roadhound
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Roadhound,
Cant wait to get on the road. Funny, right after i posted i thought Mono might be the answer, milage wise its not that bad, if we have weather to deal with it might be too much.
Would an atlas cover the roads you mention? I'll have my laptop and GPS too. BTW, are you just doing one day at Nut Tree?
If Show on the Road has some idea's i'd be most grateful also. I'm not afraid to beat up the van, its seen the last of the Armour All detailing, its now, officially a work van/camper.
Thanks
SF
SF,
One day for sure at Nut Tree, maybe two. I want to hang around until night starts to creep in to get some night time shots if I can. You know the type I am talking about.
Before you head out on the road pick yourself up a copy of the Delorme "Northern California Atlas & Gazetter" at your local Borders Books. I never hit the road without it. I can confirm that the original Bridgeport Canyon Road is shown on that map.
Another thought I had for you while you were in Paradise was a trip to Lassen. I went through their last week and it was absolutely spectacular. A sunrise shot taken at Lake Helen looking at Mt. Lassen might work out for you.
Shot below taken on the road (literally) near Lake Almanor on California Hwy 36. When I get the chance I should thank the photographer who gave me the idea. Notice that I left the bug splatter on the windshield to give it authenticity.
Roadhound
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Roadhound,
Yah, the hike from Pioneer Bridge down to river level and back could expose you to some risks, besides the possibility of a heart attack at a young age.
I hadn’t thought about rattlers, but especially down by the river you would need to keep an eye out. Other than the aforementioned hike, you should not be at any rattler risk. The stage road between Coles and US99 isn’t especially spectacular but is does give an idea of the “old days.” Of course, after you have seen Coles you could backtrack to the freeway and either head straight for Ashland, or turn off at exit 6 (Siskiyou) and follow old 99 over and under the Steinman pig tail bridge, which will take you into Ashland the “old way.”
Ashland is a college / tourist town with lots of shopping and many Shakespeare related events. It is hard to get out of town without seeing at least one play. When you do leave, assuming that you really are going to the coast from Ashland, go by way of Jacksonville. Jacksonville is a restored but somewhat authentic old western town, which should have some interest for the whole family. And the Oregon Caves are worth a family visit.
If you need more specifics, just ask!
Dave
Keep the Show on the Road
Dave,
The information you provided was most useful and I was able to drive the route from Dunsmuir to the rest stop near the California\Oregon border almost entirely Interstate free. We took the stage road out of Dunsmuir to Mount Shasta, stage road out of Mount Shasta, Old 99 to Yreka, and Old 99 out of Yreka. We also took a side trip to Coles Station but doubled back to the Interstate before going over the Siskiyous and into Ashland. I would have like to have done the 99 pigtail loop but my daughter had had enough of the rough and winding roads by then.
We did hit Jacksonville on the way out of Medford and drove the Old Stage Road out of Jacksonville before getting on the Interstate to Roseburg and then cutting over to Reedsport on the Coast. As it turns out my son has a friend who lives in Jacksonville so he showed us around a bit. Also, while in Ashland I discovered up a bit of road history regarding the Pacific Highway and Lithia Park that I will share once I complete my downloads and process my photos.
Our route home was down 101 along the Oregon Coast and then the Redwood Highway back to the San Francisco Bay Area. We stopped in Humboldt Redwoods for a few hours and they had an outstanding newsreel presentation on the 1964 Christmas floods that hit the Eel River and the Klamath. I didn't realize that over 100 bridges were destroyed or damaged and more than a few towns where wiped off the map. The images of the devastation were remarkable.
Roadhound
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Good Morning folks of the road!
Almost a year since i've traveled to Am Road. I'm getting geared up for another trip around the Sierra's (both sides East and West). My trip begins early Friday morning 4th Sept. driving straight thru to Nut Tree airport in Vacaville for the first annual California Mustang Gathering, where i will meet with Roadhound for a day or two.
