Quinn Creek Trail Bridge Replacement

The Deschutes National Forest replaced a severely dilapidated bridge over Quinn Creek that had two missing handrails and had advanced rot throughout the structure. The Quinn Creek bridge had been closed to stock for several years due to its condition. The Quinn Creek bridge and Quinn Creek Trail provide connectivity between Quinn Meadow Horse Camp and the Metolius-Windigo Trail, which is a popular equestrian route. The new bridge is in the same location. While the new bridge has a similar design to the former bridge, the new bridge is built with larger materials that will be more resistant to rot. The new bridge is open to all legal trail users including equestrians. 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 Quinn Creek with connectivity to the Metolius-Windigo Trail. Equestrian users have the option of utilizing the bridge or fording the creek.    
• 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 encouraging trail traffic to use the bridge.   

Deferred Maintenance Eliminated:  $37,222.68

Leveraging Partners: Volunteers from the Central Oregon chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails and Sisters Sno-Go-Fers Snowmobile Club assisted the Forest Service with this project. Both groups provided key transportation of bridge materials to the work site. Additionally, crews from the Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps spent four days transporting materials, building approaches, and rehabilitating impacted work areas.