Vantage, Wash.
After years of planning and advocacy by the Palouse to Cascades Trail Coalition, Washington State Parks, and involved citizens, the Beverly Bridge over the Columbia River reopened with new railing and decking—a redesign specifically for non-motorized trail use.
The bridge, owned by the Washington Department of Natural Resources but maintained and managed by Washington State Parks, represents a series of bridge improvements east of the Cascades on the Palouse to Cascades Trail (PTCT), including the newly reopened Tekoa Trestle and bridges destroyed in recent wildfires.
About 500 people attended the grand opening of the restored bridge on April 8, 2022, including cyclists, hikers, horseback riders and walkers. Johnny Buck from the Wanapum Tribe, Governor Inslee, and a handful of other elected officials from around the state attended the windy and joyous public event.
For thru-users of the Palouse to Cascades Trail, the Columbia River has long posed a challenge. Previously known as the Ironhorse Trail or the John Wayne Trail, the 289-mile PTCT traverses Washington state from Cedar Falls to Tekoa, near the Idaho border.
Users of the trail previously could travel the trail up to the Columbia River where the Beverly Bridge, out of use for 42 years, required a detour over the I-90 Vantage bridge using motorized vehicle transportation.
As activities like bike packing, long-distance hiking, and horse packing become more popular throughout the Northwest, long-distance trails like the PTCT can be a vital contributor to the economies of rural towns in Washington. The Palouse to Cascades Trail highlights the beauty, splendor and diversity of the state, from lush forests, lakes and rivers, to arid, craggy deserts and rolling farmland. This now-connected trail offers limitless recreation opportunities.
When you go
Plan your trip by visiting the webpage for Palouse to Cascades State Park. Sections between Beverly, Wash., and the Idaho border require pre-registration, and Discover Passes are required for day use.
Before (top photo) and during construction on the Beverly Bridge, Palouse to Cascades Trail. // Photo courtesy of Marilyn Hedges
Learn more about bikepacking from stories in the OTO archives.
