[at-l] Define Trail Maintenance

[l_parker at cacaphony.net (L. Clayton Parker)]

To some extent, it depends on what type of trail it is and where it is
located.

For instance, the Pinhoti Trail in Northern Alabama passes through a
wilderness area at its northern end. Where it does so, ALL blazing
discontinues and ALL intentional signs of human habitation, including the
shelter that used to sit on top of Talladega Mountain are forbidden.
Obviously, "chainsaws" are not covered as "trail maintenance" in such an
area.

On the other hand, on a heavily traveled portion of the AT, say the few
miles between Newfound Gap and Icewater Springs Shelter, if a tree falls, it
will be gone within days, courtesy of a couple of chainsaws. Other such
sections have stairs and handrails. Does this fit into the definition of
"trail maintenance"? It depends entirely on what the local vision of that
particular trail is.

The vision is determined mostly by the people who are responsible for
maintaining that trail or section of trail. Here in Florida, we build and
maintain the Florida Trail. Our definition, our vision, is a "primitive
footpath". we attempt to adhere to that as much as possible. The trail is
mostly only wide enough for one person, seldom is it immaculately groomed
(as in every twig removed) and frequently, if it wasn't for the orange
blazes, almost indistinguishable.

So I think the answer to your question is that "Trail Maintenance" means
that methodology that is taught to the people who maintain your trail, by
the people who are responsible for keeping it looking like the vision of the
trail that they have.

Lee I Joe


Once I knew where I was going, but now I have  forgotten.  Sometimes my mind
wanders.  Sometimes it goes alone, and other times it takes me along...this
isn't one of those times...



> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-l-bounces@backcountry.net
> [mailto:at-l-bounces@backcountry.net]On Behalf Of Jean-Paul Miller
> Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 11:33 PM
> To: Shelly Hale
> Cc: at-l
> Subject: Re: [at-l] Define Trail Maintenance
>
>
> i kind of enjoy it when the trail is grown over. in some places i
> feel it is
> road.
>
> Wisperlight
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Shelly Hale" <shellydhale@earthlink.net>
> To: <WomenHikers@yahoogroups.com>; <at-l@backcountry.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 10:58 PM
> Subject: [at-l] Define Trail Maintenance
>
>
> This past weekend at the SORUCK, Queen Diva and I had a wonderful
> discussion
> as to what defines trail maintenance.
>
> Here is the situation.  As we walked along, some folx would pick
> up the most
> minute twig, while other only moved big things like logs.  Others walked
> along as if seeing nothing wrong with the trail at all.
>
> I would like to hear from both groups (at-l & women's list) as to what you
> think trail maintenance is.  Tomorrow evening, I will post what Queen Diva
> and I came up with.  ;-D
>
> Shelly Hale
>
>
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