FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2309.18-90-1
EFFECTIVE 01/10/91
2.3 - TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE GUIDES. Many existing trails do not
meet the conditions specified in the Guides below. As budgets permit, plan, maintain, construct
and reconstruct trails to conform to the Guides to the extent practicable, relative to conditions on
the ground. Forest Supervisors may approve deviations from the Guides.
2.31a - Hiker Trail Guide. The following exhibit provides construction and maintenance guides
for hiking trails in Region 1:
Exhibit 1
Hiker Trail Guide
Easiest
More Difficult
Most Difficult1/
Max. Pitch
Grade
20%
30%
+30%
Length
100'
300'
+500'
Max. Sustained
Grade
10%
15%
20%
Width
4'
3' to 4'
3'
Height
8'
8'
8'
Grade
Clearing2/
Tread3/
Width
18" to 24"
obstaclefree.
12" to 18" if
needed, depending
on volume and drainage.
Surface
Spot
gravel
surfacing.
Not surfaced-leave roots,
embedded rocks,
and some logs.
12"
No graded tread
except on side
slopes over 30%
where safety or
resource damage
is a problem.
1/Upper limit of grade and pitch length for most difficult trails depends on soil type, amount of
rock, vegetation type, and other conditions affecting stability of the trail.
2/Curve alignment to avoid cutting large trees. Dimensions shown are minimums.
3/Increase tread width 6 inches on switchbacks or where side slopes exceed 60 percent.
Dimensions shown are minimuims.
FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2309.18-90-1
EFFECTIVE 01/10/91
2.31b - Pack and Saddle Trail Guide. The following exhibit provides construction and
maintenance guides for pack and saddle trails in Region 1. These guides also apply to the
MAINLINE, SECONDARY and WAY trail classification system, as indicated:
Exhibit 1
Pack and Saddle Trail Guide
Easiest
(MAINLINE)
More Difficult
(SECONDARY)
Most Difficult1/
(WAY)
Max. Pitch
Grade
15%
25%
+30%
Length
200'
300'
500'
Max. Sustained
Grade
10%
15%
20%
Grade
Clearing2/
Width
Height
8'; 6'
between
large
trees.
Pack clearance must
be 3' from
a point 30"
above center
of tread.
10'
6'
Pack clearance
must be 3' from
from a point 30"
above center of
tread.
8'
4'
(Not suitable
packstock.)
8'
FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2309.18-90-1
EFFECTIVE 01/10/91
Exhibit 1--Continued
Pack and Saddle Trail Guide
Easiest
(MAINLINE)
More Difficult
(SECONDARY)
Most Difficult1/
(WAY)
24"
24"
18"
Tread3/
Width
Surface
Surfacing
needed for
stability.
Special
emphasis
on cross
drains, &
puncheon or
turnpikes in
bog holes.
Construct
extra tread
width in
steep terrain.
Leave roots &
embedded rocks.
Cross drains
permanent with
natural roots,
rocks, or
embedded logs.
Not graded except on side
slopes greater
than 30%.
1/ Assume pack animals normally are not accommodated on most difficult trails, so less clearing
width is needed. Same holds true for day-use horse trails. The upper limit for most difficult
saddle animal trails depends on the soil type, amount of rock, vegetation types, and other
conditions affecting stability of the trail.
2/ Along a precipice or hazardous area, clearing should be at least 4' on the uphill side from the
center of the tread. Dimensions shown are minimums.
3/ Increase tread width 12 inches on switchbacks. Tread width on special sections, such as fords,
puncheon or turnpikes, should be at least 36 inches. Dimensions shown are minimums.
FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2309.18-90-1
EFFECTIVE 01/10/91
2.31c - Mountain Bike. The following exhibit provides construction and maintenance guides for
mountain bike trails in Region 1:
Exhibit 1
Mountain Bike Trail Guide
Easiest
More Difficult
Most Difficult1/
Grade
Max. Pitch
10%
30%
+30%
Max. Sustained
Grade
5%
10%
15%
Length
100'
300'
500'
Turning Radius
(Minimum)
6'
3'
2'
Length of Trip
Day
10-20 mi.
20-40 mi.
