This hike is classified as a moderate hike in many southern california backpacking guides. This hike features multiple river crossings, plenty of opportunities to swim, historic sections of visible roads and tunnels, and the bridge to nowhere a 120 foot high concrete bridge in the middle of the canyon. Considered one of southern californias best hikes, this 10mile route, along the east fork of the san gabriel river, follows an old abandoned road and crisscrosses the river multiple times. Bridge to nowhere johnson corner, california bridge. From the 210 freeway in azusa, take exit 40 north on route 39. A 10 mile trek down the east fork of the san gabriel river, following the path of an attempted highway. I have a blog centered on the same ideas you discuss and.
Today, the lonely bridge to nowhere still arcs gracefully over the san gabriel river, providing one of southern californias oddest, albeit epic, hiking destinations. The overlooks are worth stopping at to soak in the views. The hike culminates with a sweeping view of the precipice of the bridge to nowhere. The trail begins at the end of the camp bonita road in angeles national forest north of azuza.
In fact it gets so hot that the company what runs the bungee jumping experience installed permanent sun covers on the bridge. Iron mountain and bridge to nowhere loop california. Description route finding is a bit challenging with many dayuse trails mixed in with the main trail, washed out sections of trail, and over a half dozen stream crossings bring waterproof shoes even when the water is low. Bridge to nowhere hiking trail southern california day. The bridge to nowhere hike is a quintessential socal trail. Dogs are permitted on the trail, but we saw too many with torn up paw pads to recommend it. The drive to the trailhead is an adventure in itself. The bridge was initially built to be the road that connected azuza to the mountain town of wrightwood. The hike to the bridge is 2 hours and return is a bit less than 2 hours. The trail crisscrosses the east fork of the san gabriel river many times. The bridge to nowhere, located near san gabriel, california is a 10.
The distance from the bridge to the water below is 120breathtaking when looking over the railing. Bridge to nowhere, azusa, california bridge to nowhere. In the early morning, the mountains provide shade from the sun a welcome relief on hot days, as most of this trail has full exposure. Bridge to nowhere via east fork trail private property. Nov, 2019 the bridge to nowhere is a great 10 mile round trip trail that follows a stream up to a bridge that basically sits alone in the middle of the wilderness. An incomplete bridge across the allegheny river serves as constant reminder that his vocation is. This is a 10 mile round trip hike out to the bridge to nowhere where people love the thrill of jumping off a bridge to nowhere. The main attractions of this trail are several swimming holes, mines, tunnels, and the iconic 120foot concrete bridge in the middle of nowhere. A day hike to the historic bridge to nowhere the best place for bungee. Most people dont know the story behind southern californias abandoned bridge to nowhere. This trip takes you along the banks of the east fork of the.
The bridge to nowhere is a famous hiking trail in southern california. First, i would like to say a few words about ron who led the bungee america team, he was the perfect man for the job high energy, encouraging, funny and serious when he needed to be. The bridge to nowhere hike trailhead is about 30 minutes north of downtown azuza, ca. The scorching socal heat will blister any sensitive skin away, since a good portion of the trail lays out in the open. Its a 10mile roundtrip hike on the east fork trail along the san gabriel river. This includes 3 jumps during the day, 2 jumps into the abyss of the night. Enjoy the swimming hole and picturesque bridge once you arrive at the end of the trail.
Must have completed at least a level 5 or 6 lath hike with no problem. For answers to frequently asked questions, click here. Within those parameters, one of our very favorite hikes and most grueling was the hike to the bridge to nowhere, on the east fork of the san gabriel river in the angeles national forest hiked july 18, 2009. Bridge to nowhere, azusa, california bridge to nowhere hike. The bridge to nowhere has become an excellent destination for hikers and bungeejumpers who plunge from the side of the dramatic archshaped bridge. The bridge to nowhere is a 120foot high concrete bridge in the middle of a canyon. Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs. You will need an adventure pass and i suggest to go early to beat the crowd and beat the sunheat. Otherwise, hike to the bridge, then continue the traverse around the rock bend and follow the trail down to the river. In the san gabriel mountains north of azuza there is a hike that follows a river valley up to.
Bridge to nowhere azusa all you need to know before you. Take a right onto east fork road and go 6 miles past camp williams. Book a hawaii helicopter tour for amazing videos and photography of beaches, the. Basically an under construction highway that was washed away during a massive flood in the 1930s, leaving the bridge in the middle of nowhere, and the road unfinished and abandoned.
Bridge to nowhere had been on radar for a couple of years, but with the ca drought, we always decided to hike other areas. Bridge to nowhere hike is located in the angeles forest. A road was built up to the bridge, but then the way was wiped out in the flood of 1938. Definitely not a hike that wed recommend for parents with little kids. The bridge was meant to connect a road, but the road was never built. Bridge to nowhere hike with distance to be traveled.
