Just came across your video, this work. I have been working on my trail for 5 years off and on using the same methods. Lot of switching back but about 0.3 miles in 3 acres, still working on it. My goal is to put ID markers with different types of trees, and I am adding native trees a few a year.
Some great ideas. I would list a forestry saw (heavy duty weed wacker with blade) as my preferred tool. You can cut a lot more brush without having to bend over. Our trails are constantly regrowing with prickly ash, so trimming is a maintenance task.
Great, Work Adam. I have a property in Pennsylvania in the mountains I use a battery pole saw, it saves your back and is pretty quick. Also I use a regular large leaf rake for clearing the debris, I cleared beutiful trail about 1500 feet into the woods.
A lot of good advice, but you forgot to mention one very important thing. As much work as it is (mosquitoes, sweat, digging, labor), it is one of the most rewarding things ever to do when you're done. Just started cutting a new trail across the creek on my property yesterday.
@@mollypitcher9380I just realized your response was to my comment and not the channel owner. We did cut a full loop trail on that opposite side of the creek. It was pretty nice but not as nice as I had hoped. With the lack of a suitable bridge in place, regular upkeep didn't happen and nature reclaimed parts of it while others are still traceable. When we get a bridge built, I will reclear the good sections, probably bypass a couple narrow spots and make it mowable/cleanable with my garden tractor.
New to the art of trail cutting and forest maintenance this video is a good intro. I came into some land very similar to what your own and soon will be embarking on want I guess will be the rest of my days journey. A city Boy by birth but a strong affinity for nature. Hope to see more of your progression with your little spot of the earth
Good video! Thanks for sharing. I cleaned almost my entire wooded 2 acres off with a mere 21-inch lawnmower. There is no need for expensive equipment. The builder wanted to charge me 5k to do it.
My local state park has foot bridges crossing creeks on a trail I hike at times. They create a solid, level base on each side of the creek, often of rock. The bridge, usually made of a couple heavy planks, is laid across, with gravity holding it down. A large chain is attached to one end of the bridge, and anchored to the bank of the creek. That way when a flood comes (they always come eventually) the bridge floats free but isn't carried downstream. After the water goes down it's easy to reset the bridge.
I’ve been making trails for my squirrels. I’ve been doing a lot of what you mention already, but I love the video. Yes to cutting sheers and rake! Also I use a shovel to dig up the little dead tree stumps that get lost under fall’s leaves. So cool to see someone else grooming trails. 👍
I found my Japanese hand sickle was great for cutting down vines, 1/4 inch branches n brambles. Because blade is curved it helped to move larger branches off path too.
Bigger weedeaters allow interchangeable attachments, greatest of all is where you can put a 40 tip carbide circular saw blade. It will cut brush and small trees or privet up to two or three inches. No bending over, just clearing privet.
You mentioned gravel on the trails in marshy areas. If the vegetation is going to continue growing and you will need to maintain it with a lawn mower, gravel may not be a good choice. Even coarse wood chips can making mowing difficult. I'm going to try to find pine needles to put down. I hear it's sold as mulch in the south but here in the north, you have to get creative. In fall, there were piles all over the curb in a nearby residential area, so I asked the homeowners and they were happy to let me take their pine needles. It takes a LOT though, so I'm going to have to dedicate a few weekends this fall just to gathering, hauling and putting down pine needles. Maybe leaves or grass clippings would work well too -- anything that doesn't inhibit mowing.
Mowing alone should do it. I mow in the high setting, and then again in a very low setting, and it works perfectly. Nothing grows up after the low mow.
thanks for this.. Im finding it hard to find videos on trail blazing I know its kind of stright forward and a lot of work.. but I was just kinda browseing for tools and techniques so thanks.
I would get some cheap red yarn from Walmart and tie it to the sapling roots to mark it then come back later when the roots would have decomposed to pull them out
I have yet to take a good walk through our new property; but I like your thoughts on doing it in the Fall, for better visibility. I am thinking of buying a brushhog to help with this though. I'm also thinking of doing some split rail fencing along it. Mainly to accent turns, etc. I'm looking to do about a quarter mile loop. It'll be skirting a bog, but mainly running through Maple and some Pine.
I"ve normally went through and cut everything with loppers then go back later and cut bigger things if need be. I wish I had a faster way of doing it. lol.
I used a hand saw to cut all my trails... Man I wish I had a Chain Saw... But I hate Chain Saw's... lol I need to break down and get one. My arms are killing me right now. lol
I'd argue that the most useful too when cutting trails is a tracked skid loader with a brush cutter... I've put in miles of 4-wheeler trails in my timber without even owning a chainsaw!!!
Thanks for watching. I would suspect where you live you'd need a slightly different approach. You will probably need way more aggressive tools. Stay safe out there!