40-50 mi.
5-10 mi.
15-20 mi.
20-25 mi.
4'
3' to 4'
3'
8'
8'
8'
24"+
12" to 24"
12"
One-half Day
Clearing2/
Width
Height
Tread3/
Width
Surface
Relatively
smooth
Sections of
relatively
rough surface
Varied--some
portage
required
1/Upper limit of grade and pitch length for most difficult trails depends on soil type, amount of
rock, vegetation type, and other conditions affecting stability of the trail.
2/Curve alignment to avoid cutting large trees. Dimensions shown are minimums.
3/Increase tread width 6 inches on switchbacks or where side slopes exceed 60 percent.
Dimensions shown are minimuims.
FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2309.18-90-1
EFFECTIVE 01/10/91
2.31d - Cross-Country Ski Trail Guide. The following exhibit provides construction and
maintenance guides for cross-country ski trails in Region 1.
Exhibit 1
Cross-Country Ski Trail Guide
More
Easiest1/ Difficult1/Most Difficult1/
Greatest Single Climb
(elevation gain of single
continuous climb)
35'
70'
140'
Elevation Differential
(lowest to highest point
on trail)
100'
250'
500'
Total Climb)
(Sum of all elevation
elevation gains)
150'
400'
650'
Greatest Sustained Gradient
(over 300' trail distance)
7.5%
12%
17%
Greatest Short Gradient
(under 100' trail distance)
10%
20%
--
1/ Upper limit of grade and pitch length depends on soil type, amount of rock, vegetation type,
and other conditions affecting stability of the trail surface.
SEE EXHIBIT 2 IN PAPER COPY.
FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2309.18-90-1
EFFECTIVE 01/10/91
2.32a - Motorized Bike Trail Guide. The following exhibit provides construction and
maintenance guides for motorized bike trails in
Region 1:
Exhibit 1
Motorized Bike Trail Guide
Easiest
More Difficult
Most Difficult1/
15%
30%
30%+
Length
300'
400'
500'
Max. Sustained Grade
10%
15%
20%
8'
6'
4'
1-1/2'
3'
1-1/2'
each side
1-1/2'
3'
1-1/2'
each side
1-1/2'
2-1/2'
1-1/2'
each side
8'
8'
8'
12"
12"
Grade
Max. Pitch Grade
Turning Radius Minimum
Clearing
Downhill side
Uphill
Level
Height
Dimensions shown are minimum.
Tread
Width
Surface
18"
Relatively
smooth
throughout
no rocks
protruding
more than
3". Avoid
sand and
loose
materials.
Dimensions shown are minimum.
Sections of
relatively
rough surface
-some loose
material such
as sand.
Relatively rough
with very rough,
short sections.
No roots or
rocks protruding
more than 6".
FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2309.18-90-1
EFFECTIVE 01/10/91
1/Upper limit of grade and pitch length for most difficult trails depends on soil type, amount of
rock, vegetation type, and other conditions affecting stability of the trail surface.
2.32b - All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) Trail Guide. The following exhibit provides construction
and maintenance guides for all-terrain vehicle trails in Region 1:
Exhibit 1
ATV Trail (3-wheel/4-wheel vehicle) Guide
Grade
Max. Sustained
Length
Max. Pitch
Clearing (1-Way Traffic)
Downhill side
Uphill
Level
Height
Easiest
More Difficult
Most Difficult
10%
300'
15%
15%
400'
30%
20%+
500'
30%+
2'
3'
3.0'
each side
8'
1.5'
3'
2.5
each side
6'
1.0'
3'
2.5'
each side
5'
Dimensions shown are minimum.
Tread
Width
Surface
Minimum
4'
Relatively
smooth, no roots
or rocks protruding
more than 3",
tread plane flat,
sweeping curves,
no holes wider
than 24" nor
deeper than 6",
loose sand is okay.
4.5'
Sections of relatively
rough surface,
no roots or rocks
protruding more than
3", tread plane can be
insloped 5% max.,
climbing turns, no
holes wider than 6".
Loose sand is okay.
4'
Relatively rough
with very rough,
short sections.
