Overview
The United States Forest Service Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook contains a wealth of guidance on trail construction and maintenance techniques. The US Department of Agriculture and the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreation Trail Program collaborated in its production.
The notebook is designed for USFS trail crew workers as a practical guide for trail work. It outlines basic information and techniques that comply with USFS policy. The notebook does not cover the in-depth components of planning, compliance, or inventory and monitoring. While those are necessary, the authors wanted trail workers in the field to have an accessible and concise document. NPS employees should consult agency specific guidance also, but this USFS document can help anyone begin to understand trail construction techniques. Or as the authors put in, cultivate their ‘trail eyes.’
What you’ll find
- An in-depth bibliography with recently published articles and books
- An overview of specialized tools for trail construction
- Various considerations in trail building: trails in wet areas, trail tread, and surface water control