Advice on building trail structures? - Page 6

hypa · 10-23-2012, 06:04 PM

Geezus!
There are some nice builds in here. And regardless of the negative start to the thread, it's given me some pretty good ideas. I'm in dire need of at least 2 bridges to complete one of the trails on my property, and they have to be stable for moto, mtn bikes, hiking, and maybe horses. I'm not sure how that last one will affect the build...

thad · 10-23-2012, 06:42 PM

Horses weigh typically weigh 1000lbs and have steel shoes that are hard on slats, as well as having poor traction on wood. I have a bit of experience with this due to working on multi use trails. Land managers want to see bridges built at least 48" wide, with elevated curbs on low bridges to prevent horses from falling off when they slip. Higher bridges need dual hand rails. They also want to see a secondary, consumable layer of decking, that can be replaced as horse shoes wear it out.
http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/bridges/doc..._R1921_All.pdf

heckler · 10-24-2012, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thad

I'm a word nerd. Don't get me started on "loam"!

I have not built any woodwork this year. I put in some culverts. Not nearly as cool looking or fun to build, but no one has cut them in half with a chainsaw!

thad, build rock and dirt topped structures! that'll show'em.

Knnn · 10-24-2012, 04:28 AM

Just make them skinny and/or steep enough to keep them horses and motos off um.

thad · 10-24-2012, 05:48 AM

I have thought about building something like this, and just thinking about it makes my back hurt.

dubprof · 10-24-2012, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thad

I have thought about building something like this, and just thinking about it makes my back hurt.

Mad Skills!

biggles604 · 10-24-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thad

I'm a word nerd. Don't get me started on "loam"!

Me too. I even started a thread about it a while back.

hypa · 10-24-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thad

Horses weigh typically weigh 1000lbs and have steel shoes that are hard on slats, as well as having poor traction on wood. I have a bit of experience with this due to working on multi use trails. Land managers want to see bridges built at least 48" wide, with elevated curbs on low bridges to prevent horses from falling off when they slip. Higher bridges need dual hand rails. They also want to see a secondary, consumable layer of decking, that can be replaced as horse shoes wear it out.
http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/bridges/doc..._R1921_All.pdf

Very good info man.
It's almost easier to designate that specific area "two feet or two wheels only"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knnn

Just make them skinny and/or steep enough to keep them horses and motos off um.

What if I'm the one building, and riding horses and motos on them?

thad · 10-24-2012, 09:10 PM

If you want to discourage equestrians from using the trail, don't brush the corridor higher than 6 feet, and leave low hanging branches. Horseback riders like the trail brushed to a 10ft ceiling or so, so they are not getting wet and smacked in the face.

Equestrians don't really care if the trail surface is wet and muddy, because they are not personally stepping on it. They also frequently take their horses down to creeks to water them, even if there is a bridge there. They are likely to bypass a skinny bridge and just walk through the creek.

Knnn · 10-27-2012, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thad

I have thought about building something like this, and just thinking about it makes my back hurt.

NOW THAT is something I would like to try and build.

ryando · 10-29-2012, 04:22 AM

I'm considering a dirt-top bridge to replace a rotten cedar bridge over a creek and have a few questions.

The two different build methods I have seen are: slats and doubled-up stringers to hold in the dirt, and stringers and landscape fabric with no slats. Anyone know which method is better/lasts longer? When you build without slats, do you double up the outer stringers or just use larger diameter outer stringers to crib in the dirt? One last question, how far apart do you space the stringers that are under the dirt?

Uncle Duke · 10-29-2012, 05:22 AM

I space the rungs tight to each other. Cover w cloth if you have it.. Run stringers down the edges and fill w gold..

heckler · 10-29-2012, 10:04 AM

Straining the dirt through a mesh to eliminate rocks is a great way to ensure you gold packs tight and stays in place for a long time.

Uncle Duke · 10-29-2012, 01:42 PM

yea i ususally just rake out the rocks. but if you want to strain it thru mesh that would also work.

pass the wine and cheese..

Stuminator · 10-29-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew_r_mcintosh

moar bridge love...

OMG, that looks insanely tough!

10-24-2012, 04:28 AM	#79
Knnn 0-casualty in 2.4 secs Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Upper Lynn Valley Posts: 3,859 Rep Power: 1478150	Just make them skinny and/or steep enough to keep them horses and motos off um. __________________ Please let me demonstrate the ride around; really it's no trouble.

10-29-2012, 04:22 AM	#86
ryando Voice of Reason Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: @ Woodlot Posts: 311 Rep Power: 559590	I'm considering a dirt-top bridge to replace a rotten cedar bridge over a creek and have a few questions. The two different build methods I have seen are: slats and doubled-up stringers to hold in the dirt, and stringers and landscape fabric with no slats. Anyone know which method is better/lasts longer? When you build without slats, do you double up the outer stringers or just use larger diameter outer stringers to crib in the dirt? One last question, how far apart do you space the stringers that are under the dirt? __________________ www.FVMBA.com

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10-23-2012, 06:04 PM	#76
hypa Erhmagerhd! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: lower mainland Posts: 4,610 Rep Power: 2982140	Geezus! There are some nice builds in here. And regardless of the negative start to the thread, it's given me some pretty good ideas. I'm in dire need of at least 2 bridges to complete one of the trails on my property, and they have to be stable for moto, mtn bikes, hiking, and maybe horses. I'm not sure how that last one will affect the build...

10-23-2012, 06:42 PM	#77
thad Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 980 Rep Power: 1050624	Horses weigh typically weigh 1000lbs and have steel shoes that are hard on slats, as well as having poor traction on wood. I have a bit of experience with this due to working on multi use trails. Land managers want to see bridges built at least 48" wide, with elevated curbs on low bridges to prevent horses from falling off when they slip. Higher bridges need dual hand rails. They also want to see a secondary, consumable layer of decking, that can be replaced as horse shoes wear it out. http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/bridges/doc..._R1921_All.pdf

10-24-2012, 05:48 AM	#80
thad Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 980 Rep Power: 1050624	I have thought about building something like this, and just thinking about it makes my back hurt.

10-24-2012, 09:10 PM	#84
thad Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 980 Rep Power: 1050624	If you want to discourage equestrians from using the trail, don't brush the corridor higher than 6 feet, and leave low hanging branches. Horseback riders like the trail brushed to a 10ft ceiling or so, so they are not getting wet and smacked in the face. Equestrians don't really care if the trail surface is wet and muddy, because they are not personally stepping on it. They also frequently take their horses down to creeks to water them, even if there is a bridge there. They are likely to bypass a skinny bridge and just walk through the creek.

10-29-2012, 05:22 AM	#87
Uncle Duke goes around comes around Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: ziration nation Posts: 7,380 Rep Power: 16669757	I space the rungs tight to each other. Cover w cloth if you have it.. Run stringers down the edges and fill w gold..

10-29-2012, 10:04 AM	#88
heckler skookum Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Darkside Posts: 14,542 Rep Power: 13158808	Straining the dirt through a mesh to eliminate rocks is a great way to ensure you gold packs tight and stays in place for a long time.

10-29-2012, 01:42 PM	#89
Uncle Duke goes around comes around Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: ziration nation Posts: 7,380 Rep Power: 16669757	yea i ususally just rake out the rocks. but if you want to strain it thru mesh that would also work. pass the wine and cheese..