Trail Construction

Trail Construction Skills Include:

    Construction Specifications

    Understand and apply common construction specifications/trail management objectives such as corridor height/width, tread width, cross/outslope, protrusions, obstacles, and compaction.

    Corridor Clearing

    Clear the corridor (brushing, logging out, hazard tree removal, rock/stump removal) in preparation for construction using proper pruning techniques.

    Hand-Built Trail Construction

    Using hand tools, construct a trail with a full bench, raised tread, and/or combination that meets the construction specifications.

    Mechanized Trail Construction

    Safely use and maintain mechanized trail construction equipment (i.e. mini-excavators, skid steers, trail dozers, compactors, etc) to construct trail that meets construction specifications.

    Trail Finishwork

    Utilize tools, often mechanical (i.e. excavators, harrow rakes, compact utility loaders, compactors), to meet specifications for final tread surface and backslope preparation and compaction, construction spoils management, and erosion control stabilization.

    Water Management/Drainage Features

    Construct drainage features that decrease erosion , including grade reversals, berms, ditches, and sheet drains.

    Water Crossing Structures

    Construct a water crossing structure (i.e. puncheon, turnpike, bridge) to span drainageways or wetland areas and raise the trail above the high water line while maintaining uninterrupted hydrology beneath the constructed feature.

    Retaining Walls

    Construct stone or wood retaining walls to bolster unconsolidated soils, gain elevation, or transition tread from rocks/natural barriers.

    Tread Hardening

    Install the appropriate treadway hardening technique for a trail given the slopes, soils, available material (wood, rock, gravel) and designed use, including advanced hardening techniques (i.e. turnpiking, rock culverts, boulder causeway, rock drains).

    Trailside Structures / Dispersed Recreation

    Build and maintain trail heads, parking lots, kiosks, sanitary facilities, camping facilities, traffic barriers, and directional signage.

    Decommissioning Trails

    Demonstrated ability to plan and implement the closure, reclamation, and revegetation of a trail segment.


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Resources for Trail Construction

Improve this skill

Upcoming trainings for Trail Construction

Backcountry Rigging Techniques
Professional TrailBuilders Association
Professional TrailBuilders Association
Backcountry Rigging Techniques

April 21, 2023

Reno/Tahoe area, Nevada

Sustainable Trail Building Certificate — Hybrid, part-time, one-year certificate program
Northern Vermont University
Northern Vermont University

Custom Trainings

Here's a list of Trainers with Trail Construction experience:

Scott

Scott Johnson

USDA Forest Service

Trainer Agency

Forest Grove, Or

Trail builder with the Forest Service for over 15 years. Have worked on a mobile trail crew for all…

Don

Don Kelly

USDA Forest Service

Trainer Agency

Marion, Va

I have over 32 years of experience performing conservation, trails, and construction related…

Larry

Larry Knutson

Penn Trails LLC

Contractor Trainer

Newville, Pa

Larry Knutson, founder and President of Penn Trails LLC, specializes in sustainable, natural…

Steve

Steve Kruger

Trainer Nonprofit

Portland, Or

Steve has worked in parks and natural areas for nearly 20 years, around San Francisco, Milwaukee,…

Larry

Larry Lechner

Trainer Higher Education

Bellvue, Co

Member of Center for Protected Area Management and Training at Colorado State University,…

Wendy

Wendy Lotze

Trainer Nonprofit Higher Education

Tucson, Az

I manage the Volunteer program at the Arizona Trail Association, organizing over 20,000 hours of…

Hire

Trail Workers with Trail Construction Experience

Nathaniel

Nathaniel Brodie

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Hood River, Or

Twenty-four ongoing years of professional experience working and managing iconic and high-use trail…

Robert

Robert Burgess

Contractor

Spanish Fort, Al

Experienced Contractor and retired military. Heavily involved in trail building through local IMBA…

Betsy

Betsy Byrne

National Park Service

Agency

Salt Lake City, Ut

I am a landscape architect with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation…

Lex

Lex Carey

Pulaski Users Group (PUG)

Nonprofit

Hailey, Id

With conservation corps, and USFS trail Crew experience under my belt I have shifted to the…

Jeremiah

Jeremiah Clark

National Park Service

Agency

Kula, Hi

I have trail maintenance and construction experience through Timberline Trailcraft LLC as a Trail…

Andy

Andy Crowley

Contractor Trainer

Ashland, Nh

Conservation Trail Services LLC. Working with private, non-profit, and…

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Collaborators
Federal Highway Administration USDA Forest Service National Park Service Bureau of Land Management
American Trails Professional TrailBuilders Association Partnership for the National Trails System Northern Vermont University Northwest Arkansas Community College Eppley Institute Corps Network