This California Bridge Was Built for a Highway That Never Existed, Now Hikers Cross It to Nowhere

A Bridge That’s Never Completed

The Bridge to Nowhere was built in 1936 and stretches across the San Gabriel River’s East Fork. The abandoned bridge is now one of the most popular hikes in California. Here’s what you need to know.

The Bridge Was Built Before the Road

Before it led to nowhere, the bridge was supposed to connect the San Gabriel Valley to Wrightwood. In a puzzling move, the engineers completed the 120-ft steel-and-concrete bridge before they even started on the byways.

A Flood Washed it Away

In 1938, California’s 4th largest flood washed away the road leading to the bridge. This left the road stranded, and the $60,000 project was abandoned by the Los Angeles County Public Works Department after that. You can still see remnants of the original road along the East Fork Trail, including sections of asphalt.

The First Look at the Bridge is Astonishing

After hiking approximately five miles, you’ll navigate around a curve and suddenly encounter an impressive 120-footbridge stretching across the East Fork Narrows. It’s much more majestic and larger than you could ever imagine.

The last part takes you to the Narrows, a canyon with tall walls where the water rushes through a deep, tight gap. The Bridge to Nowhere crosses right over this narrow canyon.

Abandon All Hope of Dry Feet, Ye Who Hike Here

You’ll cross the river six times on this roundtrip hike along the East Fork of the San Gabriel River into Sheep Mountain Wilderness.

Keeping your feet dry is quite impossible, but on hot days, the usually knee-deep water feels really nice.

Deaths Along the Bridge to Nowhere

The trail has claimed at least five lives, mostly from people falling or having accidents while crossing the river.

In 2019, high water caught a hiker who drowned trying to cross the San Gabriel River. Help can take a long time to arrive during emergencies because the Bridge to Nowhere is so remote.

You Can Bungee Jump Off the Bridge to Nowhere

It’s operated by the California Bungee Adventures (government certified), and naturally, you need to sign a waiver. There have been no recorded fatalities, but a jumper’s gear did fail in 2016. They offer several jump packages and you get a free shirt with all of them. You can jump during the day or into pitch-black darkness at night.

Parking is a Mess During the Weekend

The Bridge to Nowhere trail starts at the East Fork Trailhead parking lot. There’s only space for about 20 vehicles, and with over 1,000 visitors hitting the bridge on peak weekends, loads of cars end up along the narrow canyon road.

You can skip the parking chaos and wait times at the bridge by visiting during the weekdays instead.

You Technically Need a Permit

You need an adventure pass to park at the trailhead which you can buy before arriving. Entering the Sheep Mountain Wilderness also requires a free, self-issued permit.

The Bridge to Nowhere is Temporarily Closed

As of this writing, part of the Angeles National Forest, including the Bridge to Nowhere area, is under a temporary closure through December 31, 2025 due to the Bridge Fire Area Closure order. This affects access to National Forest System roads, trails, and facilities.