#204

This is the final video in the Trail Building Series I have been working on. I Used a rented Bobcat E55 Excavator with a Hydraulic Thumb to build 1500' Of Trail Through The Forest. The Trail will be used primarily for hiking, UTV Riding, and Gathering Firewood. I also fixed up my little shooting range.
Please Like Our FaceBook Page @outdoorswiththemorgans and follow on Instagram
email is [e-mail]
This channel provides a look at the Rural Lifestyle and all the work that goes with it. We do product Testing, Cut Firewood, (lots and lots of Firewood, Food Plots, Grass Mowing, Brush Hogging, Land Clearing, Wood Splitting, Snow Plowing and other things. We live on and manage about a 100 acres here in Western Pa. Some of the equipment used in our videos are RK Tractors, Both Compact & Subcompact, Backhoes, Excavators, Land Planes, Brush Hogs, Tillers, Box Scrapers, Post Hole Diggers, Rakes, Rear Blades, Dump Trailers,
We also use Stihl Power Equipment from a 25 year old 036 Pro Chainsaw to a New MS 362, Also Have BR 700 Back Pack Blower, HTA 85 Pole Saw, FS 91R String Trimmer, and other tools.
Our Hobbies include cutting firewood, deer hunting, hiking, and crossfit (Melissa and the Kids do that)
Our Transportation on and off the homestead consists of a Polaris Ranger Crew, a Jeep Wrangler, F 150, and Subaru Crosstrek.
Thanks For Watching!

[@regsparkes6507]

I can't add much more to the positive comments by the folks before me here Mike and Melissa, so I'll just say that these were a good series of videos on trail building, and I enjoyed each of them. Thanks for showing the whole project.

[@see207]

MIKE NOW THAT IS REALLY LOOKING GOOD ,,,,,,BUTCH TEAGUE SPRINGHILL,,LA SEEING THIS 4/5/2020 WE STILL IN LOCKDOWN BIG THANK YOU FOR HELPING DURING THIS TIME DONT GET ,,,,,HEY CATCH UP BEEN WATCHING THE NEWEST ALSO THANK YOU PS ALL OF YALL I'VE SEEN MIKE MIKE HEY YA'LL DON'T HALF ASS DO ANY THING YALL DO IT THE FROM THE START LOVE YALL LOCKDOWN BUTCH HERE

[@russvtguy]

Learned a lot just by watching a master at work. Good job and watch the deer start using the trail.

[@bruceingram3439]

Awesome work. Thanks for the information about the fescue. I had a friend who had a trucking business, every time he came home early his dad told him to go get a load of gravel. Over about 20 years he has some very nice road on his few hundred acres. It is nice, but I needed something less expensive. Thanks for the information.

[@kapperoutdoors]

I like that low spot that you filled in that's thinking outside the box. Not much that you can't do with an excavator. Nice work Mike.

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

I agree totally Kap, amazing what you can do with one

[@kc8bdr]

Mike, I enjoyed the trail building series of videos. Looking forward to whatever you do next. I also love the music you choose. Jim Waterford, Michigan.

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

kc8bdr, Thanks Jim

[@jimdavis2113]

And the music information shown on the video !!

[@normanspirit6448]

I have just replayed this 3 times, coming back each time to listen at 8:08. "Lets run away together" by Johannes Bornlöf. Wonderful choice. There is no where better on youtube to hear this piece.

[@FlyerC172]

Hey Mike. It is always good to watch your videos again. U R a great teacher ;) THANKS

[@walteranacleto9102]

Great work Mike, to me the secret to a good trail is looking like it was there for a long time. While right now it looks fresh give it a season or two and you will be watching out for horse drawn wagons coming at you from around the bend. Again as always great work.

[@louboutin5776]

Thanks to the Morgan’s!! Gives me some insight for what I am getting ready to do.

[@larryfromlincolncountywa3989]

Wonderful example of stewardship of the beautiful, natural land!! PA and our Pacific Northwest have a lot of that in common and its a real thrill to see a family that's so devoted to preserving that portion of our natural heritage. Never can see too much of this kind of video!!

[@rfb7117]

Mike I'm really really impressed, great job. I have numerous trails that I have seeded down in the woods. I have found that a clover mix works well in the shade, holds the soil, and the deer feed on it. BB, SW.WI.

[@macsair]

I've thoroughly enjoyed this series Mike and will look forward to the drive through.

