Glade volunteers build New Bridge for Overlook Trail
STORY AND PHOTOS
By MARK RICHIE
For The Vista
Glade trail volunteers worked overtime during Memorial Day weekend to construct the second of four bridges on the re-route of the Overlook Trail.
On May 27th the trail crew moved 300 feet of lumber and 800 pounds of concrete to the site of the second bridge. On Memorial Day a six man crew returned and began assembling the bridge.
The project, begun last August, involves construction of 5,000 feet of new trail. The new route will take the trail off a quarter mile of grass road and eliminate a steep section on an old logging road.
“While scouting for a new route we discovered a seasonal waterfall and a beautiful moss covered rock formation,” said crew leader Mike Durnwald, “We worked to incorporate those features into the trail, which makes it a more interesting hike.”
The trail gains nearly 100 feet of elevation as it rises out of Daddy’s Creek. To make an easier climb, trail volunteers hand dug over 400 feet of switchbacks through the rocky ground of the Plateau. Much of the level trail was built with a combination of machine work and hand finishing.
“The expansion and improvement of the trails in the Glade in the past three years simply would not be possible without funding from the Club,” explained Don Hazel, “The Trails Committee budget started out very small, but we are now able to use an incredible trail builder from Knoxville and her machine for about four weeks each year.”
Mechanized trail builder Valerie Naylor uses a miniature bulldozer called a skid-steer to do the rough work of initial trail building. The small machine can get between trees, navigate slopes and move huge rocks to create the basic trail.
Volunteer trail builders follow her work to cut back slopes, trim roots and build rock steps. The Overlook reroute requires four water crossings which did not exist in the original alignment.
Fortunately, Jerry Brown moved to the Glade in 2014. A retired engineer and outdoor enthusiast, Jerry quickly adapted his skills to the unique challenges of bridge building in the wilderness. Jerry and his bridge crew are responsible for all the bridges on the Seven Bridges Trail.
Using a Computer Assisted Design system, hours are required to carefully design each aspect of a bridge. Then all the pieces are measured and cut in his garage.
After the footings are poured, he organizes a “build day” to assemble the bridge in place.
“A lot of time and attention to detail goes into our bridges,” said Jerry, “I means multiple trips to locate a good crossing spot, then more trips into the woods to take measurements. But sometimes the biggest concern is how to get forty gallons of water to the bridge site when a creek as run dry.”
The first Overlook bridge has five levels, two turns and required 462 feet of lumber and 1,200 pounds of concrete.
All of which was brought to the bridge site by volunteers. Once the materials were in place, Jerry and a crew of 10 put the bridge together in five hours.
The Overlook reroute is nearly complete and is expected to be open sometime in July. New signs are being made, the last two small bridges are in the planning stages and trail grading continues.
Hikers will find the old entrance closed off since the new trail starts and ends at the same point. Described as a “lolly pop,” hikers enter at the overlook parking area. After about 600 feet is the loop intersection. Hikers then turn right and descend to Daddy’s Creek. After traveling next to the creek for about 2,000 feet, the trail turns up hill to the first bridge, climbs three switchbacks and continues back to the intersection with the entry trail. At just under 2 miles, the Overlook Trail makes a nice 90-minute hike completely in the forest.
To volunteer with the Glade Trails contact either Don Hazel, [email protected] or Mike Durwald, [email protected], to get on the work day email list. Regular work sessions are every Saturday, year round from 9 to 11. Tools and instruction provided.