High Steel Bridge is located just southwest of the Hood Canal and spans a deep gorge containing the S Fork Skokomish River. It's actually the tallest railroad bridge ever built in the US. It's 365 feet above the river. It was built by the Simpson Logging company in 1929. It was converted into a road in the 50's or 60's. This is not really a hike but you can walk across the bridge and check out the excellent dizzying views down into the canyon. There is a trail that descends into the canyon but it is closed because it is too dangerous. It's about a 15 min drive from 101. Google Maps directions were spot on.
Trip Report
High Steel Bridge — Sunday, Jun. 20, 2021
Comments
mato on High Steel Bridge
I don't know what to say except "WOW!"
Gave me the willies watching the camera go over the edge.
Posted by:
mato on Jun 20, 2021 06:21 PM
Terrierpup on High Steel Bridge
What’s are some nearby hikes in that area? I never been. Seems like Vance Creek Bridge would be close to that area also?
Posted by:
Terrierpup on Jun 20, 2021 08:41 PM
Maddy on High Steel Bridge
It is close to Vance bridge. Hikes around Cushman are fairly close (Staircase, Mt Rose, Mt Ellinor)
Posted by:
Maddy on Jun 20, 2021 11:05 PM
thebrink on High Steel Bridge
I didn't know this existed. Kind of takes your breath away.
Posted by:
thebrink on Jun 20, 2021 09:28 PM
George & Sally on High Steel Bridge
The Vance Creek Bridge that was built by the Simpson Timber Company in 1929 and used until the last log train came across it on November 22, 1985 to their saw mill in Shelton. The last train was on December 19, 1985 pulling logging equipment from Camp Grisdale. After that the rails were removed and the bridge was used by vehicles. The last regular steam locomotive powered log train was in August 1956 when Simpson switched over to diesel/electric locomotives. For some photos and history of the bridge see the Wikipeda article titled, "Vance Creek Bridge". Also see the book, "Logging to the Salt Chuck", pictorial history of the Simpson Timber Company, by John T. Labbe & Peter J. Replinger. George
Posted by:
George & Sally on Jun 21, 2021 01:49 PM
Isabella88 on High Steel Bridge
This is a very dangerous bridge. People die every year, falling from it. A teenager recently fell 400 feet and lived to tell the tale, but he was very lucky. This story is from May 2024
"The teen was walking along a former trail beneath the High Steel Bridge, one of the tallest railroad bridges in the U.S., when he fell Saturday, authorities said.
“We’ve told people to stay off these trails because they’re dangerous, but people either haven’t seen the warning signs or are disregarding it,” said Tim Ripp, a Mason County sheriff’s patrol corporal who was part of the rescue mission.
Authorities have not identified the teen, who sustained only scrapes to both of his arms and was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. NBC affiliate KING of Seattle reported that he is 19 years old.
Five to seven people fall off the bridge every year, and the majority die, Ripp said, even though the area is being outfitted with scattered warning signs, including one describing how steep, slippery and unsafe the bridge is.
During the two-hour rescue mission, deputies and firefighters used a rope and harness to scale the bridge and rescue the teenager, the county sheriff’s office said.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/teen-survives-fall-canyon-washington-rcna154221
Posted by:
Isabella88 on May 27, 2024 09:19 PM
Maddy on High Steel Bridge
The bridge itself is not at all dangerous. It's a paved road with a side rail that is a bit short. To fall off the bridge you have to be doing something pretty stupid. I think most people that hurt themselves are walking on the trails underneath the bridge which is a steep cliff.
Posted by:
Maddy on May 27, 2024 09:42 PM
zairisfrog@gmail.com on High Steel Bridge
Here, I'll correct to what the article should have said:
Authorities have not identified the adult .... because a 19yo is an adult. And no way should his identity be hidden; the more we call out poor behavior, the more people will learn.
Posted by:
zairisfrog@gmail.com on Aug 01, 2025 02:20 PM
Eric Gould on High Steel Bridge
At 365 feet, the photos of the High Steel Bridge attached here did me in. The bridge reminds me of the dizzying heights of the Royal Gorge Bridge, a suspension bridge that soars 955 feet over the Arkansas River, near Cañon City, Colorado. That bridge is a tourist attraction, and for a fee, visitors can walk across it for the breathtaking views.
Posted by:
Eric Gould on Sep 10, 2024 11:47 AM