Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge

* Carbon River Bridge * Grove of the Patriarchs Bridge * Longmire Bridge *

* Introduction * Wheels Outside the Garden * Wheels in the Garden * Garden Trails *

* Descent from Paradise * Sunrise Descent * Stevens Canyon Road * Carbon River Road *

The Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge is by far the longest and highest within Mt Rainier National Park, but getting there is not easy. The route begins with a walk or bike ride up a permanently closed portion of the Westside Road to the trailhead.

Although the trail is in better condition than you might guess from the sign, its 2.4 miles is not a casual walk in the woods.

Most sections in the forest are quite smooth,

with an occasional rock beside the trail.

But it is not always in the forest. The trail is difficult to walk when it is in the riverbed.

Another problem is that parts of the trail wash out every winter, and navigation is sometimes difficult. We lost our way here for awhile, before finding the place it reenters the forest.

This is one of several bridges to the suspension bridge.

The warning sign seems to have a contradiction.

Alternating between the riverbed and the forest involves climbs

and descents,

but at least there are things to hang onto.

Finally we come to the suspension bridge.

and head to the other side, more than 200 feet away. The water under the bridge is 165 feet below.

Kim takes one last look from the far side

and heads across for the hike back down.

The first and last parts of this trip follow the closed section of the Westside Road. Open to bikes, you can continue past the suspension bridge trailhead for another eight miles, over Round Pass and on to Klapatache Point. I have not taken this ride yet, but will post a video here after I do.