The Problem

After trying to find the local ranger, we found his wife who indicated where the bridge was and told us how to drive there. Upon arriving at the bridge site, we discovered that the bridge was in two sections. One section had originally been over swampy ground and the other section had been over the actual creek. We numbered these two parts "Section 1" and "Section 2", with Section 1 being the one closest to the camp site (on the north side of the creek) and Section 2 being the other part. Section 1 has no hand rail and section 2 has a hand rail on one side only.

During heavy Spring runoff the bridge across Big Meadow Creek was swept off its foundation and moved down stream in two sections. Section one was moved 80 feet and section two was moved 61 feet.

Measuring the two bridge sections we found the following:

1. On all pictures, if you "click" on the lower right hand corner, a full size version of the picture will be shown.
2. Tread way planks are nailed on with long (estimated length 10" to 12") non-galvanized spikes.
3. The area near the two bridge sections and where it has to be moved to is swampy.
4. Local campers reported many mosquitoes at night. Probably meant dusk.
5. Bridge might be missing some support items.
6. Ranger indicated that he didn't mind our "messing up" the area around the bridge sections.
7. Ranger indicated that he might be able to get a truck with a winch/cable to help drag sections into position.
8. Ranger said that he might be able to get an extra pulley to attach to a tree to redirect the direction of the cable pulling.
9. The ranger's name is: "Richard Toler". Phone numbers are: 559-338- 2251, FAX 559-338-2131 (These might be of the Hume Lake Ranger District). (I got his business card.)
10. I didn't notice any drinking water in the unit one campsite and I forgot to ask the ranger if there was any there.
11. Drinking water is available about one mile away at the ranger's trailer.
12. There is a pit latrine in the campsite.
13. We were well received when we got there:
    1. At the main gate, we had no problem getting in. All we said was that we were there to look at the bridge and we got waved through.
    2. When we found the ranger's wife she was very helpful and told us where the bridge sections were.
    3. When we met the ranger, he was expecting us and attempted to call in on his radio to say that we were there. (The radio didn't get out, so he couldn't.) I left my Pelco business card with him so that he would know who we were.
    4. Kyle and I went over to Grant Village for lunch. While there we went to the visitor center and I bought a couple of books. When I was paying for them one of the counter rangers saw my Trail Crew shirt and asked where we did work. I told him "Here next weekend." One of the other counter rangers then said that they had been expecting us and that Shane had called.
    5. Kyle and I both wore our Trail Crew tee-shirts. I think that this helped a lot as it identified us as being other than "ordinary tourists".

Possible Solutions

1. Don't do anything. I pointed out to everyone I could find that the Trail Crew had never done anything like this before and was not experienced in this type of work.

   I don't like this solution as I believe that the Trail Crew should at least attempt to do what we are asked to do.

2. Get something like a helicopter in to pick up the bridge and move it.

   This would cost a bunch and would require a lot of support from our sponsoring agency.

3. As above, but using a crane.

   Same as above, possible slightly less cost.

4. Drag the bridge sections from where they are to their original locations.

   The bridge sections are quite heavy and are somewhat "fragile". The walkway planks are nailed to the supporting logs and several are quite loose. I think that if we were to give a strong pull on the supporting logs, that they might pull apart and then we would have a bunch of pieces to fix.

   The ground is quite marshy and it would be difficult to get some logs in to roll the bridge sections on. The ranger said that he had some "peeler cores" that we could use. But these are about four inches in diameter and would probably sink in the mud when any load is put on them.

5. Use many volunteers to pick up the bridge sections and move them.

   The bridge sections are quite heavy, the ground is quite marshy and this would be quite dangerous as a slip could easily happen.

6. Disassemble the bridge sections, move the parts and then put them back together.

   Since the bridge sections are primarily nailed together, disassembling them should be quite practicable. On section 1, several of the treadway boards almost come out now with a medium pull.

   When the sections are disassembled, the pieces will be lighter, easier and safer to move. The treadway sections will probably weigh 5 to 15 lbs each, which means that almost anyone can pick them up and move them.

