North Fork trail bridge work may affect recreation

Though the trail will not be closed, the lack of a handrail and intermittent delays on the very popular and heavily used North Fork trail may impact recreationists for approximately a week.

Beginning this next Monday, Forest Service crews will be doing maintenance on a bridge on the North Fork Trail (#24.2), which goes from Tumalo Falls to the Swampy Lakes trail (#23) near Happy Valley.

Crews will remove the handrail on the bridge and some people may be uncomfortable crossing the bridge without the handrail. In addition, intermittent 20 to 30 minute delays during critical construction times also may impact recreationists.

The work is being done to prevent future damage to the bridge and to maintain the bridge for public safety.

Crews will be working until approximately Sept. 15, when it should be completed.

For more information, please contact Marv Lang, Deschutes National Forest Wilderness and Trails Lead, at 541-383-4793.