[BIKE] The Old Peasley Road Bridge

There is a bridge in the woods near where I grew up that up until today I had only heard of. Today I decided to finally make the trek to the abandoned Peasley Road Bridge in the woods of Brownhelm Township.

Unfortunately I was unable to bike to the bridge due to the impassible original Peasley Road, so I decided to hike it instead. Come join me on an adventure in the woods!

A map of the original Peasley Road right of way. The road now transitions from paved to bumpy gravel with some extreme potholes until you reach a gate blocking the path to vehicles. I call this the "Danger Zone".

My original plan was to park my car somewhere in the area and bike to the old bridge where Peasley Road used to run, I could not find a spot nearby so I then proceeded down the road in my car, nearly bottoming out multiple times due to massive potholes on the unpaved portion.

The unpaved portion of Peasley Road was riddled with potholes.

Once I made it to the gate blocking the vehicles I was able to pull into a small parking area to the left and after checking the path determined that I could only proceed on foot. My bike remained on the rack on my car.

The gate to the treacherous part of Peasley Road I labeled the "Danger Zone".

As you can see from the above picture some other bra,ve trekkers like me made their way to the left of the gate uncertain of whether they would ever return.

Danger Zone road portion.

Portion of the old stone road.

As I walked down into the valley I was more and more amazed at how vehicles and/or horses were able to make it down. Even if the road was in good condition it was extremely steep. I'm not sure how early 20th century vehicles would have made it with their limited power or how horses would have been able to keep their balance. I almost fell a few times. Danger Zone indeed.

Not only was it steep, but the whole left side of the road ran along a cliff side.

Not only was there a cliff running along side the road, but it was completely made from Shale rock. Shale is a rock predominantly found alongside the Vermilion River and is known for being extremely brittle and  to randomly come crashing down into the river.

As I made my way down to the river I began to realize why the road may have been closed. It was extremely steep and it was laid out on a cliff made of Shale rock, yikes!

Path off the road that lead to the Vermilion River.

The Vermilion River where it splits off into Chance Creek.

After I took a slight detour to the Vermilion river I made my way back to the road and noticed something large and rusty through the wooded area ahead of me. I knew I had finally made it.

Something does not look natural.

The old Peasley Road (minus the wooden deck).

I am not sure when this bridge was built. My usual online history sources have limited information on Peasley Road. By the look of the road and the fact that it was made from stone, I would have to say it may have been laid down in the mid to late 1800's along with the bridge. I am also not sure when it was decommissioned.

I approached the bridge and for a brief moment I thought of crossing it. Then, after remembering that I have terrible coordination I decided against this daredevil feat.

If my coordination didn't kill me the rust would have.

Last remaining piece of the wooden deck.

Chance Creek under the bridge.

Creek through the truss.

I took in the site one last time and began walking back toward the gate where I parked the car. I wonder how long this bridge will last out here in the elements before it falls down into the creek as spiky, rusty debris.

One last look.

Some more Shale.

The path our of the "Danger Zone".

Field at the top of the hill.

I have been wanting to get to this bridge for a while now and it was a sort of goal for this year. I am glad to have finally made it and hope to visit it again in the future. When I visit abandoned places like this I always think of my grandfather and all that he saw. Did he drive down this road when it was still in use? Possibly, but I doubt it. After walking down the road I highly doubt that cars traveled on that road. I believe it was used way before then.

Thanks for reading!