TRAIL ARMORING
PURPOSE
To create a more durable and resilient trail surface for a short section. This is most useful in areas of rill or gully erosion, where trails are very steep, or combined with drainage improvements (refer to Trail Drainage Improvement sheet)
SAFETY
Stay aware of fellow workers to avoid hitting them with logs, rocks, or tools.
Use appropriate clothing and protective gear.
Use proper lifting techniques to avoid injury when moving heavy objects.
Ensure trail improvements are stable and able to withstand significant abuse from future trail users. A poorly-built trail improvement may fail under use and cause avoidable injury to a trail user.
MATERIALS
Tools needed:
gloves and eye protection
spade shovel
pick mattock
rock bar
McLeod or tamper
rake if seeding
buckets, carts, or wheelbarrows
hand saw (power tools not permitted)
Use this technique when the trail surface needs to be re-created with a more level and durable surface.
Identify the work area, typically an eroded, sloped section of trail that is either gullied or eroding.
Source nearby stones. Stones should be as large as volunteers can safely move to the work site.
Starting from the bottom of the work area, prepare an excavated bed. Add large rocks pitched on their sides and soil to create the fill. Compact fill soil thoroughly and ensure rocks are stable and stationary. Continue until the stones reach the top of the work area.
Ensure the rocks are buried 1/2-3/4 their depth into existing soil so they remain in place. Arrange stones to ensure smooth, flat faces create an even trail surface and avoid tall, sharp leading edges that may impact the user
