Recreational Activities
Report Trail Conditions
Report trail conditions to Ranger District Offices, the Forest Supervisor's
Office, or to Forest Service people you meet in the field. Leave a note on your
way home or drop it in the mail. Include the trail name and number (if
available,) the trail condition, it's approximate location, and the date
observed. Use any piece of paper, report in-person, call on the phone, or use
our Comment Form. Photos are good, too.
While hiking trails
for pleasure you can remove debris from the trail and
scatter it on the lower side. You can remove rocks over
six inches in diameter, but be sure not to endanger
anyone below. Where Cairns are used to mark the trail,
you can help keep them intact. Picking up people caused
litter is in order at any time.
Trails
Trails are a key part of many outdoor recreation
experiences, but are often taken for granted. National
Forest trails are built and maintained by the Forest
Service, but dollars and people to do the work are in
short supply. You can help keep the trails open and
safe by reporting trail conditions, especially early in
the summer when little is known about winter's damage.
Reports late in the fall, or anytime, are useful in
planning next year's work.
Adopt-a-Trail
One way to help with trails is to become involved in the
Adopt-a-Trail program, in which interested clubs or organized
groups take on volunteer maintenance responsibility for a
portion of the trail. If you interested in the program, contact
the District Ranger.
Terms to Know
Cairn:
A constructed mound of rock located adjacent to a trail
to mark it in open, alpine areas.
Ford: A natural stream crossing that has
been improved sufficiently for use by saddle or pack
animals and hikers.
Switchback: A sharp, short-radius curve
in the trail, used on hillsides to reverse the direction
of travel and to gain or lose elevation.
Abandoned or Relocated: Debris placed
deliberately across a trail means the trail is not meant
to be used.
Trail Tread: The surface portion of the
trail upon which the traffic moves as distinct from back slope, ditch, and shoulder.
Waterbar: A device for turning water off
the trail, usually made with logs, stones, or soil cement
installed at about 30 degrees angle across the trail.
Cross-Drain: A dip constructed by
contouring the material of the trail itself, it serves
the same purpose as a waterbar.
Washouts: Where a trail tread has been
obliterated by heavy water flow from whatever source.
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