2019 Trail Master Certification Course Recap

2019 Trail Master Certification Course Recap

The Wisconsin Horse Council presented its 14th Trail Master Certification course presented by Trail Design Specialists, Inc. (TDS) in part of the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest, DJ Mackie Picnic Area in Eagle, WI.  The instructor was Mike Riter of TDS.  The 4-day course was held May 8th - 11th.  Classes ran from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.

The 2019 Trail Master Certification class was sponsored by the WHC and supported by the WDNR and GDHTA, and it was very successful. Employees from government agencies and trail volunteers came together to study and work side by side in class. The four-day trail school started each day with classroom time. This year we had a student come all the way from Alabama, who said it was well worth the money he paid to learn all that he did.

The students learned how to lay out a sustainable trail using the proper grade percentages, how to build that trail with a full bench cut and proper back slope. They were taught trail techniques (that work better than the old techniques) and why the old ways weren’t working in a sustainable manner. The students will never look at trails the same again. Have you ever been on a trail where there are stairs and the users walk alongside the stairs? What about a trail that goes up a hill that is eroding? This class teaches how to remedy those problems.

Students worked outside in the afternoon applying what they learned in class to real life trails. They built a short rerouted trail to replace an old eroded section of trail. All the students are now certified and have also been tested on their skills as a crew leader for when they lead a team of volunteers.

The WHC was commended repeatedly for organizing, sponsoring and hosting this event, and for the lunches provided to attendees. The students were enthusiastic and hard-working.