Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge

Location: Mount Rainier National Park

Length: 6.3 miles

Elevation: Gain/1450 ft. 

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Time: 6 hours

If you want a challenging hike, pick this one! The challenge is finding the trail-head and the trail itself! We entered Mount Rainier National Park through the Nisqually entrance. Tip: the Northwest Forest Pass does not cover the $25 fee to enter the park. Luckily, we had our America the Beautiful Pass which granted access. If you haven't heard of it, America the Beautiful Passes cost $80/year and cover entrance fees to national forests, national parks, and national wildlife refuges. It's definitely worth checking out if you plan on visiting the national forests or national parks a couple times per year. 

Here are directions if you enter the park using hwy 706 past through Ashford:

After you pay for entry at the ranger station, watch for the main road to fork and take Westside Rd.on the left. You won't drive far until you reach a white block signed something to the effect of "recreational vehicles can be used beyond this point." Park, pee in the woods since there's no privy, and head past the block. You'll walk a few minutes up a gravel road and walk around a large, rusted metal gate. Not too long after that, you'll cross a bridge. You'll walk on this gravel road for maybe 1/3 of a mile and it'll eventually parallel a braided riverbed on the right, with forest on the left. Walk straight until the gravel road veers left up into the woods. Near this sharp turn is where the trail-head is. Just in the woods is a sign "this trail is no longer maintained." They aren't kidding, either. 

From this point, follow the wooded path the best you can until you reach the rocky riverbed. Walk PARALLEL to the river, not ACROSS the river, until you find an orange cone, signaling where you re-enter the forest to use the trail again. That being said, you will need to scramble around large, unstable boulders, crossing parts of this braided river because there's no clear trail. This hike is not for children, dogs, or anyone concerned with climbing, keeping your balance, or knee/ankle issues. You'll scramble up the river (again, not across) until you see this cone. Then, enter the forest on the left to find the trail again. There will be a couple spots beyond this point where you break out into the rocks near the river, trying to find the forest re-entry point, but they are simple enough from here on out. 

Keeps your wits about you since this trail is no longer maintained. Soft soil, washouts, roots, and dead trees can pose a risk. You'll eventually run into a sign for the Wonderland trail, signaling you have made it. The suspension bridge is beautiful! Signs state only one person can cross at a time. If you are afraid of heights, then you have been warned...