The Ridge Route Book - Now Available for online purchase

NEWS

**SPECIAL NOTICE **     DUE TO WEATHER PREDICTIONS OF RAIN AND SNOW WE ARE CANCELLING OUR SATURDAY WORK DAY ON FEBRUARY 6, 2010.   ALL WORKDAYS WILL REVERT BACK TO OUR NORMAL SCHEDULE OF THE SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH. WE WILL SEE YOU MARCH 13, 2010 AT 9:00 a.m. AT THE RANCH HOUSE CAFÉ IN GORMAN. PLEASE ARRIVE AT 8:00 a.m. IF YOU PLAN TO HAVE BREAKFAST WITH US.   If you need additional information, please contact:   Carl Marsee (661) 242-2726 or Harrison Scott (866) 262-7594 (Toll Free)   Current California Highway Conditions www.dot.ca.gov/dist07 (NOT THE OLD RIDGE ROUTE )   For road conditions in California (excluding unforeseen traffic incidents) please call the Caltrans Highway Information Number at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623). By speaking the number of the route desired -- or using a touch-tone telephone and entering the highway/route number of interest, callers can get up-do-date road conditions on any highway in California . Motorists are also encouraged to tune into local radio stations for up to-the-minute freeway reports before starting out on trips.   For more information, please call the Caltrans Public Affairs office at (213) 897-3630 or 897-3656 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.   PLEASE REMEMBER TO BUCKLE UP, WATCH SPEEDS AND SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE. # # #     Ridge Route Status Posted 1-18-2010 RIDGE ROUTE UPDATE, GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS   (BACKGROUND) Those of you that follow the efforts of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization (RRPO), its members and volunteers are aware of our ongoing efforts to re-open California's historic highway. The winter rains of 2005 severed the road as well as petroleum, natural gas and electric lines. Angeles National Forest (ANF) arranged to have the Federal Highway Administration repair the road and repave those areas where entire sections slipped down the canyon. One petroleum line remains above ground on the road south of Swedes Cut. When this line is back in the ground the utility repairs will be complete. The road will be inspected and utility companies will be responsible for damage (if any) they may have caused.   (FAST FORWARD) Although it has been five years that the road has been closed, new concerns need to be addressed. First, although the road will be drivable given the aforementioned repairs, of greater concern are other areas of the road that have deteriorated to the extent it raises safety concerns. Currently there isn't enough money to repair those areas. Secondly, both the Ranger and the RRPO agree that if the road is “thrown open” it will NOT withstand the traffic without having a major negative impact to the historic features of the road. The Ridge Route is identified by GPS navigation systems and when I-5 is closed, it is common practice to use the Ridge Route as a by-pass. Thirdly and most critical is the fact that the planned Tejon Ranch development will severely impact the road.   The “Centennial Development” will provide 23,000 residential units and over 14 million square feet of commercial and retail space. It is the largest single development project ever proposed in California.   The “Mountain Village Development” will provide an additional 3,450 residences and up to 160,000 square feet of commercial development including various hotel, spa and resort facilities.   (WHAT NOW?) A management plan will be developed to address not only our concerns but the concerns of other organizations e. g. “The California off Road Vehicle Association,” the” California Trail Users Coalition” etc. Bottom line, the road will most likely remain closed to the public and possibly opened on a “controlled” basis. We will explore if it would be possible to allow our organization to conduct limited tours of the road while a full management plan is formulated. Although for the foreseeable future the road will be closed, the RRPO will continue to support the road with our Tumble Inn restoration as well as road and drainage work.   Harrison Scott, Pres. Ridge Route Preservation Organization           Clean up the Ridge Route The R idge R oute P reservation O rganization (RRPO) schedules work projects, “Clean up the Ridge Route ,” (CUTRR) along the un-maintained section of the road. When: The second Saturday of each month. Where:   The Ranch House restaurant (formally The Sizzler) 49713 Gorman Post Rd. (661) 248-6040 Exit I-5 at Gorman off ramp, turn east to Gorman Post Rd. TURN RIGHT, (Chevron Station on left, Motel on right). The Ranch House is behind the Motel in same complex Time: 9:00 a.m. Work: We will be working near the northern end of the Ridge Route at the historic Tumble Inn site where we are doing historic restoration and masonary work. Other volunteers will be clearing the road of rocks and debris which may involve working behind the locked forest service gate. Please allow ample time to arrive so you will NOT miss our departure. Bring: We are asking everyone to bring gloves and a sack lunch. At noon we gather for lunch. Bottled water and restroom facilities will be provided by RRPO. Santana's Pumping & Plumbing of Frazier Park is donating the use of the portable restroom. Additionally, we ask that you bring any of the assorted tools listed below including a folding chair to use at lunch time. •  Shovel, standard and scoop •  Hoe •  Rake •  Wheelbarrow •  Pruning Shears •  Pole Pruner •  Pruning Saw •  Mattock •  Gloves •  Sunscreen Safety of our volunteers is our number one priority so we ask that you wear appropriate work clothes and shoes. Workers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. We work in full compliance with Angeles National Forest and have been granted permission to extend our repairs beyond that portion of the road that is closed and “off limits” to the public. We hope to complete this phase by 3 or 4:00 p.m. Please RSVP if you can come. If you are unable to attend this workday and would like to send a donation or become a member, please contact: Carl Marsee, Project Manager P. O. Box 959 Frazier Park , CA 93225-0969 CMarsee@FrazMtn.com (661) 242-2726   Or: Harrison Scott, (866) 262-7594 (toll free) RidgeRoute@Yahoo.com

GEORGE FRANKLIN FISHER

It is with a heavy heart that the Ridge Route Preservation Organization reports the passing of George Fisher. George was a major benefactor and strong supporter of our organization's efforts to have the old Ridge Route repaired after it was closed due to washouts and damage, a result of the winter storms of 2005. George and his wife, Irene, participated in our “Clean up The Ridge Route” work program and encouraged us to “stay the course” in soliciting political support to keep the historic road viable.

