A little Cajon Pass info.

[MrS]

This is some history of roads thru the Cajon Pass. Most in LA know this as the long hill climb in heavy traffic when heading to and from Vegas. For those not familiar with this it’s on Interstate 15 between San Bernardino and Victorville

I don’t know a lot about the use of the Cajon Pass by Native Americans, but they used and laid out tails long before others used it.

The Spanish trail ran thru the Cajon Pass. I seem to recall reading that there where a few routes, and it changed as needed. Like the Spanish Trail circa 1830, the Mojave Rd (Old Government or Beale’s Rd) and the Mormon Trail went though Cajon Pass.

The basic modern route stated with John Browns Toll road in the mid 1870’s. The first road was steep and prone to weather damage but can still be seen (pic 1) His 2nd road is still in use today as the FS road east of the Freeway down to 138. The section below 138 is the hiking trail down the lower end of Horse Thief Canyon. The Toll Road/ wagon/early car road would have crossed the 15 at the North bound truck scales (this little sub canyon has other names, but I don’t recall them right now) into Lytle Creek where it basically got removed when route 66 was built thru the ‘Blue Cut’ area.

IMO what was John Browns got less use once the RR was built, until the car became more common for travel. By that time it was no longer a Toll Road and was paved by the county where needed. Then Route 66, and later Interstate 15 became to road for the masses.

I took a class thru CSUSB which I enjoyed a lot. The instructor had lots of info, old pictures of places we went to, and they had permission to access closed and private areas.

Some of the places were; Willow Grove, A-frame eatery (pic 2), and Mathews Ranch. I recalled seeing the road to the tree area of the Mathews Ranch during past dirt road trips up Cajon Pass. It was also neat to see pictures and the area near Blue-Cut where the RR had done both river and rail re-routing. They showed us the Keenbrook Kiln (pic 3), which I had driven past before, but had not noticed.

If anyone wants info on the CSU class I’ll send it to ya, I highly recommend it to anyone with interest in the San Berdo county history.

[SoCalDesertGal]

I would have found that class interesting, especially since I live in the area. I enjoyed seeing you and Anita and having both of you at my house the Friday night before though and you are always welcome to stay when you are in the area.

[MrS]

Hi Desertgal, good to see you here and posting.

We really enjoyed seeing you and getting to visit, had been too long since we last saw you. Also thanks for letting us stay overnight.

I would like to walk the whole trail between the truck scales and 138. Maybe we can do that and travel the old route and show you some of the neat stuff we where shown. Of course the real cool stuff is on private property and we can’t go to, also we don’t the neat old pictures they have.

[cooksterdog]

:hat:
So Cal Desert gal, and MrS, does the trail go thru the Mormon Rocks area as well? I have ridden horses thru that area near where it is at the 138. VERY scary when those trains scream by and blow the whistle. Can you say "Hi Yo Silver"?:freaked: Neat place to explore, but limited on access above the rocks due to the narrow passes. I think some access to Pine Cyn is just west of the intersection of 15 and the 138 and you can access the PCT up that way also. From there the access to Lytle Creek is a single track, and very wild. Ilive half way to Palmdale from the 15, and out in the desert, so have an occassion to go thru that area frequently. I even remember the pass in the early 50's when we came from China Lake to San Berdoo to visit family.
Steve

[MrS]

:hat:.... does the trail go thru the Mormon Rocks area as well?

Yes, but NOT with a vehicle. After the fire the RR crossings have been removed. The route over Baldy Mesa is still there.

[Cecile]

Interesting that you are talking about this Steve. Roger & I just went to a talk by author John W. Robinson last night. His latest book, I believe it is called Gateway is about all of the old trails - pioneer, railroad, auto in Southern California, and he showed old pictures of Cajon Pass, and he touched on many of the things you just talked about.

[JackSilb]

Steve,

Nice info. Just let us know when you want to explore that area. I am in.

-JACK

[crawler#976]

As I recall, Lt. Beale road his white stud Camel over Cajon in Jan of 1858 on his way to LA on the 35th Parallel road/trail building expedition. It's reported he made quite a scene in LA - horses and mules were terrified of camels.

[MrS]

As I recall, Lt. Beale road his white stud Camel over Cajon in Jan of 1858 ......


Yeap, thats correct.

Hi Cecile, I sure missed going on your Mojave trip. BYW expect an email from me soon with a couple pictures. I a small piece of history from your town in Bizbee Az.

OK, Jack you'll be on the emailing. To me it's kinda cool to slow down and see the history that we wiz-by at Interstate speeds getting to many of our trail heads.

[Cecile]

Steve, we missed you, too. June - Land of Volcanoes coming up - one day will be the Mono Basin Historical Society event this time up Lee Vining Canyon ;-) I didn't know I had a town in Bisbee, Arizona. Will look forward to your e-mail.

Robinson showed pictures of the camels - so you are right on about that. He also showed pics of two Indians he called Mojave Runners. I can't remember why they were running - but they were said to have covered 150 miles a day. Can you imagine?

A goal for me is to go to Beale's Cut. It's not too far for us, off the Sierra Highway. I don't think there's any dirt driving involved, just a half mile hike to the site. I want a modern day picture. Robinson said that part of it is caved in now, I guess, and someone said something about a developer wanting to put in tract homes nearby. Beale's Cut is significant to the Cerro Gordo story I am always working on, of course. Because Remi Nadeau's freight wagons would have had to go through there back and forth from L.A. to C.G. That must have been a harrowing experience. Also interesting to note that after the invention of the automobile, they paved Beale's Cut - but the poor autos couldn't make it up there. Here's a link on Beale's, by the way:
http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/bealescut.htm

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I watched a story about this Beale's Cut the other night on the California's Gold TV program.

This got me interested.

Just now did a search.......and several sites with pics and info popped up!


http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/bealescut.htm


http://employees.oxy.edu/jerry/beale.htm


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont_Pass_(California)


Beale's Cut.....1872
http://www.scvhistory.com/gif/ap0625.jpg

[JackSilb]

Cool slot. Is it still around?
-Jack

[MrS]

A goal for me is to go to Beale's Cut. ...Robinson said that part of it is caved in now......

Beale's Cut is neat to me. We haven't been there in 10 plus years, I have some 35mm pictures from our last visit.

I always enjoy the fact that at least 2 times EQ's have closed the Freeway there, but the cut survived.

You used to be able to drive right up to the Cut, it was on the West side of the old Newhall Refinery parking lot, but that was posted to Keep Out last time I drove by. You can also walk from the Newhall Tunnel Monument (which is also fun to Google) off Sierra Highway.

Sad to hear it’s slowly collapsing, go see it soon.

[JackSilb]

Sad to hear it’s slowly collapsing, go see it soon. I am ready. Lets do it.

-JACK

[cooksterdog]

Yep..
Beales cut is still there, but for how long is anybodies guess. It was a bit trashed out last time i went there and you could still walk the 1/4 mile or so from Sierra Hwy near the Old Road. When i first went there in 1978, it still had the head frames or supports for the tackle to help the wagons up to the top. Last time I was there it had mostly been falling down. Some where there is a picture of Tom Mix JUMPING the cut for a film on his horse! It might be in the book "Oak Of The Golden Door", which is about the history of Santa Clarita and the Castaic/Saugus/Valencia/ and Canyon Ctry area. LOTS of history there, and the first oil wells in Calif as well. Beale also went on to make Ft. Tejon, and the camel guys there.
:hat: Steve

[Scenic WonderRunner]

http://www.moviesites.org/beales.htm


http://www.moviesites.org/images/beale/Vjump.jpg

[David A. Wright]

A bit more modern history of Cajon Pass:

Being born in Victorville in the early '50s and raised in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains between Apple Valley and Lucerne Valley, I recall many trips to San Bernardino via the old 4-lane divided road through Cajon Pass. You can see part of the old road through Blue Cut.

What is now part of the route of I-15 was once the old 2-lane Devore Cut-Off. I believe the old road still is in use in the Lytle Creek area. We'd take that road if we were going to Pomona to visit my relatives.

My father worked as an equipment operator on the freeway project through Cajon Pass during the late '60s (I forget when the freeway was opened). Used to turn to freeway once Cajon Summit was reached and it ran to Victorville. I've got a photo of Dad on his Cat 988 loader parked next to our family's '64 Rambler Classic 770 somewhere.

[MrS]

...... a talk by author John W. Robinson His latest book, I believe it is called Gateway .......

John is speaking thursday 5-3-07. Here are some details.

Thursday, May 3, at 7:00 P.M.

It's at the Christian R. Harris Memorial Hall which is located next to the Heritage House at the corner of 8 th and "D" Streets in San Bernardino. They are open to the public free of charge, so bring a friend!

John Robinson, one of the most noted historians of Southern California, has written numerous books and articles pertaining to the history of our San Bernardino County. Some of his books include: The San Bernardinos, The San Gabriels, Mining in the San Bernardino Mountains and San Bernardino Mountain Trails. Robinson's talk/slide presentation will focus on his most recently published book--Gateways to Southern California.

[calamaridog]

Guys,

Thanks for sharing some of this history as it will make my drive every two weeks up I15 much more interesting.

[4RUNAMOK]

Jack, this is right around the corner from my area. If you like there is a place to stay here at my place, and we can head up there and a couple of other places in the area.

We can hit Beales Cut in the morning, and head up to Ft Tejon for a climb up the mountain.

[MrS]

..... history as it will make my drive every two weeks up I15 much more interesting.

You drive tl LV every two weeks? Hope it's not friday evenings?

MrsS and I were out a few weekends ago trying to learn more about the Mojave Trail (not to me confused with the Mojave Road). We did find a few things and the trace up the mountains towards the desert from the basin can be seen from the 215.

We didn’t bring the 4X and didn’t have time for any backcountry exploring anyway. I did get some info on a few items I need to go see.

Lots of History in that area, of course time is erasing it.

I also got some info on San Gorgonio Pass that I need to check out. Lots to learn and see.

[calamaridog]

You drive tl LV every two weeks? Hope it's not friday evenings?


I try and make the drive at non-peak hours only to hit construction traffic at those non peak hours. Oh well.

I've been using a ton of gas this year, making up for all those years of 10,000 miles or less on my vehicles.

Needless to say, I was thinking of this thread as I drove through there yesterday.