Trim the Trails is back! This time of year, the trails are growing in and we need your help to keep them clear.
How it works:
- Read the list of trails that need trimming here
- Gather the necessary tools and safety equipment
- Head out to the trail
- Snap a photo of the uncleared trail
- Snap a photo of the cleared trail
- Submit your photos, along with the trail cleared and date, for your chance to win an entry to the 2027 Head or Trails Bear Mountain XC Race.
Trail Reporting Form
While keeping the trail corridor clear isn’t complicated work, there are a number of best practices that we ask volunteers to follow when out brushing the trails.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the tools you are using (eye & hearing protection, chaps, etc)
- Keep an eye out for bird nests. If you see one, please do not disturb.
- Trim the foliage well back of the trail edge to create a nice wide corridor. This means we don’t need to trim the trails as frequently and it’s also a good safety practice. It opens up sight lines on the trail so you’re less likely to surprise a bear (or other fellow trail user).
- When pruning tree branches (e.g. cedar, fir), ensure you use the appropriate tools. Pruning shears or loppers work well for smaller diameter branches; for larger branches, use a hand saw. Cutting larger branches requires using the three cut method (see diagram below) to avoid ripping the bark down the trunk or otherwise causing damage to the tree. Do not cut branches back with hedge trimmers or brush cutters.
- Clear debris off the trail (especially any bigger branches and branches with thorns)
The Three Cut Method
Cut 1: About 6-12″ from the trunk, cut the underside of the branch about 1/4 of the way through the diameter of the branch
Cut 2: About 1″ further from the trunk than cut 1, cut all the way through the branch from the top.
Cut 3: Prune the remaining stub just outside of the branch collar. Do not leave stubs, this increases risk of disease in the tree