Upon the conclusion of that show will head back to Sacramento to grab a buddy of mine and we will head to Yosimite early Monday morning for an all day photo shoot in the park. If there any suggestions on how to make the most of one day in Yosimite, i'm all for your idea's. I'm going to take the Big Oak Flat (120) route in and am wondering about a good photo spot for sunrise in the park? El Capitan maybe? Or head up Tioga to catch the sunrise? I realize this isnt a real spectacular journey, having spent 20 summers in Yosimite all thru my childhood, i'm a little foggy on the lesser know points of interest. Obviously i'll be checking Bridalveil, Glacier Point and Half Dome at various times of the day. Any thoughts are welcome ;-)
From Sacto i head to Paradise on the morning of the 8th to spend a day with my future ex inlaws, thinking of a possible quick scenic trip that day from Paradise. Then early Wednesday morning i'm taking HWY 70 to Stead NV for the Reno Air Races (where i will meet Roadhound again for a day or two). Once in Stead, i will remain until Monday 21 Sept.
After the races i take a long slow drive south on 395 all the way to Inyokern where i opt for the (14) route into SoCal. I'm hoping to make an interesting trip out the drive south from Reno. I've seen Bodie, Mono, Independence and most points of interest, but would like your input on some lesser known spots here as well. I was thinking Devils Postpile or Bristlecone Pines, havent been there in ages, even Bodie, and i recall Roadhound and Show on the Road mentioning some alternate routes out of or into Bodie, maybe in this thread? All in all, its a trip to photograph vintage aircraft but i'd like to make a little more than that.
Meanwhile, here are a few shots from a trip i took near Bridgeport last year to honor my Grandad who's ashes we buried at his favorite hunting spot known as "the Bowl" It was this very spot that we would hike to before it was light enough to shoot, he would always get real quiet and turn to me and say, "ok....keep your eyes peeled for deer", whispering as fog rolled out of his voice, man.....that's when my heart starts pounding, the anticipation of what we might see, knowing that a big shot would be ripping thru the silence at any moment.....sorry, waxing sentimental here. Anyway, the spot i speak of is a short hike off the road to Summers Meadows, which is a fork (to the west) off the Green Lakes Rd accessed from 395, just North of Willow Springs.
See you in a couple weeks Rick
Sierra Fox out
Sierra,
Looking forward to seeing you at the Mustang Gathering (P-51's not the Ford variety) at the Nut Tree in a couple of weeks.
Question for the US 40 experts: Was the Nut Tree in Vacaville California a known stop on US 40 or did it come after the interstate? I'm relatively sure that the "Milk Farm" whose remains lie 20 miles or so to the east was around when US 40 was still in existance.
I would suggest any sunrise shots that you wish to take near Yosemite be done on the east side of the park. You might get lucky around Tioga pass but I am partial to Mono Lake when it comes to sunrises but that could be a bit far for a one day trip. Keep the Show on the Road had some information on the old routes into the park on the west side that he may be willing to share again if you are interested and ask him nicely.
Keep The Show on the Road also has shared some 1920's era maps with the route around Conway Summit near Mono Lake that I can show you on a present day map when I see you. The road is not to bad, weather permitting, and you should be able to handle it in your van without knocking around the drywall tools too much.
See you soon!
Roadhound
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One of my favorite 2 lane sidetrips is the stretch of Old Altamont Road between Mountain House and Livermore that lies just east of Tracy in California.
When I am in a hurry and traffic is flowing at speed I will stay on I-580 over the Altamont Pass but when I have a few extra minutes to spare, or traffic is backed up on the interstate, I sidetrip to this 2 lane stretch of asphalt that was once the Lincoln and later US 50. There are a couple of postings referencing this section of road in the US 50 forum.
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Rick,
Ok let’s start in Dunsmuir, an old railroad town. Down by the tracks there is still an old round table and a coffee shop that attracts locals…..a pleasant stop for at least you and the wife….and the kids might like the round house and their father’s explanation of how it is used. The old California Theater on the main drag is nice, but the marquee is damaged.
If you come in from the east instead of the south, you may want to stop at McCloud east of Mt Shasta City…an old lumber town, and as I recall it has some railroad stock on the tracks the kids may enjoy.
