Ridge Route: The Road That United California , by Harrison
Irving Scott
Ridge
Route: The Road that United California provides a fascinating
look into the history of one of the most amazing highway construction
projects of the 20th century. This little-known but unforgettable
highway parallels the route of the present day I-5 between the
towns of Castaic Junction and Gorman northwest of Los Angeles,
California. While many sections of the concrete road have deteriorated
through neglect, it is still possible to drive the entire 30
mile route, perhaps not at the speeds that James Dean drove
them a couple of hours before his death, but at a sufficient
pace to be thrilled by twists, turns, and several 1,000-foot
vertical drop-offs. Scott has included scores of old photographs
documenting some of the 627 curves the road takes as it snakes
its way through the Tehachapi and San Gabriel mountain ranges.
The
last time I drove the Ridge Route, the road was eroded and
rock-strewn, the sun was about to set, and I didn't have a
clue where I was. If I had had a copy of Ridge Route,
I would have known that I was only about two miles from the
southern end and would have probably pressed on instead of
turning around and retracing the route past what I now know
is Swede's Cut on my way back to Hwy 138. Scott provides a
mile-by-mile guide full of fascinating historical information
from the road's southern beginning at the Parker Road exit
from Interstate 5 in Castaic Junction all the way to the north
end at Gorman. One of the route's most spectacular views is
along the aptly named "Serpentine Drive" at mile
14.2. For many years, the maximum speed limit was set at 15
mph, and it was considered one of the most challenging and
treacherous roads in the West.
In
addition to the road guide component in Ridge Route,
Scott delivers a fascinating look into the lives of business
people at such historical locations as Sandberg's Summit Hotel,
Holland's Summit Café, the Gorman Hotel, and the famous
Lebec Hotel. His account of the rescue efforts undertaken
to reach motorists stranded in a 1922 snowstorm is especially
riveting. Scott's writing style is engaging, and I couldn't
help finishing the book in one sitting. Ridge Route
belongs in every serious roadtripper's book collection.
Take
a virtual road trip along the Ridge Route! Click here.
Mark
Sedenquist
3/03
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