Skookum Flats

Skookum Flats Trail, #1194, part two. Monday, I walked trail 1194 from FS road 73, south, to the old suspension bridge crossing location. Today I walked trail 1194 from road 7160, north, to the former bridge crossing. The forth and major reroute section has been staked out and the trees cut out. This new section will run from the northwest, where the present trail starts to dip down to the old bridge crossing, southeast to a point east of Doe Creek, where it intercepts the old trail. This section is about a ½ mile long and essentially flat. According to the Forest Service website, all four new trail sections are to be finished by the end of 2010.

The Forest Service website did not mention anything about a new suspension bridge over the White River to reconnect to the Buck Creek Trail, 1169. One block east of the old crossing, a blue line, with yellow tape, has been strung across the river between two trees. My best guess, this is the layout work for a future new suspension bridge across the river. If so, it will be longer and much higher above the river then the old one.

Presently, All the washed out sections of this trail are passable with the low water level in the river.