Ratings System

Please refer to the following rating symbols when reading trail reviews. I will expound upon my rating distinctions in each review.

Trail Difficulty: Assesses distance, elevation gain/loss, terrain
traildifficulty_rating (1) = Easy: short hike (less than 5 miles), mostly level, paved or well-packed path, wheelchair and handicapped accessible

traildifficulty_rating (2) = Moderately Easy: medium-length hike (avg. 5-6 miles or less), some hills and up and down, easy to follow path, family friendly

traildifficulty_rating (3) = Moderately Difficult: medium-to-long hike (avg. 6-10 miles), moderate to frequent up and down, may end at peak summit

traildifficulty_rating (4) = Difficult: long hike (avg. more than 10 miles), possibly frequent up and down, expect either significant length or considerable elevation gain/loss

Trail Conditions: Assesses trail upkeep, signage, parking, facilities (e.g. trailhead bathrooms)
trailconditions_rating (1) = Very Poor Conditions: almost no trail maintenance, difficult to follow trail, little to no signage, little to no parking

trailconditions_rating (2) = Poor Conditions: limited trail maintenance, poor signage, limited parking

trailconditions_rating (3) = Good Conditions: regular or semi-regular maintenance, adequate signage, adequate parking

trailconditions_rating (4) = Very Good Conditions: well-maintained trail and trailhead, good signage, good parking

Hiking Area Ruralness and Naturalness: Assesses hiking area accessibility and expanse, hiking area wildness
ruralness_rating (1) = Urban hiking area (e.g. central city park)

ruralness_rating (2) = Semi-urban hiking area (e.g. suburban city, county, or state park)

ruralness_rating (3) = Semi-rural hiking area (e.g. moderately accessible state or national park or forest)

ruralness_rating (4) = Rural hiking area (e.g. rural to very rural state or national park or forest)

No Longer In Use (though does appear in older trail reviews): 

Trail Biodiversity: Assesses naturalness of hiking area and variety of natural elements there.
traildiversity_rating (1) = Some natural elements, many manmade features (gardens, paved pathways, etc.), significant observable human presence, limited diversity within environment (e.g. city center park)

traildiversity_rating (2) = Moderate amount of natural elements, limited manmade features, moderate observable human presence, moderate diversity within environment (e.g. suburban forest or park)

traildiversity_rating (3) copy 2 = Significant amount of natural elements, little to no manmade features and observable human presence (aside from path itself, signs, small bridges, split logs, etc.), significant diversity in environment (e.g. remote rural trails and hiking areas)