{"id":38694,"date":"2026-04-30T04:04:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T11:04:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goatbells.blog\/?p=38694"},"modified":"2026-04-30T04:04:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T11:04:55","slug":"more-broken-bridges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goatbells.blog\/?p=38694","title":{"rendered":"More Broken Bridges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Day 2 of the consecutive 3 day hikes started at Westfir Covered Bridge<\/a> covering the North Fork of the Middle Fork<\/a> Willamette River. Walking up-river accentuated following spring up the mountain. But, comparing to yesterday’s Goodman Creek<\/a> gentle singing in the background, the North Fork was raging and loud. Even the Stellar Jays didn’t call when you walked under their tree – nobody would hear. But in other places, a calm quiet river waiting for the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Following spring up the mountain from yesterday’s 500 ft elevation start to today’s 1300, the flowers are just not as far along, and some different, some the same. Maybe a spider in the white Iris?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yesterday’s Goodman and S. Willamette bridge issues seemed small compared to the North Fork trail bridges over creeks flowing into the river. One bridge is so ‘leaning’ that taking the log up-creek is safer -I think about 6 inches lower than last year<\/a>; another bridge is completely gone with timbers on both sides and a rope to pull you up the bank. No change for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A couple of other bridges retain their purpose but with questionable longevity … who knows, they were probably installed in the 30’s?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In one area, a river otter (probably) has staked its claim in two different places on the trail marking its boundaries. They poop in same spot multiple times (like wild horses) as the trail marker. Otter latrine, and probably used by more than 1 individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Day 2 was about 1000 ft higher elevation to start and the flowers showed spring still arriving – not leaving yet. The river in most places was raging high, loud and fast. The creek bridges, birds and wildlife keep things interesting, but the changing forest micro-ecosystems make this hike remarkable – especially when resting on a boulder at rivers edge just listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Route<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Started at Westfir Covered Bridge and hiked up river along the North Fork past the 2nd forest service road and the end of All Trails curated trail. Just past the missing bridge with the rope, however, the trail just starts fading away with blowdowns and little traffic – I remember the same from last year. At that point, it wasn’t worth it, so I turned around and did a couple of miles up \/ down Alpine tr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n