Trail System Basics

Construction

The trails are mostly unimproved, bare earth. At its core, a trail may have been built to go to a specific destination but several factors may alter its path:

• To preserve and protest the woodland property, no live trees are cut; the trail goes around or between them.

• A trail may be routed or rerouted to avoid obstacles, large tree fall areas, ravines, or dangerous areas that may lay ahead. If a tree falls on the trail, if possible, it is moved to the side, or a section of the trunk is cut out to allow safe passage; if these actions are not feasible the trail is simply rerouted around the tree.

• A trail may have a winding route, especially on hillsides, to help prevent erosion.

• Where possible, reclaimed objects for the woodlands were used to construct the trail system, such as old cedar fence posts, rocks, and fallen wood.

Naming

Many of the names for the trails and places in this guide were assigned by the author to make them easier to identify so they may be changed later. Some of the places with prior names are Babcock Lake, Buckalew Trail, Zinzendorf Park Trail, Wildflower Loop Trail, Woodlands Trail, and Lake Trail.

Use caution

Rocks, roots, and ruts

Some of the trails are on old service roads or mowed grassy fields that are relatively smooth. But most of the trails are single-track paths through ungroomed, natural woodlands. This means you will encounter many small rocks, roots, and ruts on the trails. They are not a problem if you are careful and pick your feet up with each step. If you shuffle your feet over the ground, you may snag your shoe on something small and trip.

Wet ground

Most of the trails are bare forest earth. After heavy rain, a layer of wet silt may coat a portion of a trail. This silt is very slippery, even on level ground. When the trail is frozen, the silt is not slippery, but when it first thaws, it becomes very slippery. Walking poles are a great help during these times.

Any grassy areas, including the grassy Meadow Loop and the section of the Buckelew Trail that leads over the dam, will be wet after a rain and during morning dew. Walking in these areas will get your shoes wet, so be prepared.

Trail markings

Most trails are marked with signs that point out the direction of the trails. Salemtowne Trail System blazes are either white squares that mark the Muir Trail or white circles that mark other trails.