On Friday April 8, 2022 a crowd of more than 600 people celebrated the opening of the Beverly Bridge over the Columbia River. The bridge is part of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail and closes a critical gap in its 289-mile length. The celebration included speakers from the Wanapum Tribe, Governor Inslee, State Senator Judy Warnick, Ralph Munro, Washington State Parks Commission, Rails to Trails Conservancy and the Palouse to Cascades Trail Coalition. The Wahluke High School provided music and led parade across the bridge after the speeches.
The bridge was constructed in 1909 by the Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul and Pacific Railroad as part of its expansion to Tacoma, WA. It is 3,0052 feet in length and sits 69 feet above the Columbia River. It is in excellent condition even for its age and was built to last a very long time.
Access to the bridge is from the Huntzinger Trailhead south of Vantage on the west side. It is about a 1.25 mile hike to the actual bridge from that trailhead. There is also access at Beverly on the east side, although there is no parking at Beverly. The PTCT continues east along Crab Creek although currently there are two bridges that are missing going east.
