The Weird History and Hidden Secrets of Cajon Pass
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- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2024
- Welcome to Wonderhussy Adventure #717
Date of adventure: 4/6/23
To get from the desert to the Los Angeles basin and the coast, most travelers cross the mountains through Cajon Pass. Nowadays, most motorists blow through without stopping...but there's actually a lot of really interesting history -- and strange attractions -- hidden in the wild, mysterious side canyons of this rugged mountain pass! Join me as I explore the weird history and fascinating sights of Cajon Pass.
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wonder hussy, wonderhussie, wonder hussie, wonder hussey, wonderhussey
My mom told me she and my grandfather drove from Chicago to LA in a Model A when she was really young, probably early 40's. She said he had a small wash tub that would fit on the floorboard, when they would hit a town of any substance he would buy a block of dry ice, put it in the tub and pour in some water and that was their AC for the trip across the desert. My grandfather was a pretty awesome dude. Even has a park in Dana Point Harbor dedicated to him.
Canvas water bags and wet towels were also popular for 'AC'.
What park?
@@dwightmacdonald3968 At the end of the jetty that separates the harbor from Doheny, just a little gazebo and some picnic tables, His name was Gordon Grant. There is a plaque there.
Maybe dry ice in water is still a good option to keep cool in a vehicle.
My grandfather traveled from North Dakota to Los Angeles and back in a model T Ford. He was the first one in his family to drive a car. He was a good mechanic, and had a sense of adventure. He was about 20 at the time. He came across Cajon Pass. You can imagine what the road was like in 1920. What did he use for maps? He may have stayed at Camp Cajon!
He didn't need a map, there was nowhere to turn....
My grandparents came out from Chicago about that same time on their way to L.A.
'T' fords had no fuel pumps. Hills of more than minor grade were traversed by driving in reverse.
I tried my best to not miss a episode of Wonderhussy Adventure
That's right.
Me too. I was waiting for the “…I don’t have the cahones to…” to get worked into the narrative and she did not disappoint! 😊
Did you know Sammy Davis Junior lost his eye on route 66 on Cajon pass. I driven it many times. I blew my truck motor up on Cajon pass. Made it all the way to Adelanto with a knocking rod. Engine was toast when I got there.
Sandy here: I've been through there many times but never stopped. I now see what I was missing... Roads like that are "dripping" with history, and so much is being forgotten. Excellent video, you have a real talent for these videos. ❤❤ Stay well, Sandy and Ruth
Yes she does.. as a long time fan.. I've always said she was born to do this..and I'm very surprised her subs aren't in the millions...to me, she's THAT good. And like fine wine, only gets better with time..stay golden Sarah❤️
My grandfolks drove through in their youth, hit a roadblock where they asked Gramps to go help fight the huge, ongoing forest fire, while Gramma was enlisted to help with food and supplies. A couple days detour, in a very different time.
Nine years of living there and exploring the area myself, I never even heard of Hill 582. Another place to go is the old US Mail horse trail from Barstow to Laughlin. No pavement, no services, but lots to see. Health and happiness to everyone!
Me had motorcycle and jeep never found it
@@usaeexg1 Yep me had motorcycle too. But that was at the start of internet so info was not so good then.
Maybe you should move back from where you came from you new people have ruined the desert. I can say that because in a Indian native from the area
Hill 582 is a relatively new Railfan spot. It wasn't even there when I used to go to Cajon on weekends to watch trains. Now Joes Country corner is gone down by where Devore and Glen Helen park are. I liked the good old days lol. Note: I'm going to make a refection post in a bit on the area. Oh and for @Floyd Gardner I'm pretty sure hill 582 is on google maps now. (G)
Another HUGE piece of commerce goes through Cajon Pass: Pipelines. I worked on two of the six (in 1991) Natural Gas 30 inch or larger.
Don’t sell yourself short Sarah, as far as being a climber is concerned. Have watched your blogs for years I’ve witnessed your clamouring up rock faces that would scare away many folks ! Thanks for another good education video. Be safe Dear.
She does good.
A good friend restored a 1928 Model-A Ford a few years back. We did a drive from Palm Springs to Huntington Beach. With a top speed of about 45MPH, 1928 suspension and spring loaded seats, it took half a day one way and absolutely wore us out. I could imagine making that trip through Death Valley in one.
