With the strain of ever-increasing visitation and limited staffing resources, many of Shenandoah’s trails have fallen into disrepair. This year, we are supporting the maintenance of sixteen backcountry trails, part of an extensive trail network – with over 500 miles of backcountry and front country trails – that is at the heart of the recreational visitor experience.
Donor-funded trail maintenance crews makes for happy hikers and healthy habitats.
Project Title: Trail Maintenance
Project Purpose: to improve trail condition for visitor safety and enjoyment as well as reducing damage to park resources on 16 hiking/equestrian trails/roads
Project Goals:
- to support the work of two PATC volunteer crew projects
- to maintain these 16 trails following standards provided in the Backcountry and Wilderness Management Plan
Project Impact: Trail use is one of the three most frequent activities identified by park visitors. Park trail crews will improve trail condition for visitor safety and enjoyment as well as reducing damage to park resources. This project provides basic maintenance funds for safe visitor use along defined corridors to popular destinations, allowing visitors to enjoy many areas of interest (waterfalls, wilderness areas, viewpoints, etc.) as planned (without hazards and off-trail delays that may create problems for all).
Project Partners: PATC (Potomac Appalachian Trail Club)
Project Funding: $44,600
How YOU can help: SNPT donors can visit the funded trails or roads, or even join the trail crew working on a specific project for that day.
The Trails Forever initiative will:
- Maintain many of the 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park
- Restore and rehab highly degraded trails in the park
- Enhance educational resources, including informational panels and signs along trails
- Provide responsive funding for trail reopening from weather related closures
- Engage volunteers and youth conservation crews to complete the work in the field
