She Loves the New Trail, Thick and Nasty No More

[@keithburch5506]

Oh wow, this was such fun, watching a new trail being made. The growth there is like what little woods are left in my old forest. It's now Lecho Park, a housing community, very upscale homes. The rock fort is still in place, right beside the road. I smiled really big when Melissa started shoveling and the deer tracks! Everyone's enjoying this! I do so envy the Morgan family's forest, it's yours! It does require work, but hey, Mike's got the equipment! How nice that is! Ty and Thea will grow up in those woods, and who knows, maybe Hanna and Tyler will build a nice house there and raise their kids there! Sweet! How incredibly smart was that move to purchase that land Mike, kudos buddy, very smart indeed! Another great video, 27 minutes of awesomeness! I loved every second! Thanks for sharing!👍🚜❤

[@lifewithmaggieandoscar1114]

Keith ya gotta be in Conover NC ?

[@keithburch5506]

@@lifewithmaggieandoscar1114 yep! Sure am. Moved to Iowa in 69, came back in 75 and Lecho Park was well under way. Moved to Texas in 75 for 5 months helping dad w the new house, then came back here, moved around working for Hickory Construction Co. for 9 1/2 years then went to work for Siecor which later changed to Corning for the next 35 years. Now I have a Conover address, pay Newton city tax and am in Claremont fire district. Also spent a summer in South Dakota. This is my home, no where else is better, well except heaven! You must be here too, the Morgan's property reminds me so much of my days in the woods, such grand memories. No one locked their doors at night, we would camp out and after dark we'd walk through town, not a soul to be seen! We did not have air conditioning. The house is still there. 405 3rd st, at the top of the hill is a community swimming pool.

[@lifewithmaggieandoscar1114]

@@keithburch5506 just finished a new home off of 127 near Fred T Foard. 19 acres with 12 of them woods. Looking forward to clearing trails

[@keithburch5506]

@@lifewithmaggieandoscar1114 Well again a small world, my only brother and his wife have built a log cabin just like 2 miles past Fred T Foard on the right just out of sight behind trees. I envy you too Chip!

[@kellyreep1985]

@@keithburch5506 Sounds like familiar territory. I live in the W. Lincoln community, just south of the high school. The Foard Tigers are a welcome team on the schedule, although this year was a wash due to the quar. Fourteen miles from Foard.

[@markpashia7067]

My guess is you will be scattering some seed on all of this??? Just need some roots to hold it all in place. Real nice. I remember doing this with a chainsaw, lawnmower and my F150 to pull the stumps. I cut them high to give more leverage as I pulled them over with a chain. More work but cheaper than an excavator. That garage sale lawn mower was my mulcher but it took a couple of packs of shear pins before it was over. Still a twenty five dollar mower and ten bucks of shear pins was my budget limit. Really did not take that long. Had a nice quarter mile grass drive to a parking area in the woods that was great in fair weather and made a walking path the rest of the year. Also brought a lot of firewood out on that trail over the years. Girdle them in the spring, cut them the next fall after tick season. Haul them when we could. Sometimes dry weather and sometimes frozen ground. Just never the muddy seasons.

[@charlesreohr6236]

I've blazed a few trails with the boy scouts and cleared them by hand but we always kept them about three foot wide to keep unwanted traffic from encroaching on the trail but still wide enough for a riding lawn mower to keep down the growth. We finally planted clover because it only gets about six inches tall and keeps wild life traveling the trails so they can feed and move easier. The last trail I was part of making was on the edge of a state park. The deer and bear along with many other animals would take and use these trails even in the winter. I once found mountain lion tracks on it in the winter but as it was snowing pretty hard the tracks filled up and I lost them to the snow. Finding out that the animals used them more than us humans made me happy.

