Ask the R-S outdoors: When will these two trails open? What's that mural near Keswick Dam?

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When will construction on Ten Bridges Trail be finished?

Q. When will work finish on the Buenaventura Trail where it will connect to the Sacramento River Trail?

A. The Buenaventura Trail, also known as the Ten Bridges Trail, is already connected to the Sacramento River Trail and the bridges are installed, according to the city.

People are welcome to hike on the trail, Redding Community Services Director Kim Niemer said. However, there's more surfacing work to do before it's finished.

Final work is on hold this autumn, Niemer said. Crews working on the trail — members of the California Conservation Corps — were called away to help with emergency projects including hurricane recovery assistance in Florida.

"We hope to have them back out there and finished by late spring," Niemer said.

The trailhead is at Buenaventura Boulevard and Sunflower Drive, about a quarter of a mile walk north of the Grocery Outlet on Eureka Way in west Redding.

The gravel trail extends a little over a mile north where it connects to the Sacramento River Trail.

It's open to pedestrians and cyclists. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail.

How close is Whiskeytown to reopening Brandy Creek Falls Trail?

Q. When will Whiskeytown National Recreation Area reopen the Brandy Creek Falls Trail?

A. The park plans to finish repairs on the lower trail in the next few months, and to reopen the whole trail in autumn 2023.

The lower section from the trailhead to the Rich Gulch Trail intersection, and the Rich Gulch Trail, will hopefully be ready to open this winter, park Superintendent Josh Hoines said.

The upper section of trail — from the Rich Gulch Trail intersection to the falls — still needs a lot of work, he said. It suffered severe damage when the Carr Fire burned through the park on July 26 and 27, 2018. That stretch of the trail was further damaged by post-fire erosion, Hoines said. Much of the soil is still unstable.

Over the next 12 months, crews will replace several bridges, retaining walls and other features, remove dense vegetation growing over the trail and reconstruct the paths' surface. 

The Carr Fire swept over more than 90% of the park. It was the worst fire recorded in Shasta County and the 13th largest in California's history. It is blamed for the deaths of eight people, and it destroyed more than 1,000 homes and charred around 230,000 acres. 

Who did that mural near Keswick Dam?

Q. Who sponsored the murals painted on the Ribbon Bridge near Keswick Dam?

A. The murals on the Stress Ribbon Bridge are a memorial to Susan Emmerson, artist and wife of Sierra Pacific Industries president George Emmerson.

After she died in 2020, Susan Emmerson's family commissioned the work, Redding Community Services Director Kim Niemer said. 

Her family's $1 million gift also funded improvements to the bridge area and long-term maintenance of the mural.

Painted by mural artist and Mendocino College art instructor Rebecca Wallace, the work covers about 850 square feet, including both sides of the bridge, according to the city's website.

"Mrs. Emmerson walked the River Trail regularly with her husband and friends," the city posted on Facebook in July 2021. "She loved nature and art." The mural "will be a testament to the spirit of generosity Susan carried with her each day."

To see samples of Wallace's work go to wallacemuralsanddesigns.com.

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Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.