Glad you’re back, Sarah❣️
On interstate and side streets, I wish people would slow down.
- I crossed the Cajon pass in 1968, again 1972 and again in 2000,001,002 when I was in the Service
Still beats horseback.
The "normal" direction of hiking the PCT is from south to north because of snow. It melts off much sooner down south. Reportedly it can melt a foot or two a day in the Southern California portions. Starting out in March or April from Canada is "adventurous" because there is 5 to 20 feet of snow still.
I can tell you as one PCT (2019) thru-hiker that what most of us are thinking about as we get closer to the freeway is I hope McDonald's and/or Subway is open. Most that I know of didn't zero in Cajon. Only if you have to. I camped a couple miles out the night before, spent the morning at McD's (charging and eating) then picked up a Subway sandwich on the way out of town. Camped that night up the canyon on the other side.
I live in Barstow, drive the Pass regularly. As you were pointing -out the volume of traffic, I just want to say you got lucky that day. It is normally backed-up, choked, hell-on-earth...It is under perpetual construction, and has been for 40 years. But thanks for you interesting video...
Yep thanks to Obama developing the low income housing 🤦🏾♂️ the high desert is full of the LA cesspool
@@crx187 Obama can't hurt you anymore, Tucker...
Traffic backups were common way before then. Just as soon as Raegan got elected and countrywide he caused all the mental hospitals to close, for some reason the place just went crazy.
Been over that pass more times than I can count. As a Class A driver I can tell you It's much better going up the pass, than coming down it. I wasn't worried about about my driving skills, It was everyone else's I was worried about! Thanks for the inside tour, Wonderhussy, I had no Idea about all the history surrounding it...
I grew up just south of Cajon Pass….lots of great road trips leaving the Inland Empire, through the Pass. Lots of fires, snow pile-ups, fog, a few train wrecks, coming down too fast, full speed ahead, and wiping out a neighboring in Muscoy. And, yes, we learned to avoid travel on I-15 on Friday and Sunday nights. What a zoo! Thanks for the video of my own backyard, WH. I enjoyed the history lesson. You are the greatest (after Huel Howser, that is!) 😘
Chief Walkara (c. 1808 - 1855; also known as Wakara, Wahkara, Chief Walker or Colorow) was a Shoshone leader of the Utah Indians known as the Timpanogo and Sanpete Band. Love Wonderhussy vids. She IS a gifted storyteller. Hope to cross paths out on the trails one day.
Info courtesy of Wikipedia?
@@johnhaug1747 yeah ...
Chief Walkara always gave the rightful owners the opportunity to buy the horses back if they were interested
@@nomadicfenceman509 nu
I've driven over that pass more times than I can count.
Actually the first person to hike the PCT did go from north to south before it was a real trail.
As I am living in Sydney, Australia, so I came to Cajon Pass for my trainspotting in many times in few years ago. It is one of my favourite spots for my trainspotting. So I want to thank you for great sharing and it is very interesting. Also I drove a bit on famous Route 66 down in Blue Cut just down the hill from Cajon Pass too. Thanks again. Cheers.
Nothing like hearing our favorite raconteuse give us the ins and outs of an American icon!
Cajon pass is backed up for miles during rush hour and all the way back to apple valley coming back from Vegas on a Sunday
One of you best episodes! Being from Canada I love it when you bring us along and show us America.
But Canada is part of America!
I am always pleased when the mysterious RUclips programme roundabout regurgitates a Wonderhussy video, l used to explore this part of the States before l moved overseas.
Thank you Wonderhussy, for sharing your travels. Stay safe.
The Indians traded gummies through that Cajon Pass. 😂😅😊
You are like a book of knowledge!.. your channel is not only interesting , is also educational!
👍😘👍
I was born in Independence, Mo and still live in the area. It is crazy to think of the early settlers meandering all that way!
I don't know if you had mentioned anything but the old summit inn that was in that location near the McDonald's since 1952 that was destroyed in a fire used to be a huge landmark for many years I remember passing through the pass, 100% completely agree about all the cheap Chinese crap coming through the pass on those trains 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I went to the Summit Inn right before the fire. Breaks my heart.
