Bernard Pack Suspension Bridge
This is an image set within the Bridgemeister collection.
| Bridge: | Bernard Pack Suspension Bridge |
| Location: | Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho, USA - Salmon River Middle Fork |
| Coordinates and Maps: | See related inventory record(s). |
| Image Set Contributor: | Patrick S. O'Donnell |
| Related Suspension Bridge Inventory: | 1957 Bernard Pack - Frank Church-River Of No Return Wilderness Area, Idaho, USA |
| Related Image Lists: | All from Patrick S. O'Donnell All in Idaho All in USA All Pedestrian Suspension Bridges |
| Credit: | All photos by Patrick S. O'Donnell. Please do not reuse without permission. |
Patrick wrote:
This is the Bernard Pack Bridge at the Flying "B" Ranch in the middle of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area. It spans the Middle Fork Salmon River with a span of approximately 270 feet. It was repaired by Sahale in 2001 after being damaged from hurricane-force winds during a firestorm that engulfed the area and eventually burned 1.2 million acres of the nearly 2.4 million that make up this wilderness area. To put 2.4 million acres of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness into perspective: if it where perfectly circular - you would be 34 miles from the perimeter when standing in the center.
This is the largest - most remote area of the lower 48 states encompassing 2.4 million acres. In the middle of it is a private ranch and an Idaho State University research center. There is no logging, mining, roads, railroads or residences within the Wilderness Area. The ranch is an exception due to it being there before this was made into a wilderness area. Adjacent to the 2.4 million acres of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area is the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area with an additional 1.3 million acres. Now you would be 43 miles from the perimeter when standing in the center.
The nearest road to the Flying "B" Ranch is 30 miles away. From the trailheads into here some hike, others "pack" (horse) into here. Since the ranch has its own airstrip I decided by air would be my option considering the time constraints.
What's so interesting? Fish or rafters?
