This is an unpaved, often heavily rutted path carved into the forest floor during harvesting operations. Skidders or dozers use these routes repeatedly to transport timber out of the woods. Proper layout is critical to minimize soil compaction, erosion, and damage to remaining trees.
Heard on the job
The rain washed out the main skid road, so the grapple skidder is going to be bogged down all afternoon.
Also heard as
- skid trail
Do not mix it up with
- Drag path: A drag path is the immediate route a single log takes, while a skid road is the consolidated main trail used by the machinery.