[@edwardkenny2356]

Yes, this trail series I've really enjoyed. I think it looks great and will especially enjoy seeing the drive-through. Thanks again, Mike and Melissa 😊

[@butchtheiw]

This has been great! My wife and I are on the verge of getting our land, and I'm a runner, and your trail series has given me the solution. Not only what to do, but how to do it. As a retired union Ironworker, I worked around heavy rigs and operators all day long. I've run bobcats, forklifts and small tractors, but that's it. I've always thought I could run this equipment, but wasn't quite sure what the 'tricks' were. Well, these videos have given me the guts to just go ahead and attempt it, at least. Plus, it looks fun. As we use to say when extended on the end of a 65' JLG manlift, "Some people pay good money to get rides like this at a theme park. We get paid to do it, everyday!" Of course, this time I'll be paying. But I'll get paid back every day when I run my miles through my own woods. For the rest of my running days. Thanks very much, Mike. Lee Butcher

[@deanwatkins8754]

What local you out of brother?

[@dieseltruck5074]

Enjoyed the series very much. A ride through would be great

[@robrusticwoodlandproducts6662]

For those who are unsure how to get the full potential from a digger, welcome to the masterclass. Excellent work Mike. Looking forward to when you drive the whole length of the new track. Cheers. Rob.

[@funwithguns89]

Mike, you're dedicated with the camera work. I would struggle with the patience to stop every so often and move the cameras, but I'm glad you do. Great videos!

[@gaylonreedy1545]

This video does a great job demonstrating the versatility and productivity of an excavator and skilled operator. Very enjoyable video.

[@coleanderson3802]

love the road building series. It has always been something I have interest in as I need to do a lot of it on my property. thank you for doing the videos

[@leonardwalker8700]

Awesome Job :)

[@Will7981]

Looks good. I agree with you that this is the best video in the trail building series and that filled in area with the shooting range backstop material did turn out really nice. It looked like it was dog approved as well. Looked great👍👍👍

[@streetrodder2846]

Your expertise is invaluable! It's great watching it happen... Thx for the videos.

[@scottiversen9234]

Would be so fun to have those trails not only for working but to ride the Polaris on and hike on. You did a great job and I really like watching your work and great results.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great video to watch more times and really see how it is done. Thanks for sharing with us Mike and Melissa.

[@jasoncline4383]

Nice job Mike. I noticed a couple others asked what you will do with the trees you took out. My opinion is those little woodland critters, like fuzz bunnies love that sorta stuff. Enjoy seeing Melissa and the tail waggers lol. Dogs looked happy.😃👍

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

jason cline, will cut some firewood out of it and stack the limbs up for the critters

[@stephengmeiner3264]

Man! You have me inspired. I’m just about done with a MAJOR fence project and I think I’m working on my trails next. Not new ones but dialing in the ones we have. You’re right about the excavator, definitely the right tool for the job. Watching all 5 videos made that clear. Always a pleasure watching your videos. Thanks Mike.

[@niceun6648]

Hey Mike, I really enjoy the trail building videos would like to see more of them.....and Melissa!!!

[@blehmann22]

Great job as always! And a great step by step series. On top of it you read my mind when you said you'd do a full run thru of the completed trail with the side by side or tractor! I was planning on asking for that here in the comments then right at the end you said what I was going to type! LOL! Looking forward to it!

[@jimsfarm]

Looks really good Mike. You are pretty good with the equipment. Looking forward to the drive through. Keep up the good work!!

[@adamboyd8591]

Looks great, loved the series of videos on building the trail, take care and God Bless.....

[@j.hankinson7803]

Great job. Nice to see a good up who knows what he’s doing. Thanks for taking the time to show the rest of us a piece of your life. Cheers.

[@newhampshire-bob1604]

A job well done! I just finished mowing our trail through the woods yesterday! The grass was as high as my waist, (been on a lot of business travel for work) and this was the first time I could do it for the summer. It is about 3/4 mile long, goes through our small brook where the waterfall is, past our large pond and back up towards the house! I do need to make some more trails! More trails mean I need to have trail markers!

[@LostCaper]

I like making trails and logging roads. It is very satisfying work.

[@familyvid1]

I could do this with my 4 wheeler blade in that rockless dirt! Lucky dog. My trails are in IRON county.😏

[@froochie123]

Thank you, recently I bought a nice tract of land and you provide both knowledge and inspiration from these videos. The first things I want to build myself are a range and a trail off the logging trails that currently exist. This video was perfect for me.

[@seanworkman431]

Can't believe I sat and watched you pushing dirt around again but very informative as always, thanks Mike

[@stevemartinez6757]

Very nice series. That excavator made short work of building that trail. Using my tractors and tools that I have would have taken at least a couple of weeks!

