Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

In regards to the question about the Swinging Bridge---

Whether it "undulates" or "swings," I don't know, but I believe it is best
for a rider and their horse to cross it by themselves.  If, as the case may
be during the Tevis, there are a lot of folks backed up there, you might
request no more than two at a time cross.  Though basically quite sturdy,
the more horses on it, the more it swings.  The problem is it does give some
horses the heebie jeebies--ones you might the least expect--and they might
try to bolt right over you (if you are off your horse) or through other
horses to quickly get to the other side.  So it is worth being careful
there.  (I have always gotten off of my horse and walked him across the
bridge, standing to one side.)

Someone suggested it is a good place to stop and cool one's horse.  If they
are talking about going off the trail and down to the creek there, well, I
wouldn't in that location.  It looks pretty easy and very tempting, but I
have seen horses get hurt going down to, and stepping into, that creek.
(There is a reason there is a bridge!)  They were most likely, however,
referring to stopping at the spring that exists along the trail a little bit
past the bridge.  The problem with that spot is only three or four horses
can fit there at one time, and while stopped, they block they trail.  This
can cause a big bottleneck which upsets all of the other horses and riders
back waiting to cross the bridge!

When you reach the bottom of the canyon where you encounter the Swinging
Bridge, your horse, obviously, has just gone downhill.  The Last Chance stop
was not long before that with plenty of water.  So, often, the horses are
not even thirsty at this point.  However, they are about to face one of the
worst uphill climbs of the entire ride--maybe their entire
lives!--considering where they hit it in the ride (at least, that is my
opinion)--the two miles of relentless, neverending switchbacks up to Devil's
Thumb!  But...guess what.  At the top of that climb WSTF has lots of water
for the horses--and that's where they want it the most!  It is a great
reward, and unless there has been a major change I don't know about, you can
count on it being there.  Thus, I'd plan to cross the Swinging Bridge, as
safely as possible, let your horse take a quick drink at the spring if he
wants, but if he doesn't, don't linger!  Instead, head right on up (and up,
and UP!) the trail to Devil's Thumb.

This is my opinion.  Hope some find it helpful.  I have especially shared
this because I think a lot of people stop and hang out much longer than
necessary at the spring, causing an irritating backup, because they don't
know all that water is waiting for them "above."  (And yes, when you get to
the top at Devil's Thumb--it does seem like Heaven!)

Mary Abbott
Grass Valley, CA


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