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This document is contained within the This document is contained within the Traditional Tools and Skills Toolbox on Traditional Tools and Skills Toolbox on Wilderness.net. Since other related Wilderness.net. Since other related resources found in this toolbox may be resources found in this toolbox may be of interest, you can visit this toolbox by of interest, you can visit this toolbox by visiting the following URL: visiting the following URL: http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=toolboxes&sec=tools. All fuse=toolboxes&sec=tools. All toolboxes are products of the Arthur toolboxes are products of the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Carhart National Wilderness Training Center.Center.

SHAWNEE NATIONAL FORESTSHAWNEE NATIONAL FORESTHIDDEN SPRINGS RANGER DISTRICTHIDDEN SPRINGS RANGER DISTRICT

TRAIL DESIGNATION PROJECTTRAIL DESIGNATION PROJECT

PHASE 1PHASE 1

FISCAL YEAR 2006FISCAL YEAR 2006

PHASE 1 - FISCAL YEAR 2006 PHASE 1 - FISCAL YEAR 2006 PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTSPROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

DESIGNATED WILDERNESS AREAS (hand crews and pack stock)DESIGNATED WILDERNESS AREAS (hand crews and pack stock) Constructed 4 miles of new full-bench trail re-routes.Constructed 4 miles of new full-bench trail re-routes. Hauled 240 tons of gravel by pack stock to harden over 5 miles of existing trail Hauled 240 tons of gravel by pack stock to harden over 5 miles of existing trail

tread.tread. Relocated and reconstructed a creek crossing.Relocated and reconstructed a creek crossing. Converted an equestrian tie-up area to ride-through-only trail status.Converted an equestrian tie-up area to ride-through-only trail status. Constructed a new equestrian tie-up area. Constructed a new equestrian tie-up area. Brushed in nearly 4 miles of old, non-designated trail.Brushed in nearly 4 miles of old, non-designated trail. Installed 50 new directional signs.Installed 50 new directional signs.

NON-WILDERNESS AREAS (mechanized equipment)NON-WILDERNESS AREAS (mechanized equipment) Reconstructed nearly three miles of existing trail.Reconstructed nearly three miles of existing trail. Constructed two miles of new trail.Constructed two miles of new trail. Installed 173 new directional signs in project area.Installed 173 new directional signs in project area. Over 350 hours of volunteer time donated to trail reconstruction.Over 350 hours of volunteer time donated to trail reconstruction.

PHASE 1 - FISCAL YEAR 2006 PHASE 1 - FISCAL YEAR 2006 PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTSPROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

TRAIL MAINTENANCETRAIL MAINTENANCE Trail maintenance was conducted on 20 miles of trail to clear blow downs, Trail maintenance was conducted on 20 miles of trail to clear blow downs,

install erosion control features, and reinforce stream banks.install erosion control features, and reinforce stream banks.

TRAIL MONITORINGTRAIL MONITORING Trail monitoring was conducted on approximately 60 miles of trail in Trail monitoring was conducted on approximately 60 miles of trail in

designated wilderness and non-wilderness areas.designated wilderness and non-wilderness areas. A comprehensive Trail Monitoring Report was completed.A comprehensive Trail Monitoring Report was completed.

WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWILDERNESS TRAIL WORK

Before Before – eroded non-designated – eroded non-designated section of trail falling straight down section of trail falling straight down the canyon.the canyon.

After After – new re-route following the – new re-route following the natural contour and proper grade.natural contour and proper grade.

Implementation of the Trail Designation Project began with the Implementation of the Trail Designation Project began with the construction of a re-route and switchback in the Lusk Creek construction of a re-route and switchback in the Lusk Creek Wilderness.Wilderness.

WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWILDERNESS TRAIL WORK

BeforeBefore – non-designated section of – non-designated section of trail along Lusk Creek.trail along Lusk Creek.

AfterAfter – properly located re-route well – properly located re-route well above the creek. above the creek.

The trail crew focused on constructing re-routes to improve trail The trail crew focused on constructing re-routes to improve trail and resource conditions in the Lusk Creek Wilderness. and resource conditions in the Lusk Creek Wilderness.

WILDERNESS TRAIL CREWWILDERNESS TRAIL CREW

Crew members moved over 330 tons of gravel and sandstone using only Crew members moved over 330 tons of gravel and sandstone using only pack animals and hand tools.pack animals and hand tools.