[@lonniechartrand]

At the 10:33 mark ii sounded like you ran over a camera! Whew! At 20:00 mark you mentioned the problems with grape vines. You ain't wrong there!!!! I have some HUGE grape vines growing up into some of my trees and a few weeks ago I got hung up on a vine that I did not see and had a six inch diameter by three foot long limb come out of a dead snag behind me and hit my shoulder and crushed a bottle of water in the cup holder of my tractor's fender. Luckily it did not hurt the tractor, but scared me a little! I actually thought my arm was broke at first, but all was OK. I ALWAYS leave the ROPS up on my tractor, but you sure have to be careful when working in the woods with them up! Several times they would catch a limb, or vine, causing things to fall around me.

[@terrygroce1594]

That is going to be a great trail and deer hunting options. Yet another fine time with you and the excavator.

[@gibsonmj1958]

Something I always thought would be fun doing. Nice job. A future update would be interesting to see how the water flows during a major rain storm.

[@deanrambler9006]

I didn't know the excavator was able to pivot the boom separate from the cab. That just gave it another level of versatility!

[@bobbyd6499]

Cool maneuvering around all the standing trees with that saw log Mike. You’re a consummate professional. Thanks for yet another trip out to your woods. I TRULY enjoy living vicariously through your vids. Still, that forestry mower you rented would’ve made this new trail in NOOOOO TIMMME AT ALL.

[@billchurch180]

Want to thank you! I have been trying to reclaim trails that have been neglected for 20 years with a Ratchet Rake on the loader of my NH 1920. It has been frustrating, I never thought to use the backhoe and then the rake to finish the trails. Bill C

[@huxleyhornm7405]

Posting early. Love your channel. Mike is a good ole boy, and Melissa is always smiling and such a worker, unlike my wife, who would never risk breaking a nail.

[@johnferguson7057]

Love Melissa's hair. Looks great this long.

[@craigsudman4556]

In the spring if you find your self being thirsty and you have one of those grape vines up in the trees, give it a whack with a big knife or pair of loppers and you will get clean clear water running back down out of the vine. Great video Mike and Melissa, thumbs up.

[@markjohnson5556]

What would be interesting to me is to put a timer or a clock in a corner of the screen when you fast forward to get an idea of how long it takes you to do things.

[@maryohara6192]

I love the smell of good dirt too. My boys love mud and dirt. 4 years ago when they were 13 and 11 with a couple best friends I took them to our park they wanted to through their football around and I needed them to burn off energy. When we got there, there was a hug mound of new dirt, the boys were like it was the greatest thing. They played on it wrestled played king of the hill, it was hot and they were sweaty with the dirt sticking to them. I keep towels in my van and they sat on them going home then I hosed them down in the back yard before letting them inside. They had a ball.

[@timjames8503]

Great video Mike!! This is just a thought, dig out in front of the inlet side of the pipe for a small pond, and use the pipe as an overflow. You could make it as big as you want.

[@BAMFWOODS]

It’s really cool you have areas that you can actually discover. Change a bit. Etc and don’t scratch the machines!

[@davidgrisco1939]

Even after we retire early, we still have a boss. But it's much easier to work with the boss you choose forever.

[@paulkeller4889]

i really like the trail building videos. Love to see the multiflora rose and grape vines bite the dirt.

[@mikerobbins5049]

Good job Mike. I wish I could keep logging roads at my old farm open but I dont have the equipment nor the money to buy the equipment. Another factor is I live 2 hrs from the farm.....

[@jimsweeney25]

Can't wait to get back into the woods to do what you're doing. Unfortunately, here in SW NH, we're water logged by months of rain. Hoping for some dry weather ahead.

[@cashxx]

Hopefully that pipe is big enough. Get a large rain it may run around it and blow it out, but doesn't look like much runs there so may be ok. Think I would have moved it down stream some and not so close to where the 2 streams meet. I've seen a couple of similar setups with steel pipes growing up that had that happen. They were large steel pipes put in by loggers, but that was in stream with running water all the time and large rains it would really flow. Eventually went around the two pipes and mades its own path. Nice having the property and equipment to do this stuff!

[@philsmock4943]

Making a new trail is fun job. More fun if you have a good excavator. Being back in the woods is such a great time for anyone. We have been cooking with a Dutch oven over an open fire back in our woods. Thanks for sharing another great video in your woods. Can't wait for tree cutting and wood splitting time.

