Trail Corridor (continued)

On moderate to steep side slopes, a different strategy is often useful. Travel along the lower (outer) edge of the tread is a significant cause of tread failure. You can use trailside material to help hold traffic to the center of the tread. A downed log cut nearly flush with the downhill edge of the trail will encourage travelers to move up to avoid it. Rocks, limbed trees, and the like can all be left near the lower edge of the tread to guide traffic back to the center (Figure 7).

Figure 7—Rocks and logs help keep the trail in place.
And remember that this is a path through nature,
not a monument to Attila the Hun.

The key is to make sure that the guide material will not interfere with travel on the center of the tread. For example, bikers need enough room for pedals or foot pegs to clear both the backslope and the guide structures.

On the uphill side of the trail, cut and remove material for a greater distance from centerline. For instance, on slopes steeper than 50 percent you may want to cut downed logs or protruding branches 2 m (6.5 ft) horizontal distance or more from the centerline. This is particularly true if you're dealing with packstock as they tend to shy away from objects at the level of their heads.

Using this "movable corridor" takes some thought. Recognize that this may be a difficult decision for inexperienced crews. Continue to revisit the basic reasons for clearing a corridor and the consequences of taking or leaving material.

Finally, remember that the "scorched earth" look created by a corridor with straight edges is not very pleasing to the eye. Work with natural vegetation patterns to "feather" or meander the edges of your clearing work so they don't have such a severe appearance. Cut intruding brush back at the base of the plant rather than in midair at the clearing limit boundary. Cut all plant stems close to the ground. Scatter the resulting debris as far as practical. Toss stems and branches so the cut end lies away from the trail (they'll sail farther through brush as well). Don't windrow the debris unless you really and truly commit to burn or otherwise remove it (and do this out of sight of the trail). Rubbing the cut ends of logs or stumps with soil will reduce the brightness of a fresh saw cut. In especially sensitive areas, cut stumps flush with the ground and cover with dirt, pine needles, or moss. Rub dirt on stobs or bury them. Remember...this is America the Beautiful!

Some trails may have to be brushed several times a year. Some once every few years. Doing a little corridor maintenance when it is needed is a lot easier than waiting until plants cause expensive problems. Jump on potential problem areas before they become real problems.

Removing Trees

Trees growing within the corridor should usually be removed. Remember that those cute little seedlings will eventually grow into pack–snagging adolescent trees. They are a lot easier to pull up by the roots when they are small than they are to lop when they grow up.

Prune limbs close to the tree trunk. For a clean cut, make a shallow undercut first, then follow with the top cut. This prevents the limb from peeling bark off the tree as it falls. Do not use an ax for pruning.

If over half of the tree needs pruning, it is usually better to cut it down instead. Cut trees off at ground level and do not leave pointed stobs (Figure 8).

Figure 8—These trees should have been
removed rather than pruned.

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