Patrolling the Bill A Rosa in Tenn

Raider Bill · May 26, 2010, 11:31:44 AM

I took these 2 weeks ago on my Tenn property. You can't see how steep some of the trails are due to my camera holder not working right. :D

I put in all the roads and trails myself.

Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ2JfZskVAg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6QQylQz_EM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbvJP7axhlU

Weekend_Sawyer · May 26, 2010, 11:56:04 AM

Did you ever find your FF hat you lost in the mud pond?

Raider Bill · May 26, 2010, 12:01:50 PM

Jon,
I looked last trip. No luck but I'm still hopeing.

beenthere · May 26, 2010, 01:07:42 PM

Raider Bill
Are you sure those are your trails, or were you on Tenn county roads, and driving by your trails?

;D ;D

Great place you have there.

Thanks for the ride.

Raider Bill · May 26, 2010, 01:27:08 PM

HAHA! nope I put them all in myself. Bull dozer, bob cat, tractor, and chainsaw.

sprucebunny · May 26, 2010, 07:29:23 PM

Wow ! That must have been alot of work ! The woods are beautiful and it reminds me of my own land, however, my trails aren't as manicured ... still full of little stumps.
But there is something missing ...... where's the rocks ??? You don't have rocks down there ???

Raider Bill · May 26, 2010, 10:31:11 PM

We drive the bush hog over the trails a few times a year. All trails have to be big enough to mow except in the pines where no weeds grow.
I try to knock the trees over with a machine and pulling out the stump at same time to me that way works best. But as you can see I don't have that many real big trees and always go around them..

No rocks on the property, none. Haven't found a single one except when digging out my basement. 69 acres not a stone unless I brought it in. Not sure if I got lucky or not that way. Go across the paved road and theres rocks everyplace. Nice river rock, slate, bunches of rock.

I have a lot to learn about owning all that forest but am sure having a good time in the process.

It's a great change from here in the concrete and palm tree jungle of Florida.

Magicman · May 28, 2010, 08:19:55 AM

Thanks for the ride. I have about 7 miles of trails on my tree farm, so I understand the work involved with the building and upkeep of trails. Yours look mighty nice. You must be close to Georgia.

Raider Bill · May 28, 2010, 09:13:03 AM

I'm in the Southeast corner of Tenn. North Carolina and Georgia are not far.
I find it very relaxing making and maintaining the trails. Well maybe not so much making them sometimes.

scgargoyle · May 28, 2010, 03:40:33 PM

Bill- Wow- you have a lot of trails! Glad to see you're spending some time up there- I was wondering when you're gonna make the Big Move. With only 7 acres, I don't have much room for trails, but I'll clear a perimeter path so I can maintain the fenceline (when there is one). My perimeter is over 1/2 a mile, so it would be nice to have a ~~toy~~ tool to drive around on. I've already convinced the wife that we need a 4 wheeler for the property, so the hard part is behind me :D.

Weekend_Sawyer · May 28, 2010, 04:18:00 PM

Are you anywhere near the dragon? I rode the dragon a few years ago. It was great fun and the roads leading up to there were almost as fun!

Jon

chain · May 28, 2010, 05:16:53 PM

We really enjoyed you trail photos; what was your major equipment used to clear and fill/cut your trails?

We have lots of rock and boulders, some rock glades on top of the mountain that really can eat a tracked dozer up. We don't disturb at all for the 'natural area' but most our terrain is rugged. We're thnking of leasing a wheel loader.

Raider Bill · May 29, 2010, 09:57:00 AM

John,

4 wheelers are a lot of fun you have to have one IMO! Doesn't look like I'm making the big move anytime soon but still able to sneak up there once and awhile.

Jon,

The Dragon is about a hour of beautiful riding away. I believe it's closed right now due to rock sildes. They were saying it would be open by this weekend but I dodn't know if it did. I've riden it many times,, too many actually. The first few were ok to see and have bragging rights but now I prefer other rides and routes. Way too many people on it and the speed bikes make things not so comfortable. Actually the best Dragon ride I made was at night. Nobody on it.

Chain,

When I first bought the property I rented a large bull dozer which I used to clear out my house site and put in the 4 major trails. It was just a intial blast through the woods. I then rented a tracked Bob Cat that I used to clean things up a bit and put in more trails. Now I use the 40 hp Kabuta with either a box blade of bush hog for maintance.

Most new trails are just paths in the woods I cut witth the bush hog now trying not to disturb the ground too much.

I've learned a bit about making trails. When I first started I followed water run off but now on some the water has cut a deep groove down the middle of my trails which makes for a interesting ride on the steep ones.

Some of my favorite trails follow the bottom of a dry creek bed. like riding through a green tunnel. I've also got some "holy crap" trails but I couldn't tape them and ride at the same time as I need 2 hands.

WDH · May 29, 2010, 10:58:11 PM

Raider,

You have some very nice young timber!

Roxie · May 30, 2010, 12:17:36 AM

Thanks for the ride! I couldn't help think how awesome it would be to be on horseback on those trails.

Raider Bill · May 30, 2010, 11:44:57 AM

WDH,

I've got a nice stand of lobolly pine I believe. I'm not sure how it survived the beetle's that killed off a lot of it years ago but some sure did. Theres dead pine all around it but that area survived.

Roxie,

Several local's ride horses on my trails. I have not yet but look forward to it someday.

WDH · May 30, 2010, 11:43:37 PM

Quote from: Raider Bill on May 30, 2010, 11:44:57 AM
WDH,

I've got a nice stand of lobolly pine I believe. I'm not sure how it survived the beetle's that killed off a lot of it years ago but some sure did. Theres dead pine all around it but that area survived.

The loblolly looked especially nice. Maybe one day I will get to walk it with you.

Raider Bill · May 31, 2010, 10:51:30 AM

Quote from: WDH on May 30, 2010, 11:43:37 PM
Quote from: Raider Bill on May 30, 2010, 11:44:57 AM
WDH,

I've got a nice stand of lobolly pine I believe. I'm not sure how it survived the beetle's that killed off a lot of it years ago but some sure did. Theres dead pine all around it but that area survived.

The loblolly looked especially nice. Maybe one day I will get to walk it with you.

I would really like that! I have many questions :P