Symbol Bridge Trail,
Lava Beds National Monument
A short drive from the visitor center to Skull Cave leads to the Symbol Bridge trailhead. The trail is fairly easy and level but has loose rocky surfaces in many areas. The trail follows the ridge of a collapsed lava tube to the Big Painted Cave — inside the cave is a thick layer of ice on the floor — the temperatures once in the cave are cool which makes for a nice break from the summer heat. A short walk from the opening of the Big Painted Cave leads to Symbol Bridge — this cave has several unique and interesting petroglyphs that are easy to locate. The hike down into both of the caves is not for those who are unsteady on their feet. Closed-toe hiking boots and caving gear should be worn if you want to thoroughly explore the caves. The Missing Link trailhead is located directly opposite the Symbol Bridge trailhead.
Before entering the caves within Lava Beds National Monument, a free screening pass for the deadly bat disease White-Nose Syndrome must first be obtained from the Visitor Center or Fee Booth.
Elevation
The Symbol Bridge Trail has a maximum elevation of 4,701 ft., a minimum elevation of 4,564 ft. and an elevation range of 137 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.9 mi | 4,564 ft | 4,701 ft | 137 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 24 min | 10.7 | 128 ft | 0 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 22 min | 0.0 | 0 ft | 128 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Symbol Bridge Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Mount Dome, CA
- North Topo Map: Captain Jacks Stronghold, CA
- Northeast Topo Map: The Panhandle, CA
- West Topo Map: Bonita Butte, CA
- Topo Map: Schonchin Butte, CA
- East Topo Map: Caldwell Butte, CA
- Southwest Topo Map: Little Glass Mountain, CA
- South Topo Map: Medicine Lake, CA
- Southeast Topo Map: West of Kephart, CA
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Symbol Bridge Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Symbol Bridge Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.9 miles (1.5 km) or 1,976 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Symbol Bridge Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 24 minutes in one direction and in 22 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) may be present in this area. The Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Tularemia.
- The Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) may be present in this area. The Western blacklegged tick transmits Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.