WMNF Bridge Status

Latest Update: 27 August 2008

A number of trail bridges on the WMNF were damaged or destroyed during heavy rains in the spring of 2005. The National Forest has either repaired damaged bridges or installed rock crossings at these bridge sites. Below is a list of locations where crossings have changed. Hikers should use extreme caution in crossing any stream, and should be alert and prepared for the different conditions at the sites below. Water levels in White Mountain streams can fluctuate rapidly. Hikers should also consider alternate routes to and from their destination to avoid being trapped on the wrong side of a stream when water rises.

District

Trail

Notes

Pemigewasset Trestle Trail At. 0.01 miles from the Sugarloaf II Campground, a 42-foot bridge was lost. This bridge has not been replaced. Crossing may be difficult in moderate to high water.

Pemigewasset Gale River Trail A bridge 1.7 miles from the trailhead was lost. WMNF crews have constructed a rock crossing that should serve well in low or moderate stream flows.

Pemigewasset Jewell Trail The bridge located 0.1 miles from the trailhead was damaged. but was rebuilt in 2006.

Pemigewasset Franconia Snowmobile Trail The bridge that was damaged was on a bypass section of the Franconia Snowmobile Trails and there are no plans to replace it. The primary route has safe, intact bridges. If this section of trail becomes a primary route again, this decision will be revisited.

Androscoggin Brookside Trail The Brookside Bridge is gone and will not be replaced. The crossing is manageable during low flows.

Androscoggin Spider Bridge (Near intersection of Wild River and Black Angel trails)
The Spider Bridge, an 80-foot span, was lost in the floods. A rock crossing has been constructed in its place. Hikers may experience difficulty in crossing during moderate to high water flows.

Androscoggin Huntington Ravine Winter Access Trail (HRWAT #4) The 30-foot long 4th bridge at 0.83 miles was repaired.

Androscoggin Caribou Trail A 40-foot bridge 0.4 from the trailhead was washed away and will not be replaced. A rock crossing at the former bridge location should suffice at typical water levels.

Pemigewasset Smarts Mountain Trail on the Appalachian Trail A rock crossing has been constructed at the former location of this bridge. Hikers may experience difficulty in crossing at high water levels.

Saco Dry River Trail The Dry River Bridge has been rebuilt and is now open

Saco Rob Brook Trail Two bridges along the Rob Brook Trail have washed out in the past two years. There are no plans to replace either bridge. Rock crossings exist in both places but hikers should be very cautious crossing in moderate or high water.

Saco Upper Nanamocomuck to Church Pond This bridge has been repaired.

Return to Home Page

A number of trail bridges on the WMNF were damaged or destroyed during heavy rains in the spring of 2005. The National Forest has either repaired damaged bridges or installed rock crossings at these bridge sites. Below is a list of locations where crossings have changed. Hikers should use extreme caution in crossing any stream, and should be alert and prepared for the different conditions at the sites below. Water levels in White Mountain streams can fluctuate rapidly. Hikers should also consider alternate routes to and from their destination to avoid being trapped on the wrong side of a stream when water rises.
District	Trail	Notes
Pemigewasset	Trestle Trail	At. 0.01 miles from the Sugarloaf II Campground, a 42-foot bridge was lost. This bridge has not been replaced. Crossing may be difficult in moderate to high water.
Pemigewasset	Gale River Trail	A bridge 1.7 miles from the trailhead was lost. WMNF crews have constructed a rock crossing that should serve well in low or moderate stream flows.
Pemigewasset	Jewell Trail	The bridge located 0.1 miles from the trailhead was damaged. but was rebuilt in 2006.
Pemigewasset	Franconia Snowmobile Trail	The bridge that was damaged was on a bypass section of the Franconia Snowmobile Trails and there are no plans to replace it. The primary route has safe, intact bridges. If this section of trail becomes a primary route again, this decision will be revisited.
Androscoggin	Brookside Trail	The Brookside Bridge is gone and will not be replaced. The crossing is manageable during low flows.
Androscoggin	Spider Bridge (Near intersection of Wild River and Black Angel trails)	The Spider Bridge, an 80-foot span, was lost in the floods. A rock crossing has been constructed in its place. Hikers may experience difficulty in crossing during moderate to high water flows.
Androscoggin	Huntington Ravine Winter Access Trail (HRWAT #4)	The 30-foot long 4th bridge at 0.83 miles was repaired.
Androscoggin	Caribou Trail	A 40-foot bridge 0.4 from the trailhead was washed away and will not be replaced. A rock crossing at the former bridge location should suffice at typical water levels.
Pemigewasset	Smarts Mountain Trail on the Appalachian Trail	A rock crossing has been constructed at the former location of this bridge. Hikers may experience difficulty in crossing at high water levels.
Saco	Dry River Trail	The Dry River Bridge has been rebuilt and is now open
Saco	Rob Brook Trail	Two bridges along the Rob Brook Trail have washed out in the past two years. There are no plans to replace either bridge. Rock crossings exist in both places but hikers should be very cautious crossing in moderate or high water.
Saco	Upper Nanamocomuck to Church Pond	This bridge has been repaired.