Easy method to fix trail erosion?

[JeffOYB]

Here's a real novice's question: Is there an "easy" way to fix trail erosion? There are several small hills with rain washouts on a mellow little trail near where I live. Hard to believe the managers have never done anything to prevent this before or that there aren't huge gullies there by now. I've used the trail for decades and only now noticed the fresh washouts. The damage is less than a foot wide and 20 feet long with fresh sand at the base of the hills. So is there a standard method to fix this? Any chance there's a method in the quiver of options that is more suitable for a couple folks to do with common garage tools? Also, the flat sections of this trail often have a web of 1-2" roots where the earth has just worn away over the years. In many places there's only a square foot of space between the roots. I'm used to just walking/running between 'em -- using tricky footwork -- or riding over them, but they do seem to be becoming more common. More trail earth must be being eroded even on the flats. I wonder how to rebuild all that -- bigger job, though. Truck in new dirt? Thanks. (I note that even out in the forest in this wooded area that roots are often at the surface.) It's possible that this public park trail is becoming more popular, too. However, my hunch is that the township doesn't have many resources to put into it. I'm just curious about basic repair methods. --JP

[c0nsumer]

Route the trail so it's less prone to erosion, or pave it.

[G.Cook]

What consumer said , reroute is the most viable option . Then there is Appalachian Armoring but we won't go there .
Exposed roots and bikes is a "good thing" . More traffic , more exposure , more erosion . If those exposed roots are in those "gullies " leave them be . They are reducing the amount of erosion taking place .

Hard to believe the managers have never done anything to prevent this before or that there aren't huge gullies there by now.

It takes a lot of work to care for a trail . It's all about time , staffing , trail building/maintenance know how , and yep , money . It is part of why the MMBA offers it's services .
Trail days are one way anyone can learn some basic trail maintenance/building info .

[Di_bear]

Does the trail go straight up and down the hill, or does it follow the ridgeline? The first is very, very bad and should be rerouted to become the second. It adds distance in climbing, which is good, and minimizes erosion, which is better.

Check out IMBA's "Designing and Building Sustainable Trails" for the gist of it.

[Mack]

Jeff, A reroute is the best answer to this problem. Before you start rerouting this trail. You may want to introduce yourself to the land manager or TC of this park/trail. To see what their thoughts are on this problem area of the trail. Most likely they will not have an issue with it. That and it may help for future areas that have erosion problems or other issues. Then again it's ONLY 20 feet.

[Roy]

Trail School seems to be a past memory. Please read up at IMBA on trail building methods before you start digging. Most of the trails in the Detroit area that were built using IMBA guidelines have held up for at least 10 years. Even on our most eroded trail (Torn Shirt) the sections that were bench cut to IMBA standards have held up.
New dirt will not work, almost never repack the trail with lose dirt. (exceptions: crib walls and berms)
So, please read up, attend trail days, and always route the tail on the uphill side of a tree.

Roy