Jump to content
American Road Magazine
Celebrating our two-lane highways of yesteryear…And the joys of driving them today!

Doing The Loop On Old Us99


Recommended Posts

I am on the road to California from the Puget Sound on an unplanned trip, but tomorrow I want to photograph and share a couple of neat spots on the old Pacific Highway (AKA US99). One is the loop between Ashland and the California border, at the coordinates at the bottom of the Google Earth screen capture below.

 

Are there other instances you know of where a major highway looped back over itself?

 

ARPacLoop.jpg

 

Dave

 

Keep the Show on the Road

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know there is a similar loop on the Norbeck Scenic Byway in the Black Hills of South Dakota (http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2459/). More are described at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigtail_bridge. Of course, being from Oregon, the Steinman crossing is my favorite.

 

Enjoy the trip!

 

Patrick S.

 

 

I am on the road to California from the Puget Sound on an unplanned trip, but tomorrow I want to photograph and share a couple of neat spots on the old Pacific Highway (AKA US99). One is the loop between Ashland and the California border, at the coordinates at the bottom of the Google Earth screen capture below.

 

Are there other instances you know of where a major highway looped back over itself?

 

ARPacLoop.jpg

 

Dave

 

Keep the Show on the Road

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know there is a similar loop on the Norbeck Scenic Byway in the Black Hills of South Dakota (http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2459/). More are described at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigtail_bridge. Of course, being from Oregon, the Steinman crossing is my favorite.

 

Enjoy the trip!

 

Patrick S.

 

 

Patrick,

 

I didn't know there was a name for this kind of loop, but "pigtail" sure fits! Thanks for the research! I'll try to get photos.

 

My 1918 map shows the bridge as a big loop, so it was well recognized even in its day!

 

There is a lovely long arched bridge north of Yreka I want to photograph as well. You probably know it. Also Black Bart held up the stage just north of Coles. The stage station at Coles is there, and I think the old stage barn may still be standing....it was a few years ago. I may detour there as well.

 

Thanks again for the come back!

 

Dave

 

Keep the Show on the road.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I remember the one in Great Smoky Mountains N.P...

 

I did a search for the one that Wikipedia mentions in Poland and included a link to it for anyone interested in seeing a pigtail in a quite urban setting.

 

Chris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Chris and Patrick,

 

Thanks for the examples!

 

I do have a correction for the Wikipedia article which states:

 

“The pigtail bridge design was invented in 1932 by Cecil Clyde Gideon…..”

 

The 1918 Automobile Tour Book I have along on the trip shows the pigtail, so it predates Mr. Gideon’s example by 14 years (and perhaps more). Oh, how fickle is fame!

 

The page from the 1918 Fireman's Fund Automobile Tour Book is below.

 

The actual ride on the loop was not as eventful. The video is HERE.

 

AR99Loop.jpg

 

 

Dave

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...