“Secrets of a Master Trail Designer” — Advanced Trail Design Training
Jim Angell, Corplan, Inc.
Jim is one of the nation’s most innovative trail designers and a longtime member of WTBA. Before he retires, we’ve enlisted him for this one-time-only, multiple-session, highly interactive, in-depth “brain dump” of many years of intelligently thinking his way through all manner of trail challenges.

Jim specializes in problem solving, and his trails work so well because he solves the real problem instead of just symptoms of the problem. He is well known for his extremely steep, rocky trails in tight spots for rock climbers in locations throughout the country. At the other end of the trail spectrum, he also specializes in ADA trails. What do these extremes have in common? Both require careful measuring, and Jim lives by his clinometer (a device for measuring grades). Both require putting the trail where it needs to be. And both require discipline and imagination to weave a trail into the site such that it is highly sustainable while feeling natural, comfortable, and fun to its users.

For rock climbers, wheelchair users, mountain bikers, equestrians, hikers, or any trail user, Jim’s trails have a satisfying rhythm and an anchored feel that makes you want to stay on the trail. He “gets into the heads” of trail users. He carefully considers sightlines and anchors in order to prevent creating temptations to shortcut the trail. He can find successful, elegant ways to reroute nearly any failing trail. And he’ll openly share his techniques for all of this.

Supported by up to 400 photos and drawings, he’ll also show planning strategies for new and retrofitted trail systems, methods of planning that enable trails to pass through sensitive areas with minimal disruption, restoration methods that can restore even the most heavily damaged areas, and much more.

Because Jim’s contribution—and his ability to contribute—are so bountiful, we’re devoting six sessions (seven hours over three days) to these interactive sessions. You won’t find more or better information in any other trail conference or venue, so bring your questions. In fact, one sessions is dedicated mostly to fielding questions. Schedule and more on Jim’s sessions.

Additional informative sessions
In addition to Jim Angell’s six sessions, conference sessions include:

• Real-World GPS/GIS Applications: What To Do With All the Data
  Don Hays, Donald Hays Trail Contractor, Inc.
  Learn how to make the most of your GPS data. Donald Hays Trail Contractor, Inc., has worked extensively with state-of-the-art GPS data collection and GIS applications over the past two years. Here, Don will concentrate on advanced ways of utilizing GPS data in GIS applications.
  
• Naturalistic ADA Trail Design and Construction Techniques
  Don Beers, California State Parks
  Examples, methodology, design, and construction of highly naturalistic accessible trails in steep and/or challenging environments. These trails integrate landscape architectural principles of tying trails to sites with envelope-pushing trail techniques to form interesting, fun, engaging, and accessible trails that feel much like any trail for the able-bodied.
  
• National Trails Training Partnership (NTTP)
  Stuart Macdonald, Christopher Douwes, Cam Lockwood, Pam Gluck
  NTTP is a partnership of 13 founding organizatons with the mission of encouraging trail training and bringing trainers and trainees together nationwide. Learn how this works, how your agency can get training, or how you can provide training.
  
• The Nature of Trails: Making the Most of Your Opportunities
  Troy Scott Parker, Natureshape
  With recent emphasis on avoiding ecologically sensitive areas and an increasingly urban background in new trail designers, new trails tend to be less interesting than they could be. See ways to make the most of the site opportunities we still have, learn simple words for certain fundamental shapes and relationships in nature, learn how to perceive sites and landscapes of any size in those terms, see many techniques for using the shapes of nature to integrate trails and trail structures into their sites, and learn how to improve both trail user satisfaction and trail sustainability through anchored design. Examples encompass all types of trails from single track to multi-use bike paths to accessible trails.
  
• “Meet the Contractors”
  Brief introductions and presentations by trail contractor members.
  