Cajon Pass IS a vert sketchy area! When I was stationed at George AFB, we were told to stay out of Cajon Pass. There was a strong criminal element in the area
When were you at George? We were there (when my dad was in) during the mid/late 80s and used to camp out there with our blackpowder club.
RUclips has dozens if not hundreds of Cajon Pass trains. Best rail fan spot in the U.S.
As the crow flies, it's only 131 miles from Campo (PCT Southern Terminus) to The Cajon Pass, yet the trail is 342 miles along at the same point. There must be some significant switchbacks and elevation changes to create such a large difference in distance.
Back in the 1850s the Horse Bands led by the Five Joaquins, one of which was Joaquin Murrieta El Famoso, ran their horses from the upper San Joaquin Valley through Tejon Pass and onto Mexico. In the 1930s there were folks living in the area that rode with the Five Joaquins.
Tejon, or Cajon? Or did they frequent both? Roughly between the two passes, I always enjoyed the irony of seeing Vasquez Rocks, on Star Trek or anyone of 1,237 B or C grade Hollywood Westerns, while knowing those tilted, San Andreas tortured ledges were also the hide-out of Tiburcio Vasquez, competidor mas famoso bandito de Alta California!
The trail that the indians used, is what later became known as the Mojave Road, which was the major "highway" from the Colorado River, to what is now the L.A. Harbor. The high desert section of the trail was replaced by Route 66, and later, I-40.
Reason there's no overnight parking or camping there now, is because the buildings next ti the freeway are a D.O.T. truck scale & inspection site: 10 or so years ago, the scale house for the eastbound scale on Hwy 58 in Tehachapi was used for target practice. (Dunno if any officers were in it at the time)
Wow! A lot went on there in the past...and sounds like the present isn't any different. Thanks for sharing all the famous (now) stuff...along with the infamous😀. God, I love
Wonderhussy Wednesdays. The absolute best to you and yours, Sarah Jane.❤
I just retired from the railroad. We used to run from Mojave to Colton, spend the night, and come back the next day. On Friday's going from Colton to Mojave up the Cajon Pass we would be going as fast as the cars on the 15. The traffic going to Vegas sometimes would be at a standstill. We would be besting them up the hill at 15 miles per hour! Maybe you got some bad feelings 'cause of supposedly a ton of mountain lions in the Mormon Rocks area.
I truly appreciate all the the authenticity you bring to your work dear Wonderhussy. Your story telling is refreshing. I have learned so much from you. Big hugs to you as I reside in Washington State.
I rode a troop-train over Cajon Pass in December of 1963, coming home for Christmas leave from San Diego. That was one LONG passenger train, because the car I was in passed over the rear part of the train as it passed over The Tehachapi Loop!!!
My great great grandma and her family drove cross country in the early 1920s - crossed the Mojave and down the Cajon pass - she detailed the trip in her journal our family still has
Love me some Wonderhistory vids. You're such a gifted storyteller.
Beaumont pass also goes out to the desert from LA.
Beautiful scenery on the Cajon Trail.
Drove from Apple Valley to San Bernardino Airport EVERYDAY 2014 2015... Yeah Brings Back Memories..$4.15 a gallon for a 94 Grand Cherokee 5.2...Yeah Go figure..Awesome video Thank You Wonderhussy!!!
Love the history you teach us! I love looking up where you are as I watch your videos. Makes me feel like I’m there with you. Peace, Love, and Happiness……one of your many fans!
Love to see the obscure places you pay tribute to. There is alot of history in the box canyon. Including wyatt earps old Homestead that burned down in the blue cut fire. As well as some old monuments just past the bridge if you go underneath on the PCT.
Thanks for sharing
you need alot of cajones to pass thru there
The Cajon was the last major railroad pass to be surveyed and built in the US back inthe early 1900s. Also, you were not far from where the San Andreas Fault crosses the I-15. It follows down from Wrightwood through Swarthheart (sic) Canyon and has a 10% grade and is the "back way" out of Wrightwood about 6 miles. AND there are NO power lines allowed in the Swarthheart canyon. Every one has generators only. The fault goes right through Wrightwood , and the center of the little Catholic Church up there (6,000 feet elevation.)
