Southern California Regional Rocks and Roads - Castaic

New Video – Palomas Creek Bridge

Michael F Ballard — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 23:46:49 +0000

Did you know there is a bridge from 1930 in Castaic? It was the first built along the Ridge Route Alternate and, after all the upgrades and bypasses, it is still there. Learn about its history and more from the Historic Highway 99 Association of California.

New Video – Castaic Creek Bridge

Michael F Ballard — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:40:05 +0000

The Historic Highway 99 Association of California has posted a new video on the history of the Castaic Creek bridge near Santa Clarita, CA. Come check it out!

Ridge Route February 2024 Update Video

Michael F Ballard — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 21:51:09 +0000

In early and mid-February 2024, the Ridge Route Preservation Organization went on a field survey trip over the Ridge Route to assess damage. They took a lot of videos and put together an overview of what they saw. Come join the Ridge Route Preservation Organization on their journey over the Ridge Route.

Original pavement remaining at Castaic Junction, CA on old US 99

Michael F Ballard — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 23:52:05 +0000

Castaic Junction, located just north of Six Flags Magic Mountain in the Santa Clarita Valley was an important stop along US 99 and State 126 until the 1980’s. A Standard Oil gas station, one of the largest and busiest at the time, was located here in addition to Tip’s Restaurant. The restaurant was reported to ...

Route Fire – Updated 1730

Michael F Ballard — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:46:18 +0000

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 ...

Historic US 99 Presentation

Michael F Ballard — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 03:58:34 +0000

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.

Ridge Route Presentation Video

Michael F Ballard — Wed, 25 May 2022 02:00:30 +0000

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

Ridge Route Presentation

Michael F Ballard — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 15:53:21 +0000

Join the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 6 pm for a presentation on the Historic Ridge Route by Michael F Ballard. The road will be covered from Castaic to Gorman. Learn about the current status of the roadway and the Ridge Route Preservation Organization that is working to ...

From the Archives – 1923

Michael F Ballard — Sat, 19 Mar 2022 22:52:08 +0000

The Ridge Route on US 99 between Castaic and Gorman was a very twisty roadway when it first opened. All told, there was about 39,600 degrees of curvature over the approximately 30-mile route, enough to go in 110 circles. The state gradually worked to alleviate this headache by straightening curves whenever possible. Some curves were ...

Fire on the Ridge Route

Michael F Ballard — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 03:41:42 +0000

There is currently a fire, #RouteFire, burning on the Ridge Route near Templin Highway. I-5 is closed both directions and the Old Ridge Route may be in danger. For information, follow the Twitter feed for the Ridge Route Preservation Organization – @ridgeroute99.