Cutting trails on a slope

[DKCDKC]

I've got the same issue on both a hillside road and a short access road that runs across a slope that's just a little too steep for a CUT to run over comfortably. I've been using an angled scraper blade and only working when the ground is soft. I back up and do just a few feet at a time. It works, but it's slow. The hillside road is straight, but does need dips for erosion control... And there are rock outcrops that I have to completely cover with additional dirt and then dig a road over. Since CUTs are exceptionally tippy, it's a very slow process. But I'm retired and have the time...

 

[airbiscuit]

Another good look at the kind of thing you'll be doing. They seem to like using the front blade.

 

[12Bravo]

OP -
If you want detailed help post a location and we can look it up on USGS, Google Earth, etc. and determine the slope. Without detail we are just throwing out suggestions based on our own experiences and it's the classic 6 blind men and the elephant story.

Also, there are generally 3 things to deal with - time, money, manpower/equipment. Enough of one can overpower the other two.

Reading so far you have not mentioned time nor money, but your manpower/equipment seems limited.

How soon does this NEED to be done? What's the approximate length? 100 yards? 1,000 yards, 1 mile?

Are there trees to be cleared? Are there trees for cribbing and erosion control? What's the soil? Are there streams or drains to cross?

There's a wealth of info on the web about trail building, but having done only a little myself I know there is a lot to deal with.

I'm in a similar situation, wanting to cut a trail to the backside of my property, which straight line is about a half mile (on Google Earth). I know it's going to take me many hours, but I've the time.

So give us some more info and we will enjoy advising you how to spend your time and money. But if you want it done soon try and find someone to cut you a logging road that you can maintain.

Here is a picture of my property Topo.
I'm estimating the total length will be 500-800 yards, some flat logging road then rest on hillside going up to top of ridge.

Soil is rocky and clay mix.

Time: I'm retired
Money: As little as possible, hence ME doing it.
Equipment: What I have available, Kioti CK2610 TLB and 5' Scraper Blade.

 

[ultrarunner]

I've been doing this for some time on steep side hills.

It started with the BX and I would need to use the backhoe to did the high side and then backup, turn around and use the loader.

Time of year/soil moisture where I am is critical... too wet and it's a mess... to dry and there is zero compaction... about 5 to 7 days after a good rain seems to be ideal.

The last year I've been using the Deere 350c... a little smaller than I'm use to... but it really is like a little mountain goat...

With the conditions right I can angle the blade and get quite a run which saves a lot of time... the high side is just peeled up and "Rolls" to the low side.

 

[Xfaxman]

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What I will say, I have somewhere between 20-50% grade and some that are less. It is steeper than I think it is, I am not comfortable on an ATV sideways in some areas more less a tractor. Where I am putting the trail I should be around 20% most the way or less with one area higher than that.

I will measure the slope with a 60" board and level just to see what it actually measures out to be. I will post my finding with pictures in the coming week.

Just so there is no confusion between slope % and slope degrees:

And a visual of a 50% slope:

The chain hanging from the work light shows true vertical:

 

[AxleHub]

I watched one of the videos in this thread where a motorcycle was climbing a trail. Yikes . . off roading is one thing . . . But narrow roads and steep drop offs and nothing to stop ypu from sliding off is not recreational to.me

But what I am interested in is the motivation to cut a trail in obviously very difficult terrain. Having it wide enough for a tractor plus 18 inches on each side seems like a real problem if something goes wrong . . .Llike a minor landslide or break doen of the tractor or health issue

I was impressed with the video of the small excavator clearing a trail (same as motorcycle video trail). But I noted the tracks on the excavator extended over the side in a couple cases. Again with an excavator's leverage being considerable and with considerable cab/hoe spinning around . . A great deal of rocking is created in a very narrow pad next to the dropoff.

