Cajon Pass

The Cajon Pass (elevation 4,190 ft/1,277 m) is a mountain pass separating the San Bernardino Mountains from the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California in the United States. It was created by the movements of the San Andreas Fault. The pass provides an important economic link from the Los Angeles Basin to Victor Valley and the Mojave Desert.

In 1851, a band of Mormon settlers led by Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich crossed the Cajon Pass on their way from Salt Lake City to the Los Angeles basin. In commemoration of this crossing, a section of the pass where the railroad passes through (near Sullivan's Curve) is now known as Mormon Rocks.

Rail transport

The California Southern Railroad, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railway, was the first railroad to use the Cajon Pass as a route through the mountains. The rail line through the pass was built in the early 1880s as part of a connection between the present day cities of Barstow and San Diego. Today, the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway (the successor to the Santa Fe) use this pass to access Los Angeles. Due to the high volume of trains, noteworthy scenery and easy access, it is a popular location for railfanning; many action photographs of trains on Cajon Pass make it into books and magazines about trains.

Road transport

The Mojave Freeway (Interstate 15) was built through the Cajon Pass and provides a major route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The freeway runs above and parallel to an original stretch of old Route 66. This stretch, which is now known as Cajon Boulevard, is a short but well-preserved fragment dating back to a rerouting and widening of the highway in the early 1950's. Only the southbound/westbound lanes are in use; the northbound/eastbound lanes and corresponding bridges are closed to through traffic. It is along this stretch of road, accessible via either the Kenwood Drive or Cleghorn Road exits that some of the best aforementioned trainspotting areas may be found.

The historic Summit Inn, off the Oak Hills exit at the summit of the pass, is a historic Route 66 diner and has been at its present location since 1952.

Some maps may show the Cajon Pass as a feature on CA 138, which crosses I-15 south of the summit. The highest point on I-15 is thus identified as Cajon Summit. However, this does not appear to be common practice on most maps or on road signs in the area.

Utilities infrastructure

In addition to transportation infrastructure, high voltage power lines cross the summit as well, providing Los Angeles another source of electricity generated from plants far away.

Natural hazards

During October and November of 2003, a number of wildfires devastated the hills and mountainsides near and around the pass, forcing the closure of Interstate 15. The following winter, rains in addition to burnt vegetation caused a number of landsides to further close the freeway pass.

In addition to wildfire hazards, the Cajon Pass is notorious for wind hazards as well. When it is gusty, it is especially difficult to navigate through it as the Santa Ana winds usually push through that area. The winds sometimes reach gale-force strength. As a result, there are usually high wind advisories as well as road signs posted throughout the area. It is not uncommon to see overturned trucks during such windy weather there.

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