Category Archives: Ridge Route

Caltrans, District 7, Highways, I-5, Ridge Route, Roads, Snow, The Grapevine, Travel

I-5 Grapevine / Ridge Route Conditions

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Near Cherry Canyon on “The Grapevine”

I-5 between Santa Clarita and the San Joaquin Valley over Tejon Pass is known as “The Grapevine” and formerly known as “The Ridge Route”. It is an important corridor in California and has been so since 1915. Travel over the route can be quite treacherous in winter due to both rain and snow. Mudslides, rockfalls, and ice can all wreak havoc on travel. Collisions can mar traffic for miles. Caltrans, CHP, and the County of Los Angeles work together to ensure safe travel over the route. Sometimes this can result in a full closure of the pass.

To stay up-to-date on current conditions, we recommend the following sites:

Weather Forecasts from the National Weather Service:

Be safe out there and always use caution during winter months when traveling the “Grapevine”.

STATS

Highest elevation – 4144′ at Tejon Pass

Normal Closure Points:

  • SOUTHBOUND at Grapevine (Exit 215)
  • NORTHBOUND at Castaic – Lake Hughes Road (Exit 176B)

SERVICES

Gas, food, and lodging are available at the exits listed below on I-5. There are no services available otherwise between Castaic and Grapevine.

South End:

Castaic – Exits 176A (Parker Road) and 176B (Lake Hughes Road)

North End:

Gorman – Exit 202

Frazier Park – Exit 205

Grapevine – Exit 215

ALTERNATE ROUTES

If the 5 is closed, alternate adjacent routes such as Lake Hughes Road are not advisable as they may be in worse condition or be heavily congested. Depending on closures, the best alternative to I-5 is via State 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) and State 58 over Tehachapi Pass. In times of heavy snow, your only option may well be US 101 to State 46 in Paso Robles. Check with Caltrans and CHP prior to travel to make sure these roads are open. DO NOT ALWAYS TRUST GOOGLE. It can lead you down bad or otherwise unsuitable roadways. In January 2021, multiple people including three big rigs were trapped on the Old Ridge Route during a snowstorm when they attempted to bypass a closed I-5. We don’t want you to end up on the news. Always be safe and always use caution on unfamiliar roads.

SPECIAL NOTE

The Old Ridge Route (Ridge Route Road / 8N04) is NEVER an alternate to I-5 under any conditions and is not suitable for heavy traffic nor is it open to through traffic. It is closed to through travel from Castaic to Gorman (State 138).

Highways, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, History, Los Angeles County, Old Alignment, Presentation, Ridge Route, US 99

Ridge Route Alternate Presentation Video

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If you missed my presentation on September 13 on the history of the Ridge Route Alternate, you can see it on YouTube on the Historic Highway 99 Association of California’s channel. Come take a look!

Castaic, Event, I-5, Los Angeles County, Ridge Route, Ridge Route Preservation Organization, Route Fire, Santa Clarita, US 99, Wildfire

Route Fire – Updated 1730

From the Ridge Route Preservation Organization:

Another wildfire has started at the south end of the Ridge Route in Marple Canyon along the 5. This fire, known as the Route Fire, has so far burned 250 acres and is not contained. The fire has burned across the old Ridge Route at the Callahan Line Change location, about 2 miles north of Castaic. Evacuations are underway as far north as Templin Highway. The fire has burned as far north as Martin’s, south of Templin Highway. It is not known if the structure survived.

At this time, I-5 is closed from State 138 to Castaic. The Ridge Route is also closed to through travel from Castaic to State 138 as the gates are closed. Do not use any portion of the Ridge Route as a bypass for I-5 at any time as it is not built for heavy traffic. Big rigs have attempted this in the past and got stuck, blocking others in.

For further information regarding road closures and detours, we strongly recommend Caltrans Quickmap at https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ which has detailed information and updated traffic conditions.

We will post updates, as needed, if the Ridge Route itself or historic structures are damaged or in danger. After the fire is out and things have settled down, we will assess any damage to the roadway and post a report.

Castaic, Event, Highways, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, History, Los Angeles County, Meeting, Old Alignment, Old Bridge, Presentation, Ridge Route, Roads, US 99

Historic US 99 Presentation

On September 13, 2022, I will be giving a Zoom presentation for the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on the Ridge Route Alternate between Castaic and Tejon Pass. Come join the Association for the presentation! See the link below for details and to learn how to sign up.

September 2022 Presentation and Update
Castaic, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, Los Angeles County, Meeting, Old Alignment, Presentation, Ridge Route, US 99

Ridge Route Presentation Video

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If you missed the presentation on May 17, you can view it on the Historic Highway 99 Association of California’s YouTube channel at:

Additional prior meetings can be viewed at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAvGZpwJjMnoBplxbkxMmaw