Grove of the Patriarchs Could Reopen After 5-Year Closure

Hiker access to the Grove of the Patriarchs, a grove of massive 1,000-year-old trees in Washington state, may soon be restored.

The National Park Service has proposed a plan to build a new bridge and trail to the famous old-growth rainforest site inside Mount Rainier National Park.

A flood on the Ohanapecosh River in 2021 destroyed the only route to the Grove, causing its closure and removal.

The new bridge, dubbed the "Big Tree Bridge," would be a steel and wood-decked suspension structure, larger than the original.

It would be relocated downstream, away from the site of the old bridge, which is still prone to erosion.

The proposed suspension bridge would be about 215 feet long, doubling the length of the original structure, and elevated 35 to 40 feet above the riverbed.

Approximately half a mile of new trail construction would connect the bridge with the Grove of the Patriarchs.

The National Park Service is currently in the design stage, with the project at 30 percent completion.

Users can explore the bridge's planning and proposed build process online, thanks to detailed descriptions, mockups, and an interactive 3D map.

Once the final proposal is complete, it will be subject to approval under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

An in-person, public open house to share the plans is scheduled for August 26, with an online version scheduled for the following day.

The National Park Service hopes to begin construction in 2028, and estimates that the new bridge would open in 2029.

The Grove of the Patriarchs is a unique site, featuring a labyrinth of paths, boardwalks, and bridges through a group of trees up to 25 feet in circumference and estimated at 1,000 years old.

These trees provide critical habitat for rare wildlife like the northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet.

The National Park Service is working to keep up with the dynamic landscape of Mount Rainier, constantly trying to maintain trails, buildings, roads, and bridges to ensure they remain accessible.

According to Emily Hunt, historical landscape architect with Mount Rainier National Park, "The land is always changing and evolving due to storms, rivers meandering, changing of seasons and their intensities."

The new bridge would be a significant improvement over the original, allowing hikers to once again access the Grove of the Patriarchs.

However, tree-huggers should not start making their travel plans just yet, as the project is still in the design stage and subject to approval.