Switchback trail down a hill, suggestions wanted

[charlz]

I think the switchbacks are best located using a slight rise in the land as seen on the right end of the topo you posted. This way the upslope is naturally cutback and you can build a platform with rock walls and spoils to give you the area you need for the radius of the turn.

I meant to say 'just past a slight rise'.

Hopefully you can get hold of that trail builder, be interesting to see what they think.

 

[racolton]

If you do it yourself, you're going to need a 6-way blade:

6-Way Dozer Blade / Grader / Leveler - Erskine Attachments, Inc.

(I'm not familiar with Erskine's products, just using it as an example of a 6-way blade.)

 

[Ken45101]

I do not think that a skid steer would be appropriate for this job. Too steep of a hillside and not enough weight/power to work on the rocks. I expect either a mini excavator (at least) or a bulldozer will be required.

From what I've heard, a dozer blade on a skid steer isn't very effective on packed dirt or rock, it doesn't have enough weight behind it. They work well on loose dirt.

Ken

 

[ultrarunner]

I've been lucky soil wise with a similar project using my CAT D3 Dozer.

Neighbor, not too far away ran into a much more difficult situation and ended up hiring an operator with a large excavator with a hammer attachment... for most of a week, the sound of the hammer reverberated through the area...

The operator did a great job and that roadway/path is mostly rock.

I lucked out because I was able to get several loads of the spoils for my project..

 

[dillo99]

Very nice property. Keep us posted on the project!

 

[pat32rf]

Don't know the capabilities of your 21 compared to my JD4300 but there is a good chance that almost all the rocks you hit will be the same size as those on the surface. If you aren't in a hurry I'd just start at the bottom, well over to the side and start moving stone from the inside to the outside. With all that rock you should wind up with a solid base.
Just work your way up the hill, making it just passable for the tractor.
IF you do hit a rock that you can't dig under and roll downhill, then find a bigger backhoe or a small excavator for THAT problem.
I think you might be surprised at how much you can accomplish, it will just take time.
Once you get a passible trail, then start bringing in the fill to smooth out the rough spots.
I have a section of sidehill trail out back that I started two years ago, working a few hours at a time once or twice a month during the summer. It only has a 60' drop in 500', but I had bigger rock (some bedrock as well) and more trees with very little fill handy. The original trail had 80' drop, then a 20' rise in 550'. Now I can use the new trail even when covered with snow. (tractor or ATV) The old trail was constantly erroding and once the snow came it was impassible till spring (except by skidoo)

 

[BruceWard]

I did get in touch with the trail builder. He is going to look at the hill when he returns from vacation.

We are closing on our building loan tomorrow and then start building the house at the top of the trail. Thanks for all of the advice!

 

[kyplow]

I know this is an old post but was wondering if you could update your switchback project as I am looking at a project like this.