How to attach 52" ladder to 48" pool

[nicole12]

We have made the ladder as small as it will go by using those bolts at the bottom. Our pool isn't level with the ground so that could be part of the problem. I guess I could cut the bottom of the ladder and make my own holes and then recut the PVC on the outside.

How about using a 4X4 underneath the ladder to allow the ladder to rest upon that?

Are the ladders supposed to be attached to the pool or just resting on top of the top of the pool?

The top of our pool measures around 44".