Lava Canyon Suspension Bridge
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes including this location:
- Upper Lava Canyon Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Lava Canyon to The Ship Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Lava Canyon-Old Road 83 Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Lava Canyon from Smith Creek Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 46.16926, -122.08289
- Elevation: 2545 feet
Description
The Lava Canyon Suspension Bridge is one of the true engineering marvels of Pacific Northwest trail construction. It's about 100 feet long and spans the Muddy River in the middle of Lava Canyon. The bridge was built in 1993, by Sahale, a firm that specializes in trail bridges and construction. Unfortunately, the bridge has been closed for several years now because of a damaged cable. It is unclear when it will be repaired/replaced.
The bridge has no stiffening members under the deck at all, so each board is free to move bound only by the two cables it hangs from. Each board sinks a couple of inches with each step, giving the bridge what some have called a "trampoline" feel. Looking upstream from the bridge, visitors could view Triple Falls, a rushing cascade that is difficult to see from the trails.
The bridge was part of the Lava Canyon Loop Trail (#184A). The loop trail ended at the end of the bridge, where it met the Lava Canyon Trail (#184). Currently, hikers going down the east side of the canyon have to return to the upper loop junction.
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Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)