November 2009

Steel Thru Truss Bridge in the Gorge

We hiked down to here from the tunnel 5 end of the Gorge. It's downhill and about a half mile from the sand tunnel to this bridge. Some people consider this the upper end of the Gorge as the scenery starts to get more wild the further downstream you get. I think the Gorge starts at Blevins where the Doe goes from a peaceful valley and starts into the rocky gorge that we know and love. But there are parts of the drive along Old Railroad Grade Road below Crab Tree that look very similar to what you'll find in the Gorge. So maybe the Gorge starts in Crab Tree?

This is the bridge that had curved track across it. A tunnel (tunnel 4) is at the far end of the bridge and seems to be succumbing to the same fate as the sand tunnel in previous photos. Debris from above is slowly blocking the entrance. The steel deck bridge is just on the other side of that tunnel. This bridge has the most rust damage of the 2 steel bridges in the Gorge.