Carvins Cove Trail Plan - Roanoke

Carvins Cove Natural Reserve
2010 Trail Management Plan
The charts in Figure 5 were developed by Randy Martin of Trailscape, Inc. in California
to relate user effort to average grade up and down. While equestrians are not included,
because the horse is doing the work not the rider, the charts provide insight on
experiences for hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners.
2.2.4 User Conflict
Trail conflicts develop for a variety of reasons, usually related to users expectations
and desired experience. Many conflicts occur because of inconsiderate user behavior.
Experience shows that such conflicts can be minimized by education on trail etiquette
and resource conservation values, provision of information on trail difficulty and
mileage, posting of guidelines and regulations, and peer pressure for compliance.
Frequency of contact is an important factor in reducing conflicts. Hikers normally travel
at 2 miles per hour, horses at 5-6 mph, and mountain bikers at 3-15 mph. Users
traveling 2-3 mph can be startled by others traveling at higher speeds. Interaction
among users can be reduced through self selection of more remote areas, design and
construction of passing zones, management actions such as restricting the direction of
travel or types of users, and development of a trail ethic of etiquette in all users. The
trail ethic has improved at the Cove, but should continue to be emphasized through
publications and signs. All users should be courteous, speak to others and horses
when approaching to pass, restrict noise, carry out trash, and practice the concepts of
“leave no trace.”
American Trails (www.americantrail.org/resources) recommends three ways to help
reduce user-group conflict: involve user groups in the decision making process, use
volunteer patrols, and involve user groups in trail maintenance. Roanoke Parks and
Recreation has been implementing these recommendations for several years. Trail
etiquette guidelines are included in Appendix E.
Trail users should know who has the right-of-way. Bicyclists yield to hikers and
horses, with hikers also yielding to horses. The “yield triangle” should be used on Cove
literature, kiosks, and access points.
The “yield triangle” is widely
used to remind users who has
right-of-way.
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