Property line trail/ track

[GNX Guy]

Been there done that, I started 3+ years ago making parameter trails around my property (147 acres). I'm almost done!!! had a bad storm in may that blocked most of my trails. Now that the weather has cooled, its back to cleaning up the impassable trails.

Joe

 

[Bob77064]

Great job, very impressive.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Gearhead....you have tremendous tenacity.....(it wanes with age)
I have 70 acres on a mountaintop in Virginia.. As you, I wanted a perimeter trail....just wide enough for my Kubota. With a chain saw and limb shears I started and would get about 100 yards a day. I have a tractor width path along 3 sides now. (the last side has a pretty steep hill about 150 yards) A little uncomfortable for an old guy on a tractor. We'll see.
I've made several observations that I'll share. As you open up a trail the added sunlight causes the bordering trees to limb much faster. You'll have to drive thru regularily with a pruner. Also, the roots under the trail will sprout saplings faster than you can say "bush hog". You're going to need a tractor with a boxscraper and a bush hog.
And lastly.....you SCARED me when you pulled that tall pine over with the winch and then with all that pressure on it you cut it with a chainsaw. DON'T do that, release the winch pressure THEN cut it. That little girl is too pretty to lose her father. Nuff said, have fun, BE CAREFUL

Thank you. Some call it OCD, I say I'm driven and detail oriented. LOL The plan is to have the trail graveled and I'll build a tow behind grader to keep vegitation at bay. Until then I have a Sthil Kombi I use in spots that grow (mostly ferns). I have very much noticed that once the sun hits the forest floor saplings spring up like mad. I went through and hand plucked a 50' section full of 1-2' spruce. Figgured if I just cut them they'd grow back.

Have another look... the cable was slack when I cut that tree. ; ) ... but thank you for your consern.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Been there done that, I started 3+ years ago making parameter trails around my property (147 acres). I'm almost done!!! had a bad storm in may that blocked most of my trails. Now that the weather has cooled, its back to cleaning up the impassable trails.

Joe

147 acres in 3 years!?! You must have better gear then me!... or more free time... or both! LOL

 

[NS Gearhead]

Great job, very impressive.

Thank you Sir.

 

[GNX Guy]

Should have said been there...doing that!!!!!

Well, the trick is my Stihl FS550 forestry saw. Check it out, it is wicked. Next weekend I'm finishing up a 100 meter firing lane. Cleared all the sapplings and brush and have 13 6" diameter trees to cut and skid out, some for firewood some to be milled.

Joe

 

[Jay4200]

I did the same perimeter trail build, but for ATV/dirtbike only. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) I encircled about 150 acres. It took an entire summer of 3-day weekends waving a chainsaw. Busting up boulders with jackhammers is absolutely cheating, BTW. Next time I do it, I'm renting a bulldozer.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Dang, I wish I had as much property as you guys! My wife wanted to stay somewhat close to the city, and I wanted pivacy and land... so what we have is a compromise. 4.2 acres on a cul-de-sac that borders on hundreds of government acres... 30 min to the city/ work.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Busting up boulders with jackhammers is absolutely cheating

Suuuure it is. LOL!

 

[NS Gearhead]

Got a bit of a second wind and started hauling gravel again. My goal is to finish this little section before winter takes hold... but man there was a good 2" of frost in the gravel pile today.

Put a decent dent in it


before (muddy mess)


after (7 loads later)


It's still wet, but very solid. There is one 3" culvert because that's what I had... but I've since got a couple 4" lengths, so may put those in too.

Cresting the hill! Not much needed on the other side!