Trail Management Plan
17. Amenities to Support Trail Program 17.1 Mapping (hand-outs, kiosk maps, and mobile apps) Signage will be an integral part of trail network improvements, with a consistent naming or numbering system to distinguish each trail segment. Signage will consist of an integrated tiered system keyed to anticipated use levels at specific locations. For example, the two trailheads through which all users will pass will have kiosk with large maps depicting the entire network. These trailhead kiosks should include, along with a complete map, a description of the nearby trails and facilities, regulations, emergency contact information, and relevant educational information. In addition to emergency contact information, the map should also indicate the locations of potential medical pick up locations and evacuation zones. Included in the map also should be the Fire response plan and necessary information for fire emergency evacuation to the village area for shelter in place procedures. Trailhead Kiosks should also advise of snake danger as well as safety information such as hydration concerns, heat stroke prevention etc. These trailhead kiosks will be rebuilt where existing trailheads are. They will consist of vertical wood in concrete footings with a roof line and a glass enclosed mapping panel system. No grading or clearing is to be done for these kiosks. The signage and trail identification system may be coordinated with development of a GPS-enabled trail map feature on a Temecula/Vail Lake KOA mobile device app. Ideally, this map should be easily downloadable by the user at the trailhead using available QR tag reader apps to scan a QR tag on the trailhead kiosk map to access the proper HTML file.
17.2 Directional and regulatory signage at trail starts Trailhead kiosks are ideal places to describe trail lengths and relative difficulty to help visitors make decisions about which trails to take. Kiosks can also be centralized places to post information concerning upcoming races, trail work, or other relevant events. Printed maps should be available at these locations as well. The locations of the proposed trail signage are shown on Figure 14. This signage is placed at all areas where a trail stops or where a secondary choice of a trail intersects with the primary trail. In some cases, where these signs on the map are next to a closed trail, the sign will indicate “trail closed”. No grading or clearing will be allowed for the installation of these signs with a requirement to put them only in disturbed, non-vegetated disturbed areas at the start of each trail system. The signage type proposed has very little digging or drilling required for its footing system, thereby limiting any on the ground disturbance.
17.3 Directional signage at trail intersections Major trail intersections will have signs incorporating smaller maps of the immediate area, specifically highlighting the next intersection along each departing trail segment. To aid cognitive wayfinding, vertically placed maps should be oriented in the primary direction of travel. Horizontally placed maps should be oriented by compass direction. These maps should also provide a clear “you are here” indicator, basic rules, emergency contact information, map coordinates, and/or first responder location indicators to help emergency workers to quickly reach injured users.
Mobile device mapping services could also be provided through an existing app like Trailforks, which provides a number of useful functions, and is available as a free download. It is currently the most accurate rendition of Temecula/Vail Lake KOA’s trails and allows users to post condition reports in real time, which Temecula/Vail Lake KOA trail staff could monitor. Other useful Trailforks features include the ability to download high resolution map files for printing, such as for use at mountain bike races or other events.
Trailforks screen grab (Relative popularity)
Trail intersection map with coordinates and distance information
Trailhead kiosk
Intersection sign with coordinates and elevation profile
Intersection sign with coordinates and difficulty rating PAGE
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