[@russellbowman8051]

Lookin Great I See the Boss Come Out To Check It out!! 👍👊

[@Nonotkidding]

Your video shows how much fun earth work is, especially when using a mid-size Excavator with a blade (thumb). Ever since I got into the dirt as a kid, whether with bare hands and knuckles, boots, toy trucks, or pick and shovels, I've enjoyed 'conforming' the earth. There is something about shaping the ground, or making things out of the ground, that doing it beats the satisfaction of doing the engineering in or out of the office, the post work inspections, or even the banter, jokes and serious discussion in meetings, or all of it together. There is something about being one with the earth that feels, well, earthy. Even when adult expectations and deadlines are attached to earthwork, it still feels like one of the best things I can do. It is as much play as is is work. And like the earth work I did when I was a kid, a certain amount of heavy, monotonous, repetitive work is needed to get the project done right, or it wasn't as good, or didn't work as planned. It didn't matter if it was a small dam across a small stream, or an underground fort, or a bike ramp, a certain amount of work went with the play, but boy howdy when the project was complete, the satisfaction derived from it was ten fold. Making it, and making it right, brought with it a big piece of feeling satisfied from a job well done and from enjoying the project for the purpose it was constructed for. And deep inside the fun was a sense of emerging adulthood. Now, with fond memories of childhood, and work assignments just a few years or months ago combined, and now being retired, the thought and putting hand tools into the soil is satisfying. I enjoy the thrill of 'improving the side of a hill, for constructing a tail or path, to the top of a hill for a spectacular view, is just as fun now as when I was a kid. Maybe it's even more fun now because I know what the potential is. The million dollar contracts and ribbon cuttings are in my rearview mirror, but that sense of joy is always with me. Earthwork, in its simple form, is as fun now as when the difficult obstacles had to be negotiated to everyone's satisfaction. Now it's just me and the earth and the horizon ahead. Now, just like your video and the music you played, I pretend I'm at the controls of a 930G, and with earbuds playing my tunes, I'm in a great space, like in your video, and the simple earth work of a path is the best job in the world. Thank you for sharing trail bui0lding 'fun' through the range, God bless, Jon, Las Vegas, NV.

[@michaelschlei6168]

I love it Mike! great video

[@HomesteadJay]

Mike, I have been really impressed with that craftsmanship you put into this trail system, Ive watch all the trail videos and all your others leading up to this been subscribed for a while now, what is awesome too is how supportive your followers are. I rarely see negativity and everyone always pokes fun at "the shirt" situation and what not. Seems like you have a good crowd following you! I hope one day to have those types of followers on my channel as well! God bless!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

AWESOME video, lots of good information and know how stuff in this one too. Thanks for sharing Mike and Melissa and of course the puppies !

[@philipcross5332]

Yes I've hit the like button and as always another enjoyable watch 👍.

[@Lazarus-xy4fr]

Nice "bridge" work ya did there by the shooting backstop, Mike.

[@eddiep5676]

Well done. Nice shirt!

[@Chris-gt7ob]

Loved this series Mike! I've been wanting to build some trails! Thanks!

[@thomasdesmond2248]

Great video. Looked like Melissa approved. Happy wife happy life. God bless.

[@jeffbrooks8504]

Excellent video! I enjoy watching you work and how you do it and explain it. Excellent job!

[@danieltweton8647]

Great series, as always, learn a little something from each video! Thanks

[@winternunya4561]

Trail building videos NEVER get old

[@casto-]

I'm looking forward to the drive through now. Would be nice if you could do a drive through in spring after its settled, should loose those Sharpe edges as you said

[@richardpedersen9189]

Still catching up on the earlier episodes! I like this series, Mike 👍

[@2blackdanes]

Great work on the series. If the dealership was smart they would have plastered their name on the counterweight of that machine and gotten all kinds of free advertising! And Melissa should know by now to say hello when she walks past the camera, she completely ignored us!

[@craigsmith8880]

One of your best!!!!

[@tndeere]

Great Job!! My trails are as hard as concrete from just riding dirt bikes ,4 wheelers and rain.I do very little maintenance to them and they have held up great.

[@MrsLaytonClassroom]

That is such a good looking trailway! I have to tell ya, I'm a touch jealous 😉. But really, very nice work Mike, very nice.

[@jerryhollingshead7806]

Nice job!!

[@GeorgeAWoods]

Looks good Mike. Now need to start building that pole building. 👍🏻

[@victorhebert5774]

Not your first rodeo. Good work, love to watch someone that knows what his doing.

[@darrenthomas6868]

I work in safety on the roads and highways. If I see it right you have a range that crosses a trail. Please put up range in use flags for your family's safety. Just a suggestion. Stay safe.

[@bobthuotte8743]

Fantastic set of videos. What a beautiful peace of property u guys have there !

[@davidwarden4350]

Nice project Mike. Will make a great property access for all kinds of things.

