The Keepers of the Trails

Trail masons make and maintain the trails you love

Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 12:00 am

Trails don't just exist. Nor are they self-sustaining. Fortunately organizations like the Trail Masons Association exist to build and maintain trails. Trail Masons is a Kansas-based not-for-profit group that works in concert with other organizations with similar missions and goals to develop, design, build and maintain singletrack trails in the Midwest. According to one o

f the Trail Masons' leaders, Jim Megerson, part of their mission is to promote and spread environmentally friendly philosophies like "Leave no Trace" and "Tread Lightly."

Trail Masons build trails for non-motorized activities, and do so with mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers and equestrians. All share the knowledge that a sustainable trail built for one activity will likely be suited for the other pursuits, with the exception of horseback riding, which is more challenging because of the users' weight. One of the Trail Masons' biggest challenges is trail user education, teaching when it isn't appropriate to use trails.

According to Megerson, "Using the trail when it is wet can create a lot of damage that is difficult to repair and may lead to more erosion and damage." He attributes the potential for degradation to soil conditions. "Trails with rocky or sandy soil tend to drain better. Soil that contains a lot of clay or silt has a large capacity to retain water and likely will take longer to dry. Some trails with the right combination of rocks and soils can be more tolerant to use when wet."


The Masons follow the International Mountain Biking Association's (IMBA's) recommendations for trail building. The challenge is routing and building trails so they withstand the effects of weather and use. Proper routing and building also help the trail dry faster. Using IMBA routing and building standards translates to less time spent maintaining existing trails and more time enjoying the trails or building new trails. Similarly, following trail grade recommendations for the given region and soil properties prevents erosion. Finally, preventing overuse or misuse of trails in adverse conditions, primarily when the trail is wet, will minimize trail damage.

The Trail Masons run on a shoestring budget and keep administrative costs as low as possible so funds raised go directly into projects. The Masons have received a lot of in-kind services and products from companies and they work to raise funds to support major organized workdays like National Trails Day (June 5;) and National Public Lands Day (Sept. 25). The organization's biggest cost is insurance for events, something for which the Masons find it a challenge to ask for donations.

Those looking to build or maintain trails in their area should look for a group that is already building trails or one where that would fit with the mission. Megerson cautions that it is difficult to start a group from scratch.

"I would also recommend learning as much as possible about proper sustainable trail design," he says. "IMBA has trail building schools that travel around and include both classroom and hands-on training. Above all, always make sure to have permission from a landowner/manager before building any trails. Running in a race has a very short-term satisfaction for me. Building a sustainable trail that others can use for generations has a much more sustained satisfaction."