Images in Life by Holensworth

Archive for the 'Tonto Natural Bridge State Park' Category

Saturday, July 5th, 2008

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Payson Arizona

The natural bridge was discovered by David Gowan, a Scotsman, in 1877 while hiding from Apache Indians, and so impressed was he by the unusual, secluded location that he persuaded his family to emigrate and live there. Although they left in 1948 their lodge remains - since being included in the National Register of historic places - and forms the centerpiece of the buildings in the state park, which is reached by a short, newly paved side road (FR 583) off AZ 87 11 miles north of Payson - this crosses a plateau with wildflowers and small trees, then drops steeply 800 feet to the canyon floor. The bridge is not immediately apparent, as beyond the park buildings stretches a flat meadow that seems to cover all the ground between the canyon walls. The creek actually runs a hundred feet lower in a narrow gorge, the edge of which is hidden by trees, flows under the bridge beneath the meadow and continues downstream through a rather wider canyon. Depending on which dimension is used as a measurement, Tonto is the worlds largest travertine bridge - 180 feet high, 400 feet long and about 100 feet thick on top.

Bridge Trail - a route down the cliffs just below the bridge. This is quite steep and rather slippery in places but well worth the trip as it leads directly beneath, and in times of low water it is possible to walk through and link with the end of the River Trail. High above, a small waterfall cascades over the edge of the bridge with more trailing grasses and ferns.

Waterfall Trail - a very short path down into the canyon above the bridge to a grotto with hanging greenery, seeping water and travertine formations.