An Assessment of Trail Conditions in Shenandoah National Park

Jewell, Mark

Like many of the National Parks in the United States, Shenandoah National Park (SNP) has experienced increased visitation over the past two decades. Urban proximity, easy access and increased population within a three-hour drive are noticeable reasons for the increased visitation to SNP. The Park's proximity to large urban centers such as Washington, DC, contributes significantly to its use. This increase in visitation appears to have caused an adverse effect on park resources. Specifically, trails are showing increases in vegetation loss and soil erosion. Trail system management and planning require accurate assessments of existing trail resources, conditions, and change over time. A standardized and efficient process for surveying, inventorying, and assessing trail systems was applied in this research in SNP. The approach used in the study was the point sampling method. This method provided scientific and managerial information regarding the location and length of individual trails, current trail conditions, and the range of trail degradation problems. Results from trail surveys of 33 backcountry trail segments (43.14 miles), 10.8 percent of SNP's formal trail system, are reported. The sample was representative of SNP's geographic regions, trail resource conditions, and use-related factors. Trail surveyors used measuring wheels to record location of sampling points and, at those points, surveyors recorded data on 30 variables. SNP's sampled trails were found to have an average tread width of 25.7 inches, an average slope of 10 percent, and an average incision measurement of 3.5 inches. Tread characteristics such as gravel, muddy soil, running water and standing water were not significant trail impact characteristics associated with defined recreation opportunity classes in SNP. Organic litter, exposed soil, exposed roots, and rock were found to be the significant tread impact characteristics among the different opportunity classes within SNP. Trail degradation data will provide managers with objective, standardized method for use in trail planning, trail maintenance, education and trail management decisions. Potential applications, limitations and general recommendations for SNP are offered.