On December 16th, 5 volunteers gathered near the Old Ridge Route with the goal of protecting an at-risk section of the 100+ year old road.
LA County Fire Station 77 was the first stop to fill up sandbags – as many that could fit in the bed of the pick-up truck. Volunteers came equipped with shovels and bags, ready to go! Introductions were shared and stories of how they discovered the road exchanged as they shoveled sand. The group consisted of two RRPO board members, a history major, a special effects artist and a fire photographer. All different walks of life gathered to help save this old road.
The caravan left the station headed towards the Old Ridge Route, passing little hints of the road’s history – a lost stretch of the road, the Kinsey Mansion, a sign erected by the Santa Clarita Antique Car Club in 1976, eventually coming up to the main attractions, Sandberg’s Summit Hotel and then The Tumble Inn.
There was a pause at the Tumble Inn for the honorary photo – The arch is has become an iconic photo spot for visitors of the road. Hugh “Jamie” Crawford, RRPO board member and retired teacher, talked about the history of the Inn and it’s own restoration. It really is a symbol of the road, both past and present. With the original retaining walls and foundations, the arch once fell but was rebuilt by the organization in the early 2000s. The name “Tumble Inn” etched into the top step, a silent reminder of the past.
Through the gates they traveled, to the illusive Old Ridge Route. A stretch hidden above the I-5, unbeknown to most travelers below. Driving through twists and turns with spanning views of the Angeles National Forest. The section in question was just south of Kelly’s, a long lost inn, repair station and lunch counter. A standard set up for the road. Coming around the bend, you can see the same incredible view travelers once saw from the window of a Ford Model T.
The last few years of rain have eaten away at the hillside where an old water runoff chute barely hangs on. Volunteer, Brad Jorgensen climbed down to look for artifacts and inspect the damage. In the large rut lay a chunk of curbing, original to the road. A rare find!
Work began shortly. One person in the truck handing bags down, the rest laying the bags out forming a barrier for water. Volunteer, Austin Gebhardt, advised on placement and filling methods. About halfway through a shift was made to use sand cleared off the road to fill additional bags. Managing to kill two birds with one stone.
By the day’s end, the volunteer group had filled and placed around 60 sandbags, creating a diversion from the damaged runoff chute. Volunteer, Ian Pauly, brought up a drone and documented the current condition of the rut. The photos taken by Pauly will be created into a 3D model to reference and track the erosion of the hillside. This information is invaluable to the organization.
With their efforts, the at risk section now has protection against the upcoming four day rainstorm. What started as an idea during a board meeting quickly became reality when volunteers jumped in with just a few days notice.
Planned by board members Sydney Croasmun and Hugh “Jamie” Crawford, locked in just two days before the work date. Croasmun put out a call for volunteers while Crawford coordinated with the fire station to organize the sand pick up. From San Diego, Ridge Route Preservation Organization president, Michael Ballard, rushed to grant access to the road in time. Within just a few short days, this project went from idea to reality thanks to a great team and wonderful volunteers!
The Ridge Route Preservation Organization is very thankful and grateful for our volunteers! If you’re interested in volunteering, please jump on our email list below. If you would like to help but are unable to volunteer, please consider donating. Thank you so much!
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