What to put into an ATV trail

[Micah Gafford]

So the kids have a 110cc ATV I'm getting an old polaris xplorer up and running and I've been thinking about what kind of trail I should make. I've got some very wooded acreage and hills with creeks running through it. I'm planning on using a lot of the old logging road for the main trail but what do you normally want to come across when you're riding your ATV? Any suggestions on things I should build in? What would you make sure you had on a trail you built and what would you avoid doing?

[06kfx440]

Well. Depends on the situation, time of year, and the balls of the rider. “Sorry ladies” Some like mud. Some like smooth trails. Some like logging. Some like rocks. Some like deep waters with mud and rocks. Personally. I like all of it. I don’t go alone, always carry tools, and a winch is a must have.

The real question is what you would like to have.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Micah Gafford]

16 minutes ago, 06kfx440 said:

The real question is what you would like to have.
 

That is the real question I suppose... I just don't really know. I'm not looking for the adrenaline. That's mostly because my 6 boys from all the even numbered ages from 14-4 will be using the trail on their small ATV as well and I don't want the wife to shoot me for putting a 10 ft jump over a creek into the trail. I haven't done very much four wheeling in my lifetime so I was hoping a lot of people would chime in with what they enjoy the most about spending time out on the ATV. With other people's comments I might find something that strikes me as something I'd probably really like too.

To clarify the 4 year old will not be driving an ATV I just meant all of them in the sense that even the younger ones will be growing up into being able to ride whatever we setup for many years in the future.

[06kfx440]

Moderate hills. A few technical areas. In example. Rocks trees and river crossings. Mostly straights and turns. Make a small track for the littles and as time goes on. Expand. As beginners. Keep your logs small. And easy to get over. Anything more than that you need experience. You gain that by seat time. There are a few posts on here that explain the do’s and dont’s of atv life. Take the time to read carefully.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Frank Angerano]

First thing i would do are make some trail markers.  As you make your way through the trails mark along the way.  If you find a nice wet spot make it a mud pit and mark up a makeshift map as you go along the way. Some of the places i ride including  my place have the mud trail and an alternate dry trail.   And mark it and make a map as you go.  @mikeexplorer flys a drone over alot of tye old railways and logging trails etc to get a real bird's eye view of the area.   

[Micah Gafford]

Oh, that's a great idea. I think the boys will have a blast actually making the map and probably some signs too. I like the split for a dry and muddy option. If I get my drone up and going again I'll fly it through some of the area I'm planning on doing but going from above will pretty much just be a forest view 😉 I'll have to see if I can find some drone footage of others. Most of the atv cam trail drives aren't very fun to watch shake along.

[Frank Angerano]

If you don't do a drone there are various gps tracking apps that will show you what And where you rode.  

[06kfx440]

I use polaris ride command. It lets you map and gives elevation. Waypoints and on the upgraded version it gives you who owns the property your on or looking at. I think that’s on huntstand too. Not positive tho. It works on mobil phones and without service. It’s pretty neat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Frank Angerano]

HuntStand is one of my preferred apps. I use it obviously for hunting but as well as marking my trails as i go.  Definitely a good app. 

[Ajmboy]

Mud pit, turns, straight runs, creek crossing, open areas to stop and chill and short cuts...not sure how many acres you have but sounds fun.

[Frank Angerano]

A stop and chill spot! I like that! 

[Micah Gafford]

I definitely already know where the chill spot will be. Boulders that are great for stop and picnic.
I hadn't considered a serious mud pit before. I think some spots do get really squishy and would quickly turn to a mud pit if I tore it up a bit...

Awesome app suggestions I will certainly try them out.

Thanks for the great input guys!

[JacobSlabach]

we have a 80 acre farm that hasnt been touched in 20+ years that weve been clearing parts of so im in the same boat.  broke my collarbone so i cant do much for a while but weve already cut a trail around the perimeter of the land (60% is woods).  ive found that in most cases, with a peice of land 20 acres or more, you can find most of what youre looking for already there, just needing cleared.  in the perimeter trail alone, theres stright stretches, of camber turns, a mud section/creek crossing, and i hill climb.

all you gotta do is clear the way to whatever catches your eye.  depending on the lay of your creek, it could be a real blast if you turned it into a trial.  its super fun to go bashing up and down a creek on an atv throwing water and mud everywhere.  the creek on the farm is really twisted up but im still hoping to make an entrance and ride up and down it.  also is good to have a open space for those (like me) who have a need for speed and like to just let that throttle open for a bit