Mt Shasta City has the old Richfield Station with tower at the south end and a few shops downtown that might attract the shoppers in the family. Old 99 is the main drag.
If it doesn’t cost you any points, you could take the Old Stage Road which runs west of the freeway from Mt Shasta City to north of Weed then pick up Old 99 into Yreka. You pass Sission’s place (Sisson was the founder of Mt Shasta City which bore his name until the 1920’s) and the Mt Shasta Fish Hatchery, one of the oldest in America, which might interest family (throw food to fish, etc). The Sisson Museum is at the hatchery.
Weed has an interesting downtown, but unless you know it’s history, and recognize the mercantile, and the mill workers houses etc., it won’t mean much. I’d stay on the Old Stage Road and pick up Old US99 to Yreka, bypassing Weed.
Downtown Yreka is very evocative of the old days and has a nice little local bookstore that carries a lot of northern California related books. The segment of old 99 between Yreka and the rest stop at exit 786 on US5 is a must do.
Take Main Street north out of Yreka. Turn off on the Anderson Grade Road and get us a good photo of the marvelous late 1800’s steel truss bridge about a mile down the road. Then backtrack to Old 99, and in about half a mile on Old 99 you can turn left on the Old Shasta River Road. This is the 1914 Pacific Highway roadbed and I suppose the old stage road as well. Go as far as you like. It is graveled. It doesn’t go anywhere (bridge is gone), but it gives a nice view of the Dry Gulch Bridge from below. You will have to backtrack to Old 99.
Back on the Old 99 you will cross over the Dry Gulch Bridge and the big Pioneer Bridge. Pull over at the east (far) end. You will easily see the 1914 Pacific Highway in the canyon. It must have also been the stage road. There are old bridge abutments quite evident downstream (south). The obvious dirt road coming up from the river at the east end of the bridge was used in the construction of the new road and bridge, but a walk down it should take a hearty guy to the river and the old bridge abutments. There have just got to be some fine shots from down there, but alas….I wish I were 18 again!
If you want to take a section of the old road bed that isn’t improved, watch carefully for the left turn on Hudson Rd at 41.820252, -122.592464. You will go down through a tiny settlement then along the old road as far as you like. If you kept going, and had a suitable vehicle, you would come out again at the east end of the Pioneer Bridge. I don’t recommend going that far.
After you reach the freeway, turn off at the Hite exit (796). There is a monument to Jefferson Davis by the road so you can give out the ‘ole rebel yell if you are so inclined. Greatgrandpa was a Yankee cavalryman, so I just took a photo.
The kids will enjoy the story of Black Bart the “stage robber Po8.” The Cole Stage Station HERE is a couple of miles down the road at 42.0018, 122.6411. It is the best example in western America of an original stage station and barn, that as not been restored…..or allowed to decay. It is as perfect an example of my idea of the authentic as exists. No self conscious effort to fix it up, and no evidence it is abandoned to the elements. A hostler could come out of the barn with a team at any second, the coach could pull up in a cloud of dust…..and if you are lucky, you will hear the ghost of Black Bart making his escape after his stage robbery.
You remember Black Bart Rock in the Redwoods…well he also operated here….and did on of his jobs about a mile north of here.
You can take the old dirt stage road (Colesteine Rd) all the way north and connect with Old 99, but it may be dusty in August. Some folks like re-creations, so with a good imagination the family can begin to appreciate what it would have been like in 1880.
Turn off the air conditioner, open the windows, slow down to about 3 MPH on the modest grades, pick up to maybe 8 – 10 MPH on the down hills, ask the family to get out and walk on the steeper hills, and let the dust billow in the windows. That is as good as it got….and the passengers were sitting on boards. Oh, and the jehu (the driver…you) was probably certifiably intoxicated, so curse loudly and be irascible.
I drove that section 20 years ago and it was well maintained, so other than dust and the time it takes, it would be an OK drive.
I’ll pick up from here tomorrow, but this should get you started. I did backtrack maybe 5 miles (10 -15 minutes), but maybe you can pull that off.
