In our last newsletter, our “Featured Trail Feature” was drainage. In the vein of drains, we turn our attention to a trail feature that can be dry or treacherous depending on the season: water crossings. There are areas where naturally occurring springs or creeks may run parallel to the trail or across. Water becomes increasingly difficult to divert off the trail when seasonal flooding occurs.
Perpetually wet areas require consistent attention which leads us to this question: to reroute or not to reroute? Recently, the Ladies Trail Crew tackled a particularly challenging section on the Grouse Lake Trail in Minturn. About 25 feet of trail was rerouted to minimize further damage to the problem area, believed to have had a spring that caused a muddy mess in the earlier season and during heavy rain years. The LTC did an exceptional job to improve this section of the trail but what happens when rerouting is not an option?
Bridges
Grouse Lake has multiple stream crossings that utilize a few different water crossings. Bridges are an option in areas where there is a fast moving current or is placed high above the stream to accommodate for different water levels. Bridges are built according to the specifications of the land manager and are improved or replaced depending on the use and exposure to elements.
Stepping Stones, Puncheon, & Turnpikes
Stepping stones are placed across streams in lieu of a bridge. Ideally, we place stones with a flat, wide surface. With the heavy snow melt in spring, the USFS recommends that stones weigh greater than 130 pounds to withstand increased water flow and trail users. In this instance, we may see a ford. Fords are water crossings that create partial dams downstream of the stepping stones.
Although not as commonly used in trail construction in Eagle County, puncheon and turnpikes are built in boggy areas or areas that have less than 10 percent trail grade, respectively. Turnpikes are raised sections of tread with log retainers paralleling each side to keep the fill in and ditches running parallel to allow for drainage. Puncheon is a wooden walkway that sits upon muddy surfaces. It is a preferred trail building technique over turnpikes as turnpikes require proper drainage.
