Steep driveway ideas

[BillTex]

Hi All,

Looking for ideas on what to do about steep (18*) driveway. The drive down to our lake camp is very steep-so steep no one will plow it in winter, so we walk in. We are at camp ~ 2x/month and young enough to hike in now, but are not getting any younger!
Current surface is some pavement and some gravel.
Our lot is long and narrow with steep drop off on both sides of driveway, so there is really no room to relocate the driveway.
The ultimate answer would be a heated drive-but that is not practical.
Any ideas on best surface for traction that is plowable?
Any other ideas on how to deal with a steep driveway?
Your experience and comments appreciated!

Thank you,

Bill

[root1]

Mmmmm ..... that's a tough situation.
Any kind of resurfacing (asphalt/concrete) is going to be very expensive.
A heated driveway fired with a propane boiler is your best bet. But, that also means repaving.
Probably not your 'cup of tea', but have you considered buying a good used skid-steer?

[Slickcraft]

Costly but worked on our 11degree grade driveway. 4WD tractor with snowblower and chains on 4 wheels. You would need a garage to keep it in so you don't spend a good amount of time digging it out of the snow.

Alan

[ishoot308]

A tracked vehicle with a plow such as a Polaris Ranger or similar works very well. I have a tracked Ranger that I use for ice fishing (when there's ice!) and it is pretty unstoppable...not cheap however.

Dan

[codeman671]

I don't see a good solution that is going to be cheap. A utility tractor with a snowblower and a power broom would be a great setup. Depending on the overall size of the driveway, a Kubota BX or Deere 1025R would be reasonably priced as these are often up for sale used. Tire chains are a must.

Our driveway is large- long and steep with a big open area at the top. I use a Kubota LX3310 CAB with rear blade and swap back and forth between a front snowblower and power broom. We live here though, so its easy to justify the expense. If you are only going out twice a month, for a few months only, it seems extreme.

Good pavement and sun will keep it down, but the snowbank that can develop at the entrance will grow if not knocked open between storms.

[fatlazyless]

Good for walking the icy, snowy, steep driveway along with a pair of long ski poles held in each hand and a backpack for haul'n the groceries up and down the steep driveway.

Leave the car up top at the road, and tie on a pair of Yaktrax Pro friction walkers, similar to tire chains for tires. Reg price, about $35 ..... eBay price, about $20 in four different sizes.

Yaktrax Pro ..... www.trailspace.com/gear/yaktrax/pro/

Maybe get a black plastic, drag behind sled for moving large items similar to what snowmobiler's use to move all their fishing gear out onto the lake ice, or somewhere down the trail.

[TheTimeTraveler]

This may not be practical, but an easy solution may be to place the property on the market while you currently can get top dollar....

Use those generous proceeds to buy something else and let the new owner worry about their steep new driveway, lol.

Best of luck!

[Descant]

Many lakeside properties are elevated and have a stairlift/elevator apparatus to get down to the dock level.
The tractor/snowblower set up seems to be preferred. I have a family member who used to plow but the snowblower has better ability to move stacked up snow, or move it so it doesn't build up. Go with a heated cab.

Sounds like, as a random visitor, OP needs not only a tractor snowblower, but somebody local to run it to keep things open when he isn't here. The accumulation of 2-3 storms between visits may be insurmountable. Sounds like storing the car and tractor at the top of the hill is a must in winter until snow removal is accomplished.

Using sand/salt that will wash into the lake is probably a NO-NO.

[WinnisquamZ]

Can S curves be added? What about adding a parking pad partially downhill? A good landscaping company would assist you. A driveway paver not so much


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[bobkatfly]

Bill, are you talking 18 degrees or 18% grade? My last house had a 300 ft long gravel driveway that was approx an 18% grade (about 10 degrees). Standard pickup with plow and good tires usually had no issues. Once in a while with ice it was tricky but tossing some sand down took care of it. 18 degrees is a different story. If it's 18% grade I'm surprised no one will take it.

[fatlazyless]

Another safety item for descending and ascending the super steep hill, covered with ice and snow in addition to using friction Yaktrax grips and ski poles is running a 1/2" x 100' line from a sturdy tree to other trees which you use like a hand railing for extra safety where it is needed.

Ascending is maybe easier and safer to do than descending and the more times you make the climb, the more doable it will become. If you think you can do it, then you can do it. After a few trips up and down, it becomes a routine type of a walk.

That steep climb was SO easy ......... no problemo! .......

[SAMIAM]

Measure the width of your tires and lay two heat tapes (the kind they use on roofs) from top to bottom of your driveway.They will clear a path wide enough drive on……poor man’s heated driveway

[longislander]

I've been using a plastic plow for decades. Solotec plow has been out of business for many, many years, although having won design awards for the plow. My driveway is a dirt driveway about 600 ft.

https://daed.com/experience/37

The following is not my video, and it staightens up, but gives an idea of its plowing capability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7mIMgV5TRw

Just "straps" to the car. I used to clip under the car with stainless steel wire that I left strapped onto the car frame. Might scratch plastic bumpers. I had put carpet remnants on the ends of the plow to help prevent scratches. I now have a tractor with bucket and the plastic plow fits right into the bucket. I realize I can plow with the bucket, but this is so much easier and I might as well use the plow I bought many, many years ago for $200. Delivered by mail to the house in two bags, half plow each and pinned in the middle. I think the weight was/is 70 lbs.

There are other products that you might consider.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-CRm28uq4A


Steep driveway ... first plow pass, down the midddle of the driveway... back up (chains on the car)... hit the sides of the driveway.

[dpg]

When you say a heated driveway is not practical why isn't it? Do you mean not practical for the layout, etc or financially not do-able for you?

That does sound like the best answer probably however, people who install them have this thing about wanting payment when finished.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Hi All,

Looking for ideas on what to do about steep (18*) driveway. The drive down to our lake camp is very steep-so steep no one will plow it in winter, so we walk in. We are at camp ~ 2x/month and young enough to hike in now, but are not getting any younger!
Current surface is some pavement and some gravel.
Our lot is long and narrow with steep drop off on both sides of driveway, so there is really no room to relocate the driveway.
The ultimate answer would be a heated drive-but that is not practical.
Any ideas on best surface for traction that is plowable?
Any other ideas on how to deal with a steep driveway?
Your experience and comments appreciated!

Thank you,

Bill

After re-reading this post and all the responses, I feel like there is basic info missing. Is this really a year round residence? What did the previous owner do? Did you ask? What do the neighbors know? Will they tell you the place was never used in the winter? Or, will they point to a solution from the past? If it's really year round, how do the fuel delivery folks access in the winter?

[fatlazyless]

Hey, here's something very interesting made in northern Italy ....... www.atr-orbiter.com ...... an electric remote controlled snow plow with two tracks as opposed to wheels, good for a steep driveway.

It gets steered and controlled with a play station type radio control from a distance of up to 150' feet away.

So, what's the price? The price is not shown?

You know is a lot less expensive to go with the $19.95 Yaktrax Pro ice .... www.trailspace.com/gear/Yaktrax/pro .... and snow walkers, ski poles, and a rope line and leave the car parked, up top, at the road somewhere plus you get the good exercise of walking the steep hill over the snow and ice.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Good for walking the icy, snowy, steep driveway along with a pair of long ski poles held in each hand and a backpack for haul'n the groceries up and down the steep driveway.

Leave the car up top at the road, and tie on a pair of Yaktrax Pro friction walkers, similar to tire chains for tires. Reg price, about $35 ..... eBay price, about $20 in four different sizes.

Yaktrax Pro ..... www.trailspace.com/gear/yaktrax/pro/

Maybe get a black plastic, drag behind sled for moving large items similar to what snowmobiler's use to move all their fishing gear out onto the lake ice, or somewhere down the trail.

