Earthen Ramp/Staircase

[[DHT]Osiris]

All,

Back of my property has a creek with a nice large stone slab next to it, would make a perfect location for picnics or just some peaceful afternoon chair time, but I'm having trouble with how to get to it. From the top to the creek basin is about 40', and pretty steep... maybe 15' from the precipice to basin across a flat axis. I could do it in boots with a lot of scrambling I think, but I'd likely fall and break my neck at least once. I'm considering digging out some kind of stepping path/ramp, but I'm not sure how to approach. One idea I had was to try to do an elongated path with a switchback so it's less likely to get washed out, another would be to try to make it more directly downward with some kind of formation of rocks/earthen steps but I'm worried about it getting washed out/eroded into oblivion.

Not trying to spend hundreds of dollars on 4x4's and gravel and shit, I just want to be able to walk down with my GF without dying, and I'd like to only have to do cursory maintenance every few seasons.

Thoughts?

Pic included, the perspective is weird but gives a general idea. Note that it looks MUCH less steep in this pic than it really is.

 

[lxskllr]

I'd do switchbacks as much as possible, and log steps on the steeper parts. The wood will eventually rot, but it'll last your 4 year maintenance window at least. Longer if you have access to rot resistant trees.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I'd do switchbacks as much as possible, and log steps on the steeper parts. The wood will eventually rot, but it'll last your 4 year maintenance window at least. Longer if you have access to rot resistant trees.

Interesting ideas, just using logs. I did just cut down a handful of poplars that have some pretty thick trunks, the wood's shit though. Not a bad idea.