Informing and uniting trail users

By Alisen Charlten
Jasper Booster
February 7, 2007

If there was one message from Parks Canada's sustainable trails presentation on Jan. 30 that rang loud and clear, it was that we're all in this together.

A collection of about 45 mountain bikers, hikers, dog walkers, horseback riders, trail runners and even a few bird watchers gathered at the Downstream Bar last week to learn about the importance of proper trail construction and the components that make a trail system successful.

Organized by the Jasper Trails Project team, the presentation by Mark Schmidt, engineer, trail specialist and leader of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), was the first of two sessions.

It focused on the importance of building a trail system for all user groups and gave local trail users a better idea of the challenges being faced in revamping Jasper's current trail network. With years of professional and personal trail building experience behind him, Schmidt is not only an engineer by trade and a passionate mountain biker but an advocate for sustainable and environmentally healthy trails for all users.

During the presentation, Schmidt spoke on topics ranging from the basic principals of good trail construction to the destructive nature of erosion to conflict between user groups. Schmidt reminded everyone that all trail users have very similar objectives when enjoying a trail including escaping from the stresses of daily life and taking in the natural environment. "Many people out there think mountain bikers are good for nothing bums that ride bikes all day," chuckled Schmidt. "In reality, we're all the same people. We all have similar social values."

According to the IMBA trail expert, of the physiological forces that impact trails erosion can be one of the most destructive so trails need to be built to avoid such impact.

Dispelling the myth that erosion damage on trails is caused by certain users, Schmidt made it clear that trail design has a larger impact on trail health than user groups. "Remember, erosion is a natural process cause by water and wind," said Schmidt. "All trail users help in the process of erosion. We loosen the soil up and then erosion takes place."

Much to the delight of the mountain bikers present, Schmidt also referenced a scientific study that calculated the amount of soil displaced by user groups on a specific piece of trail. According to the study, all terrain vehicles and horses caused the most displacement while hikers and mountain bikers cause significantly less. By a small degree, hikers actually displaced more soil than mountain bikers.

However, according to Schmidt, there are studies that have discovered that mountain bikers do have a larger impact on wildlife than some other groups. "Eagles, for example, apparently don't like mountain bikers," said Schmidt, adding that on the other hand sheep are oblivious them.

Quoting another trail building expert, Jim Angel, Schmidt reminded his audience that: "Users don't need trails, nature needs trails." According to him, a sustainable trail has four main components; it should protect the environment, require minimal maintenance, meet the needs of users and minimize conflict between those users.

"We want to make sure us being on the trail doesn't destroy the reason we're out there," he said.

In discussing trail user conflict, Schmidt had a number of recommendations to mitigate these problems including educational signage, patrols, peer education, user group partnerships and creative trail design.

For example, in one project Schmidt was involved in they organized a Carrot Fest to improve mountain bikers' relationships with horse users. Each time a biker passed a horse they'd stop and feed them a carrot.

In some places, user groups have taken it upon themselves to lessen their impact on a trail system. For instance, Schmidt said some horse outfitters have the last animal in a pack train drag a contraption that helps smooth and flatten out the disturbed soil after the horses have passed.

According to Schmidt, there are three main reasons for conflict: environmental - the perception that other groups cause more damage; safety - such as people concerned about being hit by a fast moving trail user ; and social - groups with different goals.

Nearing the end of his presentation, Schmidt informed the audience of how innovative the Trail Project actually is. "What you guys are doing in Jasper is way ahead of any other park. You guys are setting the example for the rest of the world to follow."

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	Informing and uniting trail users By Alisen Charlten Jasper Booster February 7, 2007 If there was one message from Parks Canada's sustainable trails presentation on Jan. 30 that rang loud and clear, it was that we're all in this together. A collection of about 45 mountain bikers, hikers, dog walkers, horseback riders, trail runners and even a few bird watchers gathered at the Downstream Bar last week to learn about the importance of proper trail construction and the components that make a trail system successful. Organized by the Jasper Trails Project team, the presentation by Mark Schmidt, engineer, trail specialist and leader of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), was the first of two sessions. It focused on the importance of building a trail system for all user groups and gave local trail users a better idea of the challenges being faced in revamping Jasper's current trail network. With years of professional and personal trail building experience behind him, Schmidt is not only an engineer by trade and a passionate mountain biker but an advocate for sustainable and environmentally healthy trails for all users. During the presentation, Schmidt spoke on topics ranging from the basic principals of good trail construction to the destructive nature of erosion to conflict between user groups. Schmidt reminded everyone that all trail users have very similar objectives when enjoying a trail including escaping from the stresses of daily life and taking in the natural environment. "Many people out there think mountain bikers are good for nothing bums that ride bikes all day," chuckled Schmidt. "In reality, we're all the same people. We all have similar social values." According to the IMBA trail expert, of the physiological forces that impact trails erosion can be one of the most destructive so trails need to be built to avoid such impact. Dispelling the myth that erosion damage on trails is caused by certain users, Schmidt made it clear that trail design has a larger impact on trail health than user groups. "Remember, erosion is a natural process cause by water and wind," said Schmidt. "All trail users help in the process of erosion. We loosen the soil up and then erosion takes place." Much to the delight of the mountain bikers present, Schmidt also referenced a scientific study that calculated the amount of soil displaced by user groups on a specific piece of trail. According to the study, all terrain vehicles and horses caused the most displacement while hikers and mountain bikers cause significantly less. By a small degree, hikers actually displaced more soil than mountain bikers. However, according to Schmidt, there are studies that have discovered that mountain bikers do have a larger impact on wildlife than some other groups. "Eagles, for example, apparently don't like mountain bikers," said Schmidt, adding that on the other hand sheep are oblivious them. Quoting another trail building expert, Jim Angel, Schmidt reminded his audience that: "Users don't need trails, nature needs trails." According to him, a sustainable trail has four main components; it should protect the environment, require minimal maintenance, meet the needs of users and minimize conflict between those users. "We want to make sure us being on the trail doesn't destroy the reason we're out there," he said. In discussing trail user conflict, Schmidt had a number of recommendations to mitigate these problems including educational signage, patrols, peer education, user group partnerships and creative trail design. For example, in one project Schmidt was involved in they organized a Carrot Fest to improve mountain bikers' relationships with horse users. Each time a biker passed a horse they'd stop and feed them a carrot. In some places, user groups have taken it upon themselves to lessen their impact on a trail system. For instance, Schmidt said some horse outfitters have the last animal in a pack train drag a contraption that helps smooth and flatten out the disturbed soil after the horses have passed. According to Schmidt, there are three main reasons for conflict: environmental - the perception that other groups cause more damage; safety - such as people concerned about being hit by a fast moving trail user ; and social - groups with different goals. Nearing the end of his presentation, Schmidt informed the audience of how innovative the Trail Project actually is. "What you guys are doing in Jasper is way ahead of any other park. You guys are setting the example for the rest of the world to follow."


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright