South Fork San Joaquin Bridge Fully Replaced, Restoring Safe Passage for PCT and JMT Thru-Hikers

A footbridge over the South Fork San Joaquin River in Kings Canyon National Park, which provides a critical crossing for John Muir (JMT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) thru-hikers, has finally been fully replaced nearly 20 months after suffering catastrophic damage during the winter of 2022-2023.

That winter’s record-breaking snowfall caused the 69-foot steel truss bridge to collapse under an immense snow load.

The damaged bridge pictured in August 2023. Photo via JMT Wilderness Conservancy

Damage and Destruction

The bridge’s failure disrupted a key route for thousands of hikers and equestrians. The river, deep and fast-moving, is generally impassable. With no safe crossing nearby, 2023 thru-hikers were forced to navigate challenging detours stretching 15-35 miles to get around the closure.

Some hikers attempted unofficial bypasses to avoid skipping many miles between Bishop Pass and Piute Pass. Others chose to climb across the twisted remains of the former bridge — at least until National Park Service crews disassembled the collapsed structure and removed the wreckage in August and September of 2023, stockpiling materials too large to transport by mule.

Rebuilding

A bridge reconstruction project in the summer of 2024 aimed to restore this important crossing. Throughout the process, crews focused on debris removal, design, fabrication, installation, and site restoration of the surrounding area. Crews completed a temporary cable bridge this August, restoring safe passage for trail users. Now, a permanent structure replaces the cable bridge, and officials say it’s better than ever.

Those who have hiked in this area will appreciate the monumental effort required to carry out any construction project in the Sierra. The bridge sits amid remote and challenging terrain, making it difficult to reach with any amount of construction materials. 

However, thanks to the dedication of the Kings Canyon trail crew team, hikers in the Sierra can once again cross the South Fork of the San Joaquin without worry. 

The newly constructed San Joaquin Trail Bridge. Photo via JMT Wilderness Conservancy.

The new bridge is designed to withstand the Sierra’s harsh winter conditions with improved snow-load capacity and reinforced abutments. Its reconstruction reconnects a critical trail corridor and helps reduce environmental damage caused by unofficial detours and river fording attempts.

If you are planning your PCT or JMT thru-hike in 2025 or onwards, give a little thanks to the Kings Canyon team, led by Barnaby Fisher, the Kings Canyon NP Trails Supervisor. If you’d like to donate to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, you can do so here.

Featured image: The old South Fork San Joaquin River footbridge before its removal in 2023.