Trailmaster's How-to Guide     

Forging a Successful Path

A Trailmaster’s How-to Guide

Always safety first

by Nelson Cahill (703) 861-4439

Trail selection considerations

Can trail be safely walked?!!! Cliffs, heavy traffic/dangerous intersections, high crime area, major construction, etc.

Thoroughly check nearby terrain for use of roads/trails instead of walking on main roads!

Level/difficulty of terrain. A lot of people want to push baby strollers. Are you going to offer a physically disadvantaged trail? If yes, must be a 1 rating and wheel chair assessable.

During inclement weather will trail be difficult to walk and require additional trail marking/assistance material, rope, pallets.

In many cases, park personnel will assist in improving trail if asked.

Avoiding double backs where possible - always confusing no matter what (unless totally out and back which tends to be boring)!!!

Can checkpoints be placed at reasonable distances accessible by vehicle (water & supplies-communications for 42km))?

Is approval required to use/mark trail? Signs like trespassers will be shot and survivors prosecuted may lead you to question the use of a trail.

Other possible changes in trail conditions before/during the event,

Opening of drawbridges, hunting season, trains parked on tracks,

Change in defense condition (defcon) if walking on a military installation, etc.

Match trail to time of year - shade in summer - indoor checkpoints in winter.

Prior to event day:

Make /buy/borrow required supplies:

• staple gun/staples/staple remover
• hammer/nails
• tape - color coordinated if multiple trails (consistency)- if
• possible coordinate start cards with color of trail.
• stakes/coat hangers/trail markers
• paper/plastic coated arrows
• maps
• checkpoint signs
• trail split signs
• caution walker signs
• rope/pallets
• water soluble florescent paint (great if no rain!)
• high lighters/chart paper
• knife/"do it"/scissors
• pie plates (paper plates can be written upon-arrows/distance)

Obtain approval to use trail/set up checkpoints

• city/park authority
• mall manager/store owner
• police
• farm owner, etc.

Measure trail-accurate to the flyer-never more than one extra k.

Consider the elements:

• Walk trail after rain! Do you need rope/pallets to assist people in walking trail.
• In summer (sunny hot day), not less than 2 checkpoints. Walk in shady areas when possible.
• Do you need to provide for an alternate trail if extreme weather (mud, trail washout, snow, ice)?
• Provide trail rating/description to flyer maker. If flyer is already made and the trail is more difficult than the rating stated in the flyer, post the difference at start point.

Do you need a map?

• In high density locations, a map may be desirable if trail destruction (vandalism) is likely.
• If yes, see pages on map/instructions.

Workers walk

Excellent opportunity to ensure club members are familiar with the trail:

(a) Especially those working checkpoints and registration. (checkpoint personnel should know how far people have gone or have to walk). Registration/or welcome table people need to know difficulty of trail.

(b) All workers walk personnel should be encouraged to evaluate trail from a safety viewpoint and encouraged to recommend changes in trail layout.

Two weeks prior to the event:

Rewalk or at least drive the event to see if trail, as planned,

Is walkable (construction, trail damage-trees fallen-bridges out, etc). If extreme weather has occurred just prior to the event, walk/drive the trail again.

Note markings that may be similar to material you are using to mark your trail. Construction (orange), crime scene (yellow), park may be using ribbons for identification of trees to cut, spray, etc. If you are going to walk a trail in the park which is blazed (you may want to mark your trail accordingly).

Actual "trail marking" time

Mark the trail the day before, late in the day but before dark.

• (afternoon/evening walks - mark same day)
• Rewalk/remark! (at least drive) the trail again in the morning before walkers.

Start/finish location: (confusion is normal) - make is easy for people to get started on the trail in the right direction (don’t make them have to ask which way, or guess which way to start).

(a) put sample of trail markers used at start/registration.

• pink trail - 10 km (have example of trail tape/arrows)
• pink with black stripes ( 5 km)
• orange trail - 20 km
• also show examples of double markings if used for turns.

(b) sample of trail markers should again be posted 200 meters into the trail.

Marking/over marking/what color trail material to use?

Pick appropriate trail material depending on time of year.

• Never yellow in fall. Yellow/green is also hard to see in the spring.
• Red and blue are hard to see at certain times of year and dim lighting.
• Best colors - orange (unless construction is ongoing) and/or pink/pink with black stripes.

Consider people that are color blind. If you have two trails with colors that are hard to distinguish these people may get lost.

Two distinctly different markers help -one solid color (orange) & one striped color (pink & black) may be of a great help.

Remember over marking is not possible unless you are the person taking down the trail, or the treasurer who doesn’t want to spend money. Only other reason to limit marking is due to restrictions placed on you by the police/park rangers, city, etc.

