Thursday, August 4, 2011

Stone Steps #4



I have been gathering photos for stone steps 
and now is a good time to take a look.


These first two photos are from a back yard
 that also happens to be on the banks of the Rio Grande
 in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.


Which means the large stones help stabilize the banks.

As long as Elephant Butte Dam holds there should be no problem
and the steps are very nicely done.

The stones along the side help pinch in the stepping stones 
helping to keep them secure.



We saw these in Arroyo Seco, New Mexico near Taos.


These are also near (but not on) the Rio Grande
 in Albuquerque's North Valley.


Let's hit the trail,
 as the photos above and below show steps that are a bit more haphazard,
 yet serve the purpose of a trail just fine.

With trail work stopping erosion is more important
 than building the perfect step.

These are in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area
 in the Rio Grande Gorge of northern New Mexico,
and only steps from the Rio Grande.


Both sets of steps were built by the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps out of Taos,
who are also building some very nice trails in the recreation area.

The steps above go through a volcanic flow
and yes, despite their haphazard appearance, they work great.

Most importantly they are solid and secure.


Allison admires the steps that we installed in a trail
 at Valley View Hot Springs in the San Luis Valley of Colorado.

For a how to see my post: Trail Work.


These last two photos are also from Valley View Hot Springs 
and show some steps that I built some 10 years or more ago.

The rise and run are consistent
 and the stones holding back the bank
 also provide a nice place to sit and enjoy the view.


For more on stone steps see the posts:

Or you can go to LABELS on the right side bar and click on either,
Stairways or Stonework.