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In today’s video, we discuss the Bridge to Nowhere in Southern California, which is currently closed to the public due to a forest service closure. The bungee jumping company that owns the bridge offers a paid guided hike through the restricted area, sparking debates on access rights and private property. It’s a topic I’d love to hear your thoughts on in the comments.

If you’re heading to Angeles National Forest, be aware that ticketing for parking violations has become stricter. Make sure your Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful pass is visible to avoid hefty fines. There’s also exciting news about the Apple Watch Ultra 3, rumored to include built-in satellite communications—a feature I’ve been hoping for in outdoor tech.

Gaia GPS has introduced new features like photo waypoints, though they’ve removed Esri imagery due to licensing issues. Despite this, Gaia remains one of the best apps for hikers. I’m also checking out Goat Maps, a new app from former Gaia employees, and will share more soon.

T-Mobile users can sign up for the Starlink Beta messaging service, allowing satellite communication without a special phone. Meanwhile, the European Space Agency is launching its own satellite network, Iris Squared, which will offer similar technology to Starlink.

As winter approaches, be cautious on the trails, especially in the mountains where conditions can change quickly. Search and rescue teams are already responding to winter incidents, so stay prepared. One positive story involved a hiker on a 14er in Colorado who was rescued after slipping and getting too cold—fortunately, they had a plan and a flashlight, leading to a happy ending.

For families, the GeoBit kid tracker has helped locate missing hikers, and it’s a reminder of how tech is improving safety in the outdoors. The National Park Service has also announced free days for 2025, so mark your calendars. If you’re in Joshua Tree, Rivian has opened an EV charging station with a coffee bar, a handy stop for electric vehicle owners.

Thanks for watching, and feel free to share your thoughts or any hiking news you think I should cover. Stay safe out there!

[Hikingguy]

What do you think about the Bridge to Nowhere situation?

[DNFADV]

Have enjoyed watching this channel grow. Happy holidays hiking guy.

[HopeToProsper]

I have always wanted to hike to the Bridge to Nowhere, but I wouldn't pay $110 to do it. At the same time, I respect the owner's right to charge for access to their private property.

[jimredding]

I'm 78 and used to hike over this bridge via the narrows and on up to iron and fish fork many times and a few times up to hwy 2 along prairie fork in my teens. There wasn't any trash to speak of on this hike then. Times have changed for the worse I'm afraid, as many things have in my opinion.

[heiser_bill]

Thanks for the updates. Regarding the bridge hike - if it’s private land that’s just the way it is. I understand their comments about people not respecting the property when they were allowed access - respect for property seems to be a thing of the past (see stories from Yosemite about self-entitled people making their own parking spots by pulling off into sensitive meadows and forest, or trashed pullouts along other highways where people camp & leave their garbage, and build huge bonfires. Unfortunately it’s the world we live in now, so it’s no wonder the private landowners have blocked off their property. As for the $110 “guided hike” charge, they probably have to pay huge liability insurance premiums to do that, so it may not be a money grab.

[kevinharding]

Your hiking news is always interesting. I am old enough to remember when you went for a hike with no electronics and just had to be careful and smart and take care of your own needs with a map and compass. Maybe that was better in some ways, because it meant that you had to know what you were doing. You made sure you could do land navigation, you had the right equipment, and you assumed there would be no rescue.

[Dawg]

It’s really silly that they shut these areas down for so long. My favorite bicycle ride was shutdown for years over the bobcat fire. I walked it anyway one day, and saw that there was no logical reason for it to be closed. They were paying a forestry guy to sit there all day long to keep people from accessing the road.

[dunmadun]

They should restrict access to all the spots along the Angeles National Forest to be honest. I went on a hike there literally the day before the burn, it was my first time there ever and I was so shocked and surprised on how dirty the place was. Trash everywhere, dumpsters full of garbage, trash shopping carts along the river. The place looks like something out of an apocalypse movie, especially along the river by the main road. Give $500 tickets to people with no parking pass, you should have a pass in the first place.

[najman]

I wish people were respectful and left no trace. People I know try to leave the trail cleaner than we found it but some apparently do not. We can’t have nice things because of them

[zozopanda]

I did the bungee jump package last year in spring - I recommend it! It was a fun experience and a beautiful hike! I think it should be a free open trail. Still, I have no reason to go back anytime soon - I'm off to the next adventure!

[twloughlin]

Thanks Chris! Happy Holidays! The problem of access is becoming intractable, I'm afraid. Better access seems to be leading to more damage and disrespect as more people recreate outdoors (an unintended consequence of the pandemic), but charging higher fees means only privileged people will have access, who may be no better in terms of being good land stewards. We need better humans on this planet.

[JordanFerg]

The Rivian Outpost in Joshua Tree is so nice. Two clean restrooms, food and drinks for purchase (and Rivian merchandise also) and comfy seating while you wait for your Rivian to charge. There are super nice Rivian staff to answer questions about the Rivian, and you can purchase (or get on a waiting list (?) a Rivian. Dogs are welcome, ask the Rivian staff for a free treat for your pup.

[esku]

I dig satellite communication on Apple Watch Ultra, would be a great move imo

[metatechnologist]

Thanks for posting a link to the article which I did read. There are similar situations that pop up in my state (Utah). Particularly where private property gets entangled with commercial use or blocks public access. There are a whole slew of differing outcomes depending on the situation. Recently a county just ended up buying the blocking private property. Imo that's likely the best outcome in these types of situations.

If I was investigating (or more appropriately a special interest group) this further I'd hire a title company and a lawyer because I'd question what specifically the mining rights granted or didn't grant.

I think its correct to look at parking lot use specifically as it applies to all "inholding" properties.

However as you can see this would need to be a group effort whatever the situation to improve access.

[Raven]

Being that it’s private property, I am for them charging a fee because let’s face it. People (not all) will leave trash. I don’t like paying a fee nor do most people, but they are providing a service

[Vasher]

So if you have an IPhone with sat the Garmin Inreach is redundant?

[Mojorisin]

The area by the river just past the parking lot is out of control. So many people just show up and act like they’re at their house bringing entire grills sometimes down that path to the river and leaving all their trash for the rest of us to see. Would be totally fine charging a small fee to enter the area to help with upkeep. I’d be even more fine with a larger fee to have someone onsite making sure people are acting a fool/leaving their garbage and to monitor the parking lot where break ins are known to occur.

[jeepncj]

For a future video topic, it would be good to revisit the Motorola Defy/Bullitt, and the new plans the just changed to which is now pretty up there $$ wise.

[Xhadp]

It is private area, charging whatever they want I think is fine.

However, if they are using the burn designation to justify increasing fees then that isn't okay. Burns can be totally natural so you shouldn't be upcharging for that. Nor for disproportionate charging one may do.

And it will be very interesting to see if all parties actually hold true to their word with the temporary trail closure with it opening back up to any parties to hike at a later date. Because now that money is involved I can absolutely see the private company/firm paying to keep the trail closed despite the temporary designation.

[smoothjazzfails]

The road got built, but was washed out.