Trail Skills College Course Curriculum
To help our volunteers succeed in their trail work, PCTA collaborated with many partners to develop a Trail Skills College curriculum.
Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Skill Definition
Using hand tools, maintain a trail to its designed specifications for tread width, cross/outslope, protrusions, and obstacles using hand tools and minimizes off trail impacts
Entry Level Performance
- Safely use a variety of hand tools to perform effective maintenance on a range of trail types independently
- Identify the location and appropriate strategy to maintain the trail tread to its desired standards and specifications with supervision.
Full Performance Level
- Safely use hand tools to maintain a trail that meets the maintenance specifications and trail sustainability principles independently
- Identify locations and the appropriate strategy to maintain the trail tread to the desired specifications independently.
Expert Level Performance
- Efficiently and effectively use hand tools to maintain a trail, drawing from a variety of techniques to meet maintenance specifications and sustainability principles.
- Implement a comprehensive maintenance plan for a trail and/or trail system
Resources for Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Documents and
Media
• Video Trainings
• Training Programs
• Calendar
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Documents and Media for Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
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.
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…
Hand Tool Field Maintenance
We rely on hand tools to lop branches, dig drain dips, remove slough and berm, construct waterbars and check steps, and much more. As a result, hand tools receive a great deal of wear and tear. Learn about the most common tool problems that are…
Handtools for Trail Work
The use and maintenance of handtools involved in trail work.
Addressing Erosion on the Trail
In the fifth video of this series, we take a look at techniques for addressing erosion issues on trails in arid environments. We'll review techniques such as rolling grade dips (drains), check dams/steps, waterbars and berm removal - discussing the…
Trail Skills Training Library
Recorded Trainings for Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
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 Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Advancing Trails Webinar Series
American Trails brings agencies, trail builders, planners, architects, advocates, and volunteers the latest in state-of-the-art information on all aspects of trails and greenways. Our webinars focus on a variety of trail topics, usually applicable…
Foundations of Sustainable Trails e-Course Series
This five-part series of online micro-learning courses is intended to provide those new to the trails workforce with a baseline understanding of terminology and concepts that give them a solid foundation to support future trails education and…
Chinook Associates Trail Consulting
Chinook Associates offers stewardship skills workshops covering recreational trail planning, design, construction, maintenance, and visitor management. Courses are available either in-person, with fully customizable content combining classroom…
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…
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 Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Custom Trainings
There are 95 trainers on TrailSkills
with Tread Maintenance - Hand tools experience
Alexander De Lucia
Bretton Woods, NH
Director of Trails & Recreation Management
Appalachian Mountain Club
Derek Buckridge
Shawnee, KS
Construction Supervisor/Singletrack Manager
Johnson County Park and Recreation District, KS
Leanna Joyner
Asheville, NC
Senior Director for Partnerships and Trail Operations
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Hire Workers
There are 462 workers on TrailSkills
with Tread Maintenance - Hand tools experience
Julian Wischniewski
Eureka, CA
AmeriCorps Grant Coordinator
California Conservation Corps Backcountry Trails Program
Melissa Green
Silver City, NM
Trail Project Coordinator
Gila Chapter Back Country Horsemen of New Mexico
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Know of a good resource for this skill? Let us know! From webinars, to workshops, to PDFs, we'd like to add them to our resource library.
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