| Cajon Pass |
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In 1851 , a band of Mormon settlers led by Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich crossed the Cajon Pass on their way from Salt Lake City to the Los Angeles basin. In commemoration of this crossing, a section of the pass where the railroad passes through (near Sullivan's Curve ) is now known as ''Mormon Rocks''. train working upgrade on Cajon Pass.]] The Santa Fe Railway was the first railroad to use the Cajon Pass as a route into the Los Angeles area. Today, the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway (the successor to the Santa Fe) use this pass. Due to the high volume of trains, noteworthy scenery and easy access, it is a popular location for Railfan ning; many action photographs of trains on Cajon Pass make it into books and magazines about trains. The Mojave Freeway ( Interstate 15 ) was built through the Cajon Pass and provides a major route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas . The freeway runs above and parallel to an original stretch of old Route 66 . This stretch, which is now known as Cajon Boulevard, is a short but well-preserved fragment dating back to a rerouting and widening of the highway in the early 1950's. Only the southbound/westbound lanes are in use; the northbound/eastbound lanes and corresponding bridges are closed to through traffic. It is along this stretch of road, accessible via either the Kenwood Drive or Cleghorn Road exits that some of the best aforementioned trainspotting areas may be found. During October and November of 2003 , a number of Wildfires devastated the hills and mountainsides near and around the pass, forcing the closure of Interstate 15. The following winter, rains in addition to burnt vegetation caused a number of Landsides to further close the freeway pass. In addition to wildfire hazards, the Cajon Pass is notorious for wind hazards as well. When it is gusty, it is especially difficult to navigate through it as the Santa Ana Winds usually push through that area. The winds sometimes reach gale-force strength. As a result, there are usually high wind advisories as well as road signs posted throughout the area. It is not uncommon to see overturned Trucks during such windy weather there. The historic Summit Inn , off the Oak Hills exit at the summit of the pass, is a historic Route 66 diner and has been at its present location since 1952 . EXTERNAL LINKS |