This is exactly what we do now. We hike/snowshoe (that is why we come to NH in winter). But getting down/up the drive with supplies will NOT get easier as we age…

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by bobkatfly

Bill, are you talking 18 degrees or 18% grade? My last house had a 300 ft long gravel driveway that was approx an 18% grade (about 10 degrees). Standard pickup with plow and good tires usually had no issues. Once in a while with ice it was tricky but tossing some sand down took care of it. 18 degrees is a different story. If it's 18% grade I'm surprised no one will take it.

18*.

300’ length.

We do have parking at top and bottom of drive. But no good place to store a tractor. That would also make a lot of work clearing snow if we are up for just a weekend.
Have considered tracked vehicles also (Ranger, etc). That may be the way to go! Anyone have one for sale?

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by Descant

After re-reading this post and all the responses, I feel like there is basic info missing. Is this really a year round residence? What did the previous owner do? Did you ask? What do the neighbors know? Will they tell you the place was never used in the winter? Or, will they point to a solution from the past? If it's really year round, how do the fuel delivery folks access in the winter?

Cabin is wam enough to use all winter. Until we purchased was just used as seasonal residence. Neighbors head south for winter. Fuel delivery is scheduled for early November-before snow/ice starts!

[longislander]

https://www.atr-orbiter.com/

"The price of the ATR Orbiter robot snow plow is not yet public, but it's likely to be similar to the RC 6WD by Super Droid, which costs around $8,000. "

https://dronevideos.com/using-drones-to-clear-snow/

[garysanfran]

I also have a steep drive and although I currently don't use the place during the winter, I would like to.

Ariens makes some incredible snow removing machines and their track machines are designed for steep grades.

https://www.ariens.com/en-us/power-e...ehicle/mammoth

[VitaBene]

You have been presented with many options, however, based on your schedule this task does not seem like a DIY situation. If the snow settles/ thaws/ refreezes it will be difficult to move without a burly tractor with a loader. In the short term. buy an old 2 up, 2 stroke snowmobile and stash it next to the drive partway down in a small shed or shelter. That and an ice fishing toboggan will allow you to get people and supplies up and down.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Costly but worked on our 11degree grade driveway. 4WD tractor with snowblower and chains on 4 wheels. You would need a garage to keep it in so you don't spend a good amount of time digging it out of the snow.

Alan

Great setup! Sorry to be the safety police, but please put your foldable ROPS up (and wear your seatbelt)

[bobkatfly]

Originally Posted by BillTex

18*.

300’ length.

We do have parking at top and bottom of drive. But no good place to store a tractor. That would also make a lot of work clearing snow if we are up for just a weekend.
Have considered tracked vehicles also (Ranger, etc). That may be the way to go! Anyone have one for sale?

Bill, not sure if it's just me but your post comes across as 18* (asterisk). I guess it's meant as degrees. If that's the case then you'll probably need to look at the options posted by the other replies. I wouldn't want to plow 18 degrees either.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by bobkatfly

Bill, not sure if it's just me but your post comes across as 18* (asterisk). I guess it's meant as degrees. If that's the case then you'll probably need to look at the options posted by the other replies. I wouldn't want to plow 18 degrees either.

Sorry, * = degrees in engineer keyboard speak(degrees F in this case). Local Guy tried to plow it against my advice…2x…he had to get towed out.

Re: snow machines. We have sleds! First year we had the cabin snow was so deep could not get sleds through the deep powder up the driveway (New England trail sleds, not long track powder sleds). Now we keep the sleds at top of driveway next to boat winter storage.

Lots of good suggestions, like tractor with chains, etc. what i dont want to do is spend several hours cleaning out driveway when we are just there for a long weekend! I think tracked vehicle may be a good idea and could be multi purpose.
We are very conscious of run off and water quality of the lake, so are reluctant to add any hard scape (pavement).
Thanks again, so far a lot of this conversation has confirmed what we thought already…hiking in is good for the body and soul! Please keep suggestions coming—-someone else has probably come up with a good idea!