Types of trail markings (there are several) :

Engineering/surveyor’s tape

advantages

• cheap!
• Waterproof!
• easy to put up & tear down!
• can be tied to anything -blade of grass!
• blows in the wind!
• comes in many colors & can be color coded to start cards and park trail markings.
• if right color - can be easily seen!
• easy to make double turn-markers- always follow up with markers around the turn. (use arrows).
• can be stapled to wood/trees.
• tape can be used to tie arrows to posts/trees.

disadvantages

• Vandals can remove and/or make a new trail.
• Wraps around branches & can be hard to see.
• wrong color difficult to see.
• can be confused with other markings.
• improper tear-down can cause damage to trees.
• Excuse to take easy way out if arrows are not used.

Sticky tape (Hermann Werks)

advantages

• sticks to itself!
• doesn’t pull down easily!
• can be stuck together to make a flap (blows in wind)!
• can be cut to make arrows!
• can be stapled to bark!
• easy to make double turn-markers!

Disadvantages

• doesn’t stick to trees!
• Clearing trail harder! requires knife or "do it"
• Leaves marks on some surfaces.
• Doesn’t easily stick to cement or metal.
• difficult to see if wrong color
• can be hard to see! (blue especially in the morning).
• Availability? Who sells?
• excuse not to use arrows.

Water soluble florescent paint

advantages

• easy to carry and mark trail.
• easily seen.
• can spray arrows.
• mark hazards stones/roots, low hanging branches.

disadvantages

• Rain.
• Expensive?
• Caution: may not be liked by some- must be water soluble.
• should be used in conjunction with other trail material.

Paper arrows

advantages

• can be stapled to trees/poles!
• good for directions/turns!
• inexpensive!
• can be color coded to start cards/park trail markings!
• can be made with club logo – may help in keeping people from removing - generate interest in volkssporting.
• can be made semi-permanent with cardboard (shoe box) backing/clear packing tape.

disadvantages

• Easily torn! Staples hard to remove from trees/wood!
• Subject to vandalism, but if ripped, walkers may detect the vandalism.
• Weather will deteriorate!
• can be fastened to trees with sticky tape/removed by knife/"do it."

Laminated arrows

Advantages

• not subject to weather.
• can be use over again.

Disadvantages

• Can be expensive if not homemade.
• Good souvenirs.

Other trail marking material

Chalk/sticks - put across trail to designate don’t pass/used with other trail marking material designating turn.

Surveyor’s tape of a "different" color "red"/colored rope to block trail you don’t want people to walk on (used in conjunction with turn material).

Wooden stakes/coat hangers/lollipops/signs flags

advantages:

• can be used to wrap tape around!
• can be used to staple/fasten directional markers!
• easy to see
• can be inexpensive
• can be homemade
• can identify distance walked!
• can be reused!
• can be made with club logo.

disadvantages

• Can be difficult to put in ground!
• can be easily moved.
• Can fall over by themselves
• Can be easily turned to indicate the wrong trail direction.
• Can be expensive!
• Can be bulky/heavy to carry marking/tear down.
• Need room to store!
• Can be taken as souvenirs

Paper/plastic pie plates

advantages:

Can be written on.

disadvantages

Not always easy to use.

Lime

advantages:

• $3 for 50 lbs
• easy to see/block paths

disadvantages

• hard to carry/spread
• cannot be used in snow

Sawdust/flour (better than lime)

General guidance

Safety first

Mark every trail for the person doing their first walk ever!

When walking on sidewalks/road mark on side you want people to walk on.

Cross people at crosswalks/lights/overpasses/underpasses, if possible.

Put out warning signs to warn walkers of dangerous intersections/active railroad crossings, etc. (caution walkers signs should be placed at locations where walkers are crossing or walking on roads without sidewalks).

Trail markings placed high are easier to see, harder to vandalize, better for parking lots, parade routes.

Consider having club members walk to checkpoints on a rotation basis. Walk to checkpoint, work until they are relieved by the next club worker that is walking to the checkpoint. This way you always have club members on the trail.

*Be Flexible* accept that things will go wrong and adjust. Deal with last minute changes (construction/weather/re-opening of roads that were supposed to be closed, etc.)- When possible, explain to your walkers when problems occur, they will adapt and will have more patience when they know why.

Good methods of trail marking

You should always be in the sight of the next marker. Put up confidence markers.

Boy scout double markings which indicate a turn are great for repeat walkers that know what they mean!!! However, each and every trail should have turn arrows whenever there is a change in direction.

Triple markings - seldom if ever used - means turn around point. Not recommended without the use of a sign that says turn around point, along with a manned checkpoint.

Consistency. Use the same color and type of marking throughout the walk. Some clubs use one color for first half & another color for second half (return half), but this may lead people to think they have turned onto a different distance trail by mistake.

Turns- make turns highly visible, use a combination of markers - trail tape, surveyor’s tape, arrows.

Don’t put markings on moveable objects! Not only may they disappear, but can be easily turned to reflect another direction.

Trail split identification. If you have a walk with two different trails, at the trail split you need markers, and "after" the split you need a sign that says you are now walking the # km trail!!

Use information signs:

• Slippery area
• Control point 100 meters
• Rest rooms
• Cross with caution (always use stoplights/crosswalks)

Caution: when marking trails (city streets) may sure that you cannot see a trail marker that is meant for use later on during the walk. For example, if you are walking on main street going straight ahead walking past Washington, Jefferson, Lee, and make a right on Jackson, next right on first street, and then a left on Washington - make sure you can’t see the Washington street markers from when you were walking on main street.

