Replies

1. 
   Stash | Mar 01, 2009 09:10pm | #1

   I would say you got the right site- just provide some details, and the great minds of the forum should check in.

   Steve

1. 
   michigangeorge | Mar 02, 2009 01:40pm | #2

   Hi Stash,
   It's about a thirty foot drop,steep but walkable grade to a level area that I would like to build about a 10x10 deck area and then another 10 foot decent to the water,where I would put in a commercial floating 15 ft dock.Any help greatly appreciated.
   Michigangeorge

1. 
   calvin | Mar 02, 2009 02:10pm | #3

   Living here on the Maumee, my advice would be to investigate spring ice break up history and high water levels.  If your river's banks change often as they do here, bldg down into flood levels is not an easy task. 

   Here some of the stairs if wood or metal need to be able to be pulled up the slope seasonally to keep from being washed away.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

1. 
   michigangeorge | Mar 03, 2009 04:06am | #6

   thanks for the tips and I loved the quitin time site michigangeorge

1. 
   back2work | Mar 03, 2009 04:20am | #7

   Might also be nice to incorporate a couple turns here and there so you're not looking straight down or straight up the climb. Would make it interesting and maybe trick the mind a bit about how you far you have to climb. This would add a few steps though.I leave near a long set of stairs to the beach. It just has a couple landings (rests) thrown in, but it's still quite a climb. The wandering sets don't seem as bad.

2. 
   michigangeorge | Mar 03, 2009 02:09pm | #10

   definetly a possibility,would be really cool
   george

2. 
   jjwalters | Mar 02, 2009 02:39pm | #4

   I've built a few of those and usually the terrain tells you how to build the stairs.30' straight shot seems a bit more than I'd want though without some sort of resting place. Maybe every ten feet or so.Not every bodies going to be healthy mountain goats. Think of old mom and pop.My Blog

1. 
   michigangeorge | Mar 03, 2009 04:02am | #5

   thanks for the thought's,and I am not to far from being old pop myself.
   I loved your blog I will check it out again.
   michigangeorge

3. 
   Piffin | Mar 04, 2009 02:59pm | #15

   My first thoughts are on the planning and permits before woodworking skills and detailing.Yopu need to find out permit requirements in your area for this. Anything near the water can be a long process.One design consideration is that most codes require that you place a landing such that you have to climb no more than 15 risers between rest stops. Even when code does not apply, it is safer and more humane. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   michigangeorge | Mar 05, 2009 02:14am | #16

   thanks for the input,permit is a valid point
   george

2. 
   Shep | Mar 03, 2009 05:37am | #8

   Keep the rises the same. If you don't, people WILL trip on the steps.

   Figure on making the run fairly wide, maybe 20-24". I personally hate steps that wide, but it allows older folk a more comfortable climb.

   A decent way to build the steps, if there's not a problem with erosion, is to use 6" X 6" ties as a 3 side frame for the steps, and infill with compacted gravel, or other material. Level the ground enough to set the tie that will be the front of the step, spike it into the ground with a piece of rebar, then set the 2 side pieces, spiking them in, too. Repeat until done. 

   5-1/2" for the step height is a little low, but well within tolerances. If you want a little higher step, you can add a 2X on flat on the tie, even using that as the tread surface.The rise height shouldn't be more than 8", tho, according to code.

1. 
   michigangeorge | Mar 03, 2009 02:07pm | #9

   thanks Shep this is all good stuff
   george

1. 
   Shep | Mar 03, 2009 03:10pm | #11

   Where in MI. are you?

   My wife's originally from GR, and I have cousins in Holland.

1. 
   michigangeorge | Mar 04, 2009 05:38am | #12

   I live in Big Rapids,about an hour north of gr,though I am originally from South Jersey,near Atlantic City.I kind of ran away from home and ended up here.

1. 
   jimAKAblue | Mar 04, 2009 07:18am | #13

   Are you on Lake Michigan or an inland lake?

   A 30' drop sounds more like Lake Huron.

2. 
   michigangeorge | Mar 04, 2009 02:06pm | #14

   I live along the Muskegon River, south of Big Rapids in an area referred to as the high banks.About an hour north of Grand Rapids