Lots of history is hidden on the Ridge Route… you just have to keep an eye out for it! Here are some of the cool things I’ve found on my most recent trip. Liebre State Maintenance Camp While at first glance it looks like and empty dirt clearing, there’s a lot hidden in plain sight.Continue reading “PHOTOS: History Hidden in Plain Sight – The Ridge Route”
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Ridge Route Travel Guide
Here’s our updated Ridge Route Travel Guide with clear maps of what exactly is open and locations of historical significance. Disclaimer: I do not encourage anyone to drive the closed off section of the road. It is, however, accessible on foot, bike, scooter, horseback, unicycle… whatever creative way you could get back there without aContinue reading “Ridge Route Travel Guide”
Encouraging History… The Whole Story
After recent events and things that were said, I’d like to clarify a few things. Here is the post that went up by a representative of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization (RRPO), calling me out by name. Their name has been removed to protect their identity. ROAD CLOSURE The road is closed between the TumbleContinue reading “Encouraging History… The Whole Story”
Ridge Route Fire Closure Lifted! Where to go?
We made it through 2020! So in celebration, let’s go on a little tour of the Ridge Route! The road has been closed since the Lake Fire but is back open again (well not the whole thing, but back to what was open before the fire). Here’s a little tour of what’s what. You’ll exitContinue reading “Ridge Route Fire Closure Lifted! Where to go?”
Ridge Route & Ridge Route Alternate in the Snow!
We had a pretty good rainstorm and it snowed in Castaic! Here’s a dashcam video driving from Martins to the lookout by Castaic lake. We don’t get snow here too often but it’s cool when we do! Photos of the Ridge Route and its original curbing The Ridge Route Alternate stretch of Highway 99
The Ridge Route Alternate
As traffic increased in car technology improved, the 1915 Old Ridge Route just didn’t cut it anymore. The need for higher speeds and a better flow of traffic pushed for a new and improved road. The Ridge Route Alternate opened in 1933. The goal was to have a highway that could handle a lot moreContinue reading “The Ridge Route Alternate”
Frazier Mountain Lookout
The Frazier Mountain Lookout now sits abandoned and gutted. Originally put into service in 1905, it was the first lookout in what was the Santa Barbara National Forest and served as a way to spot wildfires. At 8013ft above sea level, you have quite a view of the area! The building that currently stands wasContinue reading “Frazier Mountain Lookout”
Behind the Photo: “Climb to Reservoir Summit”
The Old Ridge Route climbing up to Reservoir Summit. The original concrete is partnered with pavement, added later to straighten the curves of the road. There’s something so beautiful about the original 100+ year old pinkish concrete though! Yuccas and native brush surround the road. Waiting around the corner is a sweeping new view! LocationContinue reading “Behind the Photo: “Climb to Reservoir Summit””
Ridge Route Alternate
At a point, we outgrew the original Ridge Route and that’s when Highway 99/the Ridge Route Alternate came into play. It was the next step, followed by our modern day 5 Freeway. It was built in 1933, only 18 years after the original Ridge Route, but was made to handle more traffic and trucks. TheseContinue reading “Ridge Route Alternate”
Markers, markers, markers!
Social distancing day…? Out looking for markers on the Ridge and a little exploring on the 1933 Ridge Route Alternate (or Highway 99). If you’d like to look up information on these markers, there’s a cool interactive map here. Markers on the Ridge Route Up on the hill on the right, on the edge ofContinue reading “Markers, markers, markers!”