uman Powered Trails, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is:  “To develop and maintain first class sustainable and environmentally correct, human-powered, shared use trails for the La Crosse, WI region."

Home About HPT FAQ's HPT FAQ's
Common Questions (and answers) regarding the HPT trails, events and volunteering.


What should I expect when building trails with HPT? PDF Print E-mail

Q: I've never done trailwork and it seems kind of intimidating.
A: This quote from Steve W. sums up our thoughts...
"I went to trail work the first week pretty hesitant and shy because I didn't know anyone or how to do anything...that quickly changed. The people I met were fun and the work was easy to learn (not saying it's always easy work). I find myself almost wanting to do more trail work than riding some weeks. When you ride by/over something you've been a part of, you DO feel a sense of ownership and pride. Trail work isn't for everyone, but being a noob myself, I will say that getting into it is much easier than you tell yourself it's going to be. I've become an addict."

"Hi, my name is Steve, and I am a trail-workaholic"

Q: I don't know how to build trails...
A: We will teach you! HPT provides IMBA trained trail builders to help you learn all about making sustainable trails!

Q: What if I don't have tools?
A: Not to worry, we have plenty of tools for you to use!

Q: What should I bring or wear?
A: Bring plenty of water, work clothes (gloves, long pants) and work boots or hiking boots, if you have them. For the ride home, you may want to bring something to change into since you may have some dirt on you.

Q: What if I'm not a HPT member?
A: Members and Non-Members are all invited!

Q: Trail building seems like a lot of work...
A: Building trails does demand some effort, but it's a great way to get a great cross training workout. Plus you'll be having a great time with other likeminded people, building great trails.

Q: What if I have to arrive late or leave early?
A: No problem! Arrive when you can, stay for as long as you like, leave when you need to. We're not slave drivers!
Note: If you do plan on arriving late and you are not sure where we will be on the trail, please check the HPT website for where we will be meeting.  We will also have a board with a map on the HPT Trailer showing where we are working for the night.

Q: What if the weather looks bad?
A: We typically build in most weather conditions. The exceptions are usually heavy rain, extreme winds, or lightning.  If the weather looks bad, we will usually post something on the website Trailwork: What's Next section 1-3 hours before the scheduled meeting time (be sure to check the comments).

Q: What about lunch?
A: On weekend trail building days, we will provide lunch! On our weekdays we usually have a few beverages and maybe some snacks afterwards, so hang out, talk and have some fun with your fellow volunteers.

Q: I'd love to help out, but I have other commitments on Trail Building nights. What else can I do?
A: There are many ways you can help out. Becoming a member of HPT is a great way to start. We also have plenty of other work that needs to be done, behind the scenes. Check the message board for "HPT HELP WANTED" for ways you can help. If you don't see something there, send us an email, or post on the "Message Board" about something else you would like to do to contribute, that we may not have thought of.

We will also have 2 or 3 Trail Work days on weekends during the trail building season. Be sure to watch the website for further information. If you would like us to send you an email, be sure to sign up and "Become a Member" of the HPT.COM Community.

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What's a typical Trail Work Day like? PDF Print E-mail
We will post where and when trailwork will be on the HPT website here: Trail Work: What's Next
Try to arrive a little before the posted time that trailwork will begin.

When you get there:
  • Make sure you have signed a waiver! (You only need to sign once each calendar year.)
  • Check in with a crew leader to get your name on the volunteer roster.
  • Apply bug spray if needed.
  • Socialize and get caught up with others.
Crew Leader Briefing:
The Crew Leaders will have a short meeting to let you know...
  • Who will be leading the crew(s).
  • What we will be working on for the day.
  • Where we will be working.
  • We will also have a short safety briefing, answer any questions & introduce any new volunteers.
After the Crew Leader meeting, we'll hand out tools and the group(s) will head out on the trail to the work area.

