The bridge was built by the Los Angeles County Road Department and the Great Depression-era Works Progress Administration.
The 1938 flood that destroyed the road was one of the deadliest and most destructive natural disasters in Los Angeles history.
Bungee jumping at this location has been professionally managed since the early 1990s.
The surrounding Sheep Mountain Wilderness area contains significant deposits of alluvial gold, attracting recreational prospectors.
The bridge is constructed of reinforced concrete, chosen for its durability against the canyon's intense environmental cycles.
The Bridge to Nowhere is a 120-foot-long concrete arch bridge spanning the East Fork of the San Gabriel River in the San Gabriel Mountains. Completed in 1936 as part of a road project intended to connect the San Gabriel Valley to Wrightwood, the road was abandoned following a catastrophic flood in 1938. The bridge is the only significant remaining structure from the washed-out highway. It is accessible only via a 10-mile round-trip hike through the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. The area is a popular site for bungee jumping operated by authorized concessionaires. Visitors must cross the river multiple times, making the trail subject to hazardous conditions during high water levels.
The view from the base of the canyon looking upward at the concrete arch.
Wear sturdy, water-resistant hiking boots with aggressive tread to handle frequent river crossings.
Pack a minimum of three liters of water per person, as the trail is almost entirely exposed to direct sunlight.
Check local weather reports for the San Gabriel Mountains to avoid flash flood risks in the canyon.
Attempting the hike during or immediately after heavy rain due to the high risk of flash floods and dangerous river currents.
The trail is accessible year-round, but specific bungee jumping operations typically run only on weekends and require advance reservations.
Pack out all trash, practice Leave No Trace principles, and yield to hikers moving uphill.
