Grading trails in the hills

[apease]

We have 80 hilly acres in Northern CA. I'd like to make a trail around the property for hiking and driving the tractor to remove brush or do other tasks. This past weekend I put on the box scraper and started driving down the hill from the building site that is at the high point of the property. With recent rains the ground is wet enough that the shanks dig easily into the ground, but it's not so muddy that I lose traction. The high point is about 1440 ft elevation and the low point is 1040ft.

The problem is that it gets too steep. I've tried scouting a route, but inevitably there is some depression, gully, or drop-off that leaves me stranded. I keep the front bucket nearly touching the ground, going very slow, and generally pointed downhill, but always get to a point where I get really nervous and am just barely able to turn around and go back.

The second picture below shows where I had to stop, with a narrow gully off to the right and a steep drop off directly ahead.

I could rent an excavator to make cuts in front of my path. Making cuts 4ft at a time with the backhoe is probably impractical. Are there other creative thoughts, or similar experiences that people have?

 

[smstonypoint]

What about using a zig-zag pattern with water bars rather than trying for a straight shot?

Steve

 

[smstonypoint]

Another thought.

The folks at your local USDA NRCS office may provide you with assistance in road/trail design. An ill-conceived design will create erosion problems.

Steve

BTW -- beautiful property.

 

[TripleR]

That sure is pretty country. We don't have near the elevations, but we hired a dozer and drive, laid the path out and then went back in with tractors to do the finish work.

I am sure someone will have better ideas; time, safety, equipment and skill pretty much dictated the best way to go for us. good luck.

 

[troutsqueezer]

It's hard to gauge the steepness from the pics. It actually looks fairly tame from the shots but I know it is hard to get an accurate visual from two dimensional views.

I also have hilly terrain and take it very carefully, keeping the bucket low and my hand ready to slam it down if need be.

I'm with the switchback suggestion if it gets too steep. Takes a lot longer to make but that's just more hours of fun with the tractor.

What area of N. CA are you in? Those hills look familiar. I'm near Pilot Hill/Cool.

 

[apease]

The switchback idea is a good one, and what I'd follow if I could. The problem is that if it's too steep to go directly downhill, it's much too steep to drive the tractor even partly sideways across the hill, or at least, that's how it feels when I'm driving.

We're out west of Redding. It's a bit hot in the summer, but lovely otherwise.

 

[bikerdib]

I am SO jealous of the place you own. :thumbsup:

I vote for the switchback trail. You will definitely have erosion problems if you just go straight down. Eventually that trail would turn into a gully. Can you get to the bottom of the hill another way and work on the switchback starting at the bottom and going up the hill.

Even with the switchback trail you will still need to do some water drainage control to prevent erosion but it will be more controllable than straight down the hill. Some carefully laid RR ties should control the water coming down the hill and keep the soil in place.

 

[smstonypoint]

The switchback idea is a good one, and what I'd follow if I could. The problem is that if it's too steep to go directly downhill, it's much too steep to drive the tractor even partly sideways across the hill, or at least, that's how it feels when I'm driving.

This is a job that you want done the right way -- erosion is going to be a major problem if the trail/road is not properly designed and constructed. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, I would recommend hiring the job out. It would be a shame to see your beautiful property damaged.

Steve

 

[RayCo]

We have 80 hilly acres in Northern CA.

My condolences on your election results.

 

[rScotty]

This is job that you want done the right way -- erosion is going to be a major problem if the trail/road is not properly designed and constructed. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, I would recommend hiring the job out. It would be a shame to see your beautiful property damaged.
Steve

I agree. I've got hilly land and even a slight slope will erode. I'd get the soil service to help lay it out, and then hire a dozer to do the rough work. He can go across where you can't and his rates will surprise you at how low they are. They get a lot done in a hurry. Guarantee you will have plenty of cleanup and sculpturing to do with the tractor to keep you busy.
rScotty - having built half a mile of dirt road on my land with a compact - took all summer and it still wasn't right. And then watching a dozer do better work in an afternoon.