At the work area:
  • The crew leader(s) will do a short class/demonstration on the task at hand.
  • Everyone is encouraged to ask questions, or make suggestions that could make the work easier or more efficient.
  • Start building trail! 
The crew leaders will typically not be working on the trail.  They are there to make sure that everyone is working safely, the trail is being built correctly, to answer questions, and teach how/why we build the trail the way we do.

Finished Working:
  • NOTE: If you need to leave early be sure to let the Crew Leader know.
  • Make sure you have all the tools you carried out to the work area.
  • The Crew Leader will do a "head count" and may go over lessons learned during the day.
  • Head back in as a group from the trails.
Back where we started:
  • We will have a volunteer raffle once everyone has arrived back at the meeting place.
  • We also usually have some cold beverages and maybe some snacks afterward.
Everyone is encouraged to stick around and socialize!   You worked hard, now it's time to relax with your fellow trail builders!
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Obstacles on the trail PDF Print E-mail

Q: Some mountain bikers, included myself do not care for the logs on some of the HPT trails. I often come across these logs and often remove them myself. Is there a governing body that checks to see if the trails are deemed safe?

A: When riding on the trails you should be prepared for rough terrain and obstacles, including logs, rocks, etc. All of the trails that HPT builds utilize IMBA guidelines that you can find here. And more importantly their rating system that you can find here. We attempt to build trails that are not only safe and sustainable but offer challenges for all levels of cyclists. Please read the guidelines and you will see that we are in tune with them.

Challenge is part of the enjoyment of the trails. Please don't take it upon yourself to groom the trails for easier riding. If a section of trail is too technical for you, you have options... ride slower, get off and walk or don't proceed. Leave the more advanced areas for those with adequate experience.

The challenges (logs, rocks, etc) are there for a reason. An example of this would be rocks embedded in the soil. Besides enhancing the character of the ride, they help maintain the integrity of the trail by holding the soil in place.

The obstacles that are on the trail are part of the design process of building a sustainable trail. In addition, most of the obstacles have an optional route to ride around and/or a ramp over.

These are public trails, and were designed with safety and various skill levels in mind in accordance with IMBA trail design guidelines and standards. By removing obstacles to suit your own wants, you are changing the flow and characteristics of the trail from the intended design, not only destroying the intended experience for other trail users but creating hazards by allowing riders to carry too much speed through sections. Changing the trails can also force cyclists to brake later and harder creating environmental issues. We welcome your help but please do not alter the system and create more work for the volunteers.

In the past, we only had a small area to work with, we built the existing trails to try and satisfy a wide variety of skill levels (including expert riders). Some of the challenges that you may think of as "dangerous", are like a crack in a sidewalk to a skilled rider and present no challenge whatsoever. We have to take all of these skill levels into account. Now that HPT's trails are expanding into a much larger area, many more trails will be built for beginner and intermediate riders, hopefully you can make it out to help build the trails and become part of the solution.

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Does HPT offer organized rides? PDF Print E-mail

Q: Does HPT offer anything for MTB riders to improve their skills, or enjoy riding on the trails with others?

A: Further developing your skills makes the trails even more enjoyable. For that reason, HPT started "INTRO" rides in 2006 to assist folks to become better riders.

The Intro Rides are intended to help introduce new people to biking and the HPT trail system. The ride is usually only on the Beginner (green) and Intermediate (blue) trails and include help on proper bike and helmet fit, techniques for riding around or over basic obstacles like small logs or rocks, how to handle turns, and address questions.  But most of all it's about having a good time!

We also offer "GROUP" rides and for the women riders out there, the "LADIES NIGHT" rides. Check the RIDES page in the "NEWS" section of the website for details.

Come on up, learn some new skills, stretch out of the comfort zone with some assistance and really enjoy what HPT has to offer!

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I have a question that isn't answered here. PDF Print E-mail

If you have any questions that aren't answered here regarding HPT, the trails we build, the events we organize etc., you have a number of different options.

  1. Post your question in the message board - another member of the HPT Community may be able to answer your question.
  2. Leave a comment here
  3. Send an email to the appropriate person as specified in "HPT Contacts" under "About HPT"
We will get back to you as soon as we can.
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