Dave
Keep the Show on the Road!
Thanks Dave! I will be spending a few hours this evening studying the maps and making notations.
I have recollections of traveling through Dunsmuir in the late 60's and seeing a whole lot of charcoal grey and orange Southern Pacific locomotives which for a 5 year old was really cool.
I do want to see the old stage stop but I think I will pass on rolling the windows down and driving at 3 MPH. That's one sure way to get me onto the Interstate real quick.
One thing that I will have to keep in mind is that the temps are likely to be in 100's and if I do get a chance to explore off of the roadway I'll make sure to keep an eye out for rattlers.
Roadhound
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I had originally asked the question to Keep the Show on the Road via Personal Message but with his blessing I am throwing the question out in the open for all to enjoy.
Where I need some guidance is the stretch between Dunsmuir and Ashland. I am really interested in the locations of the large arched bridges that you had posted pictures of on a previous topic. I am also interested in any other points of interest in that area that you think are worth seeing given the following guidelines.
- This is a family vacation and I tend to wear thin my families' patience with me by stopping every 10 minutes to take pictures, therefore, I will have a limited number of free passes to make stops. Since this will be day 3 of the trip it will have to be something interesting to all.
- Any roads taken off of the Interstate have to show progress toward the end of day's destination. There is hell to pay for back tracking!
Thanks in advance Keep!
Roadhound
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Ara,
On your journey through Cody did you happen to pass through Greybull on US 16? At the airport just west of town used to be the home of Hawkins and Powers and their vast fleet of water bombers. Most of their equipment was auctioned off in 2006. I had the opportunity to meet the curator of the air museum there and to tour what was left of the H& P operation a few weeks before the auction in August of 2006. If you look at the Google Earth image of the Greybull Wyoming airport, dated 2003, you will get an idea of what was once there. I haven't been back since and have been wondering how the museum, and its curator Ralph Reiner and wife Lorraine, are doing. If you pass through that way stop by and say hello, very nice people.
Roadhound
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Well Dave, after looking at the route on Google Earth, and then pulling out a map where I had marked a trip through that area, I confirmed that I have driven the route between Bluff and Mexican Hat. It was 1989 and my wife an I were wandering the Southwest on our way to Colorado Springs for my brother's graduation from the Air Force Academy. We had spent the night in Moab and then headed south on 191 through Monticello to Bluff and then 163 through Mexican Hat, Monument Valley, and finally Kayenta before we turned eastward. Of course back then I had no idea that anything ever preceeded the numbered highway. If I had known then what I know now...
Somewhere I have a whole bunch of Kodachromes of the area. The two things I remember most are the spectacular scenery and the spectacular sunsets. There was also a duststorm that we drove through on our way to Moab from Capital Reef that clogged an air sensor on the car I was driving at the time. We spent the rest of the trip with the car surging once or twice every 90 seconds until we got home which was about 1200 miles later.
I like the idea of a journey through that area again if it can be worked out. Maybe you need a photographer for the book you are writing?
-Roadhound
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You mean that wasn't you singing Dave?
Keep them coming, each one gets better and better. You've inspired me to map out a journey to the southwest just in case I have a week with time on my hands.
-Roadhound
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Denny,
We’ll just have to see who the story “grabs.”
Dave
You've grabbed my interest Dave. I've only traveled through the Monument Valley area once, and it was 20 years ago, but I've read enough Edward Abbey to have a good idea what the terrain is like. It is not hard to imagine how inhospitable the land would be to an early model automobile or present day one for that matter.
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3) US 50 - Lots of fun. A stunning mountain drive up to Tahoe (stop at Strawberry Lodge), then down again to Reno. Some great small towns to drive through and see. There's a detailed article in Volume 2 #3 of American Road about US 50 through Nevada. There are some great overnight stays, the Hotel Nevada in Ely, there are a number of casinos/hotels in Wendover (and you can see the big neon sign "Wendover Will." One of the best breakfasts that I ever had was at the Old Middlegate Station (they have cabins there, too - but, they were all full . . . instead we 'camped' in our van).
