The "New" Overall Run Bridge

Back in April 2008, I posted about the construction of a new span across Overall Run on US 340. The original post is here: http://hawksbillcabin.blogspot.com/2008/04/bridge-construction.html . I also posted on the new bridge construction that had started at Jeremy’s Run, in Page County at Rileyville. It turned out that these were the two remaining bridges in Virginia that had used the same construction methodology as the bridge that failed in Minneapolis a few years ago, and they became high priorities for replacement.


For two years Mary and I have been passing by the old bridge at Overall Run, which was made into a sort of park – I heard somewhere that there is historical interest, but I am not sure where I heard that or why it would be so – maybe a regular reader could shed some light on this?

The highway bridge is paralleled by a rail span at this point, and Overall Run passes underneath from the east, joining the South Fork of the Shenandoah very close by – the river is visible from the bridge here. (I don't know what the blue tarp is in the picture, but you can see that it is set up right on the river bank there).

The little park features an old millstone and a highway marker that describes Page County and how it was formed. Overall Run marks the boundary of Page and Warren Counties.

Although I haven’t taken this hike, I’ve heard that Overall Run is a good hiking route. It doesn’t begin at the confluence or near this new bridge. I looked at the review on Hiking Upward, which is located here: http://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/OverallRun/ . It looks pretty good, and since it is 8.5 miles long with almost 2,000 feet of altitude gain, I would probably rate this one a moderate hike once I have done it.

Here is a short quote from Hiking Upward:

“ The Overall Run circuit passes one of the largest continuous waterfalls in Virginia. The trails also go through valley streams and meadows, no wonder this loop is another local hiker favorite. With Beecher Ridge having one of the highest concentrations of Black Bears in the park, this is one hike where you may still catch a glimpse of a bear in the wild.”