Fundamentals of Trail Construction in Mountain Environments

If you want to learn to build exciting, sustainable trails, but need some knowledge and skills to get you there, this training is for you!

The purpose of the training is to give you experience constructing non-motorized, natural surface trails by first learning the processes and construction techniques, then building a new section of trail within a new trail network being built on private land adjacent to the Beaver Creek Lodge, located in beautiful Logan Canyon. The training will introduce you to trail assessment and trail building techniques, tools, processes, and best practices. The training is an immersive, field-based, hands-on experience that will connect you with content experts and fellow trail enthusiasts.

The training will be held Wednesday, July 15-Thursday July 16th. The training will consist of instruction given at the trailhead and as the group traverses the new trail network on day 1 to assess and create a plan and begin construction in the afternoon of day 1. On day 2, participants will collaboratively design a section of trail under the supervision of instructors, and then build the sections of trail they established. Lessons learned at this small scale will be transferable to larger new-build and maintenance trail construction projects.

Please note, this training is field-based and hands-on, and will require participants to hike several miles each day in rough and uneven terrain with their own light backpack and carrying hand tools.

Participants will be responsible for their own lodging and personal equipment during the training. The Beaver Creek Lodge, several hotels, short term rental options are available in the general area as well as dispersed and reserved camping in the area. Supplies for a build-your-own lunch will be provided during both days of the training but all other meals, snacks, and drinks are the responsibility of the participant. Trail tools and personal protection equipment will be provided for participant use during the training.

This training can be taken as a stand-alone training focused only on trail construction. However, the two days prior to this construction training, we will be holding a trail design and layout training to design the trail alighnment we will be constructing. Participants interested in experiencing the entire design and construction process, are encouraged to register for the Fundamentals of Trail Design and Layout in Mountain Environments course here.

If you register for both courses, use the promo code "two4one" to get 50% off both courses.

Training Agenda:

Wednesday, July 15th

• 9:00 am- Meet at the Beaver Creek Lodge Parking Lot

• 9:00-12:00 – Understanding of trail terminology, trail standards, tools, best practices.

• 12:00-1:00 - Lunch out on the trail at the construction site (provided)

• 1:00-4:00 - Begin trail construction in small groups

• 4:00 - Depart

Thursday, July 16th

• 9:00 am- Meet at the Beaver Creek Lodge Parking Lot

• 9:00-12:00 – Establish flagline and begin trail construction

• 12:00-1:00 - Lunch out on the trail at the construction site (provided)

• 1:00-3:00 - Continue trail construction using different tools, techniques, and strategies.

• 3:30-4:00 - Review and reflection.

• 4:00 - Depart

The construction project featured in this course and will be used as a learning “laboratory” was developed in partnership with the Beaver Creek Lodge. This training features trails expert Mark Loseth from Raven Trails and the concepts, terminology, and techniques presented in this training are derived from current industry best practices and standards and align with competencies supported by the American Trails Association's Trail Skills Project. Participants in this training will learn skills relevant to the Trail Technician Level 1 exam.

This training is being offered by the Utah Trails Forum in partnership with Utah State University Extension, and the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. This training is made possible, and affordable thanks to the fiancial support of Utah's Recreational Trails Program. If the registration cost is a barrier to your participation please contact Jake Powell (jake.powell@usu.edu) to discuss available options.

We appreciate the public land managers and those trail professionals that work to maintain the trails we all love. If you are a public land manager or work for a public land management agency please contact Jake Powell (jake.powell@usu.edu) for a registration discount code to help make this training accessible for you and as a thank you for your efforts.

Prior to the training you will be contacted by the organizer and provided detailed attendance instructions related to exactly what to bring, and how to come personally prepared to be safe and gain the most out of this training!

For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, please contact Jake Powell (jake.powell@usu.edu) prior to the event.

Utah State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution and is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination, including harassment. For USU’s non-discrimination notice, see equity.usu.edu/non-discrimination.