2007 SNP-PATC General Agreement, Appendix B

Much more than just a convenient travel zone for visitors to provide recreation and access to destination backcountry sites, trails function as a management tool to confine human use and associated resource impacts, serve to regulate access to or away from specified backcountry areas, and improve visitor safety in difficult or unfamiliar natural conditions. Although standards for trail conditions may vary, well-maintained trails are important to these objectives so that resource conditions and a quality visitor experience are preserved.