In addition, Devil's Punchbowl rocks near Valyermo are the other half of the Mormon Rocks which the fault separated.
@@thebudmeister8840Yes, the fault runs at he base of the Mountain High ski slopes next to hwy 2 on out to the punch bowl and on up north. Thanks
Wonderhussy, you rock! God bless you!
Some of my best landscape photography is from here. Also the trains!
Happy Wednesday Wonderhussy. ❤
You make everything seem so interesting
Just to mention a few things..
"Cajon" is referenced to a cabinet or dresser drawer.
If you had walked a bit further up the trail, you would have seen the remains of the old John Brown road and bridge.
Also there was a town in the area that was called Cajon. One more interesting fact is that one of those railroad track dates back to to 19th century.
Sarah, there are about 15% of PCT thru hikers that start at the Canadian border and go south, they are called SOBOs. NOBOs are hikers that start at the Mexican border. The SOBOs start usually start in mid July and make it to the Mexican border in early October. South bound is the way to go on the PCT as you don't have the crowds.
Thanks!🙂
Mormon rocks are about 15 minutes from my house lol I have heard but it can't be proved that there is a mormon cemetary located somewhere near the area. Also there was a fosil of a ancient horse found near the other side of the freeway past the McDonald's going towards summit valley. There was a very bad train wreck near there back in the early 1990's where the cross sits by the side of the tracks. Camp Cajon is located where the pacific crest trail crosses under the freeway
Growin' up in my family, 'cajon' was what we called our dressers, all the time...way back ina 60s, my older sister in grade school did an art assignment and when the teacher asked her what she was going to do with it, my sis said she was going to put it on her cajon, and nobody knew what she was talkin' about!😄
Awesome vlog, Won'desert'hussy lady!
🎶The hills are alive with the sound of Freight trains🎶
When you eat fast food now, you're not eating the food, you're eating the memories, they just don't taste as good.
Thanks! I'm retired and this is the best I can do for now. I watch all the time and love your channel. Please be careful and stay safe!
Man alive! Look at all those cars - all on the same track goin' east/west. Yeah, the train was looong!! 2 trains!
My family came out from Pittsburgh in '61 and Rte. 66 was the road you took. I remember going down the Cahon Pass. Years later when we lived in Vegas and would go visit relatives in N.Hollywood, we would always take the Pearblossom Highway out of Victorville to Interstate 5 eventually which would dump right down into the San Fernando Valley.
First hit the Summit Inn atop the Pass around 71 on a motorcycle run to Vegas. Famous for their ostrich burgers, and a Elvis visit. Later made hundreds of trips driving lumber truck to Victorville and Barstow areas. Always took the 138 if going to Palmdale, even tho it was called the death highway, for obvious reasons. The Mormon Rocks was a favorite spot to park my rig and have a peaceful lunch. For all the grief that comes with driving the Cajon Pass, it was always one of my favorite runs.
Sarah, its a one ARMED bandit, not one eyed. I laughed so hard. Thank you for that. You are the best.
The San Andreas Fault slices across I-15 just west of the Mormon Rocks and is what caused the syncline formation. LA basin is flanked by similar formations. Great video.👍
My wife’s family moved from Muskegon, MI to Santa Paula, CA in 1966. A family of six and a dog in a Ford Falcon. You guessed it! In July on Route 66. Cajon Junction could have been an overnight location.
Thanks for the video, Wunderhussy!
You forgot to mention one of the worst Train Wreck there right where you were standing. I grew up in San Bernardino "Armpit" and moved to Nevada, met my wife through my grandma in Berdoo, moved my bride to Nevada, and we'd take trips back down to see family. Worse part of the drive was going down Cajon Pass, White Knuckled the whole way. Semi's going way to Fast, I'd let my wife drive that part, didn't bother her none. But rest in peace my beautiful bride Gloria! 🙏❤
Your history story paints the pitcher better than any high school teacher ever did.
Motor bike rode through that area for several years in the 1990's. It is one of the best kept secrets around for riding street legal off road motor bikes.
I used to drive from Victorville to Glendora and back again every weekend. Often times, I would not remember having gone through the Pass. I guess I was on autopilot.
Just Becareful, Sammy Davis Jr lost an eye 👁 in a vehicle crash in that area.