[@SouthernFoodJunkie]

The trail turned out really nice. I need to go back and watch them all. I think I caught the first one or so. Did you already know how to operate the small track hoe already? I tell ya what, if not you sure know how to operate that thing. Its almost like an extension of your arm haha. I need to rent one to clear some land at my house but I am afraid it will take me the whole week to learn how to operate it. I love watching stuff like this though.

[@mikedickson2925]

The trail is looking great!!

[@thecovelife5793]

Looks like fun! I just bought a new house with almost 16 acres of mountain land and am looking foward to doing this !!

[@NHHalKnowsHow]

Mike, I love the music you choose for these videos. Great Job, and cool STIHL shirt! Oh, and the trail looks sweet, too.

[@hillhump1789]

Wow! Beautiful trail Mike! Peace.

[@leol1682]

Love the video Mike and love your trails too .

[@101numlock]

Your videos make me want to move to the country and buy 10 plus acres!

[@amossnowdaharleyman9179]

Heck of a bear trap you dug there partner :) Gosh darn nice road/trail! Better than some of the Texas county maintained roads I've been on.

[@casycasy5199]

nice trails can't wait to see it from the side by side drive

[@johnglennon4245]

Nice work! I enjoyed the series, thanks

[@4wheelsonmywagon733]

Howdy - I thought you should take note of the ‘camber’ of the trail. As you mentioned ‘tricky’ past winters? When a vehicles slips, skids or slides .... it will always be affected by the camber, ie it will move in direction of camber. On your video at the beginning you show the new trail, and the steepest part - that camber is very noticeable - any slippage/skidding/ sliding there will have you off in to the woods. Enjoyed watching you build it 😊👍🤠

[@larryscott2036]

Great video. I'm about to close on my hunting property 25 acres (my lifelong dream) and it's heavily wooded with no trails. This definitely helps. Thanks

[@HealthSupercharger]

wonderful road this is way better than just a trail

[@BigBuckGetter]

Great videos, enjoyed the whole series.... can't wait to see the "drive thru"!!!

[@davidbarnhart6228]

Sweet lookin trails! Really enjoyed this series!

[@jeffreno1146]

Now you need a wood chipper for all those branches it would be nice to see that in action

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

The trail is awesome and you can sure operate that excavator!!!

[@cullen5021]

Nice range, you should hang a chain and sign across the new trail abutment that says "Shooting range ahead: proceed with caution". Not trying to be a safety sally, but, you just never know.

[@HometownAcres]

Nice work on the trails. Now it’s time for that hunting blind you’ve been putting off for years haha

[@williamdjerf6291]

Hey Mike, great motivation video. Just bought a new Groundhog BH40D, picked it up in PA, no more back busting handwork for me. I am waiting to find the time with buttoning everything up with winter coming, also, being a 40 hr/wk working man like yourself. Going to be doing the exact same thing as you with a range off of the access road, awesome set up. What state do you live in? Here in Liberal Massachusetts, it takes an act of congress to bust a trail. Again, thank you for the tips. Take care.

[@donmotz5528]

Wow...thats more than a trail Mike....lol.....its looking awesome....nice job.

[@BigPowerAL]

Good stuff Mike!

[@chuckb.5076]

Awesome Job! Looks fantastic! Loved the mini series. Thanks!

[@williegardner9290]

Great job Mike, I like the videos I am in the process of building a new house on 6 acres and need to cut in a loop drive through oaks and Maples for the house. Going to be about A quarter mile total give or take, it will be fun.

[@harryksmith7463]

Slowly find myself watching more. Thanks

[@Living-The-Dream]

Nice fuel set up!👍 nothing like a 1911 45acp 🤠

[@btj1844]

Great job Bud!

[@damonhart1268]

THAT LOOKS LIKE FUN TIMBER TO RIDE DIRTBIKES THRU. LOL

[@MyTechWebTV]

Great job Mike! You handle that machine well!

[@robertrogish1038]

I admire the way you operate heavy machinery !

[@cliffordlarson5425]

Nice job

[@lawrencezaccheojr6642]

Great video, love the trails though your properties. Thank you.

[@jilescochran3912]

Looks like should be able to run a snow blower down trails in winter

[@duanebauer8133]

You are awesome!!

[@kevinreilly4990]

Turned out great. I Enjoy watching and learning. Keep them coming.

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Thanks Kevin!

[@jefffluharty2116]

I’m renting one next month and trying the same thing. You did a great job.

[@jakobrebeki]

Mike, just to let you know that Tim H Grochow is back and he is doing OK. Thanks for the help and input. nice trails by the way....

[@bpmunroe]

Seems kind of odd, to me at least, to see a trail running through the middle of a shooting range. Loved the birds singing in the beginning.