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Bridge to Nowhere

Difficulty Level:

Quick Stats

Mileage

5 miles to campsite; ~10 miles roundtrip

Elevation Gain

Location

Sheep Mountain Wilderness, Angeles National Forest

Maps

Angeles High Country (Tom Harrison maps)

Permit Requirements

Wilderness permit required, which you should be able to pick up at the trailhead (no reservation required).  Will also need an Adventure Pass for your vehicle.

AllTrails.com Link

Trek Description

Scouts love water, and this trek has lots of it!  This 10 mile round trip backpacking trek follows the San Gabriel River to the famous LA landmark: the "Bridge to Nowhere".  This truss arc bridge was built in 1936 to prepare a route from the San Gabriel valley to Wrightwood, until a large flood in 1938 washed the surrounding road away ... and left the concrete bridge stranded in the middle of the wilderness.  From that point on it became an amusing landmark to be visited by hikers ... and now bungee jumpers.


Parking can be tricky, so read the Internet and plan ahead.  The trek itself is modestly uphill to get to the bridge, and makes a dozen or more water crossings of the San Gabriel river ... which is typically flowing year round.  Plan to get your feet wet.  Scouts will have a blast rock hopping and occasionally getting knee deep in cool water.  A rather large open area exists half a mile south of the bridge to pitch tents and make camp (dispersed ... see photo above).  From there you can ditch your packs, and finish the last bit to the bridge.  If you have time, consider hiking up the river beyond the bridge - in the water - and you'll come across a ton of gorgeous, secluded pools and mini-waterfalls.  Next morning, pack up and return to your vehicles.


Bottom line is this is a great hike for scouts who can hike a bit more distance with a pack ... and it keeps them engaged with a ton of river crossings and a cool oddball wonder (aka: the bridge in the woods) as a destination.


For status from the Angeles National Forest, check here.

Related Awards

This trek may be related to requirements in the following awards.

San Gabriel Trails Award & Segments

Inland Empire

Telescope Peak Award.jpg

Backpack one or more nights on each of these trail segments in the San Gabriel mountains.

Additional Photos

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