Improving Duke Forest Trails

Visitors to the Korstian Division enjoy miles of roads and trails, many of which provide scenic views of New Hope Creek as it meanders through this section of the Forest. Many years of use have left some of the best-loved trails worse for wear. Heavily eroded sections, multiple spur trails, dead-ends, rocks and exposed roots can be hazards for hikers. Wear and tear on forest trails not only impacts safety, but also water quality, as the soil washes into streams.

This year, the Office of the Duke Forest took a serious look at one such trail, a section of the Slick Hill Fire Trail and Rhododendron Bluffs loop. Where hikers have enjoyed walking down to the creek, a steep erosion gully has formed. Staff determined that rerouting the trail to higher ground was the best long-term solution, thus beginning the most comprehensive Duke Forest trail improvement project undertaken in many years. Funding was made possible by donations from the 2010 Pine Cone Pacer 5K, the first annual race to support trail maintenance and other unfunded projects in the Forest.

After staff laid out the initial rerouting plan, volunteer groups began the real work. The first step, completed in two phases by volunteers from Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy and Durham Academy Middle School literally cleared the way for the entire project. Volunteers removed small trees and undergrowth and raked the soil to prepare the surface for the trail.

Because the new trail crosses two drainages, small bridges were needed to prevent additional erosion. Over two Saturdays, volunteers with the Friends of the Forest program and Duke's Graduate and Professional Student Campout toted lumber and tools into the Forest, brushed up on their construction skills and built two bridges.

Most recently, students from Raleigh Charter High School began the installation of water bars, intended to divert water off of the trail. This important step ensures that the new trail will cause as little impact to the area as possible, and with proper yearly maintenance, will prevent future erosion problems.

While much progress has been made thanks to our hard-working volunteers, there are still a number of additional steps to complete before unveiling the improved trail. Final work will include removing stumps and debris, covering the old trail with brush for stabilization and installing signs to keep hikers on the right track. The trail will be open by early December 2010, kicked off by a staff-led tour. More information on the project's progress and how you can become involved as a volunteer is available on the Duke Forest web site.

A volunteer work day is scheduled for this Saturday, December 4 from 9 am to 12 pm. For more information, email dukeforest@duke.edu.