The Long and Winding Road
February 3, 2013 by babso2you
My stroll yesterday actually took me down to where the oldest suspension bridge resides west of the Mississippi. It is the Mosquito Bridge which crosses the South Fork of the American River. The road to the bridge is long and winding as seen in this photo.
The bridge and its approach
It sits halfway between the town of Placerville and the area known as Mosquito. If you look again at this photo, the bridge is at the lower left. If you follow the road from the bridge there is a series of switchbacks that take you up from the canyon. At the upper right you will notice a retaining wall. This is where the road collapsed in the winter of 2005-06.
The original bridge was built back in 1867. The bridge in those days swung when one crossed it, and it had no sides. Here is a photo of the bridge from 1914, courtesy of the State of California Library. The photo was from the collection of E.F. Mueller’s postcard collection.
Mosquito Bridge 1914
The bridge is an amazing piece of construction as you can see from this side view of the bridge.
A side view of the bridge
Here is another side view from the approach on the road.
Another side view of the bridge
And the views in the canyon of the river are amazing. Here are two photos: One looks west and the other east.
Looking west from the center of the bridge
Looking east from the center of the bridge
Check out the decking on this bridge.
The deck of the bridge
The river right now is very low. In the spring, the run off from the Sierras flow down this riverbed. In the winter of 2005-06 when the road washed out the water was just underneath the decking on this bridge. My guess is that the height of the water reached about 30 feet. My one regret is that while I have seen photos, I cannot provide one for you. Here are some of the beautiful boulders that adorn the riverbed today.
Boulders in the river
If you find yourself in Placerville, I suggest you make the trip to drive over this historic bridge. I have to warn you though: If you are prone to getting carsick, then this trip is not for you!
Now go and have a great Sunday! We will be glued to the television later today as the 49er’s will be playing the Ravens in the football game whose name cannot be used due to copyright. Go Niner’s! Thanks for stopping by!
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These are great photos of the bridge, Barb! The first time I drove this route and crossed the bridge, I thought I was on a Disney “E” ticket ride (for those of you old enough to remember what those tickets were)!
Hee hee! I drive this bridge 5 days a week!
nice “green” photos Barb…
Thanks Barb!
for real? you cannot use the s b word? i laugh! yes, i have been off the grid for too long!
am on my way to town, and will read about who won tonight or in the manana! have fun watching the game!
z oh! i love that last image of the rocks and white water! z
Those are really huge boulders! Have a good time in town! Take your camera! = Hugs – B
hey
i had a great trip to town and returned with a half dozen or more clumps of ‘papyrus that someone had put on the curb for trash pickup!!!! tehy’re now tucked into the garden, though i don’t like to plant on sunday.. it’s ruled by the sun and is made for killing weeds and pruning. do you garden by the moon signs?
the yard was MUD-DEE, but in the ground is better than dying a slow death in limbo! i leave in the morning for manta/guayaquil/then back to manta for the next four days.
hold down the fort and don’t do anything too fun while i’m offline!
z
Sunday is usually a day of rest! Do not use moon signs for planting…maybe I should! Have a good trip and I will hold down the fort! – B
What state?
California. Placerville is just east of Sacramento heading east.
Just wonderful!
Good photos depicting the bridge and road. Yes – the road sure looks twisty, winding, and narrow and the only straight part appears to be the bridge. Thanks for this road trip in photos!
What a lovely place and I particularly like the river pictures. I might feel a bit of vertigo on the bridge though! Hope the 49er’s win – we are watching Manchester City play footy now so keep your fingers crossed for us too!
Fingers are crossed for you! Thank you for stopping by today!