Gallery: Big Sur Bridge Build
Bridge that had been destroyed in 2020 and replaced in 2024.
BIG SUR. The name alone conveys a certain aura of mystery, perhaps because the gloomy redwood forests, steep mountains, and treacherous cliffs of the region hide all kinds of secrets. Tucked into one of these forested nooks is Lime Kiln State Park, where I met the crew from California State Parks (Monterey District) and the California Conservation Corps (Inland Empire) back in October.
Lime Kiln State Park is located towards the southern end of the Big Sur region, and primarily encircles a lush redwood canyon that empties out into a small, sandy beach. At 716 acres, it’s a relatively small park, but it is entirely encircled by state and federal wilderness lands. The park is named for its four historic lime kilns, hulking relics from a lime processing industry that operated in the 1880s.
Wildfire, heavy precipitation, and high winds have taken a toll on the park, as in many areas of Big Sur. A fire-damaged tree smashed one bridge in 2020, and another tree smashed a different bridge during an intense storm in 2023. The crew finished replacing the first bridge in 2024 after road closures elsewhere in Big Sur delayed access to the park. During my two-day visit in October 2024, the crew was moving bridge components into position to replace the one that had been destroyed in 2023.
Although only a quarter mile or so from the campground, the path to the worksite involved several creek crossings and steep climbs. So the crew constructed a series of six highlines to move the four 1,000-lb gluelam stringers into their final positions. When I arrived, they were setting up the sixth and final highline to move the stringers onto the bridge abutments.
I was particularly excited to see how they set up their highlines. Crew members from the state parks crew are trained on tree climbing using Swedish tree ladders. Apparently nobody manufactures these ladders any more, and the crew’s inventory of ladders are maintained and repaired in-house, including by state parks crew member Gerardo.
A crew of seven folks from California State Parks led by Riley Dunn provided technical guidance to a crew of 12 California Conservation Corps members led by Paul Lugo. Riley is a friend and former colleague of mine, as well as a former contributor to Trail Crew Stories. For my part, I tried to stay out of my way while Riley directed the highline operation as a conductor does an orchestra.
After my departure, the crew finished the bridges with decking, handrails, and approaches. As of January 2025, Lime Kiln State Park is open to the public.
State Parks Crew Lead Riley Dunn scales a tree with a swedish ladder to set up a highline anchor.
Gerardo prepares to climb a tree to build a highline anchor.
CCC Corps Members from the Inland Empire Center team carry a bridge stringer. Each stringer piece weighed about 1,000 lbs.
The crew floats a bridge stringer section on a highline.
Gerardo and Corban splice two pieces into a single stringer with steel plates. They used bottle jacks to level the pieces (each weighing about 1,000 lbs apiece) on uneven ground.
Gerardo (left) and Riley (right) discuss the rigging situation.
A CCC corps member tensions the highline with a griphoist.
Floating the spliced stringers into place on the abutments.
Crew lead Riley Dunn directs the highline operation.
Completed bridge. Photo courtesy of Riley Dunn.
Photo courtesy of Riley Dunn.
Photo courtesy of Riley Dunn.
Photo courtesy of Riley Dunn.
Jose in the State Parks Camp.
