Boise, Idaho - The deteriorated Van Wyck trail bridge, located west of Cascade Reservoir, has been pulled and that site is now closed to motorized and mechanized vehicles until a new bridge can be built, which is anticipated next summer.
An alternate winter route, developed through a partnership between Valley County and the Cascade Ranger District, has been cleared of brush for snowmobile use. The half-mile detour is an abandoned road bed between Forest Road 435 and the old bridge site. It will not be groomed, but will provide a means to allow over the snow vehicle access to the main trail from the groomed route along Forest Road 435. Detour signs will be posted on the ground for users to follow.
The bridge and trail (Forest Trail 118004) are located in the West Mountain area, off of Forest Road 435A1. Forest Road 435 also will continue to provide access from the west shore of Cascade Reservoir up to the West Mountain area.
"The bridge stringers had extensive rot and posed a danger to users of collapsing at any moment," Brett Barry, Assistant Forest Engineer for the Boise National Forest, said. "We have funding secured and plan to replace the bridge next summer."
Further information is available by contacting the Cascade Ranger District at (208) 382-7400.