And you've got the original unpaved route of the Lincoln Highway\Pony Express Trail from just North of Ely through the Utah Desert.
Roadhound
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Steve,
First, and obviously, I am not expert on Kansas, nor on US40.
Being a member of the Yahoo US 40 group you are familiar with Stewart’s US40 book. He didn’t include any photos of Ellis, but he has two of Grainfield which you are probably familiar with. Does it look anything like it did in the early 1950’s when he took the photos?
The 1939 American Guide Series Kansas volume follows US40 across the state. You may have a copy. Apparently the 1940’s highlight of Ellis was the “lighted fountain with rainbow colored spray” in the yard of the municipal power plant. Is it still there?
The 1920 TIB Automobile Route Book has the “Golden Belt Highway” going through Ellis on the way to Denver and following the route later taken by US40. Its symbol was a yellow band on the telephone poles.
Dave
Keep the Show on the Road!
The rail line that the road is following looks like "V.P.R.R." on the map. After spending a few minutes searching for a V.P.R.R. railroad I suddenly realized that that the "V" is actually a "U". According to Wikipedia "Ellis was founded in 1867 as a railroad stop along the Union Pacific Railroad."
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There's a gentleman who signs himself as Perfesser Creekwater who has walked U S 40, east to west and west to east, several times.
Mark posted the following (excerpt) on the US40 road group today about Fairfield, CA:
I ALREADY KNEW THAT OLD 40 USED TO GO THIS WAY, BUT WAS "DOWN-GRADED" YEARs AGO, AND THE RT.40 ROAD-SIGNs REMOVED ... :-(
YESTERDAY I DISCOVER'D THAT FOLKs IN FAIRFIELD HAVE RE-INSTALL'D RT.40 SIGNs :-) :-) ---DOZENs OF THEM, ALONG TEXAS STREET, THE TOWN's MAIN STREET, TO ID IT AS "HISTORIC US 40 ROUTE"
And, yes, the Perfesser does type in all caps - always has. Interesting snippet to say the least.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
I've seen quite a few "Historic Route 40" signs in California along the route in Fairfield, Vacaville, Davis, Sacramento, and Colfax.
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Another possible side trip:
If you are interested in 'bagging' NPS sites on your travels (as I am), Pinnacles National Monument (east entrance) is about a 30-mile each way side trip south from Hollister (on the more southerly of Dave's two 'blue routes' above) on CA SR25.
I haven't been there--it and King's Canyon NP are the two main NPS sites I have left to 'bag' in Cali--but it looks interesting.
Like Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP (and my own state's Grand Canyon), Pinnacles has two separate entrances (east and west) that are not connected by road. According to my NPS references, the east side is by far the more 'developed'.
The east side of the park is best at that time of the year as there are some caves you can hike through that that are not far from the parking area. Everything else is a hike up hill in the heat. Take plenty of water if you go.
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Hi There. Could any one suggest a good route betweem Yosemite National Park and Santa Cruz and any points of interest along the way? It's a relatively short part of the journey but I'm not quite sure of the best way to go. I'm still mulling over whether to check out the Oregon Coast or swing inland as suggested, however the trip is starting to take shape and I'm counting down the weeks until August!
Thanks
Mike
There is really not much to see between Yosemite and the coast. Having spent a few years covering that area as part of a service territory I was responsible for I can say that the only attraction worth stopping for is the Castle Air Musuem which lies east of Hwy 99 near the town of Atwater. The Museum is located at the front gate of the former Castle Air Force Base. They have a good collection of post World War II aircraft.
Once you are out of the Sierra Nevada's and into the Central Valley the temperatures will likely be in the high 90's to low 100's. The terrain is agriculture and you will likely not want to linger around at anything outdoors. My advice would be to take CA 140 west out of Yosemite, pass through Merced with a diversion on 99 north to Atwater if the Museum interests you, otherwise take 59 south to 152 and continue on 152 to the coast.
Once you are on the coast there is plenty to do depending upon your interests. Monterey and Carmel are a short trip south on Hwy 1, Santa Cruz is to the north and there are plenty of beaches in between.
