Three Bridges in California

About Three Bridges

This past February, I was fortunate enough to get back out to Redding, California. I spent a couple of weeks with my good friends Sam and Kristian. One day Kristian wanted to show me a few of her favorite spots in Shasta-Trinity National Forest north of Redding, especially this one particular place where three bridges stood.

Basically, lots of old pieces of bridges remain throughout the state. As the interstate flourished, these relics were blocked off and forgotten about. But at one time, these old bridges were the life and arteries connecting cities and towns. Some remain in use but many are abandoned and subsequently nature is reclaiming them.

What makes this place is so amazing was because we could stand in one place and view three different bridges. Two were still in use and one was not.

an old bridge still in use with I5 bridge above it
The bridge on the bottom is the old I-5 and the one on top is the new I-5.
the stream under the three bridges

In the photo above, looking directly to my left was this bridge. It was another road which no longer exists on the map. It’s remnants ran from the parking lot, across this bridge and dead ends under the new I-5.

The site of the three bridges on the map
This is where this spot is located in case you ever get a chance to visit.

The Abandoned Bridge

abandoned bridge in California

The photo above is the bridge to no where. Dirt and trees have taken over this road and it is lost just beyond this photo.

two of the three bridges

Under the bridge, off in the distance on the left side of the stream, is where the old road dead ends. At some point earth was piled up, or maybe some sort of land slide happened which completely covered it long ago.

These views were from standing on the old bridge and looking over. I wasn’t brave enough to venture inside nor did we have time that day.

wider angle view of old bridge still in use and newer I5 bridge above it. 2 of the three bridges

An Abandoned Bridge

There was water running under the unused bridge. Nearby on the map was Boulder Creek which runs into the Sacramento River. I’m not quite sure where this water was coming from. This spot was secluded with the distinct sound of running water, with the occasional noisy car or truck sounds from overhead. I found it peaceful. I hope you enjoy my pictures! Thanks for reading.

Me in front of stream and abandoned bridge. part of the three bridges

4 responses to “Three Bridges in California”

  1. Thanks for sharing your tour of the bridges! I love bridges, especially covered bridges.

    1. Thank you! I have another spot from this same trip I think you will enjoy. It’s another abandoned bridge from the 1930’s!!

  2. Beautiful

  3. […] I want to spend a painful day. Some place I can’t possibly be sad. Last year I was in Redding, California and the year before was Sanibel, Florida. Sounds great and it was. Well that didn’t get to […]

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My grief journey began in the Summer of 2020. I became a widow overnight. Without warning, my entire life was turned upside down, broken into pieces I didn’t know how to put back together. Writing became my anchor—my way to breathe, process, and heal, even in small, fractured moments.

After losing Eric, I was diagnosed with PTSD, complicated grief, and an anxiety disorder. For a long time, I was paralyzed by my own emotions. I traveled across the U.S. for over two years, mostly alone, learning how to carry myself through the aftermath of sudden loss.

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