• Standardization and Interpretation of USFS Trail Bid Contracts
  moderated by Krista Thie, Twin Oaks Construction
  USFS staff and trail contractors will brainstorm and discuss ways that USFS can further standardize trail bid documents so that information and important details are handled consistently by contracting officers across different forests. Vagueness causes contractors to bid unnecessarily high, and unexpected “gotchas” that disqualify otherwise low and acceptable bids waste everyone’s time. We want to create a “win-win” situation in which both USFS and trail contractors can operate more efficiently by better knowing what to expect in preparing bids.
  

Trailbuilders Trade Show
A showcase for equipment, materials, and structures for trail design and construction. See and try the latest tools and materials for all aspects of trail work, including GPS/GIS, power tools, and track equipment. In addition to new vendors and new brands, we’ll also have outdoor demonstrations. If you know of any vendors who should be invited to the Trailbuilders Trade Show, please contact Alfonso (Bud) Sanchez. If you would like to be a vendor, please see our Vendor Information.

Beneficial Designs’ UTAP Workshop
The Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) is an inventory tool used by trail managers to assess their trails to determine compliance with design standards and to plan for maintenance projects. The data collected during the assessment can also be used to provide information to all users about the grade, cross slope, tread width, surfaces, and obstacles on the trail. This information allows trail users to select trails based on their abilities and to increase their trail safety and success. Several land agencies and organizations across the nation are using the UTAP to inventory trails and to provide information to trail users. Incorporating the newest regulations and computer technology, Beneficial Designs, Inc. has developed computer software to assist in designing "accessible" trail systems.

Because hands-on training is essential, half of the workshop time is spent on the trail. Participants completing this workshop will have the tools they need to collect access, mapping, usage, and maintenance information about access routes and recreation trails and can establish a comprehensive inventory of the characteristics of trails under their management.

All members of Beneficial Designs’ training staff have experience leading trail assessments and teaching agency representatives from all over the country to be trail assessment coordinators. Participants enjoy a high staff-to-trainee ratio, assuring that each person receives the individual attention he or she needs. Each trainee receives a complete set of training materials, including a training manual, pocket guide, flash cards and an informational video, as well as a variety of Universal Trail Assessment products. More info on UTAP from Beneficial Designs.

An informal party
On Tuesday evening, we have an informal get-together over beer and munchies that’s one of the best times to network. Meet contractors, swap stories, and enjoy a laid-back evening in the Palm Court Restaurant (we’ve reserved the entire restaurant). Contractor members will bring scrapbooks and photos of their recent projects.

An award banquet
Wednesday night’s banquet is mostly for fun, but it’s also a short award ceremony. This year, WTBA is awarding its 2002 Harvey Bell Award for Excellence in Trail Design to the Design Charette (see the next paragraph). Light entertainment will follow, then folks mingle until the late hours.

The banquet dinner is a combination of Prime Rib & Salmon with red or white wine.

If you’re on per diem, you can now pay separately for reserved meals during conference registration.

The 2002 Harvey Bell Award for Excellence in Trail Design

	Where is the edge protection? Core Team members Don Beers (left), Phyllis Cangemi, and Barry Atwood examine a downed tree placed and secured by rebar to serve as edge protection needed in some locations to keep some hikers from “tracking” off the trail.

The Trail Design Charette is a multidisciplinary design synergy effort, the result of a partnership between Whole Access and California State Parks, together with the Humboldt Access Project Independent Living Center, BLM, and others. The Charette team is developing and testing a planning and design process that integrates accessibility, resource protection, and trail construction technology into the planning, design and development of recreational trails worldwide—and to share this process via videotapes and other training materials.

The Design Charette has completed two trails in redwood forests in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in California. By intention, the accessible trails don’t look like accessible trails. The designers, many of whom are involved in the national determination of ADA trail specifications, pushed the envelope to create highly naturalistic trails that feel like they “just happen” to be accessible—even on steep cross slopes and with occasionally steep trail grades. As a result, the two trails are beautifully woven into their sites. Instead of the sometimes sterile feel of accessible trails, everyone appreciates how skillfully the Charette’s trails uses nature itself to focus our attention on the natural world rather than on the trail.

