North Country Trail Handbook
The North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) extends for thousands of miles across seven states. Its layout, design, construction, and maintenance require the participation of a myriad of individuals and groups.
Maintenance Specifications
Skill Definition
Understand and apply common maintenance specifications, including corridor height/width, tread width, cross/outslope, protrusions, obstacles, and water management techniques
Entry Level Performance
- Demonstrate understanding of and use terminology common to trail maintenance specifications
- Maintain trail to meet maintenance specifications with supervision
Full Performance Level
- Maintain trail to meet maintenance specifications independently
Expert Level Performance
- Identify appropriate trail specifications for managed uses
- Assess trail conformance with the trail specifications and identify any necessary measures to bring the trail/system into conformance and/or alter specifications as appropriate
Resources for Maintenance Specifications
Documents and
Media
• Video Trainings
• Training Programs
• Calendar
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Documents and Media for Maintenance Specifications
Introduction to Foundations of Sustainable Trails: A Trail from Start to Finish
A Trail from Start to Finish is an introductory, short "micro-learning" targeted to developing trail workers. Anticipated to take about 15 minutes to complete, this microlearning discusses what it means for a trail to be sustainable and describes…
Tread and Drainage
Water and gravity constantly threaten our trails and thus we must learn how best to deflect them. This course begins with basics of hillside hydrology and how trails work when they shed water properly. Includes introduction of “trail eyes” and basic…
Foundations of Sustainable Trails: Tread and Alignment
Explore foundational concepts related to the principles and applications of trail tread and alignment—all through the lens of developing and maintaining a sustainable trail. This course will introduce basic trail design elements as well as processes…
Trail Skills Training Library
Recorded Trainings for Maintenance Specifications
Trailblazers Wanted: Intensive Training for Tomorrow’s Trail Technicians
Whether you’re an aspiring trail technician or an organization looking to develop your team, this webinar will show you how to find the right training to suit your needs—and start blazing trails like a pro.
International Standardization of Trail and Route Ratings for More Accessible Off-Road Cycling
This webinar introduces the International Trail Rating System (ITRS) methodology and its practical applications for non-motorized, multi-use and bike only trails as well as routes on both natural and paved surfaces, from urban greenways to remote…
Installation Excellence for Trail Aggregate: Tips, Tricks, and Common Pitfalls
Deliver actionable insights on installation best practices that reduce long-term maintenance and boost user satisfaction. Trail uses include both pedestrian and vehicular pathways in rural and urban settings.
Trail Bumps: Lessons Learned from Removing 1,000 Bumps
This webinar focuses on lessons learned from removing over 1,000 bumps from an 18-mile paved trail.
Porous Flexible Pavement, Asphalt, or Porous Asphalt: Lessons Learned for Multi-Use Trails in the District of Columbia
This webinar will discuss the various types of materials used for paved, multi-use trails in the District of Columbia. We will discuss different projects where we used flexi-pave, asphalt, or porous asphalt and our experience with each material. How…
Wilderness Trails: Special Places, Special Considerations.
This webinar will provide some basic information on trails in federally-designated Wilderness, examples of practical experiences, and resources to learn more. Presented by: Pete Irvine, retired, USDA Forest Service Dan Abbe, Wilderness Specialist,…
Further Education
Training Programs for Maintenance Specifications
Trail Technician 1 Exam
The Trail Technician multiple-choice exam evaluates foundational knowledge in trail development, aligned with the progression from entry-level to full Trail Competency standards.
Trail Fundamentals Video Series
The Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA) has launched the development of the Trail Fundamentals Video Series—a free, entry-level educational resource designed to support sustainable trail development and trail trainings worldwide.
IMBA Trail Management Schools
This school is typically two days in length with IMBA instructor(s) traveling to your location to deliver the class to staff or members. Instructors arrive the day before to assess the site and do any necessary preparations. Organizations, clubs, or…
IMBA Trail Care Schools
Trail Care Schools equip volunteers and organizations with the skills necessary to maintain modern mountain bike trails in partnership with the local land management. This course will begin with sustainable trail design principles, such as drainage…
Sustainable Trail Building One Year Certificate Program
In this one-year certificate program, you’ll have boots-on-the-ground at Northwoods Stewardship Center in East Charleston, VT for three individual week-long intensive classes. You will grow your knowledge base and connect with trail building…
Trail Academy
Trail Academy is our free class series that teaches students how to tackle any trail-related challenge. Courses are hosted both in the field and online, and are a great starting point for anyone looking to become a certified Trail Crew Leader or…
Skill Library
Trail Maintenance
Trail Sustainability Principles
Safety/Site Management
Maintenance Specifications
Corridor Clearing/Site Preparation
Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing
Corridor Clearing: Bucking, Felling/ Hazard Tree Removal; Chainsaw/ Crosscut
Corridor Clearing: Material and Debris Management
Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment
Drainage Features/Water Management
Training Calendar
Upcoming Trainings for Maintenance Specifications
Custom Trainings
There are 95 trainers on TrailSkills
with Maintenance Specifications experience
Alexander De Lucia
Bretton Woods, NH
Director of Trails & Recreation Management
Appalachian Mountain Club
Justin Poehnelt
Durango, CO
Richard Edwards
Morgantown, WV
Assistant Director of Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure
West Virginia University
Hire Workers
There are 434 workers on TrailSkills
with Maintenance Specifications experience
Kristen Thrall
Cadillac, MI
Eastern Region Trails and Dispersed Recreation Program Manager
USDA Forest Service
Bryan G
Chicago, IL
Wesley Paulos
Roanoke, VA
Public Access Coordinator
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
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