This web page contains pictures and descriptions of a dayhike I hosted for fellow Bergen Brunswig employees 5 miles up the East Fork
of the San Gabriel River to the "Bridge to Nowhere".
There are about 5 river crossings along the first part of the trail so be prepared to get
a little wet. The best time to do this hike is late spring, early summer. Too early
in the Spring, the river can be running too strong for a safe crossing, especially
the first couple of crossings. Be sure to bring plenty of water (at least 3 bottles)
unless you have a portable water filter. Even though there is plenty of water in the river
and it looks clean, it is not advisable to drink it.
The trail itself follows the remnants of a roadway that the Army Corps of Engineers was
attempting to build in the 1930's as an alternative route to the high desert than Angeles
Crest Highway. However in the Spring of 1938 a massive rainstorm (more than 12" in less
than 24 hours) hit the San Gabriel Mountains and the resulting flood wiped out nearly all
the road work. It has been estimated that nearly a hundred feet of water was flowing thru
the gorge spanned by the bridge and it was only the height of the bridge span (150') that
saved it.
>
