The Hagwilget Bridges

The first Hagwilget Bridge was built in 1856 by the indigenous population using only knives and axes. Described as a graceful wooden spiderweb, it was 150 feet long and swayed 100 feet above the churning waters of Hagwilget Canyon, with six-foot-wide planking lashed to the frame with cedar ropes and a load capacity of about 500 pounds. In 1866 it was reinforced with wire intended for the telegraph line being installed north of Hazelton, and fully loaded pack animals were led across one at a time. A second bridge, built in 1880, incorporated abandoned material from the Collins Telegraph Line and kept the same basic cantilever design, with king post trusses at each end and a queen post truss in the centre; it was reportedly tested by sending local women across with fully loaded packs while the men stood underneath with poles ready to reinforce the structure as needed. A third bridge, built in 1913 after the completion of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, was a new one-lane high-level Caddock bridge built as commerce between Hazelton and New Hazelton expanded quickly; 260 feet above the water, it swayed violently in the wind, and crossing it was said to be an unnerving experience that could cause motion sickness. Remnants of the second bridge remain visible below the third bridge. The fourth and current bridge, built in 1931 and designed by A.L. Carruthers, known as the father of Canadian bridge building, is one of the highest suspension bridges in North America. It is 16 feet wide, spans 460 feet, and stands 262 feet above the river. More than 1 million pounds of steel cable and 6 miles of 1½-inch wire rope were used in its construction, and a hard, thick, erosion-resistant sandstone layer protruding into both sides of the canyon provided a foundation for the bridge, an example of engineers taking advantage of geology. White eagle down, mix"kaax, is a traditional symbol of peace and friendship for the Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en people, sprinkled before guests in welcome dances and used in traditional ceremonies as a pledge of peace and settlement. The trail's intent is to unite and facilitate safe pedestrian circulation through five communities: the Village of Hazelton, Gitanmaax, Two-Mile, Hagwilget, and New Hazelton.

British Columbia · Canada