Monkey Creek Bridge Video - Final
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- YouTube
Monkey Creek Bridge Video - Final
02-08-2007 Monkey Creek Bridge Dedication Reconnecting the Florida Trail along the Sopchoppy River By Sandra Friend It's been five years since the original Monkey Creek Bridge along the Florida Trail between Sopchoppy and Bradwell Bay washed apart in floodwaters, so the dedication of the new Monkey Creek Bridge on Saturday, February 3 was a very special event. Not only did it kick off a month-long celebration of Florida Hiking Trails Month, but one of the most spectacular sections of the Florida Trail in the Apalachicola National Forest has reopened in its entirety just in time for the fragrant blooms of azalea this spring. The Sopchoppy section of the Florida Trail starts at the trail crossing along US 319 just 4 miles south of Sopchoppy, and meanders through pines and oaks for 13 miles. From the FR 321-C bridge north, the trail traces the sinuous path of the Sopchoppy River, offering views from the bluffs of the deeply-tannin-stained water and massive cypresses. Because of drenching rains on the morning of February 2, the Sopchoppy River was overflowing its banks when more than 30 people converged on the trail crossing at 9:30 AM along FR 329 near the Bradwell Bay East trailhead. Because of the high water, activity leader Galen Moses opted to cancel the planned hike to the bridge. Dedication of the trail segment went ahead, emceed by Kent Wimmer, Liaison for the Florida National Scenic Trail. The immense volunteer contribution to building the new bridge was recognized, with many members of the F-Troop trail crew who made it happen in attendance. More than 30 volunteers from 9 different Florida Trail Association chapters across the state converged to spend 9 days and 1,250 volunteer hours to construct and place the 5-1/2 ton footbridge. At the time, the trickle of water beneath the bridge construction made participants question whether the bridge wasn't overbuilt. Monkey Creek provides the only drainage to the natural basin that is Bradwell Bay. When it rains, the creek rises from a step-across trickle to a raging flood more than 12 feet deep. USDA Forest Service representatives Susan Matthews, Deputy Forest Supervisor for the National Forests in Florida, and Michelle Mitchell, Florida National Scenic Trail manager, helped cut the ribbon reopening the trail, as did Florida Trail Association Executive Director Deborah Stewart-Kent, Crews Supervisor Bob Woods, and F-Troop volunteer Butch Harrison, from Wisconsin. Afterwards, a handful of intrepid hikers attempted to continue south on the trail towards the bridge, but were turned back by icy cold floodwaters rising up over the footpath. Another small group took to their four-wheel drive vehicles and followed flooded forest roads back to the bridge site, where Robert Seidler of Seidler Productions was waiting with Ian Barlow of the USDA Forest Service. Ian oversaw the problem-solving details of F-Troop— how to move the 11,000 pounds bridge using only human power and pulleys across the creek. At the site, we saw firsthand the importance of the heft and height of the completed bridge, as Monkey Creek had overflowed its banks, and staged a mock ribbon cutting on the bridge for the benefit of Seidler's camera. Seidler is producing a new 28 minute video documentary about the Florida Trail that will debut on March 16 at the Florida Trail Association Annual Conference. For more information about the Monkey Creek Bridge project, F-Troop, and other Florida Hiking Trails Month events, visit www.floridatrail.org. You can also view the Monkey Creek Bridge being built on YouTube.com: search for "Monkey Creek." Sandra Friend is the Communications Director of the Florida Trail Association and author of numerous guidebooks on Florida hiking. This article originally published on February 8, 2007. www.wakulla.com
YouTube | February 26, 2007
