Impact and design studies of selected trails in Yoho National Park
Creators: name: Gruttz, Jeffrey Mark
Publisher: name: University of Calgary
Year: 1977
Subjects: subject: FC 3814 Y64 G788 1978 Microfiche
subject: Trails - British Columbia - Yoho National Park
subject: Hiking - British Columbia - Yoho National Park

description: Bibliography: p. 148-158.
description: Foot travel into natural environs has increased substantially and dictates a need for accompanying prudent land and visitor management policies. The abilities of various soil and vegetation types to support and recover from foot travel were investigated on selected trails in Yoho National Park. An assemblage of procedures and methods employed in related studies were utilized. The impact analysis methodology consisted of four areas of evaluation: site descriptions, microtopographical wear, soils and vegetation. Sites were initially described with a list of 32 items to determine sites' potential durability to trampling and as a primary characterizing basis to compare sites. Microtopographical wear sampling of trail treads' profiles quantified the current stage of erosion. Soil analyses included moisture, bulk density, texture, organic matter content and infiltration rates. Vegetation line transect sampling assessed plant species for their resistance to trampling. Heavy day-use trails and a night use trail were selected for study. An evaluation of the compiled information derived from two field seasons provided insight and consequent recommendations regarding trail planning considerations. Trail profile cross-sectional eroded areas were primary indications of trail degradation. Factors that contributed to degradation were divided into three categories based on their degree of correlation: none, some and strong correlations. Only two of the sampled factors, trail durability and traffic level, demonstrated strong correlations with an increase in eroded profile areas. The former was a qualitative estimate, while the later provided a more quantitative measure. Traffic level and trail wear had an inverse relationship. Trail wear is less affected by traffic volume and more likely a function of a multiplicity of soil and locational factors. Although not directly contributing to trail wear, several strong correlations were associated with soil bulk density. This increased with traffic level and decreased with infiltration rates and soil organic matter. Also, it was shown that high infiltration rates correspond with high organic matter. The impact analysis methodology which was evolved from appraisal and combination of the employed techniques and other authors' suggested an approach that efficiently describes recreation sites in terms of their present physical status and potential for erosion. Trail or campsite deterioration can be effectively monitored with a willing staff having a minimum of experience~ Over zealous applications of design standards may be mitigated in situations where generally functional, well drained trails are upgraded while others are left in poorly maintained conditions. Properly located, designed trails and facilities, and a dissemination of knowledge, would result from the employment of the suggested evaluation program by recreational land - park managers. Implementation of such a program would require more rigorous job descriptions.