Cheers, it was a pleasant to watch your video! I'd love to have some land like yours. Actually I usually only use hand clippers to take down thin branches and vines, and this really great hand saw. The vegetation grows very fast and dense here, but it's mostly spindly saplings and bamboo, which I can cut through very quickly with these tools. There's also a lot of dead wood and branches I can simply kick away! The hard part is when there is thorny vegetation. I guess I could use something with a longer reach for that, but I like to travel light when exploring the woods.
Good video are you using a Go pro camera? I like you video. My friends and I got RUclips channels and we decided to try reach out to other likeminded ATVers to see what other folks are doing.
Diamond Dog I drove my lawn mower through the woods behind my house and it handled it like a beast..lol.. Almost did as good as the 4 wheeler.. Just slower
Nothing I like seeing more on a trail in the middle of nowhere than some chainsawwed trees. Get a windlass or a winch and drag the trees off of the path. Save yourself the fuel and save your trail its beauty.
Whoever makes trails is a hero
Thanks!🌸
Just came across your video, this work. I have been working on my trail for 5 years off and on using the same methods. Lot of switching back but about 0.3 miles in 3 acres, still working on it. My goal is to put ID markers with different types of trees, and I am adding native trees a few a year.
Some great ideas. I would list a forestry saw (heavy duty weed wacker with blade) as my preferred tool. You can cut a lot more brush without having to bend over. Our trails are constantly regrowing with prickly ash, so trimming is a maintenance task.
+Marcus Niessen I agree, those things are on my Christmas list!
This is great! I recently took up running and I built a track in my field. Very excited to take off into the woods too!
Thanks for producing this. Useful and motivational. Would be nice to have such video for hilly terrains as well.
You've got a beautiful piece of property there.
This was extremely informative as someone clearing their first trails! Thank you!
Great, Work Adam. I have a property in Pennsylvania in the mountains I use a battery pole saw, it saves your back and is pretty quick. Also I use a regular large leaf rake for clearing the debris, I cleared beutiful trail about 1500 feet into the woods.
A lot of good advice, but you forgot to mention one very important thing.
As much work as it is (mosquitoes, sweat, digging, labor), it is one of the most rewarding things ever to do when you're done.
Just started cutting a new trail across the creek on my property yesterday.
so true! Good luck getting across that creek!
6 years have passed, I wonder how it all turned out.🌸
@@mollypitcher9380I just realized your response was to my comment and not the channel owner. We did cut a full loop trail on that opposite side of the creek. It was pretty nice but not as nice as I had hoped. With the lack of a suitable bridge in place, regular upkeep didn't happen and nature reclaimed parts of it while others are still traceable. When we get a bridge built, I will reclear the good sections, probably bypass a couple narrow spots and make it mowable/cleanable with my garden tractor.
New to the art of trail cutting and forest maintenance this video is a good intro. I came into some land very similar to what your own and soon will be embarking on want I guess will be the rest of my days journey. A city Boy by birth but a strong affinity for nature. Hope to see more of your progression with your little spot of the earth
+Eric Sanchez good luck in your endeavor, country living is the way to go!
Good video! Thanks for sharing.
I cleaned almost my entire wooded 2 acres off with a mere 21-inch lawnmower. There is no need for expensive equipment. The builder wanted to charge me 5k to do it.
My local state park has foot bridges crossing creeks on a trail I hike at times. They create a solid, level base on each side of the creek, often of rock. The bridge, usually made of a couple heavy planks, is laid across, with gravity holding it down. A large chain is attached to one end of the bridge, and anchored to the bank of the creek. That way when a flood comes (they always come eventually) the bridge floats free but isn't carried downstream. After the water goes down it's easy to reset the bridge.
I’ve been making trails for my squirrels. I’ve been doing a lot of what you mention already, but I love the video. Yes to cutting sheers and rake! Also I use a shovel to dig up the little dead tree stumps that get lost under fall’s leaves. So cool to see someone else grooming trails. 👍
Excellent. Gives me a steering point.
Bless you brother I pray that you are doing well
Love the advice! Thanks
I found my Japanese hand sickle was great for cutting down vines, 1/4 inch branches n brambles. Because blade is curved it helped to move larger branches off path too.
we have one of those and when we weed our gardens it just rips all the weeds out in a stroke. they are definetly worth their money.
Bigger weedeaters allow interchangeable attachments, greatest of all is where you can put a 40 tip carbide circular saw blade. It will cut brush and small trees or privet up to two or three inches. No bending over, just
clearing privet.
You mentioned gravel on the trails in marshy areas. If the vegetation is going to continue growing and you will need to maintain it with a lawn mower, gravel may not be a good choice. Even coarse wood chips can making mowing difficult. I'm going to try to find pine needles to put down. I hear it's sold as mulch in the south but here in the north, you have to get creative. In fall, there were piles all over the curb in a nearby residential area, so I asked the homeowners and they were happy to let me take their pine needles. It takes a LOT though, so I'm going to have to dedicate a few weekends this fall just to gathering, hauling and putting down pine needles. Maybe leaves or grass clippings would work well too -- anything that doesn't inhibit mowing.
