Testing Results

Once a route has been determined and a rough draft guide produced, plan an event for volunteers to paddle the route to 'ground-truth' or 'field-verify' the results. Choose paddlers with varying degrees of navigation and paddling skills to represent a typical sampling of the intended user group. Provide temporary signage along the waterway and give each paddling group a draft copy of a trail guide. Meet with the paddlers afterwards and elicit feedback, find out if navigation instructions are clear, signage adequate, distance between access points and campsites appropriate, and listen to their suggestions to improve the trail experience and make the trail safer.