A Unique Experience at the Royal Gorge Bridge
Over the weekend, a group of adventurous individuals took on an extraordinary challenge by walking across a one-inch rope stretched high above the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. This daring act occurred 60 feet above the famous bridge, drawing the attention of spectators who watched from below.
Trey Anderson, a visitor to the area, described his experience: “I looked up and there were these people just walking down this tight rope up above me. I was like, whoa, it’s pretty scary.” Another visitor, Barbara Manfield, shared her surprise, saying, “It was totally unexpected. Oh my gosh.”
For the group known as Community Highlines, the thrill of being high above the ground is not something that scares them. John Henning, the founder of Community Highlines, explained, “It’s cool because we don’t get nerves anymore, but that’s a little bit of the fun.”
While many people might feel uneasy about such heights, others find it fascinating. Steve Bushey, who observed the stunt, remarked, “Got to be an amazing view from up there. It takes a lot of courage to do that, but it’s great entertainment for us.” The event offered a unique perspective of the Colorado landscape, with the group emphasizing the importance of focus and staying calm. However, the cheers from the crowd can make this task more challenging.
Believe it or not, the group isn’t afraid of falling. Henning humorously asked, “Hey, Brendan, would you be all right with falling in the next 10 seconds?” They perform various tricks to entertain the audience, including bouncing the line and attempting to give high fives to the crowd. Although they are too high to actually make contact, the antics bring joy to the spectators.
Henning also mentioned playing games like rock, paper scissors during their performance. He explained, “You can bounce up and down about like 20 feet so you can dive off the line off the top, and you fall like 20 feet, and the crowd thinks you’re coming towards and of course, you’re not.” Despite the excitement, the entire walk across the bridge took only six minutes and forty seconds, covering a distance of a thousand feet.
Henning has always wanted to highline across the Royal Gorge Bridge, considering it like his backyard. However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. Mansfield said, “Get up there on a high wire, are you kidding me? It’s fun. It looks like fun, but no, I’m not going to do that.”
Highlining differs from tightrope walking because it involves a looser cable made of plastic rather than steel. Despite the differences, the participants still have fears, with Henning admitting his biggest fear is spiders.
The group plans to return to the Royal Gorge in 2026 on the fourth of July, hoping to perform another highline across the canyon. Their performances continue to captivate audiences, offering a blend of skill, courage, and entertainment. Whether it’s the thrill of the act or the breathtaking views, the experience at the Royal Gorge Bridge remains a memorable one for all who witness it.