No protrucing
rocks 3", tread
plane can be
insloped or
outsloped 10%
max., switchbacks, few holes
with holes wider
than 36" and
deeper than 6".
Wet xings 10" deep,
25' long, waterbars
Same as more
difficult except
Dimensions shown are minimum.
Obstacles (Optional)
Wet xings 6" deep,
10' long max.,
FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2309.18-90-1
EFFECTIVE 01/10/91
draindips ok,
no waterbars.
downhill ok.
waterbars may be
uphill & downhill
Few small logs less
than 8" diameter.
2.32d - Snowmobile Trail Guide. The following exhibit provides construction and maintenance
guides for snowmobile trails in Region 1:
Exhibit 1
Snowmobile Trail Guide
Grade
Max. Sustained
Max. Pitch
Clearing Width
1-Way
2-Way
Clearing Height
Groomed Width
1-Way
1-Way
Easiest
More Difficult
Most Difficult1/
8%
20%
12%
25%
15%
30%+
12'
14'
12'
14'
8'
10'
Minimum 7' above normal maximum depth or 10' above
ground, whichever is greater (measured to snow-loaded
branches).
8'
12'
Turning Radius
5'
10'
25'
Surface
Cross Slope
Maximum for over
50'
8'
12'
Minimum of 4" of snow.
15%
All dimensions shown are minimum.
30%
40%
FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2309.18-90-1
EFFECTIVE 01/10/91
2.33a - Barrier-Free Trail Guide. The following exhibit provides construction and maintenance
guides for barrier-free trails in Region 1:
Exhibit 1
Barrier-Free Trail Guide
Easiest
Width of Trail Tread
and Turnouts
1-Way
More Difficult
Most Difficult1/
4'
4'
3'
8' or 4'
with turnouts 2' wide &
5' long
0 - 1/2 mi
Same as Easiest
with turnouts. 1/
4' or 3'
1/2 mi-1 1/2 mi
1 1/2 mi - 5 mi
Surface
Smooth,
hard surface
(concrete asphalt
wood deck2 or
hard-packed fine
crushed rock.
Relatively
smooth; no roots
or rocks protrude
more than 1/2";
asphalt, wood
deck2, hard-packed
fine crushed
rock or soil.
Fairly smooth; no roots
or rocks protrude more
than 1"; hard-packed
fine crushed rock,
gravel or soil.
Clearing
Width and Type
Clear
understory
brush to 1'
from trail
w/slight
slope toward
trail.K
0% to 3%3
Vertical
Climb up
to 80'.
Clear understory
brush to 1' from
trail; no abrupt
droppoffs adjacent.
Clear underbrush to 6"
from trail.
2-Way
Length
Slope (grade)
and Vertical
Climb4
+3% to 6% with
+6% to 8%
pitches not over
8% up to 30 feet.
One-way trails
with continuous,
favorable slope
over 5% should be
avoided.3
Vertical climb up to 160'.
FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2309.18-90-1
EFFECTIVE 01/10/91
* NOTE: Contact with special-user groups prior to planning is strongly
encouraged to facilitate including special needs.
Easiest
More Difficult
Most Difficult1/
Cross Slope4
Flat, with
slight crown
for drainage,
or, less than 2%.
Less than 3%.
Use grade dips 5'
to 8' long as needed.
Same as more
difficult.
Trail Edge
(rails, curbs)
(Use natural
materials
whenever
possible.)
Curb 2" high
where necessary for
safety; rails
32" high for
safety.
Curbs or railings
only for safety or
in areas with side
slopes greater than
40%.
Curbs or railings
only for safety.
Rest Stops
(Use natural
materials
whenever
possible; 4'benches 17" high.
deep and 5' long.
Every 100' to
150'. Benches,
sitting rocks,
turnouts, shelters;
400' to 500'
800'
1/
As a rule, steeper grade requires wider tread, but this element can change with difficulty.
2/
Bridges and boardwalks should have nonskid material, with boards perpendicular to the
direction of the trail and close together to prevent crutches from lodging in cracks.
3/
On slopes greater than 5 percent for 60 feet or more, allow a 6-foot level distance for
resting.
4/
Consistent pitch is important for ease of travel in wheelchair.