Took the road over Walker Pass to get back to the Central Valley from the Mojave:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/151828809@N08/35q6RA
I'm fairly certain that I hit the spots where SSR 178 diverges from the modern route but I'll touch on that when I do the map/historical write up. I did find the historical marker for Old Isabella and I did visit Old Kernville last year:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskUvCQqq
For now though, I'll sum up my thoughts on the current conditions of CA 178. Walker Pass really is probably the easiest route in (in my opinion anyways) to get across the Sierras due to the shallow grades, low elevation, and lack of people. The crowds really don't pick up much until Lake Isabella but that's why the expressway is there. Really there was a ton of people in Lower Kern River Canyon for a weekday and there isn't much that can be done with that section aside from building a brand new alignment. I managed what I thought was some decent photos of Lower Kern River Canyon which has been on my "to-do" list for awhile. CHP had a VMS up near CA 155 threatening a DUI checkpoint which I imagine was left over from the weekend. The lake level was also slightly higher than I'm used but still well behind the other reservoirs after this past winter...damage to the dam will do that.
Did I see a CA 178 reassurance shield assembly (about the 22nd picture of the 1st page) posted "back to back" with the opposite direction shield thus situated on the left side of the road? I'd only known Caltrans to do that in heavy mountainous territory where there's no room on one side or another for directional shields on both sides of the road. This is the first instance I've seen of one in a "normal" posting situation!
Quote from: sparker on July 08, 2017, 02:38:22 PM
Did I see a CA 178 reassurance shield assembly (about the 22nd picture of the 1st page) posted "back to back" with the opposite direction shield thus situated on the left side of the road? I'd only known Caltrans to do that in heavy mountainous territory where there's no room on one side or another for directional shields on both sides of the road. This is the first instance I've seen of one in a "normal" posting situation!
Indeed it was double sided:
https://flic.kr/p/WwteUc
That's near the bottom of the tall side of the western drop off of Walker Pass. Despite being mountainous there is actually a substantial shoulder on both lanes of travel, really I think Walker is one of the easier passes for trucks given the gernerous grade. What a thought was weird is that was the first westbound reassurance shield westbound after turning off the 14 multiplex. Usually the reassure shield is just before the BGS with the control cities, but there wasn't a 178 to be found.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 08, 2017, 02:52:31 PM
...........What a thought was weird is that was the first westbound reassurance shield westbound after turning off the 14 multiplex. Usually the reassure shield is just before the BGS with the control cities, but there wasn't a 178 to be found.
Some Caltrans districts post the initial reassurance shield either atop or on one of the support posts of those BGS's; I always thought that was one of the best ways to do that, as a driver's attention is called to the BGS and, lo & behold, there's the shield! Nice & intuitive!
Quote from: sparker on July 08, 2017, 02:58:00 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 08, 2017, 02:52:31 PM
...........What a thought was weird is that was the first westbound reassurance shield westbound after turning off the 14 multiplex. Usually the reassure shield is just before the BGS with the control cities, but there wasn't a 178 to be found.
Some Caltrans districts post the initial reassurance shield either atop or on one of the support posts of those BGS's; I always thought that was one of the best ways to do that, as a driver's attention is called to the BGS and, lo & behold, there's the shield!
There was a really good one on 136 that displayed said shield along with 190 as well. It's always strange to me see how much of a variance there is from districts in terms of signage standards. Some of the more notable difference usually include; the first reassurance shield, directional placards, end placards, and non-BGS junction shields. Really I'm having a mental debate in my head over if 136, 203, or 158 was the best signed route on this trip. I want to say 158 had the best signage placement of all the routes. Either 178 or 270 were signed the worst on this trip, I would probably give the win to 178 given it is a fairly important route whereas 270 is just a glorified park road.
