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.

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While well-developed with campsites, trailheads, water stops, and other amenities on the western side of Washington, the Palouse to Cascades Trail becomes more remote and difficult the farther east one travels from the Cascades.

The Palouse to Cascades Trail Coalition has been working with Washington State Parks to make upgrades to the trail, including repairing or rebuilding old trestles; installing tent pads; and placing portable toilets, water sources, and Wi-Fi hotspots.

The Coalition is also partnering with businesses along the trail to carry supplies for long-distance cyclists, hikers, or horseback riders who might need aid on their eastern Washington journey.

While work on the Beverly Bridge near Vantage was put on hold following the death of one of the workers in early August, a soft opening of the bridge is anticipated for November 2021.

The Coalition has been successful in creating camping in Ralston, working with State Parks and the Friends of the Tekoa Trestle on re-decking the Tekoa Trestle, and continuing to partner with small towns and businesses along the trail for more amenities in the future. 

Learn more at Palousetocascadestrailcoalition.org.

Find more stories about the Palouse to Cascades Trail in the OTO archives.

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The historic Beverly Bridge will open to the public as early as October 2021. This connecting bridge over the Columbia River opens up a longtime dream trail — the Palouse to Cascades — across Washington State.

The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is a linear park comprised of most of the former 287-mile Milwaukee Road Railroad corridor.

Back in 2014, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission completed planning for the 34-mile section of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail (known until 2018 as the Iron Horse State Park Trail) between Malden and the Idaho border. Later on, in 2016, State Parks completed a planning process for the remaining sections.

The Beverly Bridge spanning the Columbia River, links the western half of the Palouse to Cascades Trail to the eastern half. Completed in 1909 and 1/2-mile-long, the original trestle was registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

However, due to safety concerns, the trestle was gated and closed, bisecting the PTCT into two sections. Trail users were forced to arrange a shuttle or risk a dangerous crossing at the nearest bridge, the I-90 bridge at Vantage.

In many ways, this a huge victory for Washington and trail enthusiasts. After the initial railroad went bankrupt in the mid-1970s and abandoned its lines in the Pacific Northwest in 1980, the bridge and adjoining right-of-way were taken over by the State of Washington in lieu of back taxes owed by the railroad. Soon after, the bridge was listed in the National Historic Registrar of Historic Places.

Now, forty years later, it’s the link that binds the State together, and opens a new era of cross-state trail fanatics.

Originally published as “Historic Bridge Opening To Improve Cross-State Trail” in the July-August 2021 issue.

For stories about other biking and hiking trails in the Pacific and Inland Northwest, visit the OTO archives.

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