Candle Creek Trail Bridge Replacement

The Deschutes National Forest replaced an old trail bridge across Candle Creek that had been listing severely, had undermined abutments and significant rot throughout the structure. The trail bridge provides access across Candle Creek for the Jefferson Lake Trail.

The new trail bridge is in the same location, but is slightly longer and situated higher than the previous one. These two changes will keep the bridge safe from high water events and help with long-term sustainability.

The bridge is made from rot-resistant materials and, barring an accident like a tree strike or wildfire, it’s estimated the bridge will last for 30+ years.

Project Benefits

• Improves Visitor Experience: This project improves visitor experience by facilitating safe access across Candle Creek and up the Jefferson Lake Trail. Candle Creek is a deep, swift creek with significant tree and wood debris. These conditions necessitate a bridge for safe crossing. Candle Creek is located only 150 yards from the trailhead making this bridge essential in providing connectivity to the nine-mile trail.
• Economic Benefits: Safe, well-maintained trails are a crucial component of Central Oregon’s recreation and tourism industry and a leading benefit for residents. 
• Other Benefits:
  • Protects critical stream habitat by confining trail traffic to the bridge, as opposed to a ford which can create stream bank collapse, sedimentation, and other disturbances.   

Deferred Maintenance Eliminated:  $19,642.07

Project Status: Completed Spring 2022

Leveraging Partners: Two independent, Oregon-based volunteers worked with us on this project.  Their contributions on this technical project were invaluable.