So today our project team of Don and I started out with buckets of mineral soil from the pit behind the shelter to level the patio. We used a long board found under the shelter as a screed to flatten and level the area. The leveling was done by eye as yours truly forgot to bring along a level! I would guess we put down a dozen or so buckets of mineral soil to accomplish this part of the job. Then we mixed buckets of mineral soil with concrete (we had previously lugged in a 94# bag of cement!) in a ratio of 3 to 1 and spread the mix about 1/2" to 1" thick over the whole area. Lastly it was time to sprinkle water over the whole area and watch the cement set. Well actually we decided to have lunch!
Here's what it looks like all done:
We put boards around the patio and posted a sign on the shelter center post asking hikers not to step on the patio until Friday and to feel free to put the picnic table back on the patio at that time. Hopefully the cement will have set by then.
The idea of this whole effort is to reduce the amount of dirt that gets into the shelter from hiker foot traffic by providing a relatively hard dirt free surface in this area. It should also make for a surface that is less likely to get uneven and erode. There is a bit more rock work that could be done to strengthen the corner opposite the stairs but all in all we have a much improved patio.
We have a number of open project days on our schedule this year. If this effort at South Wilcox is successful, we may try to make the same improvement at the Noepel shelter later this year. Anyone got some good ideas on how to lug 94#'s of cement up to Noepel?
Well, hopefully nobody stepped on it while it was still wet. Does the overhang cover that whole area with a shade when the sun is up? You're lucky if it does; it saves you the effort of having to expand the overhang or putting up a tent on warm or rainy weather. Or you can weatherproof the picnic table while waiting for the whole thing to set. Two projects in one swoop. Heh.
ReplyDeleteToby
You certainly can’t go wrong with more room to put stuff in. At least people will have a place to hang out or meet up besides sitting on the edge of the shelter. I hope you found a way to lug those 94 pounds of cement, ‘cos it would be a huge hassle if you didn’t. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteJon