Well… we’re through the rainy season and here’s the report – There is one decent sized slide in Castaic, 0.85 miles north of the gate. There is also a blown out culvert that is starting to impact the road just south of Kelly’s. Here is an in depth view of the Castaic Landslide: Photos ofContinue reading “Castaic Landslide & Clean Up”
Author Archives: sydneycroasmun
Ridge Route Conditions – PHOTOS
We all have been holding our breath on this one…. After the 2005 landslide that led to the closure of the Ridge Route, the biggest fear has been another devastating blow to the road. The most recent rain storm was pretty brutal and hit the road hard. Here’s a first look… (Click on images toContinue reading “Ridge Route Conditions – PHOTOS”
Ridge Route & Rain
Let’s talk Ridge Route and rain! There was a real problem with roadways washing out leading up to the construction of the Ridge Route. That ended up being the deciding factor for the placement of the road. When surveying locally, there were pre existing options that could have been used in place of the sectionContinue reading “Ridge Route & Rain”
Ridge Route Washout? (Photos)
One of my biggest goals with this site is to show accurate, up-to-date conditions of the Ridge Route. With recent rain and even more rain this coming week, here’s a spot to keep an eye on. I would not recommend driving through this part (map below) if you do not have a vehicle with goodContinue reading “Ridge Route Washout? (Photos)”
Ridge Route: The Aftermath of the Route Fire
On August 31st, around noon, a the Route Fire started off the I-5 just North of Castiac. It took 5 days to put out and burned 5208 acres, including much of the South Ridge Route. The incredible firefighters were able to save almost every structure on the road (I’ve gathered there were a couple RVsContinue reading “Ridge Route: The Aftermath of the Route Fire”
Preserving the Road… One Photo at a Time
A stark reminder of why I document this road so heavily… My heart sank as I pulled up to Sandberg’s. It has been a few weeks since I have been up and the first thing I noticed was a chunk of barren dirt above the old retaining wall. A fire had come through this areaContinue reading “Preserving the Road… One Photo at a Time”
Exciting News!
Hi all! I have some exciting news coming your way! The central goal of 8N04 has always been making the Ridge Route accessible to anyone – whether that be over the internet in the form of photo and video or by giving information to find historic locations. Now adding to that goal: to document everyContinue reading “Exciting News!”
1933 Ridge Route Alternate
There is an optimal light to shoot each road in – for the RRA, it’s definitely dark, cloudy days! The Ridge Route Alternate was bypassed by the I-5, a section commonly referred to by locals as the Grapevine. It has sat as an access road to the Pyramid Lake Dam and surrounding campgrounds for 50Continue reading “1933 Ridge Route Alternate”
VIDEO: The Old Ridge Route – An Engineering Marvel
The 1915 Old Ridge Route was a turning point for California history and a grand endeavor of the time. As we started transitioning from stagecoaches to automobiles, the old gold rush era Stockton-Los Angeles Road would no longer do for the modern needs of the automobile. The groundbreaking Ridge Route was the solution. Designed forContinue reading “VIDEO: The Old Ridge Route – An Engineering Marvel”
The Last of the Sandberg Apples – Lillian Grojean
UPDATE: There are a few Sandberg Apple trees still out there! Thank you John Kelley! Going to look around for them next weekend. Sandberg’s Summit Hotel, on the Ridge Route, was famous for their apples. Fit for a king… or actually multiple presidents, their orchard produced some fine fruit. Marian Sandberg made delicious apple piesContinue reading “The Last of the Sandberg Apples – Lillian Grojean”