In accordance with wilderness policy, the trail crew used only In accordance with wilderness policy, the trail crew used only primitive tools and traditional methods to construct the 4 miles primitive tools and traditional methods to construct the 4 miles of trail re-routes.of trail re-routes.

WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWork on the re-routes included the installation of unique trail Work on the re-routes included the installation of unique trail features such as a switchback with French drain, a stone stair features such as a switchback with French drain, a stone stair case descending hundreds of feet into a canyon, and several case descending hundreds of feet into a canyon, and several hundred linear feet of cribbed retaining walls and turnpikes.hundred linear feet of cribbed retaining walls and turnpikes.

Stone steps located at Secret Canyon.Stone steps located at Secret Canyon. Switchback with French drain.Switchback with French drain.

WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWILDERNESS TRAIL WORK

This cribbed retaining wall, built with native sandstone, was This cribbed retaining wall, built with native sandstone, was one of numerous trail features constructed in order to one of numerous trail features constructed in order to implement sustainable trails on steep side slopes.implement sustainable trails on steep side slopes.

BeforeBefore - section of trail before - section of trail before cribbed retaining wall.cribbed retaining wall.

AfterAfter – same section of trail with – same section of trail with ccribbed retaining wall.ribbed retaining wall.

WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWILDERNESS TRAIL WORKThe Blanchard Church Creek Crossing, a major trail feature, was The Blanchard Church Creek Crossing, a major trail feature, was relocated and constructed to mitigate resource damage and relocated and constructed to mitigate resource damage and provide improved recreation opportunities.provide improved recreation opportunities.

BeforeBefore – – Old crossing at Lusk Creek Old crossing at Lusk Creek was deeply eroded, dangerous to was deeply eroded, dangerous to use, and had potential to add use, and had potential to add sedimentation to Lusk Creek.sedimentation to Lusk Creek.

AfterAfter – Newly reconstructed south – Newly reconstructed south embankment of Blanchard Church embankment of Blanchard Church Creek Crossing.Creek Crossing.

WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWILDERNESS TRAIL WORK

Turnpikes were installed to raise the trail tread above natural wet Turnpikes were installed to raise the trail tread above natural wet areas.areas.

BeforeBefore – section of designated trail – section of designated trail before installation of turnpike.before installation of turnpike.

AfterAfter – same section of trail with – same section of trail with turnpike.turnpike.

WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWILDERNESS TRAIL WORKOnce a trail was re-routed, the old section was brushed and Once a trail was re-routed, the old section was brushed and signage was placed to inform users to use the new re-route. signage was placed to inform users to use the new re-route. Brush was placed in the trail and gully plugs were installed as Brush was placed in the trail and gully plugs were installed as needed to prevent further erosion.needed to prevent further erosion.

Summer Summer – section of braided, – section of braided, eroded non-designated trail.eroded non-designated trail.

Fall Fall – same section of trail after – same section of trail after brushing and installing gully plugs.brushing and installing gully plugs.

WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWILDERNESS TRAIL WORK

Approximately four miles of old non-designated trails were Approximately four miles of old non-designated trails were brushed in. Monitoring has shown that natural processes have brushed in. Monitoring has shown that natural processes have reduced the impact on brushed in sections of trail. reduced the impact on brushed in sections of trail.

Summer Summer – Brushed section of non-– Brushed section of non-designated user created trail.designated user created trail.

Fall Fall – users are staying off the – users are staying off the brushed trails section.brushed trails section.

TRAIL SIGN PLANTRAIL SIGN PLAN

A total of 223 new directional signs were installed throughout A total of 223 new directional signs were installed throughout three wilderness areas and in non-wilderness. three wilderness areas and in non-wilderness.

NON-WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKNON-WILDERNESS TRAIL WORK

Reconstructed nearly three miles of existing designated Reconstructed nearly three miles of existing designated trail and constructed two miles of new trail. trail and constructed two miles of new trail.

Before Before – Area of wet muddy trail – Area of wet muddy trail before work was conducted.before work was conducted.

After After – Same section with newly – Same section with newly installed turnpike, built with installed turnpike, built with mechanized equipment and the help mechanized equipment and the help of 15 volunteers from a local of 15 volunteers from a local equestrian camp.equestrian camp.

