Tahoma Creek Suspension Footbridge
This is an image set within the Bridgemeister collection.
| Bridge: | Tahoma Creek Suspension Footbridge |
| Location: | Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington, USA - Tahoma Creek |
| Coordinates and Maps: | See related inventory record(s). |
| Image Set Contributor: | Patrick S. O'Donnell |
| Related Suspension Bridge Inventory: | 1995 Tahoma Creek - Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington, USA |
| Related Image Lists: | All from Patrick S. O'Donnell All in Washington All in USA All Pedestrian Suspension Bridges |
| Credit: | All photos by Patrick S. O'Donnell. Please do not reuse without permission. |
Patrick writes: "The bridge actually carries the Wonderland Trail that circumvents Mt Rainier below the glacier line. Several days would be needed to access this bridge from that trail. I found a quicker way. To obtain access to this one I had to hike about 7 miles round trip on a trail that is considered a 'rouge trail' due to being maintained by a covert group of individuals. The trail was abandoned by the park service some years back after a major flood had taken most of it out. It was a very difficult hike and at times I even questioned my sanity when ascending some of the steeper sections - wondering 'how the hell am I ever going to come back down this way.' I would later find out that descending was not as bad as predicted."
Patrick wrote: "These pictures show that there once existed a bridge (possibly two) at this same location. [the next three photos] show what appear to be tower foundations. These are on the east end and north side." Patrick later found that there had previously been a drooping catwalk-style suspension bridge anchored on these foundations. Both bridges appear to have coexisted around 1995.
"[The next two photos] show like foundations across the chasm on the west end of the bridge, but they're on the south side. It's these pair of photos of the west end foundations that makes a case for the possibility of two previous bridges - if not then possibly a tower upgrade of a single previous bridge by way of the contrasting stone foundation with the concrete foundation in front."