 

George retired in 1986 after a long career with the Union Oil Company. His position was Traffic Manager in the company's international division. We will sorely miss him.

“Background Information ”

Posted August 6, 2008

The 2005 storm that washed out the 1915 Ridge Route also wreaked havoc to oil, gas and power lines within proximity of the historic highway. Southern California Edison and Exxon-Mobil were the first companies to repair their facilities. The Southern California Gas Company and Plains All American Pipeline experienced damage in multiple locations forcing both companies to effect emergency repairs by temporarily relocating their lines above ground away from the slide areas and onto the 1915 highway. The extensive damage presented a logistics “nightmare” for the utility companies in terms of access, environmental scrutiny, forest service regulations, applications for new rights-of-way and a repair itinerary that required the blessing of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The same storm that did all this damage to the historic Ridge Route also closed the Vista del Lago visitor center at Pyramid Lake and reduced the I-5 Ridge Route from four lanes in each direction down to three lanes in each direction at Templin Highway. The highway is protruding upward at this location due to the weight of the mountain on the west side of the interstate. Crews have removed tons of earth from the hillside to minimize the upward protrusion. The interstate will restore to four lanes in each direction when repairs are completed.

The old Ridge Route “wash outs” have been repaired by the Federal Highway Administration.
Repair work on the road was NOT to begin until pipeline crews had finished, however, a “change order” in the pipeline repair plan forced them to suspend all work until the new plan was approved. This unforeseen event put a serious delay in getting the road open this year but did allow the road contractors a window of opportunity to repair the entire road while the pipeline contractor was waiting for a “go ahead” to resume his work. The new plan was ultimately approved and the pipeline contractor had crews working 12 hour shifts trying to wrap up before the fire season began. Unfortunately they did not finish and have suspended all activity until the fire closure order is lifted. Work will resume when the weather cools, possibly November. We had hoped the road would open in 2008. The projection now is the first quarter of 2009.

Harrison I. Scott, Pres. Ridge Route Preservation Organization WWW.RidgeRoute.com .

A conversation with Harrison Scott

 

DID YOU KNOW ?

The RRPO now has it's own Fresno Scraper thanks to Jack and Sidney Kelley. It is currently on display at the Ridge Route Museum in Frazier Park . The Fresno Scraper was the primary tool used in the construction of the Ridge Route.

You can get an idea of our volunteer effort by looking at our efforts from February 11, 2006.

Ridge Route Inspection May 31, 2006

Harrison Scott, President of The Ridge Route Preservation Organization and Angeles Forest representatives will be meeting with the project manager for the Federal Highway Administration next week to evaluate damage to the historic 1915 scenic Ridge Route. The winter storms of 2005 caused a 75 foot section of the roadbed to fail and slip down the canyon. Other areas along the road were undermined when the drainage systems failed due to deferred maintenance and budget limitations. Landslides in the area also disrupted oil, gas and electric service. With the road severed and the need to make permanent repairs to the utility lines, Angeles Forest issued a "General Closure" order for the road. You cannot walk, hike, drive or horseback into the area. Safety is the top priority.

After the damaged areas are evaluated, plans will be formulated for getting the road repaired. It is too early to project when repairs can be accomplished. Repair work on the road will need to be compliant with environmental requirements which may lengthen the repair activity. The 1915 Ridge Route is one of only two roads in California having the distinction of being on the National Register for its historic significance. If things fall into place the road could open in the first or second quarter of 2007.

Harrison I. Scott, Pres.
Ridge Route Preservation Organization
A Non-Profit California Corporation
P. O. Box 381
Torrance, CA 90508-0381

RidgeRoute@yahoo.com
(866) 262-7594 (Toll Free)

You can get an idea of our volunteer effort by looking at our efforts from February 11, 2006.

 

News Release August 8, 2005

Ridge Route Damage Photos

November 3, 2005

INTERSTATE I-5

Construction crews are repairing rain damage to the north and southbound I-5 lanes near Templin Hwy. above Castaic.

For current highway conditions and possible delay information, please call the California Department of Transportation highway information number: (800) 427-7623

September 10, 2003

Angeles National Forest Rangers and the Los Angeles County Sheriff broke up a group of young people conducting a "Rave Party" at Reservoir Summit. A similar event occurred a year ago and resulted in a five acre fire which destroyed several beautiful pine trees at the site.

If you see suspicious activity on the old Ridge Route please report it to the District Ranger in Saugus: (661) 296-9710 or the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office (661) 255-1121

September 10, 2003

Our appreciation is extended to The California Association of 4-wheel Drive Clubs Inc. in association with Angeles National Forest for installing historical markers along the 1915 Ridge Route. This portion of the old road is that segment that was placed onto the National Register on Sept. 25th, 1997.