Trail building advice

[2WheeledWarrior]

I'm putting a mtn bike trail in my back yard...well, backyard, both side yards and part of the front yard. Some of the trail goes through woods with undergrowth. What is the best way to remove the undergrowth? I thought about using a trimmer to cut it down just where the trail will be, but want to do the right thing.

Also, what is the best way to move large (I mean, HUGE) rocks several feet in diameter? I may be able to use some big ones that my neighbor has.

[c0nsumer]

I'm putting a mtn bike trail in my back yard...well, backyard, both side yards and part of the front yard. Some of the trail goes through woods with undergrowth. What is the best way to remove the undergrowth? I thought about using a trimmer to cut it down just where the trail will be, but want to do the right thing.

Also, what is the best way to move large (I mean, HUGE) rocks several feet in diameter? I may be able to use some big ones that my neighbor has.

I personally like to first walk the route and throw large deadfall out of the way by hand. Large meaning everything over an inch.

Next use a Pulaski to remove any brush / saplings / roots / whatever.

At this point bench cutting is done if needed.

I then use a garden rake to rake everything loose off the surface for a 6' wide path.

Next I go through (or have someone come through) with a line trimmer and scalp the trail surface to get rid of anything left growing, grass, etc.

After this sculpt the trail surface as needed removing any lumbs / awkward bumps.

Next, ride it in. I then open the trail and let people ride and see where the natural line develops. Within a month or two a solid line will be formed and the edges of the trail will start getting covered with leaves and scrub, and the trail is defined.

[c0nsumer]

Oh, and moving large rocks? Iron bars, lots of people, come alongs and straps... Front end loader? This book has a lot of info on techniques for this.

[G.Cook]

+1 for Steve's advice .

[Loren]

The right way is to dig out the undergrowth as others have said.

However, if it was my private trail, I'd probably just rake/trim and ride it. That way, you can tweak lines and corners and get it dialed in exactly the way you want it. If you decide to re-route, there's little investment and the lines you no longer ride will grow back quickly, much more quickly than if you cleared it down to bare mineral soil with a pulaski. This does mean that you'll have little short pungi sticks to deal with later as the soil compacts, but by then you'll be happy with the lines and the pulaski work will be an investment in a long term trail you're delighted with.

[2WheeledWarrior]

Thanks, guys. I've been working the chainsaw removing a bunch of dead trees and branches, clearing out parts. I'll keep at it. Next is wood removal and trimming/cutting other trees on the "other" wooded part. I've all done that before on other trails during maintenance days, but I've never cut in new trail through underbrush scrub. Thanks for the advice!
If you ever want to come out and help break the trail in, come on by!!!!

[Di_bear]

Glad you're enjoying the new home, Ken.

[Mack]

If you are going to buy a book on trail building/maintenance IMO there is no better book period.http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Solutions-I ... 0975502301

[c0nsumer]

If you are going to buy a book on trail building/maintenance IMO there is no better book period.http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Solutions-I ... 0975502301

That is a very good book, but it's also very MTB specific. For backwoods utility of moving large objects with only manual power the SCA book is a bit better.

[Mack]

Well he is building a MTB trail right. Moving large objects is common sense and brute strength, unless you have access to heavy machinery.

[c0nsumer]

Well he is building a MTB trail right. Moving large objects is common sense and brute strength, unless you have access to heavy machinery.

I personally wouldn't call using a comealong and block and tackle to move a log across a ravine with as few people as possible (one example) "common sense".

[Mack]

It depends you if you ever have used a comealong or not. I own two let me know if you ever need to borrow one to move that log across that ravine.

[Loren]

Sometimes the best thing to do with a rock several feet in diameter is to admire it where it is.

[Mack]

+1 loren. I couldn't have said it better. You could also make a trail feature out of it. Many things you could do with a rock that large besides move it.

[bender13]

+1 loren. I couldn't have said it better. You could also make a trail feature out of it. Many things you could do with a rock that large besides move it.

From the OP, it sounds like he wants to move it from his neighbors yard to the trail. I am assuming to be a trail feature.

Jeff