The confusion is probably due to my poor descriptions. You mean you
can't read my mind? Sheeeeeesh.
It's very steep. I confess I haven't measured the grade. My estimate
was a wild guess. It varies depending upon the exact point in
question. Some outcroppings of rock are nearly vertical. There are a
few other small flatish spots. It's treacherous to try to hike it. If
you're not grabbing branches and rocks, you're likely to tumble down
and crack your skull. I've skidded down on my butt more than once
unintentionally. Toss a big rock from the top and it will be like a
pinball working its way down.
The road won't be on the slope. The road will be an upgrade and
extension of an existing one lane path used by farm equipment to
surrounding cropland. Right now it's basically two beaten down tracks
in the dirt with lots of ruts and erosion. 4WD or tractors only. It's
all reasonably flat. A few undulations, but no big deal. The farmer
will still own that road, but I'll own an easement to the road
guaranteeing access in perpetuity to the road and access to the
property. He won't be allowed to plow up the road and plant it to
grain. He'll still use the road to get to his fields. We will share
some of the costs for upgrading the existing road. The current owner
has wanted to upgrad the path for a long time anyway. Access from
below the slope is impractical due to water. The road is needed to get
to the slope, not to move around on the slope. We've already agreed
that an all weather gravel surface will be sufficient. Paving it would
be overkill and too expensive. The big downside to the road will be
getting snowed in and needing to plow my own way out.
I don't want to build very far down the slope. I want to build close
to the top of the hill on the south facing side. The front door will
face the road to the north. I envision two levels stairstepping their
way down the slope. The south facing glass will have appropriate roof
overhangs to take advantage of passive solar.
I also want to build a small hikable trail zig zagging as you describe
down to the water. It would be a great park like setting for a gazebo
or something. That will come later.
--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "Ernie Phelps" <eepjr24@...> wrote:
>
> Color me confused. If the hill is really a 45 degree angle, and has a
> good rock and clay base, why wouldn't you just cut the road into in a
> zig zag, like they do on some mountain passes? Then you could use a
> tractor, cut wide enough for it as you go and have a nice wide
driveway
> when you are done?
>
> - E
>
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