Rather than go into a whole historical summary on the alignment of SSR 178/CA 178 I'll just borrow a link to socalregion.com which already did a extensive write up on the on the highway. There is a map provided and they even went into bed of Lake Isabella to find old SSR 178:
http://socalregion.com/highways/sr_178/
For what its worth I went looking for Old Kernville last year and found it at the bottom of Lake Isabella near Kernville Cemetery:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskUvCQqq
The original town site or Old Kernville is roughly located here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7143593,-118.4379589,154m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
That said, the original alignment of CA 178 from Walker Pass to Bakersfield can be viewed on the 1935 Kern County Map and 1938 State Highway Map (note the 1938 map shows 178 in error on LRN 142:
http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~247291~5515356:Kern-County-?sort=Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No&qvq=q:california%2Bdivision%2Bof%2Bhighways;sort:Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No;lc:RUMSEY~8~1&mi=37&trs=163
http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~239588~5511892:Road-Map-of-the-State-of-California?sort=Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No&qvq=q:caltrans;sort:Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No;lc:RUMSEY~8~1&mi=69&trs=86
The 178 realignments for the Lake Isabella project can be seen here on the 1952 State Highway Map and 1953 State Highway Map:
1952 State Highway Map
http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~239561~5511874:Road-Map-of-the-State-of-California?sort=Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No&qvq=q:caltrans;sort:Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No;lc:RUMSEY~8~1&mi=51&trs=86
1953 State Highway Map
http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~239558~5511872:Road-Map-of-the-State-of-California?sort=Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No&qvq=q:caltrans;sort:Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No;lc:RUMSEY~8~1&mi=49&trs=86
The modern expressway from Lake Isabella to Lower Kern River Canyon can be seen completed from 1970 to 1975. The implied new routing which would realigned CA 178 out of Lower Kern River Canyon was never built:
1970 State Highway Map
http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~239509~5511840:State-Highway-Map,-California,-1970?sort=Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No&qvq=q:caltrans;sort:Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No;lc:RUMSEY~8~1&mi=17&trs=86
1975 State Highway Map
http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~239509~5511840:State-Highway-Map,-California,-1970?sort=Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No&qvq=q:caltrans;sort:Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No;lc:RUMSEY~8~1&mi=17&trs=86
Walker Pass is at 5,520 feet above sea level and was traversed by Europeans who learned of it from the Native American tribes in 1834. The first wagon train to use Walker Pass was in 1843 and was called Walker Pass by 1845. Walker Pass was indirectly the reason why Death Valley was accidentally discovered when the Lost 49ers attempted to find a short cut through the Great Basin and Mojave. Apparently emigrants were too afraid to try Donner Pass early in the fall season after what happened to the Donner Party in 1846. Interestingly the Lost 49er party actually made it out of Death Valley but still missed Walker Pass:
https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/historyculture/the-lost-49ers.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Valley_%2749ers
Starting out from CA 14 there are no reassurance shields for CA 178 after the multiplex but just a BGS with the distances ahead:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4231/35399710220_3b50d15db7_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VW9Lxo)IMG_2070 (https://flic.kr/p/VW9Lxo) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
There is a historic marker for Fremont Junction which used to be located at the junction of US 6 and CA 178:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4140/34978017563_f4809a532e_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhTu1k)IMG_2071 (https://flic.kr/p/VhTu1k) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The climb west to Walker Pass isn't steep but it rises pretty quickly from a little over 3,000 feet. The speed limit is 60 MPH here:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4253/35656085211_b050897656_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WjNKTR)IMG_2073 (https://flic.kr/p/WjNKTR) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Above 4,000 feet there is small Joshua Tree forest approaching Walker Pass:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4140/35656081771_1bd36930f2_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WjNJSx)IMG_2075 (https://flic.kr/p/WjNJSx) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4258/35399689190_2cd657a9cc_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VW9EhN)IMG_2077 (https://flic.kr/p/VW9EhN) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
At the approach to Walker Pass there is a slight change in the plant life. There is a downhill sign for the next 9 miles but the "Walker Pass" sign I know was here in the past was gone. There is a historical marker in the eastbound lane I didn't stop for given a guy with a boat was behind me:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4037/35618560272_a7c0f17712_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wgur39)IMG_2080 (https://flic.kr/p/Wgur39) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4146/35618557402_76aed62b53_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WguqbE)IMG_2081 (https://flic.kr/p/WguqbE) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The grade west off Walker Pass is pretty tame. The shoulders are fairly wide and its pretty easy to go fast downhill with no issues:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4148/35618556002_e8930749e7_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WgupLw)IMG_2082 (https://flic.kr/p/WgupLw) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Pretty quickly the Kern River Valley comes into view which essentially is just a really large canyon:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4260/35618554592_e8bece18a8_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wgupmd)IMG_2083 (https://flic.kr/p/Wgupmd) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Surprisingly there is no overlook anywhere on Walker Pass, you have to make your own which is somewhat easy with the wide shoulder lanes:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4004/35618551232_953dca9249_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wguomh)IMG_2084 (https://flic.kr/p/Wguomh) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
At the bottom of the pass is the first CA 178 reassurance shield which is oddly double sided. :eyebrow:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4256/35788075135_25f0c5fb99_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WwteUc)IMG_2090 (https://flic.kr/p/WwteUc) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The terrain levels out along the North Fork Kern River. The views of the Sierras and Walker Pass are pretty nice:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4144/35788051105_55c74df997_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wwt7KT)IMG_2101 (https://flic.kr/p/Wwt7KT) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4287/35747231146_706754ec59_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsRUpu)IMG_2104 (https://flic.kr/p/WsRUpu) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4092/35747226786_afac9432da_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsRT7j)IMG_2105 (https://flic.kr/p/WsRT7j) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4092/35747226786_afac9432da_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsRT7j)IMG_2105 (https://flic.kr/p/WsRT7j) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Oddly there is a BGS and reassurance shield kind of isolated in the middle of nowhere east of Onyx...I'm not sure why?
