Bob Brugmann Suspension Bridge

(Clarendon Gorge Bridge)

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NBI Information

Location

State: Vermont

County: Rutland County

Feature Carried: Appalachian Trail

Feature Crossed: Mill River

Latitude, Longitude: 43.5201, -72.9254

Structure Open, Posted, or Closed to Traffic: Open to Pedestrians

History

Year Built: 1974

Picture Date: July 17, 2026

Geometry

Lanes on Structure: 1

Lanes under Structure: 0

Number of Main Spans: 1

Main Structure Type: Suspension

Main Structure Material: Metal

Condition

Bridge is not on the National Bridge Inventory

Bridge Information

The Bob Brugmann Suspension Bridge, also called the Clarendon Gorge Bridge, is a pedestrian bridge on the Appalachian Trail. It was built in 1975.

The original bridge at this site was a covered bridge that was built around 1906. It was replaced by a cable-suspension bridge in 1957. This bridge was swept away by a flood on June 30, 1973. A few days later, Bob Brugmann, a 17-year-old hiker, attempted to use a downed tree to cross the still-raging river. He lost his footing and was swept away by the river. His body was found four days later two miles downstream. The current bridge was built in his honor the following summer by the Green Mountain Club with donations and volunteers.

In April of 2025, one of the cables snapped. The bridge was closed for repairs and reopened in June of that year.