Trails Plan
(New)
Description and Need
These existing trails are a legacy of the equestrian trails of Pisgah View Ranch. Much of the trails are adapted from older logging roads—typically at 10-14 feet wide. These trails are a historical memory for many visitors and provide immediate access to the backcountry. Some reroutes will occur to ensure sustainability.
A major desire of the public was for the provision of frontcountry trails that users of all abilities could enjoy. These trails are great for those less comfortable with a backcountry experience and will benefit families with younger children. These trails connect amenities in the frontcountry.
Another strong desire from the public (one of the top desired amenities for the entire park) was a sustainable trail system for equestrian and hiking. A series of new stacked trail loops may provide a variety of experiences, including natural community diversity, waterfall views, wildflower meadows, long-range views, and connection to backcountry camping. These new trails will follow sustainable design principles that will minimize impact to natural resources. Trail difficulty ranges from beginner level to moderate. In some cases, segments will be more advanced due to grade (like segments 207, 208, 214, and 220).
Regionally there is a need for trails that can serve as a gateway into backcountry-like experience that provide an ease of entry for those new to hiking. Many existing trails in the region are either immediately challenging or overused. These proposed trails provide a natural surface experience for beginner users to build confidence and enjoy nature.
These beginner equestrian trails offer an easy trail for new riders to try out horseback riding and travel between the proposed frontcountry equestrian campground and amenities. This provides an equestrian-only trail to minimize potential conflicts with other frontcountry trail users.
Certain portions of existing trails are proposed to be decommissioned and rerouted to meet more sustainable grades and design. This will also ensure sedimentation and other natural resources impacts are avoided.
Trail Mileage: 30-34*
(Note total trail mileage may vary and will be refined in future and more detailed design. See “Process for Design Implementation” )
Additional trail connections may be made through willing support from adjacent landowners. The “Future Trail Connection” arrows on the map indicate some of the desired longer-term connections that the community and partners expressed they would like to see.
Connection to Chestnut Mountain Nature Park, which is managed by the Town of Canton, has been proposed in the Haywood County Greenway Master Plan. The town supports the connection. There are about 5-6 miles of trail needed to connect Pisgah View to the park.
Pisgah
An envisioned trail connection to Mount Pisgah (and Pisgah National Forest) and the statewide Mountains-to-Sea State Trail (MST). There is about a 3-3.5 mile trail connection to reach Mount Pisgah and access the existing 1.5-2 miles of trail to connect to the MST. These future connections would require cooperation with surrounding landowners but could create better connectivity for the entire park.
Trail Types
ADA/Universal Access Trails
• 8 f oot paved trail, 4 foot crushed stone shoulder for equestrians; trails in floodplain may require additional surface hardening or deeper subsurface excavation
• Grade does not exceed 4.9% in steepness and 2% cross slope
Hike / Equestrian Trails
• Be ginning to more advanced
• 3 foot -4 foot wide natural surface trail
• Average grade of trail is less than 10%, but typically between 5-8%
• Newly constructed trails following sustainable trail guidelines and legacy trails improved with sustainable design techniques
Hiking Trails
• Entr y-level singletrack designed with wide, easy turns and gradual climbs; intended for child and adaptive wheelchair use
• Average grade is less than 8%
• Newly constructed trails following sustainable trail guidelines and legacy trails improved with sustainable design techniques
• Can accommodate equestrian use for a future connection to rest of park
Beginner Equestrian Trails
• Easy tr ail for beginner equestrians to practice
• Provides access to amenities in the frontcountry
• 4 foot -8 foot wide trail comprised of crushed stone, ensuring the trail surface stays intact and improves drainage
Process for Design Implementation
Good trail design and construction practices can protect park visitors; preserve the environment; and provide a profound connection to nature. However, poor design can lead visitors into harm; degrade the environment and the visitor experience; and sever connection to the natural world
North Carolina State Parks takes care in designing and constructing any new trails. The trails in this master plan will follow the below process in the future:
Trail Proposal and Funding
The division completes an internal evaluation for the need and the availability of funding for the new trail. This evaluation includes a justification and a map of a potential route for the new trail that is developed by a regional trails specialist.
Desktop Routing
If the trail proposal is approved, then the trails specialist uses GIS to map a sustainable alignment for the proposed trail on the computer. This alignment includes feedback gained during the internal evaluation. The trails specialist lays out a sustainable trail corridor on the ground—paying attention to the rules of sustainability and using tools to measure grade.
Field Design, Vetting, and Construction
Once the corridor is designed, other staff, including the park superintendent, regional biologist, and environmental review coordinator walk the alignment and work with the regional trails specialist to make any necessary changes.
Post Construction
Once constructed, the regional trails specialist and park staff review the completed trail and record its final location with GPS. This GPS track will be included in the GIS database of all park trails. Once the trail is constructed, it is not opened for use until it has had time to naturally compact — ideally through a couple of rain events. After the trail is opened, periodic maintenance is essential to trim vegetation, move downed trees, deberm, and look for any signs of erosion or new hazards.