Twenty years ago, Erin Bronk, then a US Forest Ranger, had a great idea of creating a sky bridge over US 64 down to Dry Falls. Visitors would be rerouted to park in a US Forest Service parking lot just off Paul Walden Way, do a short hike down to the falls, and cross the highway by way of the sky bridge. However, the full plan that Erin and her team developed was never realized.
Parts of the plan were completed, such as improving the railing system, parking lot, and walkways at Dry Falls. An access road was built on the property next to Paul Walden Way, and some limited parking spaces were created. As part of the plan, the old, early pioneer McCall log cabin was relocated to the site. All of this infrastructure is still in place, including the cabin. The landing pad for the sky bridge was even installed near the existing parking lot at Dry Falls.
What happened to the remaining components of the project? Simply put, the Forest Service ran out of money, and other pressing projects became priorities.
The solution to this problem is simple: throw money at it and complete the project! The US Forest Service should move forward with the plans. Let's build the parking lot across the road from Dry Falls and construct the sky bridge. The existing parking lot would be a drop-off point and provide handicap parking. The solution and plan have been at hand for 20 years. It may require some updating, but it is a solution to this serious problem.