What is Washington’s most famous bridge? The Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Deception Pass come to mind, but the Evergreen State is full of these important transportation links. But of the 7,300 bridges in our state, the tallest and most impressive is found near the tiny town of Toutle. Allow us to introduce the Hoffstadt Creek Bridge.

Toutle is located in Cowlitz County, about 60 miles north of Vancouver.
Aaron HockleyFollow / Flickr
The bridge is actually located about 19 miles east of town, pretty much in the middle of nowhere.
The Hoffstadt Creek Bridge sits on the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, passing over (way over) Hoffstadt Creek.
Michelle Jondhall / Google
The highway has 14 bridges in total, but this is both the longest and the tallest.
The bridge has a main span of 600 feet and is about 370 feet tall.
Jasperdo / Flickr
This means that, in addition to being Washington's tallest bridge, it's the third tallest bridge in the Pacific Northwest.

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This deck truss bridge was constructed in 1992 as part of a new highway meant to replace one that was destroyed when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980.
sdilullo / Flickr
This new route is much safer from both flooding and potential debris from another eruption.
As you can imagine, driving over the bridge is a beautiful experience, especially on a clear day.
Robby G C / TripAdvisor
There's also a scenic viewpoint and small parking area at the west end for those who would like to take a longer look.
The Hoffstadt Creek Bridge won a Merit Bridge Award for a Long Span bridge from the American Institute of Steel Construction Inc. in 1996.
courtney johnstonFollow / Flickr
It isn't every day you get to drive over a bridge that has that distinction.

Had you heard of this bridge before today? It’s a true hidden gem. Check it out the next time you venture to the Mount St. Helens area.

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Toutle, WA, USA