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2001; Leung & Marion, 1999a; Magro & Amando de Barros, 2004; Marion
et al.
, 2006; Sack & da Luz, 2003; Tinsley & Fish, 1985).
In addition to compaction, trail widening and 'renegade routes' have been
shown to be significant soil-related problems on wilderness trails (Li
et al.
,
2005; Lynn & Brown, 2003; Magro & Amando de Barros, 2004; Wilson &
Seney, 1994). However, water and mud frequently force hikers to leave the
trail, widening the impact area in the process (Figure 5.1). As well, footpath
users may bypass damaged areas or trees that have fallen across a trail. This
'trail braiding' can severely damage vegetation and compact the soils in areas
away from the designated trail (Landsberg
et al.
, 2001: 41).
Likewise, hikers, equestrians and cyclists are ardent shortcut takers.
Switchbacks on designated mountain trails are often bypassed by people
seeking faster shortcuts straight uphill (McQuaid-Cook, 1978). Renegade
routes are new path areas away from designated trails that have been blazed
by off-road vehicles, hikers or horses. Dolesh (2004b: 59) infers that there are
approximately 96,500 km of unplanned, renegade trails on US Forest Service
lands, significantly diminishing the environmental integrity of the public
lands. These shortcuts sometimes result in deep incisions and steep gullies
(Arrowsmith & Inbakaran, 2002) that facilitate 'unnaturally fast meltwater
and rain runoff from the surrounding ground in the spring and early summer'
(McQuaid-Cook, 1978: 210). The result is soil compaction, which can have
disastrous results, including increased water runoff, flooding and increased
soil erosion (Jacoby, 1990).
Horses and off-road bikes are often said to be the most damaging to soils
and trail widening (Deluca
et al.
, 1998; Goeft, 2000; Whinam & Comfort,
1996). Soil displacement by tire throw and breakup of packed areas by horse
Figure 5.1
The widening effect of off-trail use in the Himalayas of Bhutan
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