That sounds like a masterful plan and a first rate project, Ghostwolf. I hope you will post pictures of the finished masterpiece.

When I build trails, there is allot more labor than material. During the early stages, the finishing materials are mostly in the way, so I put off buying those for as long as I can. By the time the grunt work is done, I typically have a better handle on the local/seasonal supply sources and budgets. Supply chains vary wildly for both region and season.

I start by defining my edges with a spade (pointed shovel) and a hoe, rake or earth mover of preferance for clearing a semi-level strip between the edges, approximately 2 inches deep.

That easy say has quite allot of potentially back breaking labor attached. More than enough labor to make me think it more sensible to talk about "Rake Chi" than materials and finishing techniques. "Rake Chi" is what I call the hours of raking and digging the trail foundation. Another name I have for ^it^ is, "Making Mud Pies." I loves mud pies.

Hope I didn't get too rambly on you, Ghostwolf. Trail building is one of my more passionate hobbies. It is a dangerous button to push on the Arfian Control Panel.

Well thank you arfie, I will def bug you with questions as the project progresses. Luckily the area is pretty level already but some leveling will be necessary and sounds hard.

The area may be level now but it won't be after you get the first shovel full out. Soil never comes as neatly as it goes in. Even with the easier part of putting the new surface in, keeping it level during the settling process is another challenge ahead. More labor. . .

My passion for playing in the dirt became "Rake Chi" for me while I was being exposed to Tai Chi by members of my peer support network. As I contemplated their methods, I realized my compulsive trail building, etc., was using similar movement and breathing exercises. It really is one of the more effective tools in my psychotherapy toolbox.

Interesting. I definitely feel like I've had a workout when I how out the weeds in the vegetable garden. I'm beginning to think this project may need more time than I originally thought. Def more work than one weekend. It will look so nice when I get done tho. And no more ruining my shoes in the rain and mud. If I do it right and it drains properly.

If you take it in small chunks and don't worry the time factor, it's pretty amazing how fast those small, easy chunks add up. Taking 15 minutes every day or so to stretch my muscles on the project is allot more beneficial than a full weekend of abusing those muscles.

That's a good way to look at it. I'm bad about not pacing myself. I just go at a dead run until I can't go anymore.