We were then driven an hour by the forest service into the mountains where we set up a primitive camp at Six Mile Ponds. Then each day, we were driven thirty minutes down a very rugged four-wheel-drive road to a location from which we hiked a mile-plus to the creek crossing we had to bridge.
This bridge in Six-Mile Canyon will be part of a trail re-route being constructed by the professionals of the US Forest Service trail crew. The trail currently fords the creek six times, and this re-route will eliminate all fording. Here's the daunting creek crossing before we began (click to enlarge)...
We began by building gabion baskets as foundations on each side of the creek. Both baskets are basically 12' by 3' by 18" containers framed with cyclone fencing and filled with rocks. We scoured the hillsides and creek to find rocks of the proper size to toss into these huge wire baskets, and once constructed, the weight will prevent any spring floods from washing the bridge away. In the photo below, Dave sits by one of the filled baskets ready for its top to be folded over and closed up...
Josh, the forest service trail crew leader, found three spruce trees killed by the notorious pine bore beetle, cut them down, and then dragged them with truck and small bulldozer to the bridge site. These "stringers" become the main support beams for the bridge. The bark had to be stripped off the trees and then, in the photo below, we winched them across with a grip hoist or "come-a-long." Dave and Byron assist as Margie photographs the process...
Decking was then nailed to the stringers. Even the deck planks are from local downed trees which were taken to a local mill to be cut into deck pieces. The bridge is wide because it will be used not only by hikers and equestrians, but also by ATVs. Peter nails on the left as Byron nails in the center and Josh supervises at the far end...
After the "bull rails" were installed at the bottom as curbs, we bolted eight upright posts, to which the two handrails were nailed. The bull rails and hand rails are also dead trees from nearby in the forest and first had to be debarked. Derrick and Frank are seen drilling and bolting the posts in this photo...
Below is the finished bridge with the hard-working crew enjoying the fruits of their labors, and I'm certain all the trail users in the future will also appreciate the ease of crossing the creek.
l to r: Chuck, Sue, Bill, Ben, Margie (who is marketing director for AHS), Peter and Ela (who are visiting from Poland), Dave, and Frank.
Wednesday was our off-day, and we were driven back down the mountain by Del, the natural resourses specialist, and Charmaine, forest service archeologist, for a hike in the lovely Maple Canyon. Such outings to local sites of interest are common as a "thank you" from the host agency to the volunteers.
As I've experienced on all my prior volunteer trail projects, the host agency personnel are extremely grateful for the contributions of the volunteers. Decades-long budget cuts have reduced their personnel levels precipitously, and it is only through the efforts of volunteers that much of the needed trail work can be completed. And though it's simple for a retired person like me to volunteer a week for this strenuous labor, all the other volunteers are actually using a week of vacation from their jobs to volunteer. That's dedication!
So I strongly recommend you volunteer on a project. You'll discover that spending a week in a beautiful location with other folks who enjoy the outdoors as much as you do is a wonderful experience, and the feeling of accomplishment as you look back at what you helped create is a feeling you'll long cherish.
As I've experienced on all my prior volunteer trail projects, the host agency personnel are extremely grateful for the contributions of the volunteers. Decades-long budget cuts have reduced their personnel levels precipitously, and it is only through the efforts of volunteers that much of the needed trail work can be completed. And though it's simple for a retired person like me to volunteer a week for this strenuous labor, all the other volunteers are actually using a week of vacation from their jobs to volunteer. That's dedication!
So I strongly recommend you volunteer on a project. You'll discover that spending a week in a beautiful location with other folks who enjoy the outdoors as much as you do is a wonderful experience, and the feeling of accomplishment as you look back at what you helped create is a feeling you'll long cherish.
Here are my other volunteer trail projects.
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