Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge - Emerald Ridge Loop — Saturday, Apr. 11, 2015

Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise

I began this day with no real plans to hike this trail or any trail for that matter. Things changed and around 12:15 in the afternoon, I was in the car and headed towards the trail head. I kinda spaced on printing any directions or doing any screen shots, so when I got stopped along West Side Rd with a big road closed sign, I half worried that I wasn't sure if I would find the trail head, especially since this trail is only half maintained. Well, I managed to find the trail head and I've included a picture for future adventurers! If that DIY sign is gone, it's right in the elbow of the first 180 degree turn in the road you're walking on or roughly (46.794731, -121.881448). Anyways, the hike! Like you've likely read already, the trail is kinda/sorta maintained. The trail meanders between the trees and the river bed. Luckily if you're in the river bed portion, someone has made little red flags for you to follow, so if you feel lost, look for those and follow them. In the woods, it's pretty easy to follow along. There are a few trees you will need to crawl under or go over. There are a few landslides which have created very steep sections of trail as you now have to go up and around. But just keep going and you will get there, eventually. As of the 11th, there was a couple of inches of snow at the bridge. Very doable for most regular hikers. I will say that the afternoon started with a few random rain drops, that turned into light hail and then snow and then sideways snow. Wow! The bridge was super cool and just as amazing as previous explorers had raved about. I'm a 240# guy and felt very comfortable on it. There was a layer of ice/snow on the bridge as well, but nothing to worry about. Up to this point I had only ran across a few other hikers and that was back on the dirt road. I literally felt like I had the place to myself. I walked back and forth a few times, taking some selfies on the bridge (you will too or you did, either way) and trying a few different angles with the wide angle. With all the snow and me being alone, I didn't get too risky. Luckily, the blue skies presented themselves for me and I was able to enjoy the view without the wind whipping my face. After about 15 minutes though, the sky began to darken and I knew it was time to get my butt back down the mountain. Just before I got back on the trail, I tried one more angle, off trail, off the bridge and the only thing I found was a lone hiking pole. So if you left one near a tree, get in touch and I'll return it with $5 for the use of it, because it sure came in handy. So the snow started to rage again and I just kept my head down. Kept a nice pace and before I knew it, I was on the ground, rubbing my head and looking up at a tree that just came outta nowhere. What the heck?!?! Who put that there?!?! Anyways, keep your eyes open people and enjoy the scenery. After that incident, I paid better attention and got back to my car without much hassle. Overall, a great hike that I'll likely do again, this summer. I think most able bodied human beings should be able to do this hike. There are a few steep sections and some muddy parts, but overall, pretty easy going and short'ish....