Mowing alone should do it. I mow in the high setting, and then again in a very low setting, and it works perfectly. Nothing grows up after the low mow.
I did a narrow 2ft wide gravel path and spray it once a year with year-round weed killer
Me and my dad just brought a Milwaukee battery powered chainsaw and hedge trimmers and cleared ground for a new trail for a fourwheeler
Weedeater with brush blade is the number one tool for this.
Great tips. Thank you
Nice man. I'm starting cutting a new trail tomorrow
That’s a really cool chainsaw. Do they make them in mens?
☠️☠️ feels a bit uncalled for lmao
thanks for this.. Im finding it hard to find videos on trail blazing I know its kind of stright forward and a lot of work.. but I was just kinda browseing for tools and techniques so thanks.
Great video man.
Solid video vary good and straight to the point
Thanks so much
Shovel and my axe, this quarantine has been workin out alright.
Good ideas, nice place. I used a McLeod tool on trails at my place
I would get some cheap red yarn from Walmart and tie it to the sapling roots to mark it then come back later when the roots would have decomposed to pull them out
Yarn will rot long before a sapling root system. Saplings will just regrow anyway, not rot.
I have yet to take a good walk through our new property; but I like your thoughts on doing it in the Fall, for better visibility. I am thinking of buying a brushhog to help with this though. I'm also thinking of doing some split rail fencing along it. Mainly to accent turns, etc. I'm looking to do about a quarter mile loop. It'll be skirting a bog, but mainly running through Maple and some Pine.
I"ve normally went through and cut everything with loppers then go back later and cut bigger things if need be. I wish I had a faster way of doing it. lol.
Awesome information, thanks.
Brother I suggest that yiu check out the fiskars brush axe. It is better then a machete and better then an axe it my go to for clearing trail s
I have the sheers but found that the rechargeable black and decker chainsaw worked better. Although, if you have a gas powered one then even better.
I used a hand saw to cut all my trails... Man I wish I had a Chain Saw... But I hate Chain Saw's... lol I need to break down and get one. My arms are killing me right now. lol
Why do you hate chainsaws? Lol
Great job on the video and explaining things! You should open a lil MTB pump track with some big jumps haha invite Sam Pilgram!
I'd argue that the most useful too when cutting trails is a tracked skid loader with a brush cutter... I've put in miles of 4-wheeler trails in my timber without even owning a chainsaw!!!
I wish I owned one!
Rent one, or a bulldozer for a day. For the price you can get way more work done in the amount of time and actually save money in the long run.
Shovel and axe is all you need to cut a smaller tree away i like to get big thick brush out the way.
good video, very informative!
Even with a tractor and brush hog trails are a challenge lol
awesome videos ill make a trail soon
A lot of good spots to put trails
Great video, thanks!
Try cutting a trail in the subtropics, where the vegetation is incredibly dense at all times of year - way more of a challenge!
Thanks for watching. I would suspect where you live you'd need a slightly different approach. You will probably need way more aggressive tools. Stay safe out there!
Cheers, it was a pleasant to watch your video! I'd love to have some land like yours.
Actually I usually only use hand clippers to take down thin branches and vines, and this really great hand saw. The vegetation grows very fast and dense here, but it's mostly spindly saplings and bamboo, which I can cut through very quickly with these tools. There's also a lot of dead wood and branches I can simply kick away!
The hard part is when there is thorny vegetation. I guess I could use something with a longer reach for that, but I like to travel light when exploring the woods.
Thanks, almost done with my atv trail
Solid video. Peace.
Great info, thanks!
good job
Nice trail!
thanks
Thank you.
Nice
Good video are you using a Go pro camera? I like you video. My friends and I got RUclips channels and we decided to try reach out to other likeminded ATVers to see what other folks are doing.
wish i had a plot like that :P
The long blade on Sawzall on saplings. Cut that crap out. Then easy tear-out.
That is cool
for some reason, the thought of a lawn mower in a forest made me burst out laughing
Diamond Dog I drove my lawn mower through the woods behind my house and it handled it like a beast..lol.. Almost did as good as the 4 wheeler.. Just slower
Nothing I like seeing more on a trail in the middle of nowhere than some chainsawwed trees. Get a windlass or a winch and drag the trees off of the path. Save yourself the fuel and save your trail its beauty.
Wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt sprayed with Premetherin to keep ticks off of you. Lyme disease is a real bummer.
Where did you get the chainsaw cause I'm making a trail for an ATV
Let the grass grow tall cut it and leave the trimming boom you just saved money
thank u for making it, but I dunno about some/much of it's validity... big ups all the same
Use a hedge Trimmer instead of doing it manually or brush cutter
Ahhhh
Trail building. tread should be 4' wide.
hand loppers for cutting through saplings up to 'a few inches across'...really now??
He had the Fiskars brand and those can easily do 2-3 inch saplings
Couple mm to a couple inches
awesome videos ill make a trail soon