November 2013--Lyons Falls Loop Trail Completed
One of the Bridges built on the Loop Trail
As part of the Lyons Falls trail, hikers were once able to hike along the south side of the Mohican River between the covered bridge and the Pleasant Hill Dam without going to the falls. This loop trail included an extremely steep section which had a post and cable handrail system to assist hikers in climbing a steep and rocky section of a hill near the dam. The cables were removed a number of years ago and two bridges on the trail were later washed out or severely damaged. The trail has been closed for about 5 years. In September of 2013, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources secured funds to rebuild the bridges so that the trail could be re-opened.
The Mohican Trails Club began work on the project to re-open the trail in late September of 2013. The first step of the project was to construct a new trail along the steep and hilly section near the dam. The work involved clearing, excavating and benching a trail consisting of a series of winding switchbacks to bypass the rocky section of the old trail and to ease the climb up the hill. Once the trail was completed, the second step involved the construction of two new bridges to replace the bridges which were washed out. The new trail was completed early in October and the construction of the bridges was been completed November 13, 2013.
Demolition of the old bridge was started on our last work day. The scrap from the bridge was partially removed by canoeing old lumber across the river and Park personnel trucked the scrap material to a disposal site. The trail has been blazed and signs will be installed next spring. Hikers can use the new trail as a loop trail to the falls and back to the covered bridge or to the Pleasant Hill Dam.
A big thanks goes out to all of the volunteers that helped with this project and to the Park Service for funding the project and providing Park personnel to assist the club with materials transport.
The Mohican Trails Club began work on the project to re-open the trail in late September of 2013. The first step of the project was to construct a new trail along the steep and hilly section near the dam. The work involved clearing, excavating and benching a trail consisting of a series of winding switchbacks to bypass the rocky section of the old trail and to ease the climb up the hill. Once the trail was completed, the second step involved the construction of two new bridges to replace the bridges which were washed out. The new trail was completed early in October and the construction of the bridges was been completed November 13, 2013.
Demolition of the old bridge was started on our last work day. The scrap from the bridge was partially removed by canoeing old lumber across the river and Park personnel trucked the scrap material to a disposal site. The trail has been blazed and signs will be installed next spring. Hikers can use the new trail as a loop trail to the falls and back to the covered bridge or to the Pleasant Hill Dam.
A big thanks goes out to all of the volunteers that helped with this project and to the Park Service for funding the project and providing Park personnel to assist the club with materials transport.
