Take care of a trail so that others can enjoy their visit
Have taken Introduction to Trail Maintenace (aka TM101)
Have walked their trail with their supervisor and know how to ask for help
Practice Safety First
Say "NO" and walk away from any situation you determine to be an unacceptable risk and promptly notify your supervisor if it is a safety hazard to the general public.
Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return
Eye protection - required for all maintenance activities
Ear protection - if you are running power equipment (power trimmers are allowed but not chainsaws unless you are currently certified).
Hard hat - especially if you are cutting or moving downed trees or branches
First aid kit
Sharp tools: sharp tools are safer
Begin every trip with a brief safety reminder; do it for yourself and if you are going out alone, let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.
Know the location of the nearest emergency care facility relative to where you are working.
Stop when you are tired.
Plan your trip
Plan what you expect to do on a trip so you have the right tools with you.
Make at least one trip after major storms and in the spring after leaf-out
Plan separate trips for different chores, e.g. blazing, vegetation control, erosion control.
Take along a small notebook to record what you did, what needs doing on your next trip, or what you need help with.
Take a camera to record problems that need expert help, e.g. blowdowns.
Make a copy of the map of your section so you can mark where problems are.
Know who the adjacent trail maintainers are and for AT maintainrs, know who is the monitor of your section
If you have a co-aligned trail, know who the maintainer is and what arrangements have been made.
Visit your trail at least once in each reporting period, more often it there are sunny areas with lots of understory
Reverse direction of travel to inspect both ways
Clip and toss to the side any encroaching vegetation
Clear waterbars and their outflow
Clear leaf debris from steps and board walks
Blaze with another person
Reporting
Write in a notebook and take pictures of what you did. Then fill out your maintainer report form when you return home while you still remember exactly what you did.
Let your supervisor know immediately if you have items requiring immediate attention such removing a large blowdown.
If injured, report it immediately to your supervisor
Turn in any VSAs of your helpers at the park office, if applicable.
