Crossing This 117-Year-Old Bridge In Washington Is Like Walking Through History
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published February 13, 2024
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
If you’re a history buff and a nature lover, you need to check out one of the oldest bridges in Washington. Located near Leavenworth, the historic Penstock Bridge is a relic of our state’s past and a gateway to adventure in the gorgeous Cascade mountain range.
Spanning the white waters of the rugged Wenatchee River, Penstock Bridge dates back to 1907, when the Great Northern Railroad Company built it as part of the region's energy development scheme.
It's nestled deep in Freund Canyon, giving the trail all the soaring views of a calf-burning climb. Thankfully, this hike clocks in at just under two and a half miles, meaning it's perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts who're dipping their toe into al fresco adventure.
Washington can't claim many well-known bridges, except perhaps for the Tacoma Narrows (although that's more famous as an engineering failure than as an idyllic viewpoint).
While there are some covered bridges in the Evergreen State, our most renowned were built to help trains ferry timber and other goods across Washington's varied terrain. Still, though it came out of this project, the Penstock Bridge was never intended as a rail crossing.
It was part of an early attempt to electrify Washington's trains using hydropower. In the early 1900s, engineers identified the Wenatchee as a good candidate for a plant. They went on to build the Tumwater Hydroelectric Plant, a massive installation that required lots of water. Penstock Bridge lifted a massive pipe across the river, shuttling water to the nearby powerhouse.
Though the hydropower plant is long gone, Penstock Bridge has gained a second life as an outdoor attraction and 1982 inductee to the National Register of Historic Places.
Though it boasts spectacular views regardless of the season, it's one of my favorite places to visit in the fall. Not to mention, it's just an hour outside Leavenworth, one of Washington's most charming alpine towns.
If you’re a history buff and a lover of the great outdoors, I recommend visiting Penstock Bridge near Leavenworth. This 117-year-old structure is one of the oldest bridges in Washington, and it’s part of a beginning-friendly hike that packs more beauty in two and a half miles than some routes do in ten. Best of all, its proximity to Leavenworth means that this outdoor adventure can easily slot into a weekend itinerary, and you can reward your efforts with a mean cup of cocoa in town when you’re finished.
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