Thank you,

Bill

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Sorry, * = degrees in engineer keyboard speak(degrees F in this case). Local Guy tried to plow it against my advice…2x…he had to get towed out.

Re: snow machines. We have sleds! First year we had the cabin snow was so deep could not get sleds through the deep powder up the driveway (New England trail sleds, not long track powder sleds). Now we keep the sleds at top of driveway next to boat winter storage.

Lots of good suggestions, like tractor with chains, etc. what i dont want to do is spend several hours cleaning out driveway when we are just there for a long weekend! I think tracked vehicle may be a good idea and could be multi purpose.
We are very conscious of run off and water quality of the lake, so are reluctant to add any hard scape (pavement).
Thanks again, so far a lot of this conversation has confirmed what we thought already…hiking in is good for the body and soul! Please keep suggestions coming—-someone else has probably come up with a good idea!

Thank you,

Bill

A Polaris Ranger or similar with tracks will get up and down without having to plow…

Dan

[bobkatfly]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Sorry, * = degrees in engineer keyboard speak(degrees F in this case).

I get it. Engineer here too. FWIW, here's a link to some keyboard shortcuts for the degree symbol °.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Degre...0in%20a%20cell.
I've used the Windows shortcut in the past but not sure 5 or 6 key strokes constitutes a shortcut.

[SAMIAM]

How long is your driveway top to bottom?

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

This may not be practical, but an easy solution may be to place the property on the market while you currently can get top dollar....

Use those generous proceeds to buy something else and let the new owner worry about their steep new driveway, lol.

That's the short correct answer.

Here. It rains. Freezes. Snows. Freezes. Rain and snow. Freezes.

Any machine purchased - tractor - snowmobile - can easily slip/slide turn over - with potential injuries. Never mind attempting to start any machine is cold weather.

And without a plowed driveway. Safety issues arise. Sickness. Injury. Having emergency medical folks arrive - also poses problems.

[Bear Islander]

I had this problem about twenty years ago at my business. The solution was an electric driveway mat covering twenty feet of driveway near the bottom. Having it at the bottom allows you to brake to a stop on dry pavement. It also gives you the chance to get some speed to carry you up the driveway.

Electronic sensor detects the snow and turns mat on at the beginning of a storm.

The mat is cheap but install will cost you. However it will be a lot cheaper than buying a tractor. And it will work MUCH better.

[TCC]

How about a good old-fashion rope tow.

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by TCC

How about a good old-fashion rope tow.

Excellent suggestion.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

How long is your driveway top to bottom?

Driveway = 300’ lg.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

I had this problem about twenty years ago at my business. The solution was an electric driveway mat covering twenty feet of driveway near the bottom. Having it at the bottom allows you to brake to a stop on dry pavement. It also gives you the chance to get some speed to carry you up the driveway.

Electronic sensor detects the snow and turns mat on at the beginning of a storm.

The mat is cheap but install will cost you. However it will be a lot cheaper than buying a tractor. And it will work MUCH better.

Interesting idea. I did some research, looks like these are fine for a couple of inches of snow but get overwhelmed with deep snow. Also $$$ to run?!

Maybe a good size snow blower is the way to go.

Re; rope tow. My Wife did suggest a chair lift or similar. To those who mentioned lifts (above) can you point me to more info? Are these similar to handicap stair lifts?

Thank you.

[Descant]

I use Heatrak mats for my walkway. Low amperage and negligible cost to run. https://heattrak.com/ They make mats for driveways, but not a lot of info about steep slopes. I turn the switch on when it starts to snow and they keep up. Waiting and trying to remove snow after the storm is not a good result. You could probably use Nest or similar to set up remote control.

