Stumpalump
Expedition Leader
Most of us never consider where our trails come from or who was the first to cut them. Even keeping old trails we are travel clear is important. Of course we can't have a bulldozer and tree sevice with us but some simple hand tools and a little time is very rewarding.
In the desert mountains a hand pick or mattoch and a retractable pruning saw is all I use for making single trac. I can trim any trees with the saw and hack any bush with the edge I keep on the mattoch. The mattoch is used to stop me from bending over to remove smaller debris from the trail and to cut off camber banks down quickly. I also pry rocks out of the trail to smooth out some sections. Those are my 2 tools. Whats yours?
I love this tool because it does so much and fits in the hydration pack:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/new-gi-us-style-pick-mattock-cover-od.aspx?a=271444
I just started using inexpensive Gerber saw (so far it's been great) but I'm not sure how long it will hold an edge:
http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-46048-Sportsmans-Wood-Coarse/dp/B000Q4C6Y8
In more lush conditions or when building trails for a full size rig a chainsaw and the tools to maintain it are key. When helping an off road park the owner swore by a pole saw. Basically a small chain saw on a pole. It saves you from removing a whole tree when you can reach up and cut big limbs. He would cut the limbs and I'd cut them smaller and drag them off the trail. In no time we had a trail that was wide and clear enough not to scratch up clean rigs. What do you like when clearing trails? Any experiance or stories?
This little saw gets it done but stand back when it's swinging thru the bush:
http://www.stihlusa.com/polepruners/HT131.html
In the desert mountains a hand pick or mattoch and a retractable pruning saw is all I use for making single trac. I can trim any trees with the saw and hack any bush with the edge I keep on the mattoch. The mattoch is used to stop me from bending over to remove smaller debris from the trail and to cut off camber banks down quickly. I also pry rocks out of the trail to smooth out some sections. Those are my 2 tools. Whats yours?
I love this tool because it does so much and fits in the hydration pack:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/new-gi-us-style-pick-mattock-cover-od.aspx?a=271444
I just started using inexpensive Gerber saw (so far it's been great) but I'm not sure how long it will hold an edge:
http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-46048-Sportsmans-Wood-Coarse/dp/B000Q4C6Y8
In more lush conditions or when building trails for a full size rig a chainsaw and the tools to maintain it are key. When helping an off road park the owner swore by a pole saw. Basically a small chain saw on a pole. It saves you from removing a whole tree when you can reach up and cut big limbs. He would cut the limbs and I'd cut them smaller and drag them off the trail. In no time we had a trail that was wide and clear enough not to scratch up clean rigs. What do you like when clearing trails? Any experiance or stories?
This little saw gets it done but stand back when it's swinging thru the bush:
http://www.stihlusa.com/polepruners/HT131.html
