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Smaller switchbacks or trail stairs? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 9 months ago by to c/hiking@lemmy.world
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Howdy all. I have a 33% avg grade, highly overgrown slope (~450' length, ~160' elevation change) at the edge of my property that was originally used by a railroad company 130 years ago to slide trees down to where they were building railroad ties. It is now exclusively a deer path (the poo on my knees can attest to that) and I had to scramble at several points to get up.

If you were in my deer poo covered shoes (and assuming I had cleared all the brush and fallen trees), would you build trail stairs, e.g.

or a small set of switchbacks (space is tight as I have like 30' of width to play with), e.g.

orrrrr would you just clear it out well and deal with sprawling for a few steeper parts? (my least favorite option as I would like to hike this several times a week when it's done)

I'm concerned with long-term maintenance but am willing the put in the upfront work! TIA

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[–] 4 points 9 months ago* (1 child)

I think stairs are the way to go if you have the time and motivation to build them. It's a lot of effort up front but once you make the steps you shouldn't have to touch them for many years.

Switchbacks can have erosion and drainage issues if you don't put significant effort into their design, and maintain them over time. A straight scramble up the hill is going to get annoying really fast, and also have erosion issues.

Edit: There are some great trail building guides online if you hunt for them. Though they usually focus on trails open to the public that will get substantial use. If this is your private path then they are probably overkill for your needs.

https://www.americantrails.org/resources/basic-elements-of-trail-design-and-trail-layout

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 9 months ago

    Thank you very much for the feedback! Ok it's looking like logs and pegs for me then as the maintence sounds crazy for switchbacks.

    Also the link is very helpful as outside of some work-for-stay stuff for Bob Peoples back in the day, I've done very little trail work.

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