A Corduroy Road Too Far

[IndyIan]

That's what i thought but we have always called them rails, as in building a train track but up-side down! Thanks for the come back!

Is using rails a good idea then? I'm probably going to try a wooden culvert too as I have to cross a little little stream. I think I'll use white cedar, as I'll have to cut some right there for widening the trail for the tractor anyways.

 

[Ivan49]

A lot of the road in this area are cordaroy roads they were put in years ago and the county now just adds gravel over them. I saw a picture a few years ago of the road that I live on when it was built and how the cordaroy was laid down. This is northern mich

 

[Kyle241]

The need to use sleeper/rails really depends on your soil. I considered them but decided not to as the length of the trail I am building would make it more work. The wettest areas for me is what I'm going through now and the trail is working great. I just need another 5-6 guys to help lay down the logs while I bring in the fill with my tractor and then I would be done in no time!

 

[mwb]

'I gots to know', what is the movie title you are referring to?

 

[jimmyj]

'I gots to know', what is the movie title you are referring to?

I think A Bridge Too Far.

We use these roads in the bush here too, but nothing as nice as what the OP has done. There are a few spots where the ATV would sink to China without them.

 

[mwb]

I think A Bridge Too Far.

I thought so... good movie for sure!

 

[Kyle241]

I think A Bridge Too Far.
.

That's the one!

 

[jimmyj]

Hmm. Looks like this thread has been taken over by Ontario members!:thumbsup:

 

[Kyle241]

So after building around 200 feet or so of trail, I have realized this is going to take a while :laughing:. I had scheduled to be complete by next Fall but after several days working on it, it's tough to cut the trees down, cut them into 10' sections, drag them to where they need to be placed, repeat, repeat, repeat and then move the fill on top. The last is the easiest by far! So I am entertaining the idea of purchasing some lumber from a local small mill that is desperate for business. He's willing to cut me some hardwood into 4" slabs by 10' long and charge $150 for a 4'x4'x10' load. I figure each load would get me approximately 50 feet which is not far but that also equates to 100-150 sections of trees (between 4"-8" diameter). While it would cost, I could get a lot more laid down with the lumber. I might even be able to get the cost per load a little cheaper if I order 6 loads.

Hopefully I'll have some more pics by the weekend of how far I have gone but I am please with the results so far. The trail is nice a solid now.

 

[jpm1]

I have build several hundred feet of road like this, they last forever in the water. I use Hemlock because its readibly available. The best part about this build is the branches. You got to get rid of them so put them down first, pull the logs over the branches and drive over them. If slabs are available, fill in the holes to level out the road. I don't suggest covering them immediately with dirt. Use the road for a few months, fill in low spots and them cover. In my area there is an orangish dirt about 6" below the surface. I push off the top brown stuff and use the orangish dirt as cover on the Corduroy. This packs tight and dries out fast. Its cheap and best of all it doesn't mud up.