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Cutting a trail through the woods on a steep hill questions
Posted on 10/13/16 at 11:53 am
Posted on 10/13/16 at 11:53 am
I've gotten the basic path cleared and used fallen trees as edging and have tried to make it mostly switchbacks to reduce the steepness but I can't avoid some step places. Currently I have used a shovel to dig a few primative steps but those quickly turn to mud bowls when there's rain.
A couple questions:
1. What's the best/cheapest material I can buy to build steps or make those steep grades more safe? I am going directly into the dirt and I'm going to need a lot of steps.
2. Even with switchbacks there is an angle even for semi-level paths. Any suggestions to make those easier for people to walk?
3. My land goes up about 2 acres to the crest of the hill and there are apparently lots of rattlesnakes, coyotes and bobcats in this area but I have yet to see any and I've been moving rotten trees all over the place. Anything I should watch out for? Maybe because I have 2 outdoor dogs constantly running around the hill keeps the snakes away?
4. Anyone who has cut trails before I would love your thoughts because I have no idea what I'm doing.
. Particularly keeping people safe from snakes.
Eta here's a couple screenshots from a video I made to give you a bit of an idea of what I've done so far.
They make the hill look way less steep than it actually is.
A couple questions:
1. What's the best/cheapest material I can buy to build steps or make those steep grades more safe? I am going directly into the dirt and I'm going to need a lot of steps.
2. Even with switchbacks there is an angle even for semi-level paths. Any suggestions to make those easier for people to walk?
3. My land goes up about 2 acres to the crest of the hill and there are apparently lots of rattlesnakes, coyotes and bobcats in this area but I have yet to see any and I've been moving rotten trees all over the place. Anything I should watch out for? Maybe because I have 2 outdoor dogs constantly running around the hill keeps the snakes away?
4. Anyone who has cut trails before I would love your thoughts because I have no idea what I'm doing.
. Particularly keeping people safe from snakes. Eta here's a couple screenshots from a video I made to give you a bit of an idea of what I've done so far.
They make the hill look way less steep than it actually is.
This post was edited on 10/13/16 at 12:05 pm
8
Posted on 10/13/16 at 12:05 pm to CAD703X
I don't really have a lot to offer, but I did click the play button about 6 times.
Posted on 10/13/16 at 12:06 pm to 34venture
quote:
I don't really have a lot to offer, but I did click the play button about 6 times.
Shouldn't have given up, it works on the 7th click.
Posted on 10/13/16 at 12:06 pm to 34venture
quote:
but I did click the play button about 6 times
me too
Posted on 10/13/16 at 12:08 pm to CAD703X
need to lay down some wood or stones like this.
that will help with support
that will help with support
Posted on 10/13/16 at 12:17 pm to CAD703X
Use log steps like on state/nat park hiking trails
Posted on 10/13/16 at 12:17 pm to Nado Jenkins83
The 2nd and 3rd way are how I see them on hiking trails out here.
Posted on 10/13/16 at 12:17 pm to CAD703X
quote:
1. What's the best/cheapest material I can buy to build steps or make those steep grades more safe? I am going directly into the dirt and I'm going to need a lot of steps.
Natural materials near at hand. Logs, stones, etc. at the downhill edge of your steps to keep it from washing. Use smaller sticks spiked into the ground to hold larger logs in place.
quote:
2. Even with switchbacks there is an angle even for semi-level paths. Any suggestions to make those easier for people to walk?
As you walk it, the path will level out some. If its too much of an angle, then you would have to use a shovel to cut int othe hill side and make it level. Using a walking stick helps as well.
quote:
3. My land goes up about 2 acres to the crest of the hill and there are apparently lots of rattlesnakes, coyotes and bobcats in this area but I have yet to see any and I've been moving rotten trees all over the place. Anything I should watch out for? Maybe because I have 2 outdoor dogs constantly running around the hill keeps the snakes away?
You likely wont see a coyote or bobcat while walking around, maybe at a distance. I'd be careful of spiders, ants and stinging bugs like wasps or yellow jackets. Don't stick your hand somewhere you cant see.
quote:
4. Anyone who has cut trails before I would love your thoughts because I have no idea what I'm doing. . Particularly keeping people safe from snakes.
Pay attention where you are walking.
Posted on 10/13/16 at 12:45 pm to Chris4x4gill2
Thanks for the replies so far! 
Posted on 10/13/16 at 12:51 pm to CAD703X
Stone would be best to prevent the mud you experience. Hope you have some there.
Posted on 10/13/16 at 12:57 pm to omegaman66
Quickest and cheapest route is a rope handrail. Tie rope to trees and hold on.
Posted on 10/13/16 at 1:13 pm to Sparkplug#1
quote:
Quickest and cheapest route is a rope handrail. Tie rope to trees and hold on.
great suggestion!! i am going to be working on this trail for a long time so that may be my 'phase 1' approach and replace it with steps as/when i have time. that would allow me to more quickly build out my trail for people to enjoy while i'm making improvement to make it more safe.
i'll post the actual videos if that gives you a better sense of what i'm working with.
eta the second pic above gives you an idea of just how steep the grade is, note the trees are pretty much vertical so that shot is pretty much level.
you can see how the trail is 'cambered'? is that the right word? making it difficult to walk level.
what do you think of those fallen trees? i kind of like them in the way but was waiting to get my chainsaw back from my FiL to maybe cut them.
This post was edited on 10/13/16 at 1:16 pm
Posted on 10/13/16 at 1:18 pm to Sparkplug#1
quote:Was coming to post this, had some older guys at my old lease who hunted on the ground but had a hard time climbing up the hills. Took advantage of it myself worked great.
Quickest and cheapest route is a rope handrail. Tie rope to trees and hold on.
Posted on 10/13/16 at 1:20 pm to 34venture
Same
Posted on 10/13/16 at 1:43 pm to CAD703X
Sounds like a lot of work to make a trail. Just get them young'uns some sharp baseball cleats, a walking stick, and a .22 pistol to fend off the snakes.
JK - good luck.
JK - good luck.
Posted on 10/13/16 at 1:47 pm to CAD703X
The problem on my property is that it has a very steep grade to a creek. I cut out the dirt/clay in forms of steps (no rocks in the area) and used 2"x 6" boards on the vertical part of each step (for erosion control) and used two wood spikes per step to hold them in place. This was very cheap because I used all building materials from trees on the property. After time (6 years or so), the steps needed to be worked on. Now I just use the ropes. Even if you decide to go with something else, a rope in place will help you not fall while constructing something.
Those fallen trees could or could not help erosion control depending on where they are placed.
Those fallen trees could or could not help erosion control depending on where they are placed.
Posted on 10/13/16 at 4:07 pm to CAD703X
I'd suggest placing some iron ore rock along the path and not dig due to opening up the trail to potential erosion issues. But would be some hard work hauling any amt of rock up a steep hill in 5 gallon buckets or wheel barrow.
Posted on 10/13/16 at 9:36 pm to Nado Jenkins83
These are from a park here in Texas and have been there a long time. The bathroom/showers were at the top of the staircase.
Posted on 10/14/16 at 5:22 am to BobABooey
That's what I would do
Posted on 10/14/16 at 8:44 am to CAD703X
I hear Amazon is now selling a Nest brand automated stepping stone putter outter... 
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