Ridge Route Preservation Organization
Working to protect and preserve the Scenic and Historic 1915 Ridge Route
The Grapevine or The Ridge Route?by Michael F Ballard I-5 is commonly referred to as “The Grapevine” by locals and traffic reporters. Most assume the name derives from the twisty nature of the original roadway – the Ridge Route. That road was indeed very twisty, much like a grapevine. However, that is still not the … Read more
From the PresidentMichael F Ballard With the arrival of Spring, we can declare the Ridge Route at least made it through another winter season with minimal damage. Between the threat of fires last year, such as the Lake Fire in August 2020, and the heavy “atmospheric river” storm in January 2020, the area has been … Read more
We have been posting a few more videos on our YouTube channel and now on this site. Come check them out! And YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVYTEajHIx-G4jewzHlvxg
Special FeatureTracks of the Ridge Route During the original paving of the Ridge Route from 1917-1920, various travelers left their marks on the road. While not intentional, they created a sort of “pseudo-fossil” and a window into the past. Tracks were left in the concrete from cars, people, and even animals. In one instance, you … Read more
THE 17 MILE DRIVE Not the famous 17 Mile Drive in Monterey California, I’m referring to the historic 17.6 miles of the original 1915 Ridge Route that provided a direct north/south route over the barrier of the San Gabriel and Techachapi mountains. This route provided a commercial conduit to connect northern and southern California. Seventeen … Read more