If you watch enough episodes of This Old House, you'll see them jack up a house and replace the stone rubble foundation with new, panel type support. Use the spoil to raise the bottom of the driveway to get from 18 degrees to maybe 8 degrees. Run a track down to the water and store your boat in the new basement. BTW, TOH never talks about cost or budget, so this stuff is easy enough to do, but cost is unknown. Lots of houses in flood zones are getting this "raising" instead of "razing".

[The Real BigGuy]

Check out the trollies

https://thedockdoctors.com/waterfront-access/


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[John Mercier]

But will it function in a winter with lots of snow and ice.
Remember, if there is no snow and ice at the camp... they can just drive in.

[The Real BigGuy]

Good question to ask manufacturer. If track is elevated it could work and might be cheaper than installing a heated driveway or filling to decrease the grade.


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[garysanfran]

Could you install or excavate a vertical elevator lift?

[thinkxingu]

Every time I see a suggestion here, I think the person above who mentioned selling and buying the "right" property is onto something.

Other than a heated driveway, which has to be mucho dinero both to install and operate, all the suggestions require taking significant amounts of time, maintenance, and safety risks to access the property in winter.

Sure, an "access vehicle" might be had for fairly short money—maybe $10k?—but then there's storage, maintenance, emergency limitations, and, just simply, the time it would take to start it, pull it out, load it up, drive 300', unload it, and then reverse the process a couple days later hoping it didn't snow enough to require walking out anyway?

I'd either only use the property when completely/easily accessible, sell and get the right place, or just shut down for the winter like the previous owners.

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[The Real BigGuy]

I really have to agree w/think. I’d seriously consider relocation to a more level lakefront property. I’m “elevated” in years and have an elevated (from shore front to cottage) problem. My door is only about 100 ft from the shore at about 25 ft elevation. I can tell you that hauling stuff up the hill, something I could do all day 30 yrs ago, is really taxing for me now. 300’ at the grade you are talking about is heart attack city!!


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[Biggd]

It reminds me of a buddy of mine that had a cabin about 1/2 mile into the woods. No electricity, no septic, a gas generator, and an outhouse, but he did have a well.
We were all in our 20's and loved the fact that we could get away from everything and everyone.
In the winter we had to snowmobile in and out, and when there was no snow, you still needed 4 wheel drive to get down his road.
We are all in our 70's now and moved on a long time ago to places with modern conveniences and assessable year round.
I don't know how old the OP is but maybe it's just time to move on.

[tis]

When you all tell him to think about selling I think of the Rattlesnake people. They have been going up and down steep hills forever. Now, I know it's summer when they use their camps but they seem to manage. Could those little trams that they use be made big enough to accommodate a human?

One of the must haves on my list when we bought our land many moons ago was no steep hill. But lots like that are not easy to find.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by tis

When you all tell him to think about selling I think of the Rattlesnake people. They have been going up and down steep hills forever. Now, I know it's summer when they use their camps but they seem to manage. Could those little trams that they use be made big enough to accommodate a human?



One of the must haves on my list when we bought our land many moons ago was no steep hill. But lots like that are not easy to find.

I understand not wanting to sell, especially if the property is great in many other ways, but you identify the difference between Rattlesnake properties and the OP's property in your comment about "it's summer."

The above comments about age, too, are valid. It sounds like the OP and his wife are in a fine place to use it now, but maybe it makes sense to be coming up with a plan for the future?

I know if I could afford it and wanted to be year-round that the answer would be easy.

OP: thanks for sharing your situation and reaching out—I appreciate hearing all these different scenarios and people's responses!

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[Susie Cougar]

The old Skimobile in North Conway would be perfect for you.

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Excellent suggestion.

Duly noted.

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[ApS]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

Check out the trollies

https://thedockdoctors.com/waterfront-access/

I receive a catalogue every winter.

It does get the gears turning!



...For awhile, anyway...

