Bridge of the Gods

When Europeans first arrived in the Columbia River Gorge, Native Americans spoke of a great natural bridge that once spanned the river, built by the Great Spirit so the people could cross easily from one side to the other.

Several variations of local legend describe how the Great Spirit also destroyed the bridge. Two brothers, WyEast (Mt. Hood) and Pahtoe, or Klickitat (Mt. Adams), lived on opposite sides of the Columbia River. They fought bitterly for the heart of a beautiful maiden (alternatively believed to be Loowit (Mt. St. Helens) or another mountain who has since bowed in sadness). They spit ashes, fire, and clouds of black smoke into the sky, burned the forests, and caused the Earth to tremble. The Great Spirit became angry with their fighting, and he too caused the Earth to tremble. His mighty quaking caused the bridge to collapse, separating the people of the Columbia until the modern bridge was built in 1926.

Today geologists know that a landslide temporarily dammed the river between 300 and 800 years ago, providing a natural crossing that was likely the basis for Native American legends. In four separate landslides covering over five square miles, steeply angled layers of basalt swept down from Table Mountain just north of the present Bonneville dam site. The natural dam that resulted backed up the river for 70 miles—as far as the John Day River. The lake eventually overtopped the dam, and the river re-established itself one mile south of where it had been. Landslide debris that was too big to be washed away formed the historic Cascade Rapids.

Today’s Bridge of the Gods is a toll bridge between Cascade Locks and the Washington side near Stevenson. Built in 1926, it is the third oldest bridge on the Columbia. In 1938 the bridge was raised to provide additional clearance for the rising waters behind Bonneville Dam. It is also the crossing point for the Pacific Crest Trail.