The Giesler family home is located on one of the eastern fingers of Apple Canyon Lake. A few years back the Gieslers asked us to install a step and walkway system from their home to their lake dock. The steps were needed because the property drops approximately 50’ from the basement door to the lake. In addition to the steps, they requested roughly half a dozen light posts be spaced along the steps, railing for both sides, a rest area half way down and a small patio just off the lake. I believe they requested the railing and the rest area for my benefit because of all the wheezing and huffing I did trying to walk up the hillside before the steps were installed. The foundation of the steps is constructed of 6" x 8" treated wood beams. These beams were set in a box shape and anchored to the step below them and to the ground with steel rebar. Treated wood was used because the beams are in constant contact with the ground. The 6" x 8" beams allowed the steps to be 8" tall. Full sized steps are important at this site because of the steep slope. If we had used 6" x 6" beams (i.e. 6" steps), the walk would have 33% more steps. Consequently, the walking area between each step would have been shorter. As you can see from the below photos, the step treads are at a comfortable length. Treads any shorter than this would be difficult to navigate, especially if you are carrying something down to your boat. The taller beams also allowed us to make fewer cuts and install fewer steps, which saved the Gieslers a little money. The walking surface consists of decking boards attached to the wood beam foundation. The Gieslers also asked us to reset their flagstone front walk and patio. Over the years the flagstones had settled and the gaps between them had filled with organic matter and weeds. We leveled the flagstones and installed a clean chip stone between them to facilitate drainage and reduce weed growth. We would like to thank the Gieslers for allowing us to show you their walkways. PLEASE CLICK ON PICS TO ENLARGE. A lot of steps Light posts on left, railings on both sides Landing / rest area half way down Steps curving to meet existing lake dock Closeup of wood beams and decking boards Patio area off lake Redone patio Redone front walk . Address: 4492 North Elizabeth Road / Scales Mound / IL / 61075 Voice: 815.777.8907 Fax: 815.777.9465 E-mail: timplandscaping@yahoo.com