I
TM 5-803-12
northeast exposure surrounded by evergreen
q. Fitness trails. Fitness trails may be devel-
shade. Sledding slopes may range from 5 to 40
oped in a variety of ways. They may include a
percent with a level run-out at the bottom; slopes
measured jogging path or a physical fitness trail
for toboganning may range from 10 to 45 per-
which combines jogging with calisthenics. The
physical fitness trail normally includes 16 to 20
cent with level run-out space. The steepness of
the slope will affect the distance necessary for
exercise locations. It is conceived as a loop. Both
length and shape (circular or elliptical) depend
safe maneuvering. The steeper the slope, the
on the topography of the area. The trail starts
fewer sleds or toboggans can be accommodated
with a one-way track of 200-300 yards to the first
per acre. Snow conditions including the speed
of the slope and the stability of the snow cover,
exercise location. Each of the other locations
follow at intervals of 50-100 yards, beginning
will also affect the acceptable number of sleds
with warm-up exercises, then progressing to more
or toboggans. A commonly recommended num-
difficult exercises. Near the half-way point of
ber is 40 sleds per acre. Since snow conditions
vary from day to day, control over the use of the
the trail there should be a stairway of 30-40 steps
if the natural contours permit. A "Walking
slopes may need to be administered on a daily
Backward" sign for stretching the legs should
basis. Constructed toboggan slides are desirable
for safety on crowded slopes.
also be included near the half-way point of the
trail and located in a relatively level area. The
p. Snowmobiling. This activity requires the
distance between the last station and the finish
appropriate climate and a moderately rolling
should cover approximately 100-200 yards to al-
terrain. Support facilities include snowmobile
low a sufficient cooling down period. The trail
rental and maintenance facilities, snowmobile
should be 6 to 8 feet wide to allow for two people
trails and one or more wedges (tracked vehi-
side by side and to accommodate service vehi-
cles ) to create and maintain trails and tow in-
cles. It should be 1-1/2 to 2 miles in length. Trail
operable snowmobiles. Incompatible activities
gradients should provide adequate drainage yet
include chiefly snow skiing and ice fishing.
prevent soil erosion. Topography of the site and
Snowmobile trails may be as short as 5 miles,
type of soil are therefore very important. The
but should preferably be 15 to 30 miles long.
..
surface can be existing turf, soil or materials
Trail systems should consist of a major single-
such as cinders, fine gravel or asphalt, depend-
loop trail which begins and ends in the depar-
ing upon terrain and the amount of traffic an-
ture zone and several secondary trails which en-
ticipated. The exercise stations are simple to
ter and exit in one direction from the major loop.
construct. They should be in a level area and
The desirable width for a one-way trail is 8 feet
large enough to contain equipment and to ac-
and for a two-way trail, 12 feet. The maximum
commodate the joggers. Stations requiring no
sustained grade on a trail should not exceed 8
equipment should be 10 to 12 feet minimum.
percent, although it maybe as high as 25 percent
over short stretches. Trails should not be lo-
cated on hillsides unless absolutely necessary.
54. Long-Range Plan for Future
Trails should be located away from avalanche-
Development.
hazard areas and water crossings and, if possi-
ble, major road crossings. Trails must also avoid
Once the optimum mix and location of facilities
hazards such as fences, guy wires and cliffs. Ex-
is determined, the outdoor recreation director
isting recreation trails can be used for snow-
puts the elements of the recreation plan into
mobiling, or abandoned railroad grades and
their final form. A more detailed graphic is pre-
logging trails can be adapted. Trails designed
pared depicting the distribution of activities. fa-
with some variety are the most popular. This can
cilities, circulation and utilities accompanied by
include combinations of straight and winding
text describing and quantifying the facilities
stretches, level and rolling topography, and dense
at each site (figure 5-4). The text should also
and open vegetative cover. Trails should also
include:
a. Cost estimates. Determining the cost of
take advantage of views and vistas, scenic over-
proposed facilities is best accomplished by com-
looks, and special natural features. However,
parison of actual costs of recently constructed
snowmobile trails can damage the natural en-
vironment if proper precautions are not taken.
facilities which are similar or identical and lo-
Trails should not be travelled if the snow depth
cated either at the installation or at a comparable
site within the region. If such comparable are
is" less than 4 inches. Even then, areas which
receive heavy use require continuous mainte-
unavailable, there are various cost-estimating
nance.
handbooks in print. Cost estimation of proposed
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