Jewel Bridge out - how bad is the crossing

[David Metsky]

I'm headed up Caps Ridge and down Jewel this weekend but the FS bridge status page indicates a bridge out right at the bottom of Jewel. It says that rock hopping is not too bad, anyone been over the crossing and can report?

-dave-

 

[Jim lombard]

I'm headed up Caps Ridge and down Jewel this weekend but the FS bridge status page indicates a bridge out right at the bottom of Jewel. It says that rock hopping is not too bad, anyone been over the crossing and can report?

-dave-

I did it once and got my boots wet, but that was in spring and I was descending the Cog tracks. The train was blocking the trestle bridge so I had to cross, fairly wide there but not deep. Is this the bridge that you go over just before the Cog station? Can't you stay on the Jewell that exits across the street from the Ammonusuc lot and avoid this bridge?

I'm doing Monroe, Washington and Jefferson tomorrow and descending Jewell, maybe we'll see you.

 

[Waumbek]

This VFTT report from 7/16/05 doesn't mention it:

[start quote]I took the jewell trail back,good move cause I got a good look at the cog RR,very cool!The trail was in good shape and not as steep as the ammonoosuc.I got some good pictures.I will come back and do it again.[end quote]

Possible big t-storms here today but the water dump should run out by tomorrow if they hit.

 

[DougPaul]

According to the reports, you can just take the cut-off over to the Cog RR parking lot to avoid the bridge.

Doug

 

[Frodo]

You can still cross the bridge, though it is now about 100 feet downstream and laying on it's side.

I actually crossed it about a month ago, and though I don't want to recommend it to anyone, it was quite easy. It also was surprisingly stable. A herd path even diverts over to it, so other people have also been crossing it.

The stream didn't look very rock hopable, but was certainly low enough to just take off your boots and just wade thru it...

 

[sapblatt]

David -

ditto on Frodo's comments. Did the crossing in June...two people in our group went over the sideways bridge which was no big deal if you did not look straight down. Two others went through the water (and this was right after a heavy t-storm/downpour) and it was no worse than calf deep. Cut off to cog is a great option.

 

[David Metsky]

Ah, if you do the cut-off to the cog lot you avoid the missing bridge? That's good news, that's what we'll probably do. It's the end of the hike so I'd feel fine just walking through the stream at that point, but the other folks might not feel the same way.

-dave-

 

[jfb]

Ah, if you do the cut-off to the cog lot you avoid the missing bridge?

That's right. Coming down Jewell you cross one bridge, then get to the cutoff to the Cog parking lot, then if you stay on Jewell you get to the displaced bridge.

 

[Waumbek]

I talked to someone today who hiked the Ammo-Jewell loop this week. He had no problem crossing at the bridge site and said it was a non-issue in any event because you can use the Cog bridge.

T-storms went through Pinkham area around 2 p.m. but the water dump was not serious (and I was down!), so streams should not be high tomorrow. It has cleared, humidity is much lower, and it should be a fine weather weekend.

 

[Whiteman]

Take the bridge on the Jewel trail

Walked it last Sunday. It's on its side, 100 feet downstream, so instead of the top of the bridge you are walking on an outside stringer. If it were really wet it might be a little slippery, but otherwise don't give it a thought. Some thoughtful person has even braced the very substantial stringers so they feel even more solid.

Have a great hike!

 

[David Metsky]

We walked out to the cog and did the short road walk. It was fine, thanks for the advise everyone. Beautiful day up there today, couldn't ask for nicer weather.

-dave-

 

[Jim lombard]

We did the same, descending Jewell and exiting at the Cog parking lot.

Dave it was nice meeting you yesterday.

 

[Zimmer]

Sounds like I missed a whole crew of you yesterday. We went up Jewell and down Ammo. I usually hike mid-week, so I was STUNNED by the crowds.