[RoBe]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Hi All,

Looking for ideas on what to do about steep (18*) driveway. The drive down to our lake camp is very steep-so steep no one will plow it in winter, so we walk in. We are at camp ~ 2x/month and young enough to hike in now, but are not getting any younger!
Current surface is some pavement and some gravel.
Our lot is long and narrow with steep drop off on both sides of driveway, so there is really no room to relocate the driveway.
The ultimate answer would be a heated drive-but that is not practical.
Any ideas on best surface for traction that is plowable?
Any other ideas on how to deal with a steep driveway?
Your experience and comments appreciated!

Thank you,

Bill

Bill,
We had a similar situation in slope/width but just under 100' long, not 300' ft. We were weekend warriors when we purchased our second home here 10 years ago. We bought a new Ariens 24 high output snow blower, w/electric start/chains, not a big investment. The Ariens is not that hard to handle, works like a champ both up and down slope, store it in the shed. Since your driveway is narrow, you can quickly blast the snow off each side in a dozen or so passes (albeit long passes for you.) Use crampons or micro-spikes.

Find that local guy who'll just swipe and clear the massive bank up top just after the big storms, so that when you arrive the heavy mess at street level is mostly clear. Also, there are guys around who will come by and use your snow blower to clear your driveway right after those bigger storms. Hopefully, the driveway area gets good sunlight for any ice build up.

If feasible, set up a camera so you know what you're dealing with before you arrive. Keep plenty of sand available.

We're retired and live here now, and the Ariens Platinum still does the job just fine. Lots of good ideas here, but for us...no heated driveway, no expensive equipment, but there's always physical effort involved.
Enjoy your winter. Best of luck.

[fatlazyless]

Snowblowers with wheels are better than snowblowers with tracks because the wheel snowblowers will move faster and have the option to add tire chains which have more traction than tracks. Tracks on snowblowers are all rubber with no metal parts and do not grip a driveway as good as a tire with chains plus track snowblowers are extra expensive.

An Ariens 24" high output weighs 265-lbs so it probably needs either chains or tire studs on the rubber wheels to get it to go up a steep driveway and blow the snow.

[TheTimeTraveler]

Ariens Snow Blower used to offer "track drive" (as opposed to wheels). If it is still an option then that is something that I would buy.

Not cheap to buy but extremely functional when used on a pitched driveway.

[John Mercier]

Ariens still does.

It is a real stumper though. Any piece of equipment, snow thrower, tractor, even UTV with tracks, would need to be stored at the top of the drive in some sort of building. If not, they would still need to ''hike'' in to get to the equipment storage and then clear the way for the regular vehicle to get down.

As they get older, probably a bit of a problem.

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Ariens Snow Blower used to offer "track drive" (as opposed to wheels). If it is still an option then that is something that I would buy.

Bought one new. Disaster.
The track just slides over any hard snow.

The track. Comes off. Takes 3 hands to put track back on. Then first turn. Track comes off again. Adjust tension. First turn. Track off again. Adjust tension again. And again. And again.
One happy day when I sold my track snow blower.

Bought an Ariens with heated handles. With wheels.

[watrskir]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Bought one new. Disaster.
The track just slides over any hard snow.

The track. Comes off. Takes 3 hands to put track back on. Then first turn. Track comes off again. Adjust tension. First turn. Track off again. Adjust tension again. And again. And again.
One happy day when I sold my track snow blower.

Bought an Ariens with heated handles. With wheels.

I have a Honda with tracks that's pretty awesome. Has a pedal that allows it to dig down and scrape the tar without any effort from me. Can even climb and snowblow some concrete stairs to my back yard for oil deliveries. Never had a track fall off. You should have bought a Honda : - >

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by watrskir

I have a Honda with tracks that's pretty awesome. Has a pedal that allows it to dig down and scrape the tar without any effort from me. Can even climb and snowblow some concrete stairs to my back yard for oil deliveries. Never had a track fall off. You should have bought a Honda : - >

I too have a Honda with tracks that works very well! Never had tracks fall off and starts every time. If there's ice under the snow however, tracks won't help!

Dan