Learning about and Fixing the Critical Edge on Shady Side

Not only does trail work take unique tools and talent, it also has a lot of its own vocabulary!  While some terms can vary from region to region, there are a few standard terms that we’ll get into.  

First off:  The Outside Edge: (aka critical edge or toe) point where the trail tread drops off to the natural slope of the land, aka downslope; often susceptible to collapse especially on steep side slopes. Generally the outside edge should be slightly rounded and include occasional plants and/or naturally buried large rocks to encourage trail users to stay on the middle of the trail.

At our work day with Wild Rye, we headed out to Shady Side to check on the outside/critical edge of a few sections of trail.  Specifically, we were looking to make sure that at the places where water and snow want to cross the trail, that the critical edge hadn’t built up too high to allow it to freely sheet across the trail.

If the outside edge of the trail starts to get too high, it will create a small dam, and water will pool behind it, damaging the trail.  On trails like Shady Side, that get a ton of snow and water, and that don’t usually dry out super fast, pooling on the trail will cause users to ride around it, or will create deeper pools as the water erodes the trail surface.

Clearing the outside/critical edge of the trail will help to ensure that come next spring, that this trail will be able to handle whatever winter threw at it.  

Huge thanks to Wild Rye, and our new Bring-Your-Own-Group program, we’ve loved getting out with businesses in our community who share our passion for trails.