[@robertdean9392]

Trail complete except for some.touchup!!! Looks great and you were correct, plenty of good habitat for deer!! Big Hello to the family, and be safe and see you on the next video.

[@NinfaCarpentergeorgia198]

The large oaks are great!!! But the old giant chestnuts were the best!!! Not too many folks around that remember those!!!!

[@richardgillard779]

Great trail. Deer on my property can never let anything get past them. They seem to want to know what’s going on. Wife and I make a change or do maintenance. Deer are there within a few hours. What are you going to do with all the down timber? Fire wood or mill lumber?

[@scottashwv8350]

that big stick(tree) stretched from creek side to side would make Ty a good plank to walk; Argh Matey! or resting spot or a guard rail.

[@mikemcguire8351]

Satisfying to clean up A thicket and see daylight on the other side. Nice trail addition. Y'all have a nice Sunday.

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Yes like when you finally punch through!

[@runtimmytimer]

I cut in 1.1 miles of trails through my property. The deer started using trails as soon as I opened them up. One section they use so much I ended up putting a stand on it. Glad they use them so all my hard work is being well utilized.

[@marcuswhite3628]

😂 Like Archie pulling a stick through the door…😂 This question came to me many times while you were clearing brush from the trail. Have you ever found any artifacts (arrowheads, mini-balls etc) from the Revolution, Civil War or just plain Native American hunting parties etc. You might be surprised what you may find with a metal detector. Marcus from Chesapeake VA.

[@oldmanfred8676]

Maybe French and Indian War.

[@MacBailey]

That rope size grape vine was what I got one of my worst near misses about. Was cleaning out under a bush and did not see the vine snaking over to a large walnut about 15 feet away. Pulled down a large dead limb about 6in in diameter and 15 feet long that landed right across me and the steering wheel of my open station tractor. Missed my head and face by inches but scraped my shoulder and ripped my shirt sleeve. Total shock when one second you are scraping weeds with the bucket and the next instant you are under a massive limb. No real damage to me or the brand new tractor, but I sure watch for grape vines now, and cut them off whenever I see one as they are bad for the trees long term.

[@thebradleysoncatbirdhill6849]

Hey Mike! Beth and I have a really good friend who actually makes wreaths out of wild grape vine. He uses it to make the circle while the vine is still fresh and just cut, and then lets it dry for a few months before he makes the wreaths. Pretty cool use of an invasive pest plant! 👍

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

I have seen those, pretty cool

[@treggliebler6237]

Has Melissa figured out the new path is really for a new deer blind yet? 😁 Love your content, keep up the good work!

[@kirbydison3959]

Nice job with that swing boom; you could thread a needle.

[@bradleymcclintock7771]

Well that looks like a great trail 👣 Mike it's funny when I'm watching you try to take the logs through the trees I would be moving my phone to try to help get around the trees. Nice job 👏👍

[@jeffpeters1014]

The job always goes long! That’s okay when you are improving your own land. Nice work! If you clear it,the deer will come 😆

[@brianhina8538]

Thanks for not leaving us hanging while your at the Paul Bunion show. We were going to go (to see you guys) but we picked up a new puppy on Friday and did not think it would be good to take her on Saturday bring only 13 weeks old.

[@jimbehrend4327]

Mike you never cease to amaze me on how good you are on that excavator. Grabbing the vine with the bucket and thumb, great job. Sorry to have missed you at the Paul Bunyan show, couldn't get there. Hope to meet you all one day. Feel like I have already know you for years. Keep up the great work.

[@millcrafters]

My sentiments exactly. I feel like i know these guys so well I'm like part of the family.

[@oldmanfred8676]

@@millcrafters, Yep, we all do.

[@Guitaural.]

Hello All...trail building is so satisfying - to do, and to watch. Nice edits at the beginning Mike.

[@jedhancock5611]

This is probably my favorite video you have ever made!! Love watching you make trails in the woods. It's my favorite thing to do!! Thanks for the video.

[@deibert1]

a log bridge would be a sweet addition to the trail system :)

[@evilbrat5376]

Just like Archie trying to get a stick through the gate - - - - 🤣 had to laugh at that one.

