MST Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance

Approximately 480 miles of the MST is completely built and hiker-ready. The remaining 450 miles is currently being designed or is under construction. FMST Task Forces across the state are working hard to accomplish the goal of putting trail on the ground.

The trail design and construction process is one that is done in phases. First, the trail route is flagged with survey's tape and then reviewed by the land agency (e.g. US Forest Service, Blue Ridge Parkway) the trail will cross. After approval of the flag line and sometimes some written documents on how the trail will be constructed, the task of pioneering takes place. Pioneering is the removal of brush, small trees, and tree limbs. Next comes the tread work, which is the removal of top soil and building the trail at a 8% grade so the hiker and/or backpacker has an easy trail to walk. After the tread is in place, any finishing work takes place to add the final details along with painting the blazes on the trees. The paper work is then filed with the State of North Carolina to make this a connecting point of trail for the MST.

When performing trail construction and/or maintenance, you must work safely at all times. Safety has no vacation when it comes to working with power and hand tools. Old clothes and plenty of water are also necessary to an enjoyable trail building experience.

The FMST encourages our Task Forces to use the "Appalachian Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance - 2nd Edition" and
"Lightly on the Land" as reference books when doing trail work on the MST.

Contact a Task Force near you to help design, construct, and maintain the MST.