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One of the tires on my truck is from Winnemucca.
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Rick,
Lucky fellow! The Feather River Canyon is a favorite. The railroad and highway are, as you know, famed.
What is your intended route beyond the canyon? I did a bunch of “then and now” photo stuff ten years ago in the Greenville and Quincy area. Jervie Eastman did tons of post cards in the area in the 30’s and 40’s and I stood in the same places to get the “now” shots.
Keep us posted!
Dave
Keep the Show on the Road!
Keep,
I am only planning on going up the FR Canyon as far as Keddie and then I have to turn around and high tail it home. The reason I am going up that way is to hopefully photograph a steam engine as it travels eastward from Oroville through the canyon. I've scoped out spots along the route and have the waypoints set on my GPS. Of particular interest to me are the spots where the roadway and railroad bridges cross over each other. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and I'll get some nice pics that include both road and rail.
The steam train that I am following is the Union Pacific 844. It is the last steam engine that was never retired and still on an active roster. I caught it about 10 days ago going over the Altamont and thought that the Feather River would make a great backdrop for this mighty machine. It will be challenging as I am sure that I am not the only one who has the idea of following UP 844 along the Feather River Route plus it can move when they pour on the steam.
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Rick
The Feather River Canyon is great. Looking forward to a report!
Do you notice my keen sense of balance, with the sweeping diagonal emphasizing the technological transition from 1930’s to 1990’s modalities, the warm early morning sun symbolizing a new beginning, and yet a soft departing from the past? The sand in the foreground is harsh reality, the tower a dream never fully realized, the older satellite dish a symbol of a forgotten technology, and the warm glow of a modern jet contrail crossing the tower is saying…….another day awaits.
I’m glad you could see it.
I'll share my “secret” about that “composition.” I had to get back far enough to get the whole tower in the shot…couldn’t do that from the west, so I walked to the south and took some more shots.
I took over a thousand photos on old 99, so one could truly say that shot is “one in a 1000.” I have to get lucky once in a while.
Dave
Keep the Show on the Road!
I have to confess that I did miss the symbolism of the sand being "harsh reality" but now that you mention it...
As you probably know I have a keen interest in subject matter that is aviation history related as well as the old roads. That shot tied them both together.
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Keep,
I am really enjoying these treasures you are finding along US 99.
That first shot with the light tower, contrails, and satellite dish is superb. Nice composition.
If my plans come together I will be traveling part of 99E between Sacramento and Orovlle and then CA 70 (US 40 alt) through Oroville and up the Feather River Canyon on Saturday.
Roadhound
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Roadhound,
My friend and I had a good laugh when we read this post because that very afternoon we were talking about taking the train to work just to ride over the pass to see what we couldn't see from the roads. When I look out the back of our shop I'm looking at the Vasco station! The trains run west in the morning and east in the afternoon. Google Altamont Commuter Express and its easy enough to see the schedule. I just have to get up early enough to be dropped off at the station in Tracy and I think it would be a kick.
- Suey
Suey, Catching the commuter express would make for an interesting picture but I was more interested in catching one of the freight trains going over the trestle or maybe something like this...
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It is hard to know where to start this report, I have seen so many great spots today and yesterday. I followed the 1914 alignment of the old Pacific Highway (US99) for a couple of miles on a bank above the Shasta River north of Yreka, got some great photos of some amazing bridges, went past a Black Bart stagecoach holdup site on a dirt road just north of the California border near Coles’ stage stop, “discovered” and “named” the Four Bridge Crossings on Old 99, got a few photos of a Giant Orange near Willows, California, stopped at a should be famous Richfield service station, complete with the tower beacon to guide aircraft, saw where old busses go to die, and capped the day with two stops on the Lincoln, at Banta (east of Tracy) and at the Summit Garage on Altamont Pass where Linda, who operates an antique shop in the garage, and a former mechanic herself, gave me a tour.
Each place was a gem in and of itself, and there were several in between delights.
