Trails- FOOTPATHS- have a rating system like the system used to rate ski slopes.
The ratings help avoid surprises, since the rating is the worst part of the trail. You can't judge a book by it's cover, and you can't judge a trail by the 100 yards closest to the parking lot. So here is the system.......
Trail Types
Interactive/
Interpretive Trail
Foot path, sidewalk, or elevated boardwalk through specific
areas with an educational intent. Along the path there are signs, kiosks,
shelters, or hides that describe, inform, or interpret the nearby plants, ecosystem, or cultural artifact. This
trail is typically open to pedestrians only, and is ADA compliant if possible. Pets, skates,
scooters, heelies, bikes, or motorized recreational vehicles are restricted.
This kind of trail is not intended as a fitness or exercise course. White Circle
difficulty rating.
Fitness Path
Footpath, sidewalk, or shared multi-purpose pavement along
an open or long sight distance course intended as a fitness or exercise course.
The path may be shared with other user types except equestrian, is well
marked or blazed, and may be artificially illuminated early in the evening
after civil sunset. There may be benches and refuse containers along the
course, and the course begins and ends at a parking area. Typically not ADA compliant. Blue
Square difficulty rating. Purple or purple running man sign or trail blaze.
Motorized Recreation Trail.
Ungraded soil pathway, typical along a perimeter or fence
line. May use sections of old roadway, fire road, agriculture access routes, or
share short stretches with other trail routes. ATV’s, motorized dirt bikes,
mountain bicycles and equestrians may use this trail. Trail begins and ends at
a trailer parking area or from trails that belong to other owners/ groups. Blue
Square or single Black Diamond difficulty rating. Red or Red ATV trail sign or
trail blaze.
Equestrian Trail.
Ungraded soil pathway with limited overhead obstructions or
branches below 100 inches AGL. May
parallel or cross sections of old roadway or share a route with a fire road,
agriculture access routes, or share short stretches with other trail routes excluding
fitness paths. Blue Square difficulty rating. Yellow or yellow horse trail
signs or blaze.
Experienced Hiker
Trail
Footpath through difficult terrain intended for experienced
pedestrian hiking. Narrow winding path through woods, may involve scrambling,
single log stream crossings, or wading through standing water or transit
through mud. Double Black Diamond trail rating. Black and white blaze or black
on white backpacker with walking stick trail sign. “Use caution. Travel at your
own risk” warning sign.
Motor Tour Route
Compacted soil, gravel, or abandoned roadway surface. Used
by heavy trucks for motor tour of wilderness preserve. Restricted to red ball
trucks except for some well marked stretches that are shared by other trail
types. One way truck traffic that starts and ends at the loading structure at
the Centers visitor complex. Red
Circle on green square trail sign. Access
controlled by signs, remote gates and arm type barriers.
Click a link below, or copy and paste to your browser, to go there!
A little bit of prose, some poetry,
and a song- all about the environment.
http://billyholcoutdoors.blogspot.com/2012/05/whose-garden-was-this.html
A frank discussion about wilderness and
nature.
http://wmgcenter.blogspot.com/2012/05/can-you-find-wilderness.html
Facebook pages about the outdoors.
Outdoor Photography
Hiking Trails, Boardwalks, and outdoor
recreation construction topics
http://willwalkforfun.blogspot.com/
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