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4231/35747215666_d19b7aba8e_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsRPNA)IMG_2108 (https://flic.kr/p/WsRPNA) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Entering Onyx there is very old store that has been in operation since 1851:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4060/34977929753_9751c1367d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhT2Un)IMG_2112 (https://flic.kr/p/VhT2Un) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4218/34977927013_e1116ddaa4_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhT268)IMG_2113 (https://flic.kr/p/VhT268) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The speed limit drops in Weldon, I suspect because of the school close to the roadway:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4106/34977924633_9dd54b9971_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhT1o6)IMG_2115 (https://flic.kr/p/VhT1o6) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Approaching South Lake the traffic on 178 picks up considerably given the proximity to Lake Isabella:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4006/35399614210_4d7f70e2f5_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VW9h13)IMG_2116 (https://flic.kr/p/VW9h13) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Another BGS westbound and South Lake proper:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4261/35399611370_73ec476a8f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VW9ga5)IMG_2118 (https://flic.kr/p/VW9ga5) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4048/35399605850_3c2b8846f5_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VW9evU)IMG_2121 (https://flic.kr/p/VW9evU) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Approaching Mountain Mesa the roadway starts to ascend above Lake Isabella:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4232/35399604490_1f28ae2327_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VW9e7s)IMG_2122 (https://flic.kr/p/VW9e7s) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4211/35747217016_b2b7f65a77_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsRQcS)IMG_2123 (https://flic.kr/p/WsRQcS) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The water level on Lake Isabella is slightly higher this year as evidenced by the trees that have been submerged ahead. Old SSR 178 would have crossed left to right up ahead:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4265/34947686784_fcf134e1bd_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vfd2HS)IMG_2125 (https://flic.kr/p/Vfd2HS) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The modern highway above the lake, I think the guy in the Impala was trying to get me to pass him:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4147/34977882423_624fe62ee7_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhSMQk)IMG_2130 (https://flic.kr/p/VhSMQk) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
A historical marker at the Old Isabella Road boat ramp which discusses Old Isabella and has a nice overlook of the area:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4254/35655949461_5cbd9543f0_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WjN4xk)IMG_2133 (https://flic.kr/p/WjN4xk) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4279/35655934751_5a028a1ba1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WjMZaH)IMG_2135 (https://flic.kr/p/WjMZaH) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4280/35399551190_c76a0662bd_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VW8Xgu)IMG_2141 (https://flic.kr/p/VW8Xgu) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4110/34977833503_0b368d9bfb_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhSxhT)IMG_2142 (https://flic.kr/p/VhSxhT) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Entering Lake Isabella modern CA 178 splits off onto the modern expressway whereas the former alignment would have have been on Lake Isabella Blvd on the left:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4144/34977827623_e523d14ef3_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhSvxv)IMG_2143 (https://flic.kr/p/VhSvxv) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Screwed up my photo of the BGS for CA 155 so I had to crop it as the expressway began:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4026/35399368810_8a5c83b533_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VW8241)IMG_2144 (https://flic.kr/p/VW8241) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Most of the expressway follows the north bank of the Kern River and was intended to all the way to Bakerfield, the older alignment follows the south bank:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4129/35747098526_a7ec95205d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsRdYW)IMG_2146 (https://flic.kr/p/WsRdYW) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4144/35747095556_b8707eb9f7_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsRd6J)IMG_2148 (https://flic.kr/p/WsRd6J) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4131/35747093786_271c823f59_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsRczd)IMG_2149 (https://flic.kr/p/WsRczd) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The expressway ends crossing over the Kern River where the two lane section resumes. I think this is a nice drive but most locals hate the Lower Kern River Canyon segment:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4003/35747092966_fc92d6a386_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsRck5)IMG_2152 (https://flic.kr/p/WsRck5) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The eastbound traffic has a couple more miles of two lanes after coming out of the Lower Kern River Canyon:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4277/35747091496_3a38313e9b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsRbTJ)IMG_2153 (https://flic.kr/p/WsRbTJ) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
I'm fairly certain that 178 would have had to be been built on top of the canyon as there is literally no more room to build anything in it:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4076/34947586714_1223511952_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VfcvYw)IMG_2159 (https://flic.kr/p/VfcvYw) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4263/34977800093_b22eac3394_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhSnmR)IMG_2160 (https://flic.kr/p/VhSnmR) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The road is pretty narrow but I'd say still can be driven up to the 55 MPH speed limit in the straights:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4235/34947537544_da06aeb128_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VfcgmL)IMG_2167 (https://flic.kr/p/VfcgmL) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4084/35747038356_16a087ea33_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsQV6w)IMG_2172 (https://flic.kr/p/WsQV6w) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
There are some really nice draw distances at times in the Lower Kern River Canyon for photos...not many though:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4147/35787869065_19cc87eafd_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WwsbDg)IMG_2177 (https://flic.kr/p/WwsbDg) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4236/35618333932_3866fff065_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WgtgKJ)IMG_2183 (https://flic.kr/p/WgtgKJ) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Finally the elevation drops below 1,000 feet approaching San Joaquin Valley and Bakersfield:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4253/35618329302_ced62d8510_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WgtfnU)IMG_2187 (https://flic.kr/p/WgtfnU) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Approaching the mouth of the canyon there is a small power station on the river:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4139/35618326492_bd0ac6e3aa_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wgtexs)IMG_2188 (https://flic.kr/p/Wgtexs) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4215/34977721773_85bd4361f1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhRY5v)IMG_2189 (https://flic.kr/p/VhRY5v) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The Lower Kern River Canyon has a pretty abrupt end entering Bakersfield:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4092/35787843155_130143fc2c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wws3Wx)IMG_2192 (https://flic.kr/p/Wws3Wx) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4063/35746964216_e30592f150_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsQx4f)IMG_2196 (https://flic.kr/p/WsQx4f) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
CHP and Bakersfield PD love to sit at the mouth of Lower Kern River Canyon tagging speeders. Still a really cool road with a nice entrance shot of the canyon mouth:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4215/35787823145_187cbf53e4_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WwrWZx)IMG_2198 (https://flic.kr/p/WwrWZx) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
Weird to see such an abrupt end to the Sierras, it really isn't like that in other parts of the range where the foot hills are so large:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4212/35746962586_212dc683c5_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WsQwz9)IMG_2197 (https://flic.kr/p/WsQwz9) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
There is even a "Kill Counter" at the mouth of the canyon. 280 is a lot of people since 1968, I'm sure that isn't "all" from swimming. :meh:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4283/34947418774_782156eda1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VfbE41)IMG_2204 (https://flic.kr/p/VfbE41) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
One last westbound shot before reaching CA 184:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4255/34947415614_fc1c8146a0_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VfbD7w)IMG_2206 (https://flic.kr/p/VfbD7w) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4287/35399370090_464c442fa3_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VW82r5)IMG_2208 (https://flic.kr/p/VW82r5) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
The little powerhouse was built in 1906 and it supplied electricity to Los Angeles via what was at the time the longest-distance power transmission line and the highest voltage (50,000, if I remember correctly) one. On top of that, it was the first transmission line to use all-steel towers, provided by a company that made towers for windmills. Some of those quaint old towers can still be seen along I-5 between Castaic and Tejon Pass; a handful of them even still exist in the San Fernando Valley.
Quote from: hm insulators on July 12, 2017, 12:38:28 PM
The little powerhouse was built in 1906 and it supplied electricity to Los Angeles via what was at the time the longest-distance power transmission line and the highest voltage (50,000, if I remember correctly) one. On top of that, it was the first transmission line to use all-steel towers, provided by a company that made towers for windmills. Some of those quaint old towers can still be seen along I-5 between Castaic and Tejon Pass; a handful of them even still exist in the San Fernando Valley.
And I'm assuming the Kern River was probably chosen to house all this due to ease of access from the Central Valley? Is it still in operation today?