Trail Manger Training 3/16/2019 Safety Be bear aware Bring a - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Trail Manger Training 3/16/2019

Safety • Be bear aware • Bring a whistle • Make noise • Check for ticks • Lymeez

Down/Dangerous Trees Trees blocking the trail (or parking • lots) Dead trees leaning over the trail • Large branches or tops of trees that • are hung up above the trail

Drainage • Waterbars – constructed with logs or dirt to direct water off trail • Should be clear of debris • Culverts – should be clear of debris. • Erosion – look for rutting or mounding of leaves • Muddy/Wet spots that persist

Vegetation • Doorway Technique • Corridor Width: Minimum 3 feet • Height: • Hiking trails 8 feet • Equestrian trails 10-12 • Low vegetation reaching in from the side of the trail • Grass is tall enough that’s its difficult to walk through

Directional Blazes/Signs • Painted blazes/signs • Reassurance • Navigation • Pay special attention in summer/winter • Should be clear and unobstructed

Signs • Be sure “ No Horse ” and “ No Biking ” signs are at the beginning of designated trails • “ Leash Your Dog ” signs should be posted and visible at trailheads

Owl Boxes • Position marked on maps • Check for activity (i.e. owls, squirrels, etc.)

Other Issues to Report • Boardwalks/Bridges – loose or rotting boards, nails/screws popping out • Misuse of Trails – bikes/horses using trails, bootleg trails, motorized vehicles • Garbage • Invasive Plants - see website for plant guide

Reporting after Your Visit • Two ways to report: • Ramblr • Google Form on Website

Download the Ramblr App • Download Ramblr App • Sign up with Facebook/Google OR by creating a username • Allow Ramblr to access your location!

During the Hike • Use Ramblr to track location, take photos and notes • Hit the Track button on the bottom panel to return to map, and the red record button to begin tracking Return to Map

During the Hike Take a • Blinking arrow = your Photo location • Blue line = where you have Take a been Note • Take notes and photos as you walk • Click the photo icon to take a photograph • Caption your photo by writing a note immediately after • All photos and notes are geo-tagged, meaning the exact location is saved in your track • When you are done with your hike, slide the pause Slide to button pause/stop tracking

At the End of the Hike Select to upload your trip later. It After takes data to sliding to upload the trip, pause so best to do it the track, when you have hit the Wifi Stop Button

Next time you have wifi, open the app… Click on the orange bar, marked “Waiting for Upload” Select the “Upload Now” Button

Uploading your trip Title your trip with your name and the date Click on “New Trip,” under “Waiting for Set visibility to Upload” tab “secret” Click “Upload” button at bottom. You may be prompted to choose a descriptive activity. Choose any activity you wish.

After the visit Click the “Share” button Click on your newly created trip under the “My Trips” tab. Copy the “Share URL” and paste in an e-mail to Mike Mike’s E-mail: mike@steeprockasso c.org

Alternate Way to Share Trip after Uploading After you have uploaded your Click on the “My Archive” trip, you can tab to view also access and your trips share it on Ramblr’s website: https://www.r amblr.com

Alternate Way to Share Trip after Uploading Click on the trip that you recently uploaded

Alternate Way to Share Trip after Uploading Click on the share button Once you click the share button, this link appears. E-mail that link to Mike’s E-mail: mike@steeprockassoc.org

Reporting on Website www.steeprockassoc.org

Reporting on Website • Scroll to bottom of Volunteer Page

Reporting on Website Google Form Reference Maps

Community Board (www.slack.com) • Great way for trail managers to communicate with one another, and another place to find trail information • Link on website – you will need to create an account

Reporting Form

Reporting Map

Light Trail Maintenance • Option to perform trail maintenance on your trail • Prune encroaching vegetation on trail • Clear debris from waterbars

Trail Maintenance Schedule Spring Winter - Clear waterbars/drains/culverts - Pick up/clear debris on trail - Pick up/clear sticks and debris on trail - Clear drains, culverts, and water bars of leaves/debris - Prune encroaching vegetation - Prune encroaching vegetation - Pick up/clear debris on trails - Pick up/clear debris on trail Summer Autumn

Tool Caches • Tool shed at Camp House at Macricostas Preserve • 124 Christian St. New Preston, CT • Only take trail volunteer tools! • Steep Rock Association Office • 2 Green Hill Rd. Washington, CT • Only open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

Tool Caches Tool Shed at Camp House

Tools Sign Out Sheet

Tool Rules • Fill out the volunteer tool log • Return all equipment within one week • Scrub off dirt from tools before returning them • If a tool is damaged or otherwise non-functional, mark it with red tape and contact Mike Giapponi at (860) 868-9131.

Monthly Trail Work Party • The second Saturday of every month, beginning April 13 at 10 a.m. • Stay tuned for more details!