We’re looking to add a board member to help lead volunteer events!
The dream candidate would: – Live withing driving distance (Castaic, Santa Clarita, Bakersfield, Frazier Park, Lebec…) of the Old Ridge Route. – Have a vehicle that has ground clearance (4WD not needed) – Be physically capable of using hand tools like shovels and rakes – Available on select weekends
And have a passion for roads or history!
This is a volunteer position and would grant access to the road for official purposes, with keys after a test period.
ARCADIA, Calif., January 23, 2025—The entire Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument are temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources through Friday, January 31, 2025. This means that the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument will not reopen until Saturday, February 1, 2025. This closure is tied to critical fire danger.
During this time, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument:
1. Going into or being upon the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
2. Being on any National Forest System Road within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on any National Forest System Trail within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
1. Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A. A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months or both 16 U.S.C. § 551, and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581
For more information about Forest Order No. 05-01-25-04, click here.
Editor’s Note: The Old Ridge Route falls within the Angeles National Forest and remains closed to all travel and visitation with the forest.
There are a handful of culverts between Liebre Maintenance Camp and Tumble Inn that are in need of attention. This area is always a rough one when it comes to rain and tends to get super muddy.
We will be working on the following culverts/drainage in the Liebre MC-Tumble Inn section:
19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29
If you plan on attending, please bring closed toed shoes, gloves and warm clothes as it is currently supposed to be 65 degrees with wind up to 15mph. Snacks or a packed lunch and water are also musts!
We are planning to take a drive through the road to check conditions as well. Anyone who is volunteering is welcome to join! Expecting 2-3hrs of work and another 2 to drive through the road to Castaic.
Jamie Crawford leads Model As down Ralphs Ranch Rd
Jamie Crawford stands next to a Model A
Bakersfield Model A Club members
Driving down Gorman Post Rd
Tumble Inn
Sandberg’s Summit Hotel
Sandberg’s Summit Hotel
Tumble Inn
Sandberg’s Summit Hotel
Tumble Inn
Ridge Route Communities Musem tour meets up with ours
Driving down the Old Ridge Route
Leaving Tumble Inn
Driving down the Old Ridge Route
Details of a Ford Model A
Details of a Ford Model A
Jamie Crawford gives a talk about Sandberg’s Summit Hotel
Model A Club members arrive at the Tumble Inn
Details of a Ford Model A
Details of a Ford Model A
Driving down Gorman Post Rd
Jamie Crawford greets Bakersfield Model A Club members
Driving down Gorman Post Rd
Details of a Ford Model A
Details of a Ford Model A
Driving down the Old Ridge Route
Sandberg’s Summit Hotel
Model A Club members take photos at Tumble Inn
Tumble Inn
Tumble Inn
Tumble Inn
Driving down the Old Ridge Route
Bakersfield Model A Club members
Bakersfield Model A Club members
Details of a Ford Model A
Bakersfield Model A Club members
Bakersfield Model A Club members
Driving down Gorman Post Rd
Driving down Gorman Post Rd
Tumble Inn
Liebre Maitenence Camp
Kevin and Bethel of the Museum give a talk at Liebre Summit
Model A at Fort Tejon
History came alive on November 2, 2024, as the Ridge Route Preservation Organization (RRPO) partnered with the Ridge Route Communities Museum (RRCM) and the Model A Club of Bakersfield for a unique guided tour along the historic 1915 Old Ridge Route.
The event began at Fort Tejon State Historic Park, where participants gathered to set off in a convoy of seven antique Ford Model A cars. These vintage vehicles, dating back to the road’s heyday from 1915 to 1933, added an authentic and nostalgic touch to the day’s journey.
The tour followed a scenic route that included stops at iconic landmarks along the Old Ridge Route. Participants explored the history of Sandberg’s Summit Hotel, once a three story log cabin hotel catering to high end travelers, and Liebre Summit, the road’s highest point with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. They also visited the Liebre Maintenance Camp, where workers lived during construction and maintained during its prime, and ended the journey at the Tumble Inn, a stone arch where cabins, a restaurant and garage once stood.
Guides from the Ridge Route Communities Museum, Kevin and Bethel, captivated attendees with tales of the road’s construction in 1915, the region’s Native American history, and the vibrant stories of early travelers and truckers. Meanwhile, Jamie and Sydney from the RRPO shared insights into the ongoing preservation efforts to restore the road and plans to protect it for future generations.
It was truly special to see these antique cars driving on the road they were built for. The connection between the vehicles, the history, and the landscape made this experience unforgettable.
The Ridge Route Preservation Organization and its partners are committed to preserving the Old Ridge Route, ensuring its historical significance and natural beauty endure. Events like this not only celebrate the past but also inspire efforts to protect the road for years to come.
For more information about the Ridge Route Preservation Organization and its upcoming events, visit our events page.
About the Ridge Route Preservation Organization
The Ridge Route Preservation Organization is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the historic 1915 Ridge Route, one of California’s most significant early highways. Through advocacy, restoration projects, and educational events, RRPO works to ensure the road’s legacy lives on.
The Ridge Route Preservation Organization hosted a successful “Clean Up the Ridge Route” volunteer day on November 16, 2024, focused on enhancing the safety and accessibility of the historic Old Ridge Route. Volunteers worked tirelessly to complete three impactful projects: relocating a landslide warning sign, installing delineators at a landslide site, and repairing a hazardous road issue known as the “sinkhole” on the north end.
These efforts are part of ongoing commitments to preserving this iconic roadway while ensuring its safety for all users, including hikers, cyclists, and utility workers maintaining nearby infrastructure.
The landslide, located in a section closed to motorized vehicles, has been a longstanding challenge. While the full repair is a complex and lengthy process, the installation of warning signs and delineators is an immediate step to alert travelers to the potential dangers in the area.
The so-called “sinkhole,” located on an open section of the road, turned out to be the exposed header of an old culvert, likely eroded by heavy rains. Volunteers worked to fill the 18-inch gap with gravel and concrete, finishing the repair with an asphalt cold patch to prevent damage to vehicles and further degradation of the road.
We are actively taking steps to make the Old Ridge Route safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Our volunteers did the hard, hands-on work that makes a real difference in protecting this historic road!
The Ridge Route Preservation Organization extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers who spent their Saturday shoveling dirt, hauling materials, and contributing to the repair and restoration efforts.
![Antique Cars and Historic Tales Bring the Old Ridge Route to Life [PHOTOS]](https://ridgeroute.org/wp-content/uploads/9B5A0851-1200x800.jpg)
![Volunteers Take Action to Preserve and Improve the Historic Old Ridge Route [PHOTOS]](https://ridgeroute.org/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0991-Michael-removing-signs-for-relocation-1-1200x900.jpg)
