Southern California Regional Rocks and Roads - Southern Pacific

Old State 136 near Keeler, CA

Michael F Ballard — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 22:38:21 +0000

The Owens Valley in Inyo County, California is home to many fascinating highway relics. One road in particular toward the southern end of the Owens Valley southeast of Lone Pine, State Highway 136, had a very unique and rare feature – old railroad grade crossing markings. Until 1964, it was known as State Highway 190 ...

Featured Image – 8/20/2019

Michael F Ballard — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 00:11:12 +0000

On September 5, 1876, the golden spike was driven near Lang, California on the Southern Pacific Railroad line connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles. That line would bring the sleepy town of Los Angeles into a spotlight that persists to this day. A small train station was built near the site, which served as an ...

Featured Image – 8/14/2019

Michael F Ballard — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 23:56:39 +0000

Completed in 1876, this loop still stands as an engineering marvel and a unique way of keeping the grade steady while climbing over the Tehachapi Mountains between Bakersfield and Mojave.

Image of the Week – 3/15/15

Michael F Ballard — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 05:54:43 +0000

Image Of The Week – 9/11/14

Michael F Ballard — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:34:24 +0000

US 99 in Lake Shasta – October 2008

Michael F Ballard — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:37:00 +0000

In October 2008, Lake Shasta was dropping to near historic lows. I took a trip up there to hike many of the exposed alignments. I also got out in the water in my wetsuit when I needed to. The whole trip was a lot of fun. Here are the photos from that trip. Salt Creek ...