All posts by Michael F Ballard

Michael F Ballard is the author and administrator of the Southern California Regional Rocks and Roads website, https://socalregion.com, since 1995. I have been studying the geology and highway history throughout southern California for most of my life. I am also the President of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization. Founder of the Historic Highway 99 Association of California, https://historic99.org .
Amusement Parks, History, Los Angeles County, Rollercoaster, Santa Clarita

Interesting discovery at Six Flags Magic Mountain

On Friday, August 8, 2025, I was a part of a behind-the-scenes tour at Magic Mountain. Part of the tour included walking part of the infield for Twisted Colossus and Goliath. Two things we saw really stuck out to me. The first was seeing an old section of original Colossus trackway beneath the lift hill. This was something I was already aware but hadn’t seen up close since I learned of it. It had to remain as it was a structural part of the lift hill.

Short section of original trackway adjacent to the first drop on Twisted Colossus
Closeup of trackway section.

The second discovery was most unexpected but somewhat related to the first. In 2014, the original 1978 Colossus rollercoaster was closed to be transformed into Twisted Colossus by Rocky Mountain Construction in 2015. This “new” coaster would take the old one to a new level with steel track and inversions. There is truly no other rollercoaster like this in the world and happens to be my favorite. A lot of the original supports and track were removed in this process.

Some of the original track from Colossus was repurposed as “soil terraces” along the edge of the maintenance roadway between Goliath / Twisted Colossus and Hurricane Harbor. At first, I noticed sections of wood that looked “odd”. Why would they be put together in such a manner? Upon closer inspection, I saw the original steel “track” that the rollercoaster wheels rode upon. At that point, I knew what I found and was quite excited.

First section I saw near Hurricane Harbor. The Magic Mountain Sky Tower is visible to the right between the trees.
Additional pieces of track along the slope.
Closer view of the track complete with side rail plainly visible.
Closeup of rail section with both top and side steel visible.

As you can see, this was quite a find and a unique use of some of rollercoaster history. Always keep your eyes peeled for relics of the past at such parks. Magic Mountain has quite a few, some of which this site will review in the future. You never know what you might find out there!

Special thanks to the crew at Magic Mountain for allowing us this tour.

Highways, I-8, Old Alignment, Roads, San Diego County, US 80

Old US 80 and a lesson

Back in July 2017, I took a trip out east, partially following old US 80 east of El Cajon, CA. One of the goals was to take photos of a section I had passed countless times before but never stopped at. The section in question was near Flinn Springs. This old alignment was bypassed in the 1930’s and cut off by I-8 in 1965.

Highlighted section is the old alignment with the section in question above I-8.

Known today as Flinn Springs Road, it mostly serves as a connector to Blossom Valley Road, which itself was cut by I-8 at the same time as this alignment. The original concrete was paved over at some point in the past but was, at the time I stopped, very obvious and partly exposed. I took this opportunity to take many photos of the road. There were plenty of markings on the roadway which could indicate resurfacing was imminent but wasn’t quite sure. It was a good thing I did as, less than two weeks later, the whole thing was resurfaced, burying that old concrete yet more and making it impossible to see.

Looking west along Flinn Springs Road
Cracking in asphalt showing where the original concrete is still in place
At the curve where the road currently bends north, the concrete visibly bends a different direction.

The lesson here is to TAKE PHOTOS and DOCUMENT! You never know when you’ll be back or if it will be there when you do.

Further Reading on US 80

Historic Highway 99 Association of California, Old Alignment, San Bernardino County, US 99

New US 99 Video

The Historic Highway 99 Association of California has posted another episode of their “History along US 99” series. This time they talk about a section of 1930’s concrete in Ontario, California. Come check it out!

Highways, San Diego County

San Diego Backcountry Videos

A local historian, Chris Wray, has produced a very interesting series of videos on the historic backcountry of San Diego County. Topics include US 80, wagon roads, and mining. He has also written a few books on the topics, which are linked on his YouTube channel. I highly recommend a visit.

https://www.youtube.com/@SanDiegosHistoricBackcountry

Highway Tours, Highways, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, Southern California, US 99

New US 99 Videos!

Greetings All!

The Historic Highway 99 Association of California has posted a couple of new videos recently on US 99 in Santa Clarita, California (HH9AC Region 4). Come check them out!