So after this description . . what is the purpise of cutting a very steep and narrow trail? It doesn't appear to end in a destination . . just a switchback. It would seem like as extensive amount of work creating an erosion controlled trail in such narrow but very sterp areas. Is the trail for atv/utv recreation purposes only? Would you desire your kids or grandkids and their friends to play on such a trail?

Nature provides its own erosion control . . but when metal blades and chain saws cut the trees and cut into stable land . . . how can you stabilize the steep exposed high side . . .and how can you stabilize the steep trail to prevent rain from undetcutting it greatly and frequently?


If this is only for occasional recreational use . . . isn't it a fair amount of initial and ongoing effort and safety issues ?

I don't want to sound like a "lightweight" . . . because I'm anything but that. but as I get closer to retirement . . I want to acvomplish things that don't require great amount of further committments in the future that I might not be able to handle well. My dad did some of that in later life . . . and I saw his late years taxing his energy to maintain things that no longer brought him joy but still required regular attention.

Just asking

 

[Trials]

... the classic 6 blind men and the elephant story ...

I don't think I know that one :| I'm guessing it was a good thing they had an elephant handy.

 

[12Bravo]

I watched one of the videos in this thread where a motorcycle was climbing a trail. Yikes . . off roading is one thing . . . But narrow and steep drop offs and nothing to stop ypu from sliding off is not recreational to.me

But what I am interested in is the motivation to cut a trail in obviously very difficult terrain. Having it wide enough for a tractor plus 18 inches on each side seems like a real problem if somethong goes wrong. I was impressed with the video of the small excavator clearing a trail (same as motorcycle video trail). But I noted the tracks on the excavator extended over the side in a couple cases. Again with an excavator's leverage being considerable and with considerable cab/hoe spinning around . . A great deal of rocking is created in a very narrow pad next to the dropoff.

So after this description . . what is the purpise of cutting a very steep and narrow trail? It doesn't appear to end in a destination . . just a switchback. It would seem like as extensive amount of work creating an erosion controlled trail in such narrow but very sterp areas. Is the trail for atv/utv recreation purposes only? Would you desire your kids or grandkids and their friends to play on such a trail?

Nature provides its iwn erosion control . . but when metal blades and chain saws cut the trees and cut into stable land . . . how can you stabilize the steep exposed high sude . . .and how can youbstabilize the steep trail to prevent rain from undetcutting it greatly?


If this is only for occasional recreational use . . . isn't it a fair amount of initial and ongoing efgort and safety isdues ?

Do you ride ATV's or Dirt Bikes?

If you look at the picture I provided of the property you will see a destination, the red square on top of the hill, labeled "FUTURE CABIN SITE". So it's not just a switch back and there is a purpose.

As for "Safety" I already have trails on the property, some are for me and my larger quad and others are for my kids and their smaller quad. I'm not really concerned with "Safety" as much as I am concerned with responsible operation of the quads. When you know where you are going and the line you are going to take, the operator will understand the safety aspect of the trail. My kids are well trained on their quads and ALWAYS are supervised in the woods. I'm most the time walking next to or behind them as they go on some of the rougher sections of the trails at home and in the public trail system.

Motivation, well that easy.....Not all of us can afford perfectly flat and usable property. Some of us have to spend our money on fixer upper properties and then modify the plans as we see fit to make the most of what we are able to afford.

 

[12Bravo]

Just so there is no confusion between slope % and slope degrees:

View attachment 458172

View attachment 458173


And a visual of a 50% slope:

View attachment 458174


The chain hanging from the work light shows true vertical:

View attachment 458175

Great information, thank you for the informative post.

The last picture with the chain, not happening.....Nope.

Some of my hills in the back look about like that while up closer to the house is actually steeper than that, which I will not be cutting into.

 

[ultrarunner]

My current project is prep/access to run a new 2" water line from a spring way up the mountain... the old line crosses multiple parcels and was laid out in 1870

I'm particularly susceptible to poison Oak... to maintain the water line right of way will be easier once the path is established an cut...

Also living in a region of extreme fire danger simply have access is a benefit.