The bridge to nowhere is much like what it sounds, it is a gorgeous concrete bridge that runs over the east fork of the san gabriel river built in the 1930s. The bridge was meant to connect the san gabriel valley with wrightwood, but after a flood the. This area is part of the whanganui national park, and the bridge to nowhere is a feature of the popular twoday hike along the mangapurua track which starts at whakahoro. The bridge spans the east fork of the san gabriel river and was. Bridge to nowhere hike southern california youtube. Although this hike is popular, its not for the faint of heart. The bridge remains, isolated deep in the san gabriel mountains. The hike is mostly over a rocky, rugged dry river bed, and we cross the san gabriel river 6 times each way. The drive is spectacular and winds its way on the side of san gabriel canyon, with the river and reservoirs below. We usually have dinner at a mexican restaurant in azusa. Jul 07, 2015 the bridge to nowhere is a beautiful hike in the san gabriel mountains that ends with a bridge to bungee jump off of and waterfalls below to swim in. You start out heading north up the canyon on a gravel road that hugs the east side of the canyon, parallel to the river. The sound of the flowing river and rapids also adds a nice soundtrack to your hike.
It spans the east fork of the san gabriel river and was meant to be part of a road connecting the san gabriel valley with wrightwood. I met the owner of the bridge to nowhere asteroids. Hike to the historic bridge to nowhere in the san gabriel. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround.
Not nearly as cool as middle earth, and i wouldnt exactly call the hike a noble quest either, but its pretty cool, nonetheless. Since 1993, thousands of people have hiked five miles up the rugged east fork of the san gabriel river to launch themselves off the famous bridge to nowhere. There is only a 500 ft elevation gain between the east fork parking lot and the bridge to nowhere. The trail to the bridge to nowhere is mostly gradual with some rugged terrain and rock scrambling. Sometimes its waist high in places, making crossing a wet proposition. Heres why that bungee jumping business at the bridge to. Discover an old concrete arch bridge that was never put into use. Soon after it was completed in 1936 the hillsides where the highway was planned to go washed out see details. The bridge to nowhere hike is a classic southern california hike up a scenic river valley in the mountains that emerges at a scenic abadndoned brdge. This adventure includes an overnight campout at the bridge to nowhere with your instructors. Be careful when stepping on rocks and fording during rainy months. The bridge to nowhere is a great 10 mile round trip trail that follows a stream up to a bridge that basically sits alone in the middle of the wilderness. The bridge to nowhere is a young adult novel by the american writer megan mcdonald based on an actual incident in 1964, its protagonist is hallie, a pittsburgh seventhgrader coping with the mental depression of her laid off father, an iron worker, and the separation she undergoes.
If youre familiar with southern californias history, its quite possible youre aware that socal is home to a mysterious bridge to nowhere that was built in the 1930s. Hike to the bridge to nowhere, bridge to nowhere trail. This is a 1012 mile hike along the san gabriel river in the beautiful sheep mountain wilderness to a 120foot high bridge. Its a 10 mile roundtrip hike on the east fork trail along the san gabriel river. Plan your road trip to bridge to nowhere in ca with roadtrippers. The private property starts at the signs you will see on the trail near the bridge, and extends to the other side of the bridge.
The river crossing make this trek more fun, and on a hot summer day, cooling off in one. Welcome to the most adrenalinefilled adventure in southern california. The bridge to nowhere is an arch bridge that was built in 1936 north of azusa, california in the. The bungee jumping was absolutely insane as anyone would expect, but it was the best experience i can imagine one could have doing something insane. Bridge to nowhere azusa 2020 all you need to know before. The route involves scrambling on rocks and crossing the river several times in an area where flash floods have killed hikers in the past. The bridge to nowhere was built in 1936 and spans the east fork of the san gabriel river.
This a is a long, but relatively flat hike with plenty of. The bridge to nowhere is an arch bridge that was built in 1936 north of azusa, california in the san gabriel mountains. The trail smooth in some places and mildly uneven in. The bridge to nowhere is a beautiful hike in the san gabriel mountains that ends with a bridge to bungee jump off of and waterfalls below to swim in. This is a 10 mile round trip hike out to the bridge to nowhere where people love the thrill of. Well wait about 20 mins and leave the meeting point at 6. When the road takes a hairpin turn to the right, head straight, down a hill and over a bridge. The bridge offers great views of the steep forest valley and the riverbed below. Hiking the bridge to nowhere san gabriel river, california. San gabriel river ranger district 626 3351251 notes. In 1938, a flood washed out the partly completed road to the south, leaving the 120foothigh structure stranded. The bridge to nowhere azusa, california local business. Bungee jumping off the bridge to nowhere into pitch black darkness. The bridge spans the east fork of the san gabriel river and was intended to connect the san gabriel valley with wrightwood, california.
The bridge was meant to connect the san gabriel valley with wrightwood, but after a flood the road was washed out and the project scrapped. Bridge to nowhere mount baldy, california atlas obscura. Bridge to nowhere azusa all you need to know before. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible yearround. Hikeataglance east fork of the san gabriel river to the bridge to nowhere date hiked. We do however, have a really cool old bridge in the san gabriel mountains that seemingly leads to nowhere, and you have to hike 5 miles along a riverbed to get to it. Brief summery, directions to trailhead, topo map, photos. East fork trail to the bridge to nowhere hike prerequisite. Bungee jumping on the bridge to nowhere the hike is between 8 and 10 miles long, requires crossing a shallow river 0.
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