---[Back]---

[Apr.03] - Solo Scouting Adventure

 

      Ok, so I've walked over the Washington Ave. Bridge many many times before, no big deal.  One time on my way across I stopped to look out over the edge and enjoy the scenery, specifically the scenery along the east bank cliff just south of the bridge.  There I noticed what appeared to be a small (probably drainage) tunnel entrance!  I made a mental note of this and continued on my way.  A few weeks later I found that I had some free time so I went down to the river to attempt to find a way along the river bank to the tunnel entrance.
  This is a view of where I planned to scout.  The tunnel entrance isn't visible in this picture; it's behind some trees.  

      I immediately found a small path leading along the edge of the cliff.  Apparently this route is relatively well traveled.

  
      The well-worn trail immediately split into two paths so I opted to follow the higher one (no difference really).  Along the way I spotted this drain sticking out of the side of the cliff.  Too small to squeeze through, oh well.
  


      Just a little way past this pipe I there's a rock with a whole lot of carvings on it.  The carvings were mostly people's initials and a few faces or something.  Looking down on the path you can see a few beer cans and pop bottles.  Seems to be a major hang out area.  Among the carvings someone had carved "initials suck" which I found rather amusing.
  


      The limestone all along the cliff face is yellow and wet and flakes easily.  I *almost* learned the hard way that it doesn't make for a good handle - the limestone just flakes right off.  The path got slightly more treacherous as I continued, but nothing I couldn't handle.
  
        

My goal at last! - this is the entrance to the tunnel I spotted from the bridge.   Let's see what it has to offer!  


(Click to see larger version)

 Very interesting indeed...it appears to not be a drainage tunnel after all!  Perhaps it runs into the steam tunnel system?  Also, notice the cardboard
"e-machines" box.  It looks like a homeless person might sleep here at night.		  


(Click to see larger version)

 Excited, I tried to open the door!  Unfortunately it wouldn't give at all.  I mean, I even tried kicking this door really hard and it didn't even make a rattle.  


(Click to see larger version)

 A view of the mysterious tunnel taken by looking through the cracks.  It appears to go back about 20 feet and then turn into a more "natural cavern" type tunnel.  
      After I was sure the door wouldn't open, I decided to continue along the cliff face to see if I could find another tunnel like this one.  Along the way I passed through an area that forms massive frozen ice flows during the winter months.  Since it was early spring almost all of the ice had melted.
  

This large pipe (probably 5 feet or so in diameter) was literally dangling right above my head.  The wind was blowing it so that it swung like it was just about to fall.

Another very secure "blast" door located just under the bridge.

      At that point I was very tempted to explore further, but I had to get going to a meeting I had scheduled.  I would have liked to venture further along the cliff face to find more tunnels (I imagine there are several more) but I had to head back.  Overall this was a successful scouting trip...found a few places that warrant further exploration.