[@johnsadler8637]

Good, uh, afternoon! 35-mile bike ride put me later again today. Mike, when you broke into that open patch and got into the MF Rose thicket, I started having flashbacks to similar spots on our farm. Looked just like that, but we didn’t have your handy excavator to pull them up! A brush blade on a trimmer or drive the bucket through at ground level to shear them off. And then treat with liquid Tordon or Spike pellets. Or we’ll have them all over again next year. I do like backing over them with the brush cutter, or shredding the windrow we cut out of the fence line. Feels ever so satisfying to make little pieces out of a pile. Nice work on the new trail!

[@jamesmoore768]

As always loved the video! Making trails as a kid loved making a trail! It’s a blast! Have a day Morgans and God Bless Y’all! ❤️👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@michaelmullins1290]

If I had your abilities and equipment and land, I'd have a 2 lane highway through the woods. I have none of the above. I feel like you'll fill in the trough more in the future.

[@jefferyholland]

Maybe take some of your left over rocks from the retaining wall and put them on the ends of the culvert pipe. Will cut down on erosion and look good also.

[@michaelmullins1290]

Oh yeah. I love the smell of fresh dug dirt. I use to hang out with my cousin that had a excavation business when I was young.

[@holymoly6829]

Looks like there’s lots of ready for processing firewood by the new trail Nothing wasted with you guys Culvert pipe Top soil Firewood & compost

[@aaronbaum2542]

Nothing like a "Great" trail building video before church!! Well done Mike And Melissa!! All the Best to you and your family!! God Bless!! 😊

[@lonniechartrand]

"Like Archie trying to get a stick through a gate" LOL I can relate as I used my grapple to maneuver some fifty feet long logs between trees that were only twenty feet apart! And that was with my tractor!!! I wish I had an excavator to be able to "jockey" those logs a little easier between the trees!

[@steveashworth6707]

Great job making your new trail!, Melissa I remember those mud pie days real well! And the girl down the road trying to eat a piece of it!, lololo!. Morgans have a day!.

[@margee0227]

Hi Mike and melissa, one suggestion I'd like to put in is you should leave some roots in your uphill path because when it rains that path May well erode.

[@raylund2036]

Mike Looks good are you going to take some of those big rocks you have left over and place them at the mouth of the pipe to create a head wall to sorta slow down the erosion when you get heavy rains

[@ralphjacobsen1845]

Nice trail. Wish I could have been at the Paul Bunyan show. Hope you two had a great time. Jake and Vernice Minnesota.

[@1whitetailnut1]

Nice trail. Have you considered hunting that area in the rut? Just wondering if you could throw some clover on all that fresh dirt.

[@stevekennedy8547]

Hello Mike & Melissa. How many Months of Warm Weather do you receive annually, that allows you to complete all that you have going on Outdoors. As we started our Daylight Saving's OCT 3,which goes through until April next Year.

[@michaeldurling793]

Mike, ya sure got some glorious woods. I have five acres with about 30 percent wooded, the wife and I went about 2/3rds of the way to the back and carved out a small camp site all by hand. We love our tent camping and she loves to be in the woods. I consider myself blessed for that. Ya'll have a day hey!

[@larrypalmer2415]

My son Daniel and I were at the PBS on Friday, what a perfect weather day! It was good to be able to see you guys again, after last years Covid mess...Daniel enjoyed meeting you, said afterwards," Melissa is a nice lady.."I said she has a heart of gold.....also, someone asked Daniel if he was Paul Bunyon!!!...LOL....Daniel needs to go on a diet.....Anyway, good to see my favorite KZbin friends again....take care......

[@onthefritzfarm]

We’ve got a place where our loggers made a logging trail and it was an uphill trail. It quickly became a water runoff down to our stream because it was the lowest part of the hill. We have huge ruts in it. We are going to close it and bulldoze it to stop the erosion. I’m building a new trail that should be better.

