This cache is one of a series of twenty-five caches placed for the 2008 Susquehanna Sojourn. The purpose of the Sojourn, sponsored by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, is to call attention to the issues facing the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. We are happy that you are on the Susquehanna River and hope you enjoy your exploration. We'd love you to join the Susquehanna River Trail Association whose goal is to increase public access to the Susquehanna and to promote watershed stewardship.
From June 15-21, 2008, the series is only available to Sojourners. Each Sojourner is given a passport to be stamped by the unique rubber stamps found in each cache. If, at the end of the Sojourn, a Sojourner has at least 12 different stamps in his/her passport, he/she is rewarded with a limited issue commemorative coin.
On June 22nd, 2008, the series of caches becomes available to all geocachers. You too are a "sojourner" and can "earn" a coin, while they last. First get a passport, available at the Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau in Corning or the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce in Elmira, which you'll stamp with the unique rubber stamp found in each cache. Collect 12 or more stamps in your passport to receive a Sojourn coin.
The ratings take into account possible slipperiness & "things that may get high." The cache contains a logbook (BYOP), some small trades, a FTF prize and a unique Susquehanna Sojourn stamp. Please remember to return the stamp to the cache when finished. 5-11-14: STAMP IS NOW GONE, container is pill bottle with little room for trades, BYOP.
8-8-10: Changed the difficulty rating to a "2" since you may have to "fight" for it. Changed the terrain rating to a "2.5", due to the wildness (look out for Poison Ivy) & "slipperiness of the area." THIS ONE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR KIDS. Thanks!
5-11-14: Changed TERRAIN RATING to 3.5 due to worsening conditions, RECOMMEND SEARCHING ONLY DURING DRY CONDITIONS. DEFINITELY NOT FOR KIDS!!!
Every great river offers both transportation possibilities and obstacles, and "The Mighty Susquehanna" is no different. In Ulster, the particular obstacle was the very broad floodplain on the Sheshequin (east) side of the river.
The initial means of getting across the river at this spot was a rope ferry, a flat-bottomed boat pulled across the river using a rope strung from bank to bank. Bradford Co. finally built a 4 span Pratt through truss bridge in 1889. This was destroyed by ice flows & flood waters in 1904.
The 2nd bridge was constructed in 1904-05 by the Pennsylvania Steel Co. of Steelton, PA and underwent rehabilitation in 1960. It had 4 pin-connected Parker through truss spans over the river and 10 rivet-connected Warren pony truss approach spans with vertical end posts over the floodplain. These 14 spans totaled 2011' in length, making it one of the longest combination truss bridges ever built in PA and the longest still in operation at the time of its decommission. You can view photos and learn more facts about the old bridge here: (LINK)
The old Ulster Bridge stood the test of time for over 100 years. It survived Hurricane / Tropical Storm Agnes' great Flood of 1972. The rising waters nearly reached the railroad tracks here, take a look at the distance.
Its narrowness was a perfect illustration of the artist's concept of the "vanishing point." That narrowness struck fear in the heart of many a driver. Some would come to an abrupt halt when meeting oncoming traffic. Others simply parted company with their side view mirrors! Safety concerns about that narrowness & weight restrictions are what led to its replacement. It was considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, however it was dismantled on 9/25/2007.
The current bridge was begun in 3/2006 and was officially dedicated 8/17/2007. Its construction went smoothly and consists of precast, prestressed concrete I-beams below the deck. It meets all current safety & design standards and is wide & open. I haven't seen a single detached side view mirror yet!
Whatever your preferences, old or new, it's safe to say Ulster has been very fortunate with its bridges. Enjoy your walk about in here & the view!
(Sources: PennDOT; Skelly & Loy, Inc.; Lichtenstein Consulting Engineers, Inc.; "Historic Bridges of Michigan and Elsewhere" website)
Congratulations to Cojette for being Susquehanna Sojourn FTF'er on The Ulster Bridge cache!
Congratulations to yurtles for being non-Sojourner FTF'ers!
Thank you to all who made this water-based Geo-Trail possible. Especially to all the cachers, particularly yurtles for organizing it, the Reviewers, and on this one, Two by Two for all kinds of guidance "navigating the channels" and ferret123 for lending his mapping gps'r.