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On November 18, 2006 the Monkey Creek section of the Florida Trail in the Apalachicola National Forest was officially reopened to hikers. The trail has had a bridge out for the past several years. I am proud to report that construction has been completed on thenew 80-foot free-span Monkey Creek Bridge. Congratulations to everyone who helped to build this massive structure.

The project was a great example of the partnership that FTA has been building with the Forest Service. Employees from both organizations, along with our Student Conservation Association (SCA) crew, and more than 30 FTA volunteers from nine different chapters worked hand-in-hand to complete the project. It took nine days and more than 1250 volunteer hours to complete the bridge construction.

It was a learning experience for everyone involved. A rigging workshop was incorporated in the project where new equipment and techniques were introduced. These new ideas were then brought out to the worksite and used to lift the heavy pieces of the bridge into place and to easily transport materials over the creek. Each side of the bridge weighed in at about 4,000 pounds and the whole bridge weighed close to 11,000 pounds. There were many lessons in problem solving, patience, and communication that came up throughout the project. There was a great sense of accomplishment once the first section of the bridge was floated out through the air, over the creek and onto the exact location of the bridge foundation within 1/8 of an inch.The weather cooperated for the most part. It did get a bit chilly on some nights, with frost forming on the outside of our tents. There was also a tornado watch issued one afternoon and we were forced to evacuate the forest. The crew had to spend the night at one of the Forest Service Work Centers. When the crew returned to base camp the next morning everything was still in place, exactly as we had left it.There are stil several more projects lined up for the F-Troop this season and it’s not too late to join the fun. Check the F-troop website for the latest information on past events and upcoming projects. Come out and learn a new skill, meet some new friends and give back to the trail. The F-Troop Wants You!

~~ Bob Woods / Trail Crew Program Coordinator