Vance Creek Railroad Bridge is the second tallest railroad bridge ever created in America. It has become unsafe and is not used currently. It is illegal to hike this railroad bridge but is not regularly enforced. This destination is not marked with signs at all, which makes it complicated to find. I don’t think they want you to find it!
But I did! After several hours of looking for it. I looked on-line for all these directions and it seemed that all the directions were not all that good. It still took me hours to find this place with them! So I paid really close attention so I can give you the best directions that I possibly can!
So hiking on this bridge is amazing! And thrilling! Definitely one of the scariest things I have ever done! This railroad bridge is abandoned for a reason! Many of the railroad ties is missing and most of the railroad ties are rotting! So if you want to see this place I would do it sooner than later because the railroad ties are only going to rot more as time passes!
There is nothing to hold onto up there. You are literally just standing on the railroad ties I believe almost 300 feet high in the air. Also make sure you do not hike on this bride in bad weather. I got lucky. It was really cloudy and misty and I didn’t think I was going to be able to hike it, and surprisingly the weather cleared up right when I got there. I got sooooo lucky!!!!!
Directions:
There are a couple ways you can get there. I guess there is a hard way and an easy way. I obviously took the long way and I really really don’t recommend it so I’m only going to say the easy way in hopes you will use this way to get there. Trust me, so much easier!!!!!
Go on the 101. Look up W. Skokomish Valley Road. This is the road you are going to take. There is only one way to turn on this road so I don’t even have to say right or left depending on the direction you are driving. So when you are on the 101 and you see this road, there is a road if you turn the other direction, don’t take this road. Take W. Skokomish Valley Road. Ok. So now you are on Skokomish Valley Road. Go about 5 miles and take a right onto 23/Gover Road. Go about 6-8 miles and the parking lot will be on your left hand side.
Now when I say parking lot, I mean shoulder on the road. Hopefully you will see cars parked there. Like I said, there are no signs telling you, you are there. But the trailhead is on the left hand side. When I went, I saw this sign right across the street.
At a general standpoint, this parking lot is North of Shelton, West of Union and South of Olympic National Forest. It is Southwest of Seattle to get your barrings.
I feel so ALIVE!
When you start this trail, there are no signs, but the trail is distinguished just enough to show you where to go. It is kinda grown in, but you can still see a path. You will wind for a little bit and eventually come across a dirt road. Turn Right! Follow this road down. This will take you to this bridge. The trail should not take more than about 15-30 minute walk. It is not that bad. Eventually you will end up at the bridge and this is where the fun starts!!!! It is also kind of difficult to get on the bridge. They don’t make it easy to see this destination!
This feeling is Amazing!
It is so worth it though! Walking on this bridge was exhilarating!!!!! I loved it so much! It really gets your adrenaline going! Hope you liked this article and I hope you have a great day/night!
There is a video right below!!!!
Sincerely,
Shelly/Livingonthedirt
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