Building Steep DIY Trail Steps Down to Our Waterfall

Our property has a 30ft waterfall that's beautiful, but very hard to get to. These steps are the first stage in making it easy to get from the ridge trail down to the base of the waterfall. The only tools were a pickaxe and a hammer. The natural dirt steps are held in place with 2x10s or 2x12s and 2ft lengths of rebar.

[@akyshie]

thanks for the idea!!!

[@joshwolf7139]

Awesome spot. This gave me a good idea for what I need to do to get down to the creek on my property.

[@jayrock4ya]

Waterfall? looks like someone left the tap running!!!🤣 NIce steps!!!

[@badcanyon]

Ha, yeah it's a trickle in late summer.

[@fotovidnow]

Thank you so much for the video! This is exactly what I'm looking for. Something simple and very easy to follow.

[@maxpolaris99]

Love the simplicity, dread the back breaking! I have terraced property, I will start in an out of view area with a 45 degree 6-8 foot rise. Nice WORK. It's so easy watching someone else work. 😄

[@Topclassfail]

V straight into it and bam go do it, thanks bud 😁

[@jmo9113]

Thank you for your video, which reassures me about this way of doing things. I'm thinking of using this method, but the risers will be made of concrete edging for better durability. What is your experience one year later. Didn't the torrential rain destroy your work?

[@Nov019]

This is super helpful! How long did it take? I have a large hill in my woods and it’s a lovely walk to the lake; not so lovely comjng back. This would probably take me all summer, but looks worth it.

[@badcanyon]

These steps took me about a day. They currently end at a ~10ft cliff leading up to the road. The goal this summer is to build a ladder to finally connect the waterfall to the road.

[@Nov019]

⁠That gives me some hope…still a lot of work, but worth going for it! I appreciate the idea and the simplicity of your method as far as tools/materials. Thanks again for posting!

[@dixiecho3338]

Simple but effective. Thank you

[@wayward-saint]

I did a similar thing recently. A military folding entrenchment tool (Fiskars makes a great one), is much easier on the back and faster than a pick. Only need a pick for breaking stones.

[@mikekares-b8q]

I live in South Central Indiana and have a lot of cool things on my wooded and very hilly property been really thinking of incorporateing some steps here and there . Only one problem just one I'm in my 70s . But one thing I definitely have is time . I'm thinking wood or Limestone there's an abundance of limestone quarrys and you can get the stone for next to nothing . But the drawback for me is the weight but it will likely last for years .

[@johnalexander-d5d]

find a young relative to help----or hi school senior.....

[@timm2845]

Is there any wash out on the steps from the rain? I am in a quandary on how to deal with my back yard slope and would like some feedback on how they are holding up.

[@badcanyon]

So far, holding up well. I haven't checked the first step since all the spring rain this year to see if it's still there.

[@eliguaso22]

Amazing job. I’ll do them like this on my land too. Thx

[@magicworldbyjorg]

a cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you…

[@roscmon]

This is the life right here. So envious.

[@FromTheHood2TheWoods]

Thank you for this gonna be a fun little project. Looks like you have the same soil I have. I have Rocky North Carolina clay it’s so hard to bust up.

[@LuisSanchez-cz6op]

Nice job, but I have to ask: with all the nice flat rocks lying around why didn’t you use them as risers instead of the 2x12s? A lot longer lasting and nicer aesthetic.

[@badcanyon]

I didn't really think of it. Seems like it would be challenging to get a straight edge for the step?

[@LuisSanchez-cz6op]

@@badcanyon Yeah, keep in mind I'm not criticizing or at least if it is criticism I hope it is of the constructive type and you won't think it just being a jerk. And I don't claim any expertise; just trying to learn from videos and I could phrase all of the below as questions for my own education. Any updates you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I am sure what you have is fine as a short term solution and that may be what you want. But I think over time rain will wash around the ends cause blow outs. Whatever you use I suggest you bury it into the slope on either side so that the water flows over the riser and not around it. If you have to use wood, I hope it is at least pressure treated or resistant to rot. Stones would be nice but would require more work for sure. I would use flat stones stacked to get the desired height. As you mentioned, they may not be straight and would require some dressing with a rock hammer. Alternatively, retaining wall blocks or cinder blocks would provide a straight edge.

[@samdeng272]

what width did you cut the 2x12s ? would 2 ft be sufficient?

[@badcanyon]

Mine are 2ft and they seems pretty comfortable. It you expect 2-way traffic, I would see going wider.

[@dhjoubert39]

I dig your steps man. I'm going to do mine soon. I have to go 100 meters down to the lake and drop a bit more than 60 meters. It's a daugnting task. I've already bought gumpoles and rebar, so instead of using planks, I'm going to stack two gumpoles one on top of the other as they are much cheaper than planks. Ill probably drill holes through them, on the ends to put the rebar through so that they are held in place. I'll bend the end of the rebar over about 1 inch to 90 degrees. Gumpoles were only about $0.38 each for the 600mm or 2ft lengths. I'll probably do a video of it.

[@badcanyon]

The poles will make for some really nice looking steps! Fortunately my planks were reclaimed from my neighbor's old deck stairs.

[@dhjoubert39]

@@badcanyon How are yours holding up?

[@badcanyon]

@@dhjoubert39 Almost two years and doing good. Biggest issue is a tree fell over half way up this spring, so I haven't looked too close this season.

[@cariebrian2639]

How long are the rebars?

[@badcanyon]

2 feet.

[@NikkisHoney89]

I really love this video, it's given me inspiration and confidence. I was thinking of using J-Hook rebar, but otherwise the exact same process you showed. Would that be okay or should I stick to the straight rebar?

[@badcanyon]

@@NikkisHoney89 The j-hook rebar looks like a cool approach. I assume you'd have it wrap around the top of the boards. Certainly seems like that'd hold the boards in place.

[@NikkisHoney89]

@@badcanyon Yeah! That's what I was thinking--that it might give the boards an even firmer hold. Thank you for responding. Great video.

[@missfiandfun]

Poor roots 😢