Hey, Trailmaker!

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Have you worked on a puncheon bridge lately? I think you'll like these pics.

The WTA is building a puncheon bridge thru a swamp up in the Sammamish Highlands. This is the last section in order to complete the Grand Ridge Trail (7-1/2 mile trail). 400' of bridge was built over the last 2 years (a few weeks per year). This year we're completing the final 200'. This is all volunteer work.

We call this section the 'Ewok Forest'.

Here's the leading edge. That cedar log at the bottom of the photo is waiting to be barked with the draw knife.

 

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Here's the existing structure that we're going to meet up with. Nice ground, eh? There are places where you'll sink in over your waist. But wearing a hard hat tells your co-workers where to dig to find you.

The decking is made of cedar planks milled on site with an Alaskan chainsaw mill. The stringers are either peeled cedar logs or reclaimed pressure treated timbers from an old dock. The sills - the logs at the bottom lying in the mud - are peeled cedar. There's some broad hatchet work involved in fitting things together.

 

[M3mphis]

Cool, man. More pics?????

Nevermind....

 

[Square_peg]

Thanks, Memphis.

Here's a recently completed section of bridge.

 

[M3mphis]

Man, that looks fun...in a wet, messy, laborious kind of way! I need to see about volunteer trail crews here in Idaho.

Thanks for the pics, man. Very enjoyable.

 

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Here's a pullout to let horses or bicyclists pass. I like living in a part of the country where this kind of thing is still done. Most of the volunteers are retired folk. There's one regular who's 81 years old and still comes out 2-3 times a week. He's volunteered over 1000 days to trail building. It's an honor to learn from guys like him.

 

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Man, that looks fun...in a wet, messy, laborious kind of way! I need to see about volunteer trail crews here in Idaho.

You would totally dig it, Memphis.

 

[M3mphis]

You would totally dig it, Memphis.

I would. I've grown up horse packing and backpacking in the Frank Church Wilderness, the second largest wilderness area in the lower 48.

 

[Frank-New Zealand]

Great thread and great photos. So good that this sort of thing is happening. Your comments about the 81 year old are so good.That's respect.
As we Kiwis often say. Good on yer mate.

regards...Frank.

 

[trailmaker]

Here's the existing structure that we're going to meet up with. Nice ground, eh? There are places where you'll sink in over your waist. But wearing a hard hat tells your co-workers where to dig to find you.

The decking is made of cedar planks milled on site with an Alaskan chainsaw mill. The stringers are either peeled cedar logs or reclaimed pressure treated timbers from an old dock. The sills - the logs at the bottom lying in the mud - are peeled cedar. There's some broad hatchet work involved in fitting things together.

Wow you guys are doing some nice work up there. What sort of vehicle is that with the tracks on it?

 

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I would. I've grown up horse packing and backpacking in the Frank Church Wilderness, the second largest wilderness area in the lower 48.

We have a local group called 'Backcountry Horsemen' who do similar work. Maybe there's a chapter in Idaho. We team up with them sometimes. They haul in materials and equipment that are too heavy for a man to carry.

 

[M3mphis]

We have a local group called 'Backcountry Horsemen' who do similar work. Maybe there's a chapter in Idaho. We team up with them sometimes. They haul in materials and equipment that are too heavy for a man to carry.

OOOOHHH, Dude....the wheels are turnin'. My new saddle should be ready in May.......

 

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What sort of vehicle is that with the tracks on it?

It's called a 'toter' by the trails folk. Concrete workers call it a power buggy. Basically it's a large wheelbarrow with tracks and a small gas engine. The operator walks behind it. We usually use it for hauling gravel and such.

 

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Here's a better image of the toter.

 

[Pipeman]

Good on you Bro for helping with this great work. That trail reminds me of the "Spruce bog trail" in Algonquin park. http://www.google.ca/search?q=Spruc...gJsHq0gHH782iCw&ved=0CCMQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=637

Best regards

Robin

 

[Turbo4x4]

I thought about the story "A Sound of Thunder" Ray Bradbury.

Great work, and respect!

 

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Yesterday we connected the old with the new. There's still some trim work and bull rail (toe kick) to run but the walking surface is finally completed. Our 81 year old master trail builder had the honor of driving 'The Golden Spike', linking the 2 ends of the bridge. Of course it was just an ordinary galvinized spike that I had spray painted gold but it added to the festivities.

 

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Lunch time in the bog.

 

[bearhunter]

thats awesome... thanks for the pics... it has to be wonderful to be able to learn from some old timers...

not to get off topic here, but since you guys are talking about backcountry and such... have you heard of 'backcountry hunters and anglers'?
my wife and i are members and are going to their first ever 'north american rendezvous' next weekend in missoula... its a 3 day event... should be pretty interesting...
by chance are any of you guys going to be there?

 

[M3mphis]

thats awesome... thanks for the pics... it has to be wonderful to be able to learn from some old timers...

not to get off topic here, but since you guys are talking about backcountry and such... have you heard of 'backcountry hunters and anglers'?
my wife and i are members and are going to their first ever 'north american rendezvous' next weekend in missoula... its a 3 day event... should be pretty interesting...
by chance are any of you guys going to be there?

Never heard of it, but now you've really piqued my interest. Wish I could go!