NO HANDS BRIDGE STATUS AFTER FLOOD OF '97

Larry Suddjian (wstf@foothill.net)
Fri, 03 Jan 1997 20:26:34 -0800

January 3, 1997 will go down in history as another day in the life of
the most famous bridge known to endurance riders and runners from around
the world ... the dear old Lady survived another natural event. The
great flood of '97 has taken its toll on the flat lands but "No Hands
(the Mountain Quarries) Bridge" has again made it through the rushing
waters and battering of floating logs. I am pleased to report that the
only remaining evidence of high water is the precarious perch of a 48"
diameter by 30 foot log resting on the top of the middle pier (about 30'
below the top of the bridge). For those of you that are fortunate
enough to have the calendar showing the pictures of NHB, take a look at
the middle of the train carrying the rocks and you will get an idea of
where the log now rests. We will await the subsiding waters so we can
see what happened to the foundation that has caused all the concern.

I am also pleased to report that we have been given permission to build
an alternate "bypass trail" below the Highway 49 Bridge and parallel the
Placer County side of Highway 49 with a connection to the Placer County
end of NHB. The trail construction will start as soon as the weather
clears and will be completed in about six weeks. Stay tuned for more
updates about this important re-establishment of the Western States
Trail.

If you need to order the 1997 calendar or the colorful No Hands Bridge
poster, contact the WSTF office.

Be sure to visit the WSTF Home Page at http://www.foothill.net/tevis

We hope everone has a great New Year.

Larry Suddjian, Vice President & Ride Director
WESTERN STATES TRAIL FOUNDATION