Dry River Wilderness: Short Treks On and Off-Trail (11-May-2009)

[1HappyHiker]

I had the afternoon all to myself to do whatever I chose to do. My choice was to do an on-trail hike combined with a bushwhack in the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness. En route to the Dry River trailhead, I made a brief stop at the Eisenhower Wayside Park on Rt. 302 to snap a photo of the Presidentials with their fresh covering of snow.

After the above photo-op, I went directly to the trailhead for the Dry River Trail. The first order of business was to hike on-trail to the damaged suspension bridge to see if any repair work had started. So far there is no evidence of any work being done on the bridge.

After doing my bridge inspection, I turned around and started back down the trail to take a photo from the trailside viewpoint that features Mt. Washington prominently resting on the headwall of Oakes Gulf. I had forgotten to take a photo from here on the way in.

Shortly after taking the above photo I headed off-trail to bushwhack to a ledge that I’ve been to many times. Everyone has their favorite places. For whatever reason, this happens to be one of mine! Perhaps I like it because it provides a view of Crawford Notch that’s a little bit unique, and perhaps more pristine than say from Mt Willard or Mt Avalon. But regardless, below is a photo of the view from the ledge.

1HappyHiker

 

[rocket21]

Nice job once again, John! That first photo, due to the snow and the reddish buds, reminds me of fall!

 

[Jazzbo]

Dry River Bridge Replacement

As result of my research last fall, I have a contact at FS. Unlike you I'm constrained to letting my fingers do the walking, so I checked with FS not long ago by email and was informed Dry River Bridge Replacement is scheduled for July time frame. I think the bridge materials have been delivered to lay-down area nearby (DR campground???).

I like the picture from your view point. I think that's Mt Crawford on left. Crawford summit has that pointy knob points off at a queer angle. From summit of Crawford you see an inviting long slab slopes down in NW direction to valley below. Looks like it would be fun to descend down. You've captured it perfectly.

 

[Mattl]

Beautiful pictures, makes me jealous sitting here.

 

[adktyler]

Very neat! What a clear day you had up there, lovely pictures! It's quite interesting to see current pictures of the bridge-oh-de-controversy!

 

[1HappyHiker]

That first photo, due to the snow and the reddish buds, reminds me of fall!

Funny you should mention that! I thought the same thing!
Anyway, below is another photo taken yesterday from a different location on my way to the trailhead.
(This one looks a bit more “spring-ish”.)

Beautiful pictures, makes me jealous sitting here.

It will be my turn to be jealous tomorrow (Wednesday) when the weather is supposed to be gorgeous, and instead of hiking, I’ll be down your way in Hanover to have my teeth and my car serviced (two separate appointments!).

As result of my research last fall, I have a contact at FS. Unlike you I'm constrained to letting my fingers do the walking, so I checked with FS not long ago by email and was informed Dry River Bridge Replacement is scheduled for July time frame.

Through a source that I suspect is different from yours, I’d also heard that it would likely be mid-summer before work started on the bridge. Gosh! How long has that bridge been out of service . . . since 2005?? Don’t mean to be sarcastic, but it sort of seems that actions to remove a bridge proceed at a faster pace than actions to repair a bridge. But like most things, it’s unfair to be critical unless you know all the facts (which I don’t!!).

But anyway, hiking down to inspect the bridge gave me the opportunity to walk up and down the river for a bit in either direction to see if there were any spots where I’d feel comfortable in crossing. I found nothing that was in my comfort zone!!

It's quite interesting to see current pictures of the bridge-oh-de-controversy!

Tyler . . . just curious . . . are there any similar issues with bridges over there in the Adirondacks??

 

[adktyler]

Tyler . . . just curious . . . are there any similar issues with bridges over there in the Adirondacks??

Haha, yes sir! One of the best examples is over the Opalescent River on the way to Allen. The bridge is out and has not been replaced, so that has caused many issues in the spring time, since the Opalescent isn't that small of a river.

 

[1HappyHiker]

Haha, yes sir! One of the best examples is over the Opalescent River on the way to Allen. The bridge is out and has not been replaced, so that has caused many issues in the spring time, since the Opalescent isn't that small of a river.

Interesting . . . thanks for the quick response!

Oh, and by the way, just so there isn’t any confusion, the bridge that I visited in the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness is not the controversial bridge in the Pemigewasset Wilderness that is being proposed for removal.

 

[adktyler]

Interesting . . . thanks for the quick response!

Oh, and by the way, just so there isn’t any confusion, the bridge that I visited in the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness is not the controversial bridge in the Pemigewasset Wilderness that is being proposed for removal.

Ahhhh...thanks for setting me straight. I need to pay more attention to the different wilderness areas! Ug.

 

[jniehof]

Don’t mean to be sarcastic, but it sort of seems that actions to remove a bridge proceed at a faster pace than actions to repair a bridge.

I think the Dry River bridge went fairly quickly from scoping to decision, and the gap has been between decision and implementation. It's entirely possible the Pemi bridge will wind up with a similar gap.

More to the topic, though, thanks for the pics...it makes me want to go wandering in that area (as your reports almost always do.)

 

[1HappyHiker]

I think the Dry River bridge went fairly quickly from scoping to decision, and the gap has been between decision and implementation. It's entirely possible the Pemi bridge will wind up with a similar gap.

More to the topic, though, thanks for the pics...it makes me want to go wandering in that area (as your reports almost always do.)

Thanks for the compliments, and also thanks for providing the additional info about the bridge issues!
As I indicated, I don’t know all the facts.

Gosh! How long has that bridge been out of service . . . since 2005?? Don’t mean to be sarcastic, but it sort of seems that actions to remove a bridge proceed at a faster pace than actions to repair a bridge. But like most things, it’s unfair to be critical unless you know all the facts (which I don’t!!).

 

[Jason Berard]

Through a source that I suspect is different from yours, I’d also heard that it would likely be mid-summer before work started on the bridge. Gosh! How long has that bridge been out of service . . . since 2005?? Don’t mean to be sarcastic, but it sort of seems that actions to remove a bridge proceed at a faster pace than actions to repair a bridge. But like most things, it’s unfair to be critical unless you know all the facts (which I don’t!!).

That's not the only suspension bridge that failed in '05 that hasn't been replaced. The bridge over Jacobs Brook on the AT between Smarts and Cube has also not yet been replaced, and was damaged in the same event. I hear that it is on the list to be replaced this year.....

 

[forestgnome]

Nice pics, John...love the spring colors