of the following inspections can be combined (i.e., performed at the same time) if they would bescheduled separately within the same 6-week period. In scheduling first year maintenance, adhere more tothe purpose of frequent and timely inspections than to strict dates.

After the first hard rainThe beginnings of severe problems will be apparent after the first rain that produces significant runoff on hardsurfaces. Bear in mind that crusher fines do not reach full potential hardness until after the entire mass offines has been thoroughly soaked and subsequently dried. If the first rain is hard or exceptionally hard, it cancause somewhat more erosion to the loosely consolidated fines than subsequent rains of equal intensitymight cause to firmly consolidated fines. Any erosion that occurs even when the fines are soft, however,shows potential problems.

As soon as possible after the first good rain falls on a new trail, perform the entire maintenance checklist,paying special attention to water damage on the trail surface, in drainage dips and grade breaks, and inswale crossings, side swales, and culverts. If any damage occurs after only one rain, the problem will bemajor very soon. Some reconstruction may be necessary, including the substantial modification or addition of

new drainage features. One qualified person can perform the inspection and note the problems, and a crewof 1-4 should be able to repair them.

After two months or several moderate rainsAfter several good rains, two months, or September 1 - whichever comes first - perform allinspection/maintenance items to find and repair problems before winter. The inspection should be done nolater than September 1 to allow time for repairs.

This inspection should again concentrate on repair of all drainage features. Trail structures and revegetationshould also receive special attention. Any social trails, which have begun to appear, should be evaluated andhandled as described in the maintenance checklist.



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Every 6-8 weeks during the usage seasonComplete inspection and maintenance should be performed every 6-8 weeks throughout the usage season.Any damage found should be repaired while it is minor, and minor damage that could lead to more extensivedamage later should be fixed now. Do not wait to repair any problems with trail drainage or trail structures.

About September 1 each yearPerform complete inspection and maintenance to make the trail and site improvements ready for winter. Pay

special attention to trail drainage features in order to prepare the trail for its first highly erosive springsnowmelt.

This maintenance can be combined with another scheduled maintenance if both would be scheduled withinthe same 6-week period.

Each Subsequent Year

During spring snowmeltSpring snowmelt creates the most adverse conditions for crusher fines. The soil and fines can be saturated,loosening the binders in the fines and making it easy for washouts to occur. Heavy runoff can createdrainage patterns and concentrations of water not anticipated in snow-free months, leading to unanticipatederosion. If the fines lack large angular particles, bicycle users may create ruts in the fines that can divertwater down the trail, and foot traffic can create deep footprints that collect water and lengthen the time thetrail stays saturated.During the spring snowmelt (preferably at the height of the snowmelt), every crusher fines trail should beinspected on foot. This maintenance should cover all the checklist items as much as feasible. Look foradverse drainage patterns, blocked swales or culverts, puddles on the trail, ruts from erosion or bicycles,holes in the crusher fines surface made by footprints, trail surface erosion, or damage to cuts and fills. Anydamage found should be repaired as much as practical. Puddles should be drained, blockages removed, andall practical efforts made to prevent as much damage as possible. The inspector should carry a shovel to cutthrough snow and ice and to rearrange crusher fines in spot fixes as needed.

In the spring

Once the snow has largely melted but before vegetation emerges, perform the maintenance checklist again.A small maintenance crew of 1-4 workers should be able to fix most of whatever problems may haveoccurred. Special attention should be given to preventive maintenance and to all aspects of trail drainage.Swales and culverts should be checked to make sure they are not clogged or are becoming clogged withleaves or sediments. The source of any erosion of crusher fines or soil should be diverted and the erosionrepaired. Regrade any parts of the trail surface with incorrect outslope, crown, or superelevation.

Every 6-8 weeks during the usage seasonComplete inspection and maintenance should be performed every 6-8 weeks throughout the usage season.Any damage found should be repaired while it is minor, and minor damage that could lead to more extensivedamage later should be fixed now. Do not wait to repair any problems with trail drainage or trail structures.

About September 1 each year

Perform complete inspection and maintenance to make the trail and site improvements ready for winter andthe spring snowmelt.

Notes on Maintenance Beyond the Second Year

In the third year and after, routine maintenance should become easier and less extensive. The troublesomespots along the trail will be known (and hopefully already corrected). Most problems with the trail surfaceshould have been corrected by now. Maintenance of side swales and culverts will always be ongoing. Plantsintroduced through revegetation should be firmly established.



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Over a period of years, the surfaces of trails tend to level with use - outslope and crowning level out, dips fillin, and high spots are worn down. Continual minor readjustments of the trail surface will help keep the trailsurface in its original condition. More crusher fines may need to be added to the trail surface in spots. Barringwashouts, however, only minor adjustments should need to be made to the trail surface for decades once thedrainage is under control.

Trail structures may begin to need more extensive maintenance as they age and settle, particularly fences,

retaining walls, culvert headwalls, railings, signs, and bridges. This maintenance should be done as neededto maintain the high-quality public image of the trail system. The goal of this maintenance, however, is not tokeep everything shiny and new without signs of age. The natural aging of materials is highly valued as longas that aging does not become an eyesore or compromise the physical integrity of the structure. Asstructures age gracefully, repairs should attempt to preserve and enhance the positive aspects of age.

The creation of new social trails will diminish if consistent efforts were made earlier to close or make socialtrails official. If usage of the main trail greatly increases, however, user pressure will likely create new socialtrails.

In general, if trail usage increases over time or exceeds the usage level for which the trail was built,maintenance will increase. Some reconstruction or widening of the trail may be necessary.

A competent inspector as needed should inspect major structures, which affect user safety such as bridges,large retaining walls, and railings. Generally, this will not be necessary for the first 15 years, and possiblyevery 5-10 years after that depending on the structure. Unless a bridge or retaining wall was not designed orconstructed correctly, there should be no need for replacement for 50 years.

If a structure is extensively damaged (flood, landslide, foundation failure, overload, structural failure), itshould be inspected and repaired or rebuilt as necessary.



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Example of ATV trail maintenance grader.

Close up of ATV trail grader

Specialized Trail grader is perfect for most straight trails but does not grade well on winding pathways and in tight

spaces.



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SignsSigns may need to be replaced every 10 years depending on their condition. Signs should be replaced if theybecome dilapidated to the point that their aging is seen as an eyesore instead of as an interesting character.

Trails Manual Section11

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