[@papadave9061]

WhatEVER you do Mike.....don't scratch the machine!! LOL I'm the same way with cars. I started daydreaming there for a hot minute thinking if we had a couple hundred acres, I'd get an excavator and have at it on a regular basis. Fun stuff.

[@roberthakeman9822]

Mike with that big log you should make a rail on either side of the trail with it too kinda show that there's a culvert below if you're out on the trail at night.

[@ramchargerdodge]

Good morning Morgans! I really enjoy your channel. I know we’ve got completely different kinds of ground here in south central Missouri compared to you, but I couldn’t help wondering if you were worried at all about your trail washing out or getting rutted from heavy rains?

[@johnsadler8637]

Where in S Central Mo? Our farm is a couple hours NW of you I’d guess. Western Ozarks for it. You must be pretty much in the middle. Mike cleans up ruts periodically on his older trails, and tries to stay off them when really wet.

[@ramchargerdodge]

@@johnsadler8637 We’re on the west edge of Pulaski County with the scenic Gasconade River along our southern border.

[@johnsadler8637]

@@ramchargerdodge Looks like you’re 100 miles due east of the Phoenix Farmhouse. (It arose from the ashes of my folks’ home.)

[@timwilcoxsr2712]

You could have placed those Popular Logs on the edges of the trail (by the culvert) to act as guard rails.

[@fordboss9275]

We too always called a creek “crick” in upstate NY!

[@donleach306]

The same here in Oregon.

[@johnsadler8637]

And Missouri Ozarks.

[@TheHobbyFarmHomestead]

Trail looks awesome! I did not make it to the Paul bunyan show this year but maybe next time. Life just get's busy sometimes. I have been looking for some property for awhile now. It would be awesome to be able to have property to build trails like this. You guys keep up the good work!

[@vastylebbq5203]

I was being the same thing ( trail development) yesterday. No excavator, just B2910 and a chainsaw. Plenty work even with good equipment. I found two bees nests! The cab on the mini ex was definatly on my mind! Enjoy your work, and Melissa's smile. Take care. BTW. Hold your wife's hand when your walking! She's worth it. Seeya

[@candi_7]

Same here Melissa. I'm from Pittsburgh & we called it a "crick"(creek) too. Pittsburgh slang, I guess. :)

[@williamritter67]

Nice job on the trail make. Mike what do you think of the new laws your state is trying to pass on ammunition purchases, background checks .

[@donsmith6235]

Mike, Don’t you hate those vines?!? I pull them down every chance I get. Even had one turn my Can Am on its side, that sucker just wouldn’t break off. Do you know if they impact tree growth? Thanks.

[@rickjohnson258]

I know you have an abundance of hard woods but would you use that poplar? Great in a fire pit.

[@robbypelfrey7677]

Have you thought about using the large stone left over from the retaining wall to build a head wall for the culver pipe. That will help insure that the water goes through the pipe and not wash the dirt around it.

[@HallnoutMhall]

Morning Morgans and friends. Hope all are well. Have a day!

[@bobgutman9691]

Mike, GREAT job, what great therapy! I could really tell you were in your element. Not in a rush and want to start out on the right foot. Looking at all that new ground I couldn't help but think, great place to plant clover. Would hold everything together and help hold off competition. Cheers! and have a Nice Day!

[@davidbishop4015]

I'm jealous of all the beautiful woodlands you have to explore.

[@markgundry9331]

I grew up in Fall Creek WI, some said crik, some said creek. So even up here in the MidWest we all talk a little different.

[@danschramm1397]

I see another mini cabin build coming, this new trail is prime real estate !!

[@vaughnmaurt5013]

Yes! What a great spot for #2 …..mini cabin.

[@HiLineTree]

Did a job in August on Big Crick. (Big Wheeling Creek). A double re-direct pull on a black locust. Simple bare-bones video on KZbin. The house is right against the creek. Thanks for sharing Mike and Melissa. I know being at the show for 2 days you must be itching to get back at it. 👋

[@oldmanfred8676]

Around my house is now overrun with Black Locust!

[@bruceguidosh2120]

Being less than an hour from you, yes, this whole past week WAS fantastic to get work done in the woods!