The two trails were developed as a model, but the charette process was intended from the start to be generic enough that it can be applied to all trails regardless of their environmental conditions and ecological setting. The development of this process is now being documented via videotape and a written manual so that it can be used as a training guide for others improving the trail accessibility in trail systems worldwide.

For more information and project updates, visit the Design Charette website at www.wholeaccess.org/charrette/.

Tool Swap
We’ll also have a Tool Swap during the Trade Show. If you have any used hand tools, non-motorized tools, or non-motorized accessories for any kind of tool, you can try to sell them at the Tool Swap. Larger items can be displayed outdoors during the outdoor portion of the Trade Show. Put your name and a price tag on your stuff and be prepared to negotiate. Anyone can participate with absolutely no commission or fees for either buyers or sellers.

Many networking opportunities
Because of our focus on trailbuilding and trailbuilders, the Trailbuilders Conference is a great place to network for the on-the-ground aspects of trail planning, design, construction, and maintenance.

In addition to the two parties, the Trade Show, and breaks between sessions, we’re arranging for informal networking during breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. For breakfasts and dinners, we’ll simply announce that we’ll informally be at a certain restaurant—join us if you like.

For convenience and enhanced networking opportunities on Wednesday and Thursday, we’ve reserved the entire Palm Court Restaurant for tasty, prompt, catered, fixed-price lunches—everyone there will be from the conference, so it’s great for networking. Lunch tickets can be purchased for $9 each on your registration form (preferred) or during check-in at the conference—see the lunch slots in the Schedule for menus. More info.

We’ll also have an “Interest Board” where you can find others with similar interests. This can help you to make the most of networking meals and help target your networking.

HazMat Training (for all users of explosives in backcountry)
A USDA Forest Service representative (TBA) will conduct Hazardous Materials training and issue required annual certificates to holders of blasting licenses. Licenses are now required for both private contractors and US agencies.

ADA/Accessible Trails info on Thursday just before UTAP Workshop
In preparation for the UTAP Workshop on Friday, we’ll schedule and concentrate ADA and accessible trails info sessions on Thursday afternoon. Those of you who are coming primarily for UTAP may want to attend this portion of the conference as well.

Advanced Trail Design Over nine hours of in-depth training in trail planning, design, construction, and maintenance Trailbuilders Trade Show See the latest tools and materials for all aspects of trail work, including power tools and track equipment. We’ll also have a Tool Swap open to everyone to buy or sell non-motorized tools and accessories. UTAP Workshop Two-day Universal Trail Assessment Process Workshop by Beneficial Designs Tuesday Night Party An informal party enlivens Tuesday night. This is an excellent chance to meet old and new friends. Wednesday Night Banquet and Awards Our annual banquet is highlighted by the presentation of the 2002 Harvey Bell Award for Excellence in Trail Design. Entertainment tentatively follows. Networking Two evening parties, networking meals, and the Trailbuilders Trade Show create various opportunities for informal meetings. An “Interest Board” helps you find people with similar interests. New — Per Diem Registration If you’re on per diem, you can now register and pay separately for conference fees and reserved meals.

Accessible conference facilities The Sands Regency Hotel has over 800 rooms including 50 handicap rooms and 300 non-smoking rooms. More hotel info. Indoor portions of the conference will be one level of the hotel with all conference functions in close proximity to each other and to food service, restrooms, and elevators. See conference facilities map. Outdoors, the outdoor portion of the Trade Show will be on a relatively level asphalt parking lot adjacent to the hotel. See hotel photo, including surroundings. Downtown Reno is relatively level and poses no topographic obstacles to wheelchairs. Snow in Reno is also relatively rare and short-lived, usually melting the next day if any falls at all. The outdoor portions of the UTAP Workshop will also be accessible. Transportation will be provided to and from the field site.