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Laurel Foot, past president of the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (NBATC) and a 1987 Appalachian Trail (AT) thru hiker, will present a program on the James River Foot Bridge on Monday, March 10 beginning at 4 p.m., at Kendal Hall in the Anderson Center of Kendal at Lexington.
This is the 25th anniversary of the opening of the bridge. T he program is open to the public and will be followed by a reception.
Located near Snowden and dedicated in October 2000, the James River Foot Bridge, at 625 feet long, is the longest footuse- only bridge on the AT. The bridge provides a continuous foot path across the river and, approaching from the north, provides entry into the James River Face Wilderness Area (site of the 2024 Matts C reek F ire). T he bridge saves hikers from an otherwise dangerous river crossing on the US 501 highway bridge.
A design and engineering marvel, the foot bridge is constructed on piers left from an 1881 railroad bridge. The bridge has an inspiring back story: it is dedicated in the honor of the late Bill Foot, NBATC member and president, the visionary and driving force behind its construction and financing ($1.5 million at the time). Bringing the bridge to fruition exemplifies the successful partnership involving the local AT club, Unites States Forest Service, state of Virginia, and local communities, said Foot.