PUBLIC’S RESPOSE TO PROJECTPUBLIC’S RESPOSE TO PROJECT

““You guys are to be commended for the great work You guys are to be commended for the great work you have done for the trails” - Don Cloud (local you have done for the trails” - Don Cloud (local equestrian and member of the Shawnee Chapter of equestrian and member of the Shawnee Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen of America).the Backcountry Horsemen of America).

““I really appreciate all the work the Forest Service I really appreciate all the work the Forest Service has done” – Wally McCarthy (local hiker and has done” – Wally McCarthy (local hiker and instructor of Environmental Studies at John A. Logan instructor of Environmental Studies at John A. Logan College). College).

MEDIA COVERAGEMEDIA COVERAGE Newspaper, television, and magazine coverage - Newspaper, television, and magazine coverage -

informative and positive informative and positive The Daily RegisterThe Daily Register and and The Vienna TimesThe Vienna Times – –

covered implementation of project.covered implementation of project. WSIL Channel 3WSIL Channel 3 – top evening coverage of – top evening coverage of

project.project. Best of America by HorsebackBest of America by Horseback – television – television

documentary. Stated, SNF as “a must visit for documentary. Stated, SNF as “a must visit for trail riders everywhere”.trail riders everywhere”.

BACKPACKERBACKPACKER Magazine – readers voted Magazine – readers voted trails in Garden of the Gods as Illinois’ best day trails in Garden of the Gods as Illinois’ best day hike in February 2007 issue.hike in February 2007 issue.

WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWILDERNESS TRAIL WORKFall – Fiscal Year 2007Fall – Fiscal Year 2007

The fall trail crew continues to construct re-routes in the Lusk The fall trail crew continues to construct re-routes in the Lusk Creek Wilderness.Creek Wilderness.

Fall trail crew installing a turnpike on a new re-route.Fall trail crew installing a turnpike on a new re-route.

WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKWILDERNESS TRAIL WORKFiscal Year 2007Fiscal Year 2007

New re-routes will continue to replace non-designated trail New re-routes will continue to replace non-designated trail sections. Nearly 5 miles of poorly located non-designated trail sections. Nearly 5 miles of poorly located non-designated trail will be brushed in once re-routes are complete.will be brushed in once re-routes are complete.

This one mile section of old, eroded This one mile section of old, eroded non-designated trail section is non-designated trail section is scheduled to be brushed in.scheduled to be brushed in.

This quarter mile of new re-route This quarter mile of new re-route will connect two existing trails and will connect two existing trails and eliminate the need for trail on the eliminate the need for trail on the left.left.

FISCAL YEAR 2007 FISCAL YEAR 2007 UNDER CURRENT FUNDING:UNDER CURRENT FUNDING:

DESIGNATED WILDERNESS AREAS (hand crews and pack stock)DESIGNATED WILDERNESS AREAS (hand crews and pack stock) Construct 3 miles of new full-bench trail re-routes.Construct 3 miles of new full-bench trail re-routes. Use stock team to plow and grade ~ two of the three miles of new re-routes.Use stock team to plow and grade ~ two of the three miles of new re-routes. Use pack stock team to haul gravel for hardening ~ three miles of designated trail.Use pack stock team to haul gravel for hardening ~ three miles of designated trail. Construct two new creek crossings.Construct two new creek crossings. Brush in ~ 5 miles of old, non-designated trail.Brush in ~ 5 miles of old, non-designated trail. Install new directional signs.Install new directional signs.

NON-WILDERNESS AREAS (mechanized equipment)NON-WILDERNESS AREAS (mechanized equipment) Reconstruct and construct a total of 8 miles of trail.Reconstruct and construct a total of 8 miles of trail. Install new directional signs in project area.Install new directional signs in project area.

FISCAL YEAR 2007 FISCAL YEAR 2007 UNDER CURRENT FUNDING:UNDER CURRENT FUNDING:

TRAIL MAINTENANCE (designated and non-wilderness areas)TRAIL MAINTENANCE (designated and non-wilderness areas) Conduct maintenance on 20 miles of existing designated trail.Conduct maintenance on 20 miles of existing designated trail.

TRAIL MONITORING (designated and non-wilderness areas) TRAIL MONITORING (designated and non-wilderness areas) Conduct trail monitoring activities on ~ 80 – 100 miles of trail.Conduct trail monitoring activities on ~ 80 – 100 miles of trail. Submit comprehensive Trail Monitoring Report to the Forest Supervisor.Submit comprehensive Trail Monitoring Report to the Forest Supervisor.