Great learning guide.
Sammy Davis Jr lost an EYE 👁 in a vehicle crash in that area.
Most people travel the PCT south to North due to weather. Leave on the spring when the desert is cooler and plan to get to the high Sierras after the passes clear of snow in the summer. Then hit Oregon and Washington in the early fall before the shows come back. It does work the other direction too. Thanks for the video- always entertaining!
Can't wait for more Cajon! Thanks!
Great video Sarah! Love it!
This is now one of my favorite videos of yours. I loved it. Bravo!
I love the way you tell and show historic sites!
I love how you make dirt interesting.😀
I love her stile and recherche about détail we often never hear of. Thanks you xx
Always like hearing the history. Thanks!
Another good one S.J. I share your feelings regards Mickey Dees. I traveled for 29 years and religiously avoided them.
this was great my parents lived in phelan
A cajon is a drawer, bin, crate or even a coffin in Spanish, so yeah, box canyon could fit in there too. I imagine early car travelers felt like they were living large because they didn't have to travel by horse and wagon...
It's sad that the Summit Inn burned down some years past. It was quite a landmark.
Drove the pass many times, but never stopped up there. The first time I think it might have been on Rt 66 in the summer of '69 coming from Chicago. I've stopped at the top of the Grapevine on Hwy 5 There's a nice park and hiking area up there. 15 gets to rolling at super high speeds, going down from the pass, on quite a long downhill stretch. Thanks for another unique, humorous take on an intresting place.
The Cajon Pass was part of the old Indian foot trail we now call the Mojave Road. The trail started at the Colorado River near the present day Avi Casino. Each year the river would flood and then recede in the spring and the Indians farmed the areas around the river. Then they would take their food stuffs and hike all the way to the ocean via the Mojave trail which passed through the Cajon Pass. There they would trade for sea shells which were brought back and used as currency.
Thanks for another interesting story and adventure! I enjoy all the neat places you go! 😊
"WHOA...hold everything...SHAMROCK IS BAAACK!" Love it. Soooo Cuuuute little sis. Keep on bein you, cause you're a superhero 🦸
Our precious treasure wonderhussy sharing adventurous locations of stashed possibilities.💜
thanks for the adventure and history lesson stay safe
Another great and interesting video. Thank you Wonder Hussy 👍👍👍👍👍
I generally try to get through the pass as fast as I can. You've motivated me to pull off and smell the diesel.
I love how well informed the wondershussy is. 🎉🎉
WH,
I just read a lot of the comments, so many were clever or fumy, but all were interesting.
It's a tribute to the kind of people who appreciate you!!
In 1969 I was there replacing telephone poles from a fire that burned several hundred acres around the pass.. Some set by hand several by a helicopter..
WoW! fk'n cool post
Time for this Wonder_ful Woman to go world wide. Fantastic Producer all around.
The infamous NB scale. Picturesque place to get a level 1!!! Nice to see the area around the old monument was updated. I remember my dad taking all of us kids there in the early 90s. Hiked up one way, then even hiked under the freeway to the other side.
Hey Sarah, thanks, been over that area many times, now I know the story.
Cajon Pass is the junction of two major fault systems: the SanJacinto and the great mother fault of Alta California: the magnificent San Andreas. Which explains all the tortured upthrusts, box canyons, and hole in the wall hideouts that were so attractive to the Native American raiders, post Mexican-American War banditos, and various other desperados in the 19th C.
Great friendly sounding research and video...with a smile!
It's great that you explored around there - I've driven that pass so many times, and just been desperate to get through it!
Great video Hussy👊🏻 I know about some of the history, but the way you tell the story is even better👍🏼
What a cool place to check out. Thank you
THANKS!
Thank You Wonder Hussy! I would normally just blow through and never knew the history of the Cajon Pass!
This is one of your finest! Thanks,,,
Thanx sweet♥for the great history lesson.🗽👍
People do hike from North to South, that season starts May the 1st, the south-bounder’s refer themselves as the cool kids 😂
I love this video. I love how much detail and adventure that you share with us. My husband and I and my parents with me drove this Cajon pass so many times and never realized the history of it. I love your videos Wonderhussy!
I love this video so much...your story telling skills are on another level!! Who knew that pass would be so interesting!