The Cumberland Trails Conference continues to offer high quality, hands-on trail training to expand the skills of current volunteers and encourage more volunteer participation in construction of the Cumberland Trail.

Offerings this fall include an Introduction to Trail Design followed by an Introduction to Trail Construction.  Like previous classes, learning is accomplished in a field environment working on an actual trail project under the guidance of Master Trail Builders.

There is no charge for these sessions, but preregistration is required and space is limited.

Introduction to Trail Design Course

Saturday, November 4 from  9AM to 1PM Central

Trail volunteers, park managers, landscape designers and trail maintainers will benefit from this course.

September 2016 Trail Building Class pose on their newly finished trail. (Richie)

During the four hour class, volunteers will work an actual trail design problem in the field. Anyone involved with trail design, building or maintenance can profit from learning fundamentals of sustainable trail design.  Participants will learn what makes a trail sustainable, how water runoff affects trails, techniques for gradual elevation changes and how good design cuts future maintenance headaches.  Students will learn to visually evaluate terrain features, measure slopes with a clineometer and translate field data into a workable trail alignment.

Although principally aimed at trail design for hikers, the contrasting requirements for mountain biking and horse trails will be covered as well.

The course includes an understanding of design terms, limits on good hiking grades, the “half rule” and the function of grade reversals. Students will put their skills to use on the proposed nature trail at the Cumberland County Playhouse.

The class is free but registration is required.  Registration is limited to 16 people. No tools are required but participants are encouraged to bring a pen and note pad. Participants need to bring lunch, water, gloves, sturdy shoes and bug spray.                 Please dress in layers appropriate for the weather.  Contact the Cumberland Trails Conference for registration and directions: ctcoffice2014@gmail.com or 931 456 6259.

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Trail Building Introduction Course

Saturday, November 11 from  9AM to 2PM Central

An essential, hands-on course in building a sustainable hiking trail. Under the guidance of Master Trail Builders, participants will work through every aspect of trail building from corridor clearing to final grooming. Students will learn tool safety, construction terminology, the “zipper-method” of duff removal, the importance of cutting a proper back slope, how to “grub-out” stumps and simple rock work.  Participants will gain a better appreciation for how water and hikers work against a trail and the techniques that make a trail sustainable with little or no maintenance.

There is no charge for the class, but registration is required. Call or email the CTC office to register: 931-456-6259 or ctcoffice2014@gmail.com

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