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Trail Description 2 – its physical characteristics


Summary – Now that a trail has been selected, provide users with information to help them plan better for its challenges.


Description – Trail design elements include the surface, width, grade, cross slope, obstacles and trail length. Surface can be described in terms of hard (concrete, asphalt, wood), compacted crushed rock or natural surface.  When describing the grade and cross slope it is important to provide the average and maximum percentages.  Provide distances to the most significant trail features including locations of maximum grade, cross slope or obstacles.  This can be included in the description and located on a map.


Importance/Purpose – Providing information on the trail elements increases awareness of potential barriers and allows the user to know ahead of time if the trail or part of the trail meets the desired experience and/or needs.


Examples of Descriptions

  1. Surface - include pictures of gravel, dirt, pavement surfaces

  2. Width - diagram/illustrations if appropriate and available

  3. Grade

  4. Cross slope

  5. Distances

  6. Obstacles


Comments summarized: (purple highlights those comments that were addressed)

Provide a clear trail description that includes issues of potential concern to the user, such as:

Surface type and traction

Elevation and grade

Allowed other uses such as bikes or horses

Terrain and obstacles

Background noise level of surface materials [e.g. crushed rock] and other sources [e.g. traffic]

Closing hours and is there a pre-closing sweep

An example, above, of a thorough trail description, with photographs that depict the character of the trail and any potential difficulties for the trail user.  Agencies may not be able to photo-document their trails, but it should be considered a long-term goal, and where user feedback may be useful.

Trail description


Surface: Crushed rock


Width: 6 - 8 feet


Grade: flat in most places, slopes up to 5 percent in several areas


Cross slope: <2%


Distances:

• Year Round Nature Trail:

.9 mile, 1.8 miles round trip

• Seasonal Trails:

1.5 mile loop, 2.8 mile loop, 3.3 mile loop

• To the photo blind:

1.1 miles, 2.2 miles round trip

• To the river overlook:

.45 mile, .9 mile round trip


Obstacles

• Slight transition between surfaces [see photo]

• The beginning of the trail is sloped up to 5 percent

• The ridge-top overlook exceeds 20 percent slope

Providing  a clear description of the design elements of the trail, including potential obstacles such as steep slopes and transitions between surfaces, along with photos of the trail and its challenges, is indispensable for wheelchair users and the visually impaired.

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