I am on the way to visit an ailing family member who is now recovering so I have allowed myself the luxury of some great short detours off I-5 and I-205.
Because I am posting this in the US 99 Pacific highway section, I guess I should start with the 1914 alignment of the Pacific Highway north of Yreka. From the inception of the Pacific Highway in 1914, until about 1929, the main route north from Yreka, California followed practically in the bed of the Shasta River. After 1929 or 1930, it rode on higher ground and crossed some spectacular high bridges to do it. Of course it was all eventually bypassed by I-5, which plows through the mountains like…..who knows what…..on huge fills and through gigantic cuts.
I think perhaps a quick Google Earth tour HERE ( big 5mb file)of the “modern” and 1914 alignment will help orient you.
The 1931 Pioneer Bridge on old US99 crosses the Shasta River above the 1914 Pacific Highway alignment which is evident in the canyon below. If you like Quicktime, double click HERE (big 8mb file)) and you should get a nice zoomable view of the bridge and old alignment. I am standing at 41.8086, -122.5926 on the old bridge construction access road and facing west (left) to get the picture, which is a 180 degree panorama. The image below is OK but you won’t be able to see the 1914 bridge abutment as well.
Don’t be deceived, that bridge is huge. Look below the far support and you will see a standard size highway sign that was knocked or thrown into the canyon.
If you zoom in and look to the left end of the 1914 road, you can see the original bridge abutment.
That’s all I have time for tonight, but the gems abound!
Dave
Keep the Show on the Road
Welcome to the Bay Area Keep! You couldn't have picked a better day weather wise. I wish I could get away from work and do some exploring with you. Yes, working on a weekend.
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Rick,
Well said!
And it would be fun to catch a locomotive pulling the grade. There is something about a locomotive that brings out the kid in all of us.
Suey and Rick,
Last night I was reading my repro copy of “The Pacific Tourist,” originally published in 1884. The pages below deal with Altamont, Midway, and Livermore. Now where is that tunnel…….?
Dave
Keep the Show on the Road!
Wow, what a great find Keep!
The San Jouquin River Bridge is most likely at what is now Mossdale Crossing. The completion of that bridge was the last link in the Transcontinental Railroad. Driving through Banta and Tracy you can imagine the scene as it is described in that article. The flooded land still does occur, though not on an annual basis anymore. Interesting to note that even today the railbeds are raised significantly above the surrounding land. I'm not sure where Ellis is but the location of Midway is still there as is Altamont. Livermore and Pleasanton are both cities with populations in the 75,000 range.
I'm sure that if you dug up an article on early auto travel through that area you would read that it was a trying ordeal. I've read articles about early travel through the Pleasanton and Livermore area and during the winter months the roads were typically impassable. The soil in the Livermore valley turns to a very sticky goop when saturated which is great for growing wheat but not that good for driving an automobile across.
An oldie but goodie for those new to our program: Summit Garage, Altamont, CA
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Roadhound & Boy Named Sioux,
Roadhound sounded just a little skeptical
about the value of video screen captures, so I wanted to give a more “moving” example HERE.Dave
Keep the Show on the Road!
Not skeptical, just to lazy to figure it out myself. I think its a great way to explain a subject and has many advantages over a long typed-out sentence. I could easily imagine you in the front of a lecture hall with your overhead projector pointing out the landmarks on the map and explaining their significance.
Sioux - any idea what times the trains run through the Altamont? I would like to get out there one afternoon and catch a locomotive going over the trestle but can't really spare an entire afternoon to sit and wait.
In regards to railroads and highways, and I apologize if I have said this before, but I believe they are closely tied together at least as far as the western half of the country is concerned. In the time between the driving of the golden spike and the coming of the automobile the railroad was the best way to get from point A to point B. The railroads were built to the power restrictions of the locomotives of the day and would follow the path of least resistance across the landscape. As manpower was replaced with machine power obstacles were carved away and the railroad lines were straightened to allow for higher speeds and in the west the abandoned railbeds became ready made roadways for that new fangled contraption called the automobile. PPOO and the Victory in Nevada are good examples of where some of the former CPRR railbeds became roads.
