Creek Bridge Pics

In the back property we have a creek that cuts all the way across from property border to border. So to reach the back 5+ acres, I built a bridge out of available materials. I found a good crossing point, cut down some oak trees, dragged them across and used a reclaimed deck for decking the bridge. I'm now on rebuild #4 of the bridge. The bridge works great for people, lawn tractor, and go-karts. I cut a ford for the tractor to use when it's dry.

• #1/Original Build: This was built next to a big ash tree. It was a good foundation - but had been undercut by the creek. The big spring rains one spring brought the tree down and pulled up that end of the bridge.
• #2 Build: For this one, I just removed all the planking from the original, moved the bridge over a few feet and rebuilt it.
• #3 Build: After a couple years the trees used started to rot and sag. So I replaced the one that was going. So again, took off all the planking, cut down a larger tree and moved it into place - this was much easier as I now have a tractor to move this!!
• #4 Build: After the second side of the bridge was sagging, I was able to put a support under it for a year - the big storms this spring washed out the support so the bridge had a significant lean to it. So again, I cut down another oak, removed all planks and put new tree across. This one was again bigger so took more digging but it's back and pretty level.
  Click on any image below to view a larger (around 640x480 pixel) image.

  Build #1

  This one was done all by hand. Dragged the trees across creek simply using come-a-long with help of 14yr old daughter and 3yr old son.
  

  Sorry no pics of the completed bridge or for builds #2 and #3 - I had picture of the tree down and the bridge twisted but can't find it now! Here is the most recent update - now have two strong trees (bigger then the originals) down. I have to replace a few planks that have rottend, do a little ground work on the ends, and screw down the planks, but here is the new bridge for 2013. Oh, and Braxten is now driving the tractor (at 9).