Trail Maintenance rules

Kaleidopete

Kaleidopete

Well-Known Member
I’m wondering about trail maintenance. I’ve been hiking Wawayanda for over two years now and I’ve gotten to know some of the rangers and park personnel. I’ve asked them before “who maintains the trails and who puts up the diamond shaped trail markers.” They are unsure, they did say the JORBA biking people do a lot of maintenance, and the NY/NJ Trail conference too. The park people do some work but they don’t have the staff to do it full time. I’m asking because I do some minor maintenance myself (unauthorized). Like today, I cleared some small to medium size branches off of about 5 miles of trails I hiked on. I do it for me. I think I’d piss someone off if I used a saw to clear larger stuff. I know Jorba has “crews” that go out and do work. Are they “authorized”, and by who? The Trail Conference has crews too, but they seem very formal. Here is what they say: Under no conditions should an individual trail maintainer assume responsibility for any trail or part thereof that has not been explicitly authorized by a Conference supervisor. The performance of all maintainers and supervisors is monitored. Sounds like you have to fill out a form with what needs work, submit it, wait for approval and finally get it assigned to a crew.
The Wawayanda rangers said no one is allowed to put up any signs, remove any signs, trim any plants, eat any berries or remove anything from the park, like rocks, plants, or whatever. So to me that means no one can trim any low hanging or intruding branches from any trails either, without being authorized, or belonging to a club. Being a newbie to mountain biking and this forum I’m wondering what the rules are that other bikers and hikers abide by? I know you need a crew to do big jobs, but do others just go out and do a little maintenance by themselves? I know this past winter I told the park supervisor about a large tree that fell, blocking the Laurel Trail, It’s still there five months later. A year and a half ago I read that a group was going to do major maintenance on the Cedar Swamp trail, which horrified me! They never did. It’s great the way it is. Damn...who DOES make and hang those trail markers?
 
In terms of rules, you are probably on the correct side with getting approval, etc... This may be a dangerous question you are asking about Waway. Many of the best trails are rogue and legend is that one individual built all of them.
 
Anything that is obstructing that will prevent go arounds and can be handled with a folding saw is fair game. Natural features or purposed trail builds are not to be removed. Rouge building is frowned upon because it is detrimental to our access. Trail builds, rehabs and signage are proposed, approved and organized officially by a state recognized affiliate Like JORBA. Best advice join JORBA and get involved with your local chapter...
 
JORBA reps communicate with the land managers either directly or through an approved contact within the park as I'm sure the NYNJTC folk do. Park reps propose projects, trails, reroutes, tm dates etc. and complete the work once approval is given. Some JORBA reps have been dealing with the same park reps for many, many years and have gained the trust of the land managers. So basically, we understand what the land manager wants, or what the trail plan for a particular park is, and work within these guidelines.

Most parks frown upon "independent tm sessions" mostly due to safety concerns. We appreciate folks wanting to help, but we prefer you work with a recognized park rep to know exactly what needs to be done.
 
"Most parks frown upon "independent tm sessions" mostly due to safety concerns."

Safety concerns makes sense, but I thought anybody in the parks doing what ever they do, already knew they were there at their own risk. There is a lot of opportunity to get hurt whatever you're doing. Organized events is another thing, I'm sure they have it covered.
I just asked the question to see how strongly others felt about "independent TM" and what they do about it. I remember last year in the summer I felt guilty about sneaking out to a small 80 foot long boardwalk with my old golf club style grass cutter to trim the weeds that were totally overgrowing it. It only took 45 minutes, not worthy of a trail crew. I knew my loud gas weed whacker would be a dead giveaway.
Great advise guys, thanks. Looks like it's time to join JORBA.
 
The work you just indicated is not a problem IMHO. Let's take tree trimming for instance, I've seen folk being helpful and loping branches that had grown into a trail. Now that seems harmless enough but it was only cut half way and created a pungy (sp) for some unsuspecting rider to impale themselves on. The person who cut it actually created a bigger hazard by helping. This is just a silly example of why parks prefer you attend tm sessions with seasoned or trained folk.

And yes, join JORBA!
 
Always trim a tree branch at the collar, it's healthier for the tree as well as safer for trail users! 😉
 
So is it okay to walk the trail and clear it of branches or small fallen trees? Nothing requiring tools, just a pair of gloves. What about restacking ramps at a log crossing?
 
The NJDEP has a somewhat defunct volunteer system. At one time it was well supported with yearly celebrations and recognition of volunteer contributions. The hours were recorded, patches were supplied and it was staffed.....those were the days. There is still a website, last updated in 2012 and so I would insider it still reasonably recent. From the link below, fill out the individual application. Mail it to Trenton as indicated, supply a copy to the Wawayanda office and keep a third for yourself. You are then authorized.
Join a group if you wish, nynjtc or jorba (Blackbear cycling)
Work within your abilities,
Work safe,
Educate yourself on the latest and preferred trail maintenance techniques
Clearing small downfall with your handsaw or trimming is no problem
Thank you for helping!

http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/volunteers.html
 
trailhead said:
The NJDEP has a somewhat defunct volunteer system. At one time it was well supported with yearly celebrations and recognition of volunteer contributions. The hours were recorded, patches were supplied and it was staffed.....those were the days. There is still a website, last updated in 2012 and so I would insider it still reasonably recent. From the link below, fill out the individual application. Mail it to Trenton as indicated, supply a copy to the Wawayanda office and keep a third for yourself. You are then authorized.
Join a group if you wish, nynjtc or jorba (Blackbear cycling)
Work within your abilities,
Work safe,
Educate yourself on the latest and preferred trail maintenance techniques
Clearing small downfall with your handsaw or trimming is no problem
Thank you for helping!

http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/volunteers.html
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Wow... that's great information, thanks.
 
Kaleidopete said:
...A year and a half ago I read that a group was going to do major maintenance on the Cedar Swamp trail, which horrified me! They never did. It’s great the way it is. Damn...who DOES make and hang those trail markers?
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I'm pretty sure the NYNJTC is scheduled to replace the Cedar Swamp boardwalk this season.
 
Bleeder said:
I'm pretty sure the NYNJTC is scheduled to replace the Cedar Swamp boardwalk this season.
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Yikes! That's awful, it's such a cool and challenging trail just the way it is. I spoke with someone that remembers when it was just logs placed in strategic positions to navigate. I counted those boards last year, there are 89 8 foot long boards laid end to end in the swamp.
watch the 4 minute video if you can last that long.
 
soundz said:
Is that the trail that literally becomes a swamp in the rainy season.
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It does go through the swamp, it is the only trail besides the Appalachian that is off limits to anything but foot travel.
Wawayanda’s Atlantic White Cedar Swamp formed around 15,000 years ago and sections of the swamp have remained unchanged since the last ice age. Atlantic White Cedar occurs on hydric soils in low nutrient water usually on or near the coastal plain. This is what makes finding this pocket of thriving Atlantic White Cedar located so far away from the coastal plain so special
 
As others have said removing small branches that have come down naturally and are blocking existing trails is no problem. Where you will have issues is building, rerouting trails, adding features or removing large blow-downs with a chainsaw (you have to be approved and certified). For Waway the best bet is to contact "jeffstick" here, through http://www.blackbearcycling.com/ or stop by Sussex Bike Shop.
 
Kaleidopete said:
The Wawayanda rangers said no one is allowed to put up any signs, remove any signs, trim any plants, eat any berries or remove anything from the park, like rocks, plants, or whatever.
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That seems draconian to me. I usually mountain bike with a folding saw and pair of pruners in my camelbak - If I come upon large branches blown down blocking the trail I'll clear the way - and in the summer I'll trim prickly weeds that protrude onto the trail. And never eat wild blackberries and raspberries? C'mon, I always grab some
 
rick81721 said:
That seems draconian to me. I usually mountain bike with a folding saw and pair of pruners in my camelbak - If I come upon large branches blown down blocking the trail I'll clear the way - and in the summer I'll trim prickly weeds that protrude onto the trail. And never eat wild blackberries and raspberries? C'mon, I always grab some
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Hey.....those are just the rules I was told. Maybe they just wright this stuff out in case they need it.
 
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I say, if you see something that seems unsafe, just fix it. Always consider the most novice rider taking the most ass-backwards line. If something has fallen in or near the trail that's going to impale them in the worst case scenario, take the initiative to move it or cut it. Feel good, ride on, case closed. If anyone has a problem with that, they can't possibly be out for the greater good. Dismiss them and ride on proudly.
 
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