Trail Construction and Crew Leadership Workshop

Dates May 14-16^th, 2010

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Registration is now closed...

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association presents our annual inter-agency trails training at Galena Creek Regional Park. This training is partially grant funded by the Nevada Recreational Trails Program and the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest and supported by Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space. Instructors represent the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Truckee Donner Land Trust, US Forest Service, Washoe County, Carson Valley Trails Association, and Nevada Conservation Corps.

 

Please read through the course offerings before using the registration form. Once registered, you will receive detailed information about the weekend. Course fees are listed on the registration form. Three catered meals per day (Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch) and bunk style lodging included in course fee.

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Friday (limited to 48 students  - Sorry, Friday's class is now full) [8am-5pm]

Trail Design & Layout

Target Students: Persons assigned to become or interested in becoming project leaders or trail designers, or who desire a greater understanding of the underlying aspects of trail layouts.  A moderate level of trail work experience is preferred.  This course is also beneficial to administrative and supervisory personnel who are responsible for creation or management of trail systems.  Personnel expecting to lead crews working on LTBMU or TRTA projects, and those taking the advanced trail building seminar, should consider this course.

Student Qualifications: Some trail work experience preferred. Students must be physically able to hike 2-3 miles off-trail, including negotiation of sideslopes and brush.  Familiarity with contour maps is a definite plus.

Course Description: Prepare individuals to begin achieving proficiency in the design, layout, and leadership of recreational trails projects. While this course is detailed and technical, it provides only an initial foundation on which to build proficiency through additional experience within volunteer, conservation corps, commercial, and agency trail construction and maintenance organizations.

Course Topics:

• Design Concepts
• Trail Project Leadership
• Layout Principles
• Clinometer Orientation
• Topo Map Exercise
• Field Layout Exercise

Course Objectives:

• Understand the broad requirements for creating a recreational trail
• Understand trail corridor design concepts
• Understand trail tread layout principles
• Use a clinometer to determine gradients
• Use a topo map and ruler to determine corridor parameters
• Layout and flag a trail project in the field

Saturday/Sunday: Choose One Course for the Weekend   [8am-5pm Sat/ 8am-3pm Sun]

CHOICE 1: Basic Trail Construction

Target Students: Individuals (most likely volunteers) interested in learning more about trail construction and maintenance

Student Qualifications: No or little trail building experience. Students must be physically able to hike 2-3 miles with tools and do moderate to heavy work for 4-5 hours.

Course Description: Basic trail construction and maintenance for multiple use singletrack trails. The course will include examples of trail construction and maintenance techniques, work party overview and safety. Student participation in field work.

Course Topics: Students will have classroom and field instruction in the following topics:

• Trail Overview & Standards
• Corridor Clearing & Tread Creation
• Introduction to Technical Trail Features
• Tools & Safety
• Teamwork

Course Objectives:

• To introduce planning & design, trail anatomy & terminology, and basic Forest Service standards
• To introduce the structure of a typical work day, from trailhead to end of day
• To identify safety issues and considerations
• To introduce how a work party functions as a team to complete a trail project
• To introduce trail tools – including carrying, use, storage, and function

Potential features: Staking, Highlining, Water Control, Benching, Trail Construction Steps, Finishing, Corridor Clearing, Corridor Maintenance, Trail Decommissioning, Drainage, Maintenance, Borrow Pits, Switchbacks, Climbing Turns, Rolling Grade Dips, Grade Reversals, Cribbing, Choke Points, Sight Lines, Alternate Routes, Fall Zones

 

CHOICE 2: Crew Leadership

Target Students: Persons assigned to become or interested in becoming crew leaders in trail organizations.  A moderate level of trail work experience is preferred.  This course is also beneficial to administrative and supervisory personnel with limited trail experience who are responsible for oversight and management of trail crews.  Personnel expecting to lead crews working on LTBMU or TRTA projects should complete this course.

Student Qualifications: Some trail work experience preferred. Students must be physically able to hike 2-3 miles with tools and do moderate to heavy work for 4-5 hours.

Course Description: Prepare individuals to perform basic trail crew leader functions within volunteer, conservation corps, and agency trail construction and maintenance organizations. Students will receive limited technical training (some trail work experience preferred), but will focus on organization and leadership.

Course Topics:  Students will have classroom and field work in the following topics:

• Trail Standards
• Basic Construction Techniques
• Tool Use and Briefing
• Leadership
• Safety
• Crew Administration

Course Objectives:

• Understand the crew leader position
• Understand a typical work day for a crew leader
• Understand Safety issues/communication and procedures
• Introduce students to forms and requirements for a work day, including safety briefing and tool talk
• Understand methods for crew motivation, recognition and conflict resolution

 

CHOICE 3: Advanced Trail Building Seminar

Target Students:  Experienced trail crew leaders and personnel, project leaders, land managers.  This course is aimed at the "post-crew leader" level of knowledge and practice, and will rely on both professional instruction and the seminar learning shared by fellow students. This course is for students with moderate to extensive trail building experience.

Course Description: To develop, improve and refine advanced trail building skills in senior crew leaders and other very experienced trail construction and maintenance personnel. Students will learn considerations and techniques to solve advanced trail construction problems. (Yes, you will have the opportunity to get your hands dirty!)

Course Topics: 

• Construction and oversight of advanced rockwork projects (multi-tier walls, stairways, etc…)
• Project pre-planning and ground level planning for large-scale and/or complex trail projects
• Ensuring quality control standards for complex projects
• Utilizing crew/personnel resources effectively
• Gaining efficiencies through tool selection, advanced techniques, and thorough planning
• May include advanced tools/construction field demos (rock splitting, rigging,, etc....)

Course Objectives:

• Discuss and view examples of project planning process and documentation
• Identify personnel, tool and equipment needs to accomplish complex construction projects
• Accomplish field level pre-work activities required and/or helpful for project implementation
• Identify project leader roles and give strategies for effective leadership, setting expectations, providing training and giving clear direction to crews
• Review construction and maintenance standards for trail work

 

Questions??   Lisa Cashel, Director of Trail Operations  (775) 298-0232  lisac@tahoerimtrail.org