It also made sense that the new roads would follow the rail lines between towns and the coming of the automobile. Many towns in the west were established to support the railroad and the automobile may have kept some dying towns alive long after they were needed by the railroad. Many of these towns would survive up until the coming of the Interstate which then diverted traffic away from them and in time killing off the hotels, restaurants and other amenities needed by the auto traveler. (see: Wells, Nevada)
One other connection between railroads and roads in the West. It was a Senator from Illinois that was a huge proponent of a railroad that connected the eastern half of the country with the west. He new then that effecient travel from one coast to another was important for a strong country. Unfortunately as President his attention was diverted by a little internal squabble and he didn't live to see his idea come to fruition. However, 50 years later the first transcontinental highway was named in his honor.
Roadhound
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First of all, your interrogation methods are diabolical!
I believe the grassy roadbed IS the old Lincoln Highway. The paved two lane road is Altamont Pass Road, also US 50 until 1938. The other right of way you ask about is the abandoned Western Pacific (Transcontinental 1869 I believe) that is now called the Southern Pacific. The rails and ties have been removed in this section so it looks like a gravel road now. The railroad that is behind me, to the NW, is the new Western Pacific, (no relation to the old Western Pacific) that is now owned by the Union Pacific. I hope I cleared that up.
P.S. If you follow the S.P. east from there you will see where it goes under I-580 in a tunnel. On the tunnel between the east and westbound lanes it says S.P. CO. 1909 although I know the railway to be much older. If you follow it farther, you will come to where it crosses Patterson Pass Road, which is known as Midway. Which just came up on another thread.
Diabolical!
~ Suey
Dave, you never cease to amaze me. That is the first time I have ever seen a post on a message board done that way. I, however, will stick to the keyboard.
Just to clarify. The 1869 version of the Western Pacific is not the same as the 1983 company that became part of the Union Pacific RR. The original WP was created to complete the transcontinental railroad from Sacramento to San Francisco and was later absorbed by the Central Pacific RR. The CPRR later became part of the Southern Pacific RR, which has since become part of the Union Pacific RR. The Western Pacific RR that was merged into the Union Pacific was founded in 1903.
Abandoned railbed ownership - Western Pacific (original), Central Pacific RR, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific
In-use railbed ownership - WP (founded 1903), Union Pacific
Roadhound
Rise And Fall Of The Lithia Auto Park
in Pacific Highway / U.S. 99
Posted
While traveling through Southern Oregon recently we stopped in Ashland. While my wife and daughter checked out the shops my son and I went for a short hike through Lithia Park.
For those unfamiliar with Ashland it is known for two things; it's Shakespeare Theater that runs through most of the summer and Lithia Park which starts and its downtown and follows Ashland Creek into the surrounding hillside. The park was designed by the same architect that designed San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, John McLaren.
While hiking through we stumbled across this cabin which had a sign in the window proclaiming the following:
Lithia Park Auto Camp 1915-1959
The Finest on the Pacific Highway
1915 The 92-acre auto camp in Lithia Park opened in Jun offering free overnight camping in a small clearing along Ashland Creek. The city provided community "kitchenettes" and bathrooms.
It is one of the first municipally operated camp ground in the country.
1922 City imposed a 50-cent nightly fee.
1924 Community house was completed.
1926 The last segment of the Pacific Highway was completed in Siskiyou County, California, connecting the entire Pacific Coast with Canada and Mexico.
In response, the renamed Lithia Auto Park built its first small cabins and a market.
1930 20 more tourist cabins were built, including this one.
1959 Competition with motels springing up along Highway 99 along with public concerns over the cleanliness and safety of the facilities forced the closure of the camp.
1964 Almost all of the buildings were removed before the property was transferred to the Parks & Rec Department. The Community House was later transformed into a natural history museum. A small zoo was nearby.
1983 The Ashland Parks and Recreation Department moved its office the Community House. The building was later renovated.
2001 The last remaining cabin was restored to document the typical tourist accomodation in Lithia Park, once the "finest campground on the Pacific Highway."