Establishing a Shared (trail) Vocabulary
We all experience the world differently and that’s especially true when it comes to hiking trails. A trail that’s considered easy to some, might be difficult for others. This subjectivity also exists when making trail assessments. What some people consider to be minor damage to a trail might be considered catastrophic to others, but there’s a solution: shared vocabulary.
Although the trails you will assess as stewards will vary, the words we use to describe those trails and their conditions should be consistent. This consistency and being able to clearly articulate the conditions of the trail you are assessing makes it easier to deploy maintenance crews and utilize resources more efficiently. Below is not an exhaustive list but some of the most common trail terminology used when commuting with park/forest staff and maintenance workers.
Term |
Description |
| Berm | A raised outside edge of a trail. |
| Blaze | A painted trail marker. |
| Compacted | The degree of soil consolidation that is obtained by tamping with hand tools or heavy equipment. |
| Debris | Any undesirable material that encroaches on a trail and hinders the intended use. |
| Dip (grade dip, drainage dip, rolling dip, rolling grade dip, broad-based dip) | A reverse change in grade or gradual dip in the grade of the trail. |
| Downed tree | Fallen tree that blocks the trail. |
| Drainage ditch | Open ditches that collect water and carry it away from the site or trail. A drainage ditch is also an element of a waterbar, providing an escape route for water diverted from the trail by the bar. |
| Drop-off | Slope that falls away steeply on the outer edge of a trail. |
| Erosion | Natural process by which soils move downhill or downwind; may be greatly accelerated on trails due to water, wind, and user traffic. |
| Exposure | The relative hazards encountered when on trails; takes into consideration obstacles, alignment, grade, clearing, tread width, tread surface, sideslope, isolation, and proximity to steep slopes or cliffs. |
| Grade | The slope of the trail along its alignment. The slope is expressed in a percent ratio, or the ratio of the elevation compared to the distance traveled, rise over run. |
| Leave No Trace | Educational program designed to instill behaviors in the outdoors that leave minimum impact of human activities or occupation. |
| Maintenance | Repair, improvements, or other work that is carried out on or near a trail to keep a trail in its originally constructed serviceable condition or to improve the safety and sustainability of the site. Usually limited to minor repair or improvements that do not significantly change the trail location, width, surface, or structures. |
| Marker (Trail) | An appropriate and distinctive symbol with the name of the trail, used to mark a trail route. |
| Mineral soil | Soil free of organic matter used for trail tread construction. |
| Nonmotorized | Trail recreation by modes such as bicycle, pedestrian, equestrian, skate, ski, etc. |
| Outslope | A trail cross section that is sloped towards the downhill side of the trail to facilitate efficient movement of water runoff across and off the trail. |
| Relocation | New and different location for the trail. |
| Restore | To bring back to a former, normal, or productive condition by repairing or rebuilding. |
| Segment | A portion of a trail. |
| Slope | Angle of the ground from a level position measured as a percent of rise over run, or in degrees. Generally refers to the hillside (land) and not the trail, as trail “slope” is called the grade. |
| Steward | The person taking responsibility for the well-being of land and water resources and doing something to restore or protect that well-being. |
| Stewardship | Taking responsibility for the well-being of land and water resources and doing something to restore or protect that well-being. It usually involves cooperation among people with different interests and sharing of decision-making. It is generally voluntary. It is oriented towards assessment, protection, and rehabilitation of trails and greenways as well as sustainable use of renewable resources. |
| Structure | Anything constructed or erected that requires location on the ground such as a bridge, wall, steps, etc. on or near a trail. |
| Tamping | Using a narrow machine compactor, a tamping bar, or the handle of a shovel or other tool to compact earth backfill around a post, pole, or pile. |
| Trail | Travel routes that are designed, designated or constructed for recreational hiking use or provided as a pedestrian alternative to vehicular routes within a transportation system. |
| Trailhead | Points of access to trails intended for public use. Sometimes provides parking, information signs, shelter, etc. |
| Tread, trail (treadway) | The surface portion of a trail upon which users travel, excluding backslope, ditch, and shoulder. Common tread surfaces are native material, gravel, soil cement, asphalt, concrete, or shredded recycled tires. |
| Tread creep | When the loose soil of the trail tread moves (sags or slides) downhill because of erosion or use. Specific causes include bushes or trees protruding into the trail from above, exposure of roots from an uphill tree, an improper bench cut, or poor trail flow. |
| Terms and term definitions were sourced from: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Pennsylvania Trail Design and Development Principles: Guidelines for Sustainable, Non-Motorized Trails. 2013. | |