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Volunteers Take Action to Preserve and Improve the Historic Old Ridge Route [PHOTOS]

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.

For more information about upcoming volunteer opportunities, please visit https://ridgeroute.org/events/.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos taken by Jamie Crawford

What’s open? How to get involved?

So you’re interested in the Old Ridge Route? We’re so happy to have you along for the ride!

The best location to see the Old Ridge Route by vehicle is from the north end. Exit the 5 (North from LA, South from Bakersfield) at the 138, continue just past Quail Lake and on the right will be the Old Ridge Route. Here you can experience the ruins of Sandberg’s Summit Hotel, Granite Gate, Liebre Summit, and the iconic arch of the Tumble Inn.

INTERACTIVE MAP WITH ROAD CLOSURES (LINK)

Click to open map

Click image to open the map

If you are a cyclist, the road is a great ride with incredible views. The most common route is climbing up the Old Ridge Route from Castaic, cutting across at Pine Canyon Road and then completing the circle with Lake Hughes Road.

How to get involved

We hold volunteer days about once a month, weather permitting. Dates can be found on the Events page. If you live far or are not physically able to be there, no fear! We are always looking for donations, help with grants, social media, and planning. Memberships are also a great way to support as the membership fees go towards road repairs.

The RRPO can arrange for guided viewing of the road for members and groups. Scouts, vintage car clubs, historians and geological groups have all given the road a visit and taken in the beauty and history. This is of no cost but we greatly appreciate donations.

Come see the Ridge Route! Road Surveys and Pothole Project

Have you wanted to see the Old Ridge Route? We have two potential ways coming up!

August 17th – Gold Member Road Survey

This is the first of its kind… we will be thanking our Gold Members for their support by opening up one of our regular road surveys! This is usually a board members only experience.

We will drive from Castaic to Gorman through the Old Ridge Route, looking a different impacted areas, planning out future work days and talking about the history of the road – Like a Ridge Route Open House! We want our supporters to have a say in the road and experience it firsthand. If you are not currently a Gold Member but would like to become one, you can join here! Gold Membership is $70/person and dues go towards road repairs.

August 18th – Pothole Project

Meeting at the site of Sandberg’s Summit Hotel at 8AM. This is the last Pothole Project date of the season before we switch gears to winter prep.

We will be filling potholes in the Horseshoe Bend area. Expect to work for about 2 hours. Sweeping, use of a leaf blower, shoveling, raking and moving bags of cold patch. Then we will take an optional drive down the Old Ridge Route to Castaic and looking at the various historic locations and clearing any obstacles along the way.

We welcome anyone who would like to learn about the road, even if you might be unable to do physical labor. Photographers (even on an iPhone) are always helpful as well as spotters to keep watch for cars coming.

Pothole Project Launch Day!

This weekend, a group of RRPO board members gathered on the Old Ridge Route to jump start restoration efforts of the 1915 roadway. Armed with bags of Quickrete Commercial Grade Blacktop Repair, shovels, brooms, a leaf blower and a tamper, they set out to make history – or repair history!

Photo by Hugh "Jamie" Crawford

Photo by Hugh “Jamie” Crawford

Potholes have plagued the Old Ridge Route, especially on the northern end which is open to travel year round. The over 100 years of rain, snow and vehicular travel, have taken a toll on the crumbling road surface.

The process started in July of 2023 when the Ridge Route Preservation Organization submitted a proposal to the Angeles National Forest for special permission to repair the historic road. Driven by the need for a safe road for emergency vehicles to travel, controlling erosion to the historic concrete and ease of access to historic sites, the Pothole Project quickly gained interest. We received clearance at the end of November 2023 and were set to start work after the spring rains.

Photo by Hugh “Jamie” Crawford

The small group got together, headed up by board member, Sydney Croasmun. Supplies were brought in by Croasmun and board member, Hugh “Jamie” Crawford. Each attendee brought tools, ready to make history. Starting at Sandberg’s, small to midsize potholes that affected the concrete surface were scoped out and patched.

Photo by Hugh “Jamie” Crawford

Potholes were cleared of debris. Volunteer, Nathan Beste, used a rake to spread Blacktop Repair. RRPO President, Michael Ballard, used a tamper, compacting newly laid material to support the crumbling roadway. Volunteer, Ian Pauly, swept the potholes clean and brought out bags.

Photo by Sydney Croasmun

The group filled 7 potholes between the site of Sandberg’s Summit Hotel and Granite Gate. This section has not had much attention since the road was bypassed in 1933. 17 bags of Quickrete Commercial Grade Blacktop Repair were used, totaling $259.59. Each pothole used between 2-3 bags and they were paid for by donations and membership dues.

This was the launch day of the Pothole Project and after this, the dates will be open to the public. If you’d like to volunteer, please fill out this form. If you’re interested on donating, please donate here. Memberships also help out immensely with this work!

March 23rd Work Day – Canceled/Alt Event

We’ll have to to take a rain check on this one! Due to the storm, Saturday’s volunteer day has been canceled.

We will be hosting an alternative event at the Ridge Route Communities Museum & Historical Society in Frazier Park. A presentation and Q&A on the Ridge Route for anyone who would like to learn more about the road!

⏰9:30AM 📍Ridge Route Communities Museum3515 Park DrFrazier Park, CA 93225