Gila River Bridge Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This old bridge has some interesting history. Built in 1915 and closed in 1955. For a good detailed history of the "Antelope Bridge" go to waymarking.com for waymarks nearby. WMB8C1
Enter from the parking area by Antelope Hill. A new road was built in the summer of 2012 so access is easier. Could drive a quad half way down the bridge if so inclined!
Some info from "jimlinmon"
This bridge was on the main highway in the early 20th century between Yuma (and southern CA) and Phoenix. This was pre-highway 80 and, of course, Interstate 8. At the time, there was no control on the Gila River and it was a wild river, flooding at times and certainly impassable even at low water periods. The highway (it was dirt) roughly followed that old spur line through Hyder and on into Buckeye and Phoenix. It is possible to take this old, old alignment today but you have to be able to traverse some pretty bad washouts, detours, boulders, sandy washes, etc. Needless to say, this bridge was a major link in the Southwest for moving commerce and people. Can't remember now when the bridge washed out, but my guess was in the late '20s-early 30's. By then Highway 80 had been established as the major route through Gila Bend connecting to arteries to both Phoenix and Tucson.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pybfr gb gur jrfg rqtr ba GBC bs gur oevqtr. Trg ba lbhe unaqf naq xarrf naq purpx bhg gur penpxf.