Trailmaster’s responsibilities after the trail is marked

Only be in charge of trails - not checkpoint resupplier.

Should have a team to correct deficiencies/vandalism.

Trail should be rewalked 1-2 hours prior to the event by trailmaster or member of trail team.

Knowledgeable club members that walk the trail should carry trail marking material to correct problem areas.

Walkie talkies (cellular phones) at start/finish and control points are valuable in correcting trail deficiencies(medical emergencies).

As walkers finish the event, ask them about the trail. Don’t panic over everyone who comes in with a trail complaint. Check into the problem and correct if needed. Some people you could put on a rope with a ring and they would still get lost.

In the time of panic use knowledgeable "non-club" members to check your trail. Hand them a trail tape/material and a trail map and let them go. I have done this first thing in the morning for early arrivals. I let them go early if they will carry a roll of tape. Warning!! Use only known experienced people to do this.

Accept constructive criticism and thank walkers for pointing out ways to improve your trail for this and future events.

Year round/seasonal map events

Prior to mass reproduction of the map, have a person unfamiliar with the area walk the trail to validate the instructions! (mark the trail so your mother won’t get lost)

Walk the route just before it begins each year/season!

Walk the route regularly (at least every two months) while reading the map to ensure nothing has changed.

• gas station torn down
• water tower painted
• visitor center location changed (5 days after beginning of walk)
• off trail site removed (5 days after beginning of walk)
• road construction/detours
• checkpoint moved without club knowledge
• cannons removed
• street signs removed/replaced
• new construction
• metal gates removed (park opening for summer)
• street name changes

Don’t use local landmarks that can’t be readily identified (walk toward art museum) unless everybody can tell exactly what you are talking about. People from out of town won’t know how to walk toward the art museum unless there is a sign that says art museum this way!

Use readily identifiable landmarks that can be seen/read, house numbers/colors, businesses, etc., But keep map updated!

Don’t use landmarks/checkpoints where "snow" might cover them

Don’t use walk east/west/north/south unless in conjunction with other directional terminology. Turn left and walk east on route 23. Most people can’t tell if they are walking east/west/north/south.

Best maps are normally those that contain both written directions and a visual map highlighted to show turns (arrows pointing in the walk direction)

Ensure all maps/instructions contained in walk box are complete, all sides are copied, and all instructions are stapled together?

Maps/instructions should be legible. Maps should be "a full size 8 ½ by 11" page (may need second map-cemetery/garden/park, etc). Written instructions not less than 12 point print size.

Distances: if used on map (you have walked 5 km), must be accurate.

All events should be measured/wheeled to be accurate.

Checkpoints: do not hide them!! If the checkpoint is "in the sidewalk" tell the people in the map directions!

Restrooms: availability should be identified on the map.

Points of interest: some like/some don’t! May be used especially when they help identify walk route directions. Historical sites in Washington DC may be of interest, while the mayor’s house in Hamburg, New Jersey - who cares. Judgement call -don’t overdue it.

Sheet of directions/map and another sheet of historical sites may be best.

Map/instructions should advise walkers to carry water and use bug spray as applicable.

If approval can be obtained, consider marking trail. Trail markings that "blend in" (brown AVA signs with arrows) have been nailed to trees to mark the trail.

Regular events with only map/directions

Prepare for rain. Provide baggies to put maps in when it rains.

Make sure you hand the walker a complete set of instructions! Check instructions for completeness prior to event. All sides printed? All pages stapled together?

Regular events with marked/partially marked trail and map/directions/instructions

Use extreme caution! People tend to follow markers and only read the map/directions when they are confused or question whether they are doing something right/they are lost! It may be extremely difficult to locate "exactly where" you are on a map/directions if you have not been following/reading it from the beginning.

Night walks (guided/map/instructions)

Be sure areas are well lit and the walking surface does not have uneven areas or potholes that might cause people to stumble.

Night walks should normally be guided.

If marked - use glow in the dark markers.

Guided walks

Should only be used in rare circumstances.

• You cannot mark the trail.
• Map/instructions are not practical (too many trails to get lost on).
• High crime area-safety in numbers (why are you walking in a location like this?).
• Small groups should be used - head counts taken at start/checkpoints.
• Guide should carry flag, etc for ready identification-trail sweeps should be appointed.
• Breakdown into different walking speed groups is very difficult.
• Mostly used when low participation is anticipated- Friday
• Day walks in historical locations or parks.

Author: Nelson H. Cahill

(703) 861-4439

10th AVA Biennial Convention

June 21-29, 1997

American Volkssport Association
1001 Pat Booker Road, Suite 101
Universal City, TX 78148

Voice (210) 659-2112, Fax (210) 659-1212
Information Line: 1-800-830-WALK
avahq@ava.org

Copyright January 2003, American Volkssport Association Last Revision 4/10/2008