This web page is located at: http://home.custertel.net/~ckeene41/FsTrailHbXcSki.htm
The following is the Cross Country Ski Trail portion of the “OLD” USFS Trails Handbook
which was located at: http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2309.18/2309.18,2.txt
I also have a copy of the “NEW” HB at: http://home.custertel.net/~ckeene41/FsTrailHbXcSkiNew.htm
The “NEW” HB seems to be more complicated, and confusing, but doesn’t say too
much different than the following.
FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT
HANDBOOK
WO AMENDMENT 2309.18-91-2
EFFECTIVE 11/8/91
CHAPTER 2 - TRAIL DEVELOPMENT
Introductory and General information not listed here.
2.3 - TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE GUIDES.
Trails other than XC-Ski, not listed here.
2.31d - Cross-Country Ski Trail Guide.
1. Design and Location Considerations. Cross-country ski trails may be designated specifically for winter travel but should also be considered for use during the snow-free seasons. Opportunities to enjoy the natural setting are generally enhanced in the winter but should be considered under both winter and summer conditions. Locate or review potential trail locations during the winter months.
Locate cross-country trails where reliable snow conditions exist for 2 to 3 months. Utilize topography to extend the period of snow cover. Consider aspect, prevailing wind direction, shading, and microclimate factors.
Avoid avalanche hazards. Consult with people knowledgeable in local avalanche hazards before developing cross-country ski trails.
Avoid hazardous stream and lake crossings. Normally, 6 inches of hard blue ice is considered safe for cross-country ski trails.
Avoid locating trails under dense canopies, especially in tall, old-growth stands. The canopy intercepts much of the snowfall, and when the air temperature rises, large chunks of snow fall on the trail.
Trails are rated by difficulty similar to downhill ski runs: easiest, more difficult, and most difficult. Although this is a relative rating, trails designated as easiest should always be designed for novice skiers under normal snow conditions. Trails rated most difficult should provide challenges, but no unusual difficulties, to experienced skiers. More difficult trails will fall somewhere between these two extremes (ex. 01).
Provide only sweeping curves on downhill sections. Locate outruns to permit the user to slow down before turning. A check-space in mid-slope is desirable on long downhill runs. Alignment must be correlated with grade. Avoid sharp turns on snow trails.
a. Trail Width and Tread Considerations. Cross-country ski trail widths vary depending on the terrain, steepness of the trail, sharpness of curves, amount of use, and number of tracks. On flat or gently rolling terrain (up to grades of 3 percent), single-track groomed trails are cleared to 6 to 8 feet wide; double-track trails are cleared to 10 to 12 feet wide. Steeper, uphill sections should include extra clearing width where herringbone or sidestep skiing techniques might be used. The extra clearing width should be one-half times the normal width, up to 14 feet. Downhill sections require extra widening commensurate with the speed of the hill: the lower portions and run-out require the most widening, while the upper portions require less. Normally, a downhill run is cleared to 1.5 times the normal width from approximately one-third to two-thirds of the way down the hill. From two-thirds down to the bottom and through the run-out, the trail is cleared to twice the normal width (ex. 02).
b. Length. Accommodate user needs for different distances and degrees of challenge by providing cutoffs on a system of loop trails.
Recommended Lengths Half Day Full Day
Easiest Trail 3.2 mi 6.4 mi
Most Difficult Trail 6.4 mi 9.5 mi
c. Height. Clear overhead branches and obstructions the full width of the trail to a height of 10 feet above the average peak season snow depth.
d. Bridges. The minimum width for all snow trail bridges is 6 feet. All ski trail bridges must be designed to allow skiers to stop safely before crossing and must provide adequate track width under maximum snow cover. Bridges on groomed trails must accommodate the width of grooming equipment.
e. Intersections. Approaches to intersections have grades of 5 percent or less to allow for speed control. Clear intersections to a diameter twice the trail width.
f. Marking Standards. Cross-country ski trails are marked so travelers unfamiliar with the trail can follow the trail during poor weather conditions, with no tracks to follow, under relatively poor light conditions. See FSH 7109.11, Sign Handbook, for guidance on marking trails.
The following was a separate attachment to the above
section of the Handbook, and was located at: http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2309.18/2309.18_2.31d_ex._01
2309.18,2.31d, Ex. 01 Page 1 of 1 FSH 2309.18 - TRAILS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK WO AMENDMENT 2309.18-91-2 EFFECTIVE 11/8/91 2.31d - Exhibit 01 Cross-Country Ski Trail Guide Easiest 1/ More Difficult 1/ Most Difficult 1/ Greatest Single Climb(elevation gain of single 35' 70' 140'continuous climb) Elevation Differential(lowest to highest point 100' 250' 500' on trail) Total Climb(sum of all 150' 400' 650'elevation gains) Greatest SustainedGradient (over 300' 7.5% 12% 17%
trail distance) Greatest Short Gradient(under 100' 10% 20% -- 2/trail distance) 1/ Based on a 3-mile loop. These are maximum guides for smooth, wide, straight trails with good outruns. Correlate grade with distance to avoid excessive speed buildup. 2/ Cliff Keene Comment: The “NEW” HB allows short distances up to 25% for their version of Most Difficult.
Some of the other percentage values are also slightly different but not enough to make much difference.