USFS
Trails Fundamentals
Required Training Materials:
(print before continuing training session)
 Trail Fundamentals Reference Package
 Posted at:
www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/trailmanagement/trail-fundamentals/
USFS
Trails Fundamentals
The
Cornerstones...
Trail Fundamentals
 Trail Type
 Trail Class
 Managed Use
 Designed Use
 Design Parameters
 CASM
FY00-FY04 National Trails Program
Emphasis
 Review, revise and improve
national database
(Infra Trails)
 Develop complimentary trail
condition survey process
(TRACS)
Objectives
 Effective and efficient tool that’s
useful for trail managers
 Accurate and accountable data to
meet planning, public information
and upward reporting needs
How?
 Start from a Common Point of
Reference
 Link the Pieces
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
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
FSM/FSH Definitions & Direction
FS Standard Drawings & Specifications
Trail Management Business Rules
GIS Spatial Data
Deferred Maintenance Protocols
Federal Trail Data Standards
Establishing a Common
Point of Reference…
Trail Management
Objectives (TMO)
TMOs
Documentation of the intended
purpose and management of a
National Forest System Trail based
on management direction, including
access objectives.
Trail Management
Objectives
TMO
Trail
Definition
TMO
Trail Type
Trail Type
A category that reflects the
predominant trail surface and
general mode of travel
accommodated by a trail.
Trail Types
 Standard / Terra Trail
 Snow Trail
 Water Trail
Standard/Terra Trail
 Predominant foundation is ground
 Designed and managed to
accommodate ground-based trail
use
Snow Trail
 Predominant foundation is
snow or ice
 Designed and managed to
accommodate snow-based trail use
 Does not include winter “play
areas”
Water Trail
 Predominant foundation is water
 Designed and managed to
accommodate water-based trail
use
 May include overland portage
segments
Trail Types
 Only one Trail Type per trail.
 Allow managers to identify specific
technical specifications, management
needs and the cost of managing the trail
for particular uses and/or seasons by trail
or trail segment.
What about overlap?
When two Trail Types are on same route:
 Identify each trail with it’s own Name,
Number, and Trail Type.
 Identify them as Linked Routes so
mileage duplication can be filtered out
during queries.

Trail Type
Trail Class
Trail Class
Trail Class
The prescribed scale of
development for a trail,
representing its intended design
and management standards.
Trail Class
 Reflects the management intent for a trail,
based on the land management plan,
travel management decisions, trail-specific
decisions, and other related direction.
 Takes into account Managed Uses, user
preferences, setting, sensitive resources,
and other management activities.
 May or may not reflect the current
condition of the trail.
Trail Classes
 Only one Trail Class identified per trail
or trail segment.
 Trail Classes reflect “typical”
scenarios of combined factors, and
deviations may occur for any factor.
 Choose the one that most closely
matches the management intent of
the trail.
Trail Class Matrix
Trail Class Examples
Trail Type
 Trail Class
TMO
ROS / WROS
Recreation / Wilderness
Recreation Opportunity
Spectrum
TMO
Designed
Use
TMO
Managed
Use
Managed Use
The mode(s) of travel that are
actively managed and appropriate,
on a trail, based on its design and
management.
Managed Use
 Managed Use indicates a management
intent to accommodate a specific use.
 There can be more than one Managed
Use per trail or trail segment.
 Managed Uses are usually a small
subset of the allowed uses on a trail.
Managed Use
 There is a direct relationship between
Managed Use and Trail Class.
 Identify the Managed Uses for each trail
or trail segment based on applicable
land management direction, travel
management decisions, trail-specific
decisions, and other related direction.
