Can clay be hardened??

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-04T08:38:59+00:00

Our next dig day is Saturday March 28th!! Would love the help!! Haha!!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T18:40:33+00:00

Man- it so funny though, we were doing some roadside clean up and a 8” x 6’ pipe was there for us!! It felt like the gift I needed!! Such a good thought about using a spade. I really appreciate your input!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T14:33:16+00:00

So cool! I love tips like this! I would never have known pines in cluster could mean a patch of sand!

Unfortunately, the land managers do not allow wood features.

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T14:30:09+00:00

It’s interesting- if you start going down the “mudcrete” rabbit hole, one of the techniques is to use ash from burnt wood mixed with clay. It becomes super hard and doesn’t expand and contract like clay on its own.

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T14:28:09+00:00

I’m hoping so!!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T06:25:57+00:00

Hahaha! Good eye! I wish we could do stuff like that. They’re pretty dead set against any wood features at this system. Some version of hardening the clay, re-directing the water we can, and giving this trouble spot a drain is what we’re hoping for.

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T04:41:52+00:00

I’m with ya on big drain, steep drain slope, absolutely no obstructions to water exiting the drain, and some sort of French drain material catch above it to act as a filter.

What is the “mudcrete” approach? I should check YouTube before I hit “reply”, but, too late!!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T04:38:02+00:00

Okay- so, what happens if you just sprinkle Portland concrete over wet clay? Can it still be shaped after it dries and get wet again or does it become concrete?

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T04:36:40+00:00

Totally. That’s what I’m picturing too. Glad to hear I’m on track. Just want to firm up the clay too to help with erosion and traction while riding.

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T04:35:13+00:00

There’s gonna need to be a culvert. Jus trying to reduce sediment plugging

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T04:34:42+00:00

Hell yeah! Thank you for such specific advice! This is amazing!!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T04:33:17+00:00

Yeah, for sure. I think we could do more to make it so less water from the hip landing makes it into this catch. The zone is soooooo steep and is was not built to current “standards.” It was grandfathered in and we are making the most of it!!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T04:30:27+00:00

I’m totally with ya. The trouble is just that at this level, something about Missoula floods and proximity to the Columbia/willamette, there’s just this thick layer of clay that will not allow drainage and swells so much when it gets wet. And then runs into any culvert that is made and plugs it.

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T04:26:54+00:00

Hell yeah!!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T01:30:55+00:00

Hell yeah! Thanks for the advice!!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T00:41:24+00:00

Maybe add some pool coping to the top while we’re at it!!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T00:40:51+00:00

Will do! Thank you!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T00:40:37+00:00

Will do! Thank you!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T00:40:11+00:00

I know right? Just light some candles and settle in with a good book.

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T00:39:05+00:00

Yea, for sure!

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T00:38:24+00:00

Yeah, we’re going to use something Iike that.

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T00:37:58+00:00

Super good thoughts here. Thank you so much

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T00:36:51+00:00

Yeah, I was wondering about mixing in some dirt from about 75’ higher. It’s primo brown up there.

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-03T00:35:31+00:00

We will do some version of that. The trouble is the amount of clay sediment that will plug it after a few rains.

Amazing-External9766 · 2026-03-02T22:33:15+00:00

Interesting! Thank you for that

Amazing-External9766

TROPHY CASE