(Cover photo by Ryan Babroff)
On May 4th 2025, the rain broke just in time for a magical journey back in time along the Old Ridge Route. Eight Model A Fords traveled to Gorman to take a tour of the road, coming from San Diego and Orange County.
The group of over 20 met in Gorman, starting off with a talk about road and it’s construction. RRPO President, Michael Ballard and Public Relations Director, Sydney Croasmun spoke and answered questions from the group, before lining up and heading down Gorman Post Road towards the Old Ridge Route.
Model A’s lined the road as we pulled into the first stop – the legendary Sandberg’s Summit Hotel. The tour talked about the 3 story log cabin, the people that lived there and the conspiracy theories that haunted it.
Next up is Liebre Summit – the highest point on the road. Visitors took in the stunning view and learned about the weather in the region and the importance of the Sandberg Weather Station. Even to this day, it’s a vital weather station for both land and air travel.
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At the Liebre Maintenance Camp, we discussed the people who built the road and the road building methods. Learning about the shift from railroad contractors to road building contractors and how this space is utilized in the modern day.
Always a tradition – lining up all the cars up at the Tumble Inn for a photo! Visitors got to explore the ruins and listen to Michael Ballard speak about the road.
Now this is where things get fun – as our first tour to go past the gates, we continued down the road when we usually would end at the Tumble Inn
For the first time in 20 years, the tour made it’s way to Reservoir Summit! Here they are checking out the now empty reservoir, learning about the old restaurant, garage and fire lookout tower.
The tour concluded with a picnic at Swede’s Cut, overlooking Serpentine Drive. This was the largest cut on the road at 110ft deep!
We are so thankful to the San Diego Model A Club for setting this all up! It was great to meet so many wonderful people and see some beautiful cars
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that had to be a fun interesting trip!
Thanks so much for sharing these things. Very meaningful especially for those of us who are iffy for being able to travel frequently.
I am left full of gratitude after reading and looking at photos of these incredibly dedicated individuals whom clearly have a love for safe transportation. excellent.
Thank you! We were so glad to have you all there!
Thank you! They went as far as Swede’s Cut from the north. There is a landslide towards the Castiac end (slated to be repaired late 2025/early 2026) that prevents us from taking tours through there. The road is still closed to motorized vehicles but we’re in the middle of talks with the Angeles National Forest to have it reopened.
Wow thanks for great story and photos. Did they go all the way to castaic? Is the road passable?
Wow, such perfect vehicles for such an historic road
Wow, such perfect vehicles for such an historic road!
Excellent experience, learned a lot as well. Thank you.
Great great