Pathway Fines
Click on the thumbnail to see a larger, very detailed image you can zoom in on.
Blue Pathway Fines
Blue Pathway Fines are crushed rock with a low percentage of silt and clay, giving it a stable surface and one that does not readily adhere to the soles of shoes. It will provide an all-weather surface suitable for pathways, parking areas, storage areas, dog runs, etc. We highly recommend using Blue Pathway as a base for setting flagstone. It is more stable than sand and, like sand, is water permeable.
Depending on its use, spread and compact Blue Pathway as a 2 to 4-inch layer. In light-use areas, 2 to 3 inches will be adequate. In areas where vehicles will be parked, use a 4-inch layer. But, in difficult areas where drainage is not good, and soils are clayey, it may be best to use a compacted base rock overlayed with Blue Pathway Fines. This will add full stability during periods of wet weather.
Price/Cu.Yd.
Price/Half Cu. Yd.
$7.95 / 2 cu ft bag
Gold Pathway Fines and Temescal Fines
We compare these two products because they are similar in color and have the same uses. Gold Pathway Fines are popular because of their golden brown color, symbolizing California. Temescal Fines are slightly browner and lack some of the yellow brilliance of Gold Fines. The photo above compares the two. Over a year, there can be some color variation between loads of Gold Pathway Fines, but it is not great.
Although Gold Pathway Fines are the more popular of the two, they have some drawbacks compared to Temescal Fines. There are times when Gold Pathway Fines are unavailable. Although this occurs infrequently, it is best to check long-term availability if you have a large project.
Gold Pathway Fines contain a higher percentage of silt and clay-size particles than Temescal does, which can result in some muddiness during wet weather. Silt and clay particles reduce water permeability, which can lead to poor drainage and the possibility of hard rain washing material away. Using a stabilizer can help solve some of these problems. If the color of Gold Pathway Fines is not that important, then Temescal Fines may be the best choice, as they are functionally better as pathway fines.
Gold Pathway Fines
Price/Cu.Yd.
Price/Half Cu. Yd.
Price/ ¾ Cu. Ft. Bag
Temescal Pathway Fines
Price/Cu.Yd.
Price/Half Cu. Yd.
Price/ ¾ Cu. Ft. Bag
Black Basalt Fines
Black basalt fines are the 0-1/4" screenings of crushed black basalt. They are a good choice for those who want dark, neutral gray pathway fines. Their use is similar to other pathway fines, such as Blue Pathway Fines. They do not get muddy in wet weather and drain well. They combine with stabilizers to give a hard surface.
Price/Cu.Yd.
Price/Half Cu. Yd.
Price/ ¾ Cu. Ft. Bag
Pathway Fines are derived from either crushed rock or quarried decomposed granite. They consist primarily of very fine particles, with some larger sizes up to a 1/4". Spread and compacted, they produce a smooth layer suitable for foot traffic. They will accept vehicular traffic if spread over a stable base, such as a class 2 base rock.
Some pathway fines contain levels of silt and clay that can become slightly muddy during wet weather, and the mud can be tracked to other areas. We offer two types of "stabilizers" that will bind the fine particles together and reduce tracking.
Although we call these products pathway fines, they have uses beyond building paths. You may use them for parking areas, decorative ground covers, patios, or a thin layer covering soil growing drought-tolerant plants (see photo). You can use these products to make natural-looking, low-maintenance areas that do not need watering.