Managed Uses
Standard/Terra Trail Uses:
Snow Trail Uses:
Hiker / Pedestrian
Cross Country Ski
Pack and Saddle
Snowshoe
Bicycle
Snowmobile
Motorcycle
Water Trail Uses:
All Terrain Vehicle
Motorized Watercraft
4WD > 50” in Width
Non-Motorized
Watercraft
Trail Type
Trail Class
Managed Use
From Managed Use…
Managed Use A
Managed Use B
Managed Use C
…Designed Use
TMO
Designed
Use
Designed Use
The Managed Use of a trail that
requires the most demanding design,
construction, and maintenance
parameters and that, in conjunction
with the applicable Trail Class,
determines which Design Parameters
will apply to a trail.
Designed Use
 Although the trail may be actively
managed for more than one use, and
numerous uses may be allowed...
 …there is only one Designed Use per
trail or trail segment.
Designed Use
 Determines technical specifications for
trail design, construction and
maintenance
 For each Designed Use and applicable
Trail Class, there’s a corresponding set
of nationally standardized technical
specifications….
Designed Uses
Standard/Terra Trail Uses:
Snow Trail Uses:
Hiker / Pedestrian
Cross Country Ski
Pack and Saddle
Snowshoe
Bicycle
Snowmobile
Motorcycle
Water Trail Uses:
All Terrain Vehicle
Motorized Watercraft
4WD > 50” in Width
Non-Motorized
Watercraft
Trail Type
Trail Class
Managed Use
Designed Use 
TMO
Design
Parameters
Design Parameters
Technical guidelines for the
survey, design, construction,
maintenance, and assessment of
a trail, based on its Designed Use
and Trail Class.
Design Parameters
 Standardized set of construction and
maintenance specifications.
 Local deviations may be established
based on trail-specific conditions,
topography and other factors….
 ….provided that they are consistent with the
general intent of the applicable Trail Class.
Design Parameters
 Design Tread Width
 Design Surface
 Design Grade
 Design Cross Slope
 Design Clearing
 Design Turns
Design Parameters
Trail Type
Trail Class
Managed Use
Designed Use
 Design Parameters
TMO
Target
Frequency
TMO
Access & Travel
Management:
 Managed Use
 Prohibited Use
TMO
Special
Considerations
Special Considerations
 Shared System
 Accessible
 Mechanized Tools/Equipment Prohibited
 T&E / Sensitive Species
 Heritage Resource
 Easement, Permit, Agreement
 etc…
TMO
Remarks &
Reference
Information
Remarks &
Reference Information
 Document additional clarification
 Cite reference decisions &
materials
 Footnote!
TMO
Line Officer
Approval
Line Officer Approval
1. Trail Manager: Prepare draft TMO
for reviews & finalization
2. District Ranger: Review and
approve official TMO
3. If subsequent TMO changes,
revise the TMO (following steps 1 & 2)
TMOs
Documentation of the intended
purpose and management of a
National Forest System Trail based
on management direction, including
access objectives.
TMOs
 TMOs may or may not reflect the current
condition of a trail.
 TMOs are not management decisions.
 TMOs can be changed.
 During other data validation updates, do
not inadvertently change an approved TMO
or MVUM.
 Training is important.
TMO’s
Pulling
it all together
Next Step
TMO: Point of Reference
Apply Design & Maintenance
Standards
Trail Condition Assessments
Collect Field Data
 What data to collect?
 How much is enough?
Trail CASM
Condition
Assessment
Survey
Matrix
Trail CASM
 Efficient and appropriate inventory and
condition surveys
 Survey frequency and accuracy
commensurate with level of
development and investment
 Applicable to Infra data entry
 Applicable to public information
Trail CASM
Trail Fundamentals
 Trail Type 
 Trail Class 
 Managed Use 
 Designed Use 
 Design Parameters
 CASM
 FTDS: Federal Trail Data Standards
 FSTAG: FS Trail Accessibility Guidelines
Where to find it?
www.fs.fed.us
Recreational
Activities
Special
Programs
Trail
Management
Where to find it?
http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/rhwr/ibsc/index.shtml
Trail Fundamentals
Cornerstones of…
 Efficient Trail Planning &
Management
 Consistent, Quality Data
 Accurate, Accountable
Inventory & Costing