[@davidpruitt2866]

You could take out a large oak for projects to mill let the small stuff grow and never run out of timber. With the smaller equipment you have leave only small foot print in woods.

[@golfermoc]

I totally agree with you, working in the woods like this you have to be careful, I had my mini in the woods one time and took out an old dead tree luckily it fell away from the machine. Just like you said take it slow and pay attention.

[@chucklogan7296]

Maybe bring down some of your limestone and lay over your culvert on the new trail?

[@Tomrryaniv]

That was worth the price of admission; seeing Mike navigate the stick through the “door”!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us Mike and Melissa, the trail looks good and will be great once it’s been over a bunch and gets packed good. You both did good. Fred. 🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻✋🏻✋🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@Makka668]

You now have somewhere to put some of the big stones you had left over from your retaining wall, LOL. It does look like a good place to put a trial camera, to see how many deer use that part of the wood. Hopefully you’ve both had a good time at the Paul Bunyan Show and met a few of your subscribers. Send our love to the Huntman, all the best from the UK.

[@moman0166]

Can I be in your family? I know everything doesn’t go perfect but your family is great example of America!

[@markvolesky5239]

Do you think you might be going through a deer bed area?? Looks very thick with fresh tracks.

[@scottka]

Mike, wouldn't it be nice to have that John Deere 333G and Diamond Mower back. Can you get an attachment for the excavator similar to that?

[@brucechapman6405]

You need to name each trail. Like the orchard way, the 007, by the pond. Lol

[@timbroome212]

That vine wasn't put there for "Tarzan"! It was there for "Tyzan" when he gets old enough to swing through your trees! Ha ha ha. I hope all the "doubters" can now appreciate the value of the excavator purchase! You are an "artiste" Mike! Great work...as always!

[@morgansword]

Mike, something for cheap compared to the many accessories that you can get into, a handy tool would be a tractor mounted winch that is operated by the three point and Sawing with Sandy has one on his Kioti tractor that is handy as a pocket on your shirt for about twenty five hundred and whats so nice is its really easy on tractor and the operator. Your into firewood as he is as well as his little sawmill. He does this for him an not commercial stuff so its right down the trail .... woolstien or some name like that. I think if you saw it that it would be a stocking stuffer for you. And its a way to share videos too. He answers all of his subs as well.

[@uberuser1999]

Like a Boss @8:19 threading that log through the other trees. Well done!

[@jacklachman5304]

Morning all y’all in the OWTM filler/fan club. HELLOOOO SANTA 🎅🏻 MIKE!! It’s an absolute gorgeous morning here in the low country of Virginia Beach… Hello Hunter!! HAVE A DAY

[@realairplane261]

I have some tractor trails, but my favorite trails are narrow walking trails on some glacial eskers here on our land at northern most Wisconsin.

[@daviddavis6855]

If you had a set of strap on axles an a strap on hitch you could tow that nice log out of there!

[@loycemarch8409]

A chain saw yp the middle for saplings busjmhez and vines to prepare for that machine would be faster.

[@jeffsaunders4785]

You are good. Saw what you did getting that log through the trees !!

[@wendydaum7232]

Nice trail..remember when I was in the Conservation Corp. At that time the only 18 year old GIRL Making trails with chainsaws and Pulaski for the Forestry Service.

[@cjm3508]

Great trail! Looks really good!

[@lynntraylor1646]

The part where Mike is backing up with the big log looks just like Archie with a stick. Love the woods.

[@russellbowman8051]

Love the New Trail Addition to the Rest of the Awesome Trails on the Morgan Ranch, Lookin Great!! 👍👊

[@haroldhubbs8117]

Just a suggestion ,when moving logs around leave them parallel to the incline of the hill creating a natural terrace

[@sherimcgill5139]

That would be gorgeous as a walking trail, but I’m sure this trail is for four wheelers, side by side, equipment, etc.

[@brianberdon2695]

I think Melissa is in good shape. She would be good on that elk hunt . Is that elk hunt on some rocky steep terrain and miles uphill for hours. She has good cardio from what we see. Mike how is your cardio.