   The supporting logs will still remain, however we have experience with rolling logs and these should present no serious problem.

   The only difficult item to move will be the handrail assembly. The handrail assembly will probably have to be removed as one unit. The actual handrail is secured to the treadway with what look like 5/16" lag bolts. The worst that will happen here is that it might be necessary to remove the lag bolts too.

7. Any other ideas????

Plan for Disassembling the Bridge Sections

1. Friday: On Friday there will be a smaller work force available. What they can do is:
   1. Mark all pieces with paint. A chalk-based "up-side-down" marking paint should be used. This type is used for temporary marking of streets. If the chalk based paint can't be found, then almost any type of street marking paint can be used. Marking on the treadway planks should be done in the middle so that hikers will rapidly wear it off.

   2. Carefully start removing the treadway planks. This should be easily done with a small hand sledge and pry bar. There is enough room near by to place the planks, with spikes still in-place and pointing down.

   3. With the treadway planks removed, mark the supporting logs.

   4. Carefully examine the handrail assemble and determine if it has to be disassembled or if it can be removed as a unit with more workers.

   5. With a small team of two or three, this should take most of the day.

2. Saturday: On Saturday more workers will be needed to roll and place the supporting logs. This day's work consists of:
   1. If the handrail assembly is to be removed as a unit, remove it first. If not, disassemble it carefully. There is a special problem here as it is easy to lose wrenches that will be required in taking it apart.

   2. Move the supporting logs into their original position in/across the creek. If necessary look around for any "missing" supporting parts that might have washed further downstream than the two large sections did.

   3. Start re-installing the treadway planks into their original locations. We can use the original spike holes so it will be easier to pound them in.

   4. Re-install the handrail assembly.

   5. Congratulate everyone on a successful "bridge move".

   6. Timing:
      1. Moving the logs should take 5 or 6 people about 2 to 4 hours. The primary problem here is getting them correctly positioned in/across the creek. (We have moved logs before!)
      2. Moving the full handrail assembly off the bridge section should take about an hour and moving and re-installing it should take another hour. It will take about twice as long if it has to be disassembled.
      3. The re-installation of the treadway planks should take two to three hours for 5 to 6 people.
3. Misc notes:
   
   1. The area is swampy, wet, muddy and insect loaded.
   2. The water is cold.
   3. The water in the creek is about knee high in the re-installing area.
   4. Most of the disassembly can be done where it is semi-dry.
   5. Some of the re-assembly can be done where it is semi-dry.
   6. While we were there there were no mosquitoes out, there were several other unpleasant bugs that bit us. (Me once, Kyle four times.)

Safety Notes

1. This work will be done in a wet area. This brings up some special problems:
   1. The mud is slippery. Some type of shoes/boots must be worn. Some of the hikers that we saw crossing were wearing "Tiva" type sandals. Others crossed bear foot. Neither of these is acceptable for the Trail Crew, as working with tools and heavy items may cause serious injuries. I recommend that an "old" pair of hiking boots be worn. Or maybe an old pair of canvas shoes. High water proof boots would probably be more of a liability here unless they fit well and won't be sucked off in the mud. The creek bottom where the bridge will be repositioned to has a mostly sandy/dirt bottom. It is not covered with medium sized, rounded, river rock.
      
   2. The mud is wet. Ordinary "hide" gloves should be worn. Cotton gloves will probably be useless. Hands will get wet but workers will still have control of their tools. Household type "washing" gloves will probably tear quite quickly although they may be tried. Household gloves might work if they are underneath the outer "hide" gloves.
      
   3. The mud harbors insects. Long sleeve shirts and long leg pants are needed here. DEET will wash off in the muddy water and will not provide useful protection.
      
2. This work will be done in the sun. There are trees near by for shade. Wear a hard hat and have sun block for exposed skin.
   
3. The spikes holding the treadway planks are medium sharp. Care must be used when handling them. Treadway planks must always be placed with the spikes pointing down so that no one will step or fall on them.
   

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