Bridge straightened at Moen

In January 2023, a trail user reported that a bridge in the Vaughn Hills area near the Moen parking lot was very dangerous and in slippery weather it looked as though someone could slip off into the brook below, especially in  Winter weather. Dogs could easily be scared at the prospect of the crossing. As it happens, the bridge had been noted as needing replacement and is likely to be one of the ridges to be replaced in the project supported by the State and the Conine Foundation (https://boltontrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Bolton-Trails-3-Feb-2023.kmz).

Keith Silver took a look and reported that some urgent work was needed and some temporary repairs might be possible preventing the need for trail closure. He noted that a very strong possible cause of the problem was the growth of roots on the adjacent tree.

After Keith’s inspection a team of Betsy Taylor-Kennedy, Keith, and Gordon Taylor used a pry bar, blocks of wood and other items to straighten the bridge.