trail maintenance

[jodiTowne]

I live next to state land that is mainly popular for its Xcountry skiing, dog sledding and snowmobiling....so it is well maintained in the winter. Summer maintenance has always been an issue. I am trying to keep in touch with persons in charge to let them know of problem areas and to assist with horse-friendly fixes for problem areas (ie...not #4 stone in wet areas...ouch!). The trails are marked as equestrian but not well used as there is no camping allowed and because of the maintenance problems.

Can anyone assist me with literature, internet sites, etc. that could help me? Any info. would help me with ensuring these trails are horse friendly. My fear is that lack of use will allow more and more ATV permision which will ruin these trails....very boggy in many areas. THANKS

[Mellifluous]

You need to get in contact with Mike Riter- He is a wonderful trails guru and is a well known name in trail design and maintenace. The state would listen to someone like him.
This is the e-mail addy that I have for him:
traildesign at mindspring.com

Oh, and if the trails are wet, they are not constructed properly. They should have a 3-5% outslope that will allow the tread to drain (if they are running on contour. Trails that are in flat/floodprone areas present more of a challenge but dumping gravel is NOT a fix! Tell them if they have to use stone, use 3s or 4s and cap them with something that has smaller stones and plenty of fines like crusher run or 97s.

They might want to consider re-routing the boggy portions of the trail.