The Historic Highway 99 Association of California has produced a video on the Channel Change in Piru Gorge on the Ridge Route Alternate where opening ceremonies were held 95 years ago. Come check it out!
Category Archives: I-5
New Video – Piru Gorge and Pyramid Lake
Former US 99 followed a very scenic path over the mountains north of Los Angeles. Follow the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on a journey through the mountains, down the canyons, and beneath Pyramid Lake. Learn what was there before I-5 and what it took to build both roads.
Historic Sign Revealed in Los Angeles
Either through heavy wind, corrosion, or a combination of the two, a section of “greenout” fell off a sign on the eastbound Ventura Freeway (State 134) recently at Victory Blvd. This sign, approaching the Golden State Freeway (I-5) has been there since 1961 when the freeway opened. In 1961, the Golden State Freeway was still US Highway 99. In 1965, the sign was covered over with an overlay for I-5. In early 2023, that overlay (“greenout”) fell off, revealing a portion of the original signage. The left side of the sign has a State 134 EAST sign as 134 proceeded east toward Pasadena via the Golden State Freeway and Colorado St until 1968.
For more information about US 99:
Enjoy it while it lasts!
I-5 Grapevine / Ridge Route Conditions
I-5 between Santa Clarita and the San Joaquin Valley over Tejon Pass is known as “The Grapevine” and formerly known as “The Ridge Route”. It is an important corridor in California and has been so since 1915. Travel over the route can be quite treacherous in winter due to both rain and snow. Mudslides, rockfalls, and ice can all wreak havoc on travel. Collisions can mar traffic for miles. Caltrans, CHP, and the County of Los Angeles work together to ensure safe travel over the route. Sometimes this can result in a full closure of the pass.
To stay up-to-date on current conditions, we recommend the following sites:
- Quickmap – Caltrans Traffic Map with CHP Incidents and Cameras
- Caltrans Commercial Wholesale Web Portal – Caltrans Camera Feeds
- Caltrans Video – Map-based interface for all Caltrans cameras
- Caltrans Road Conditions – All State Maintained roadways
- Southern California Pass Elevations
Weather Forecasts from the National Weather Service:
Be safe out there and always use caution during winter months when traveling the “Grapevine”.
STATS:
Highest elevation – 4144′ at Tejon Pass
Normal Closure Points:
- SOUTHBOUND at Grapevine (Exit 215)
- NORTHBOUND at Castaic – Lake Hughes Road (Exit 176B)
ALTERNATE ROUTES:
If the 5 is closed, alternate adjacent routes such as Lake Hughes Road are not advisable as they may be in worse condition or be heavily congested. Depending on closures, the best alternative to I-5 is via State 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) and State 58 over Tehachapi Pass. In times of heavy snow, your only option may well be US 101 to State 46 in Paso Robles. Check with Caltrans and CHP prior to travel to make sure these roads are open. DO NOT ALWAYS TRUST GOOGLE. It can lead you down bad or otherwise unsuitable roadways. In January 2021, multiple people including three big rigs were trapped on the Old Ridge Route during a snowstorm when they attempted to bypass a closed I-5. We don’t want you to end up on the news. Always be safe and always use caution on unfamiliar roads.
SPECIAL NOTE:
The Old Ridge Route (Ridge Route Road / 8N04) is NEVER an alternate to I-5 under any conditions and is not suitable for heavy traffic nor is it open to through traffic. It is closed to through travel from Castaic to Gorman (State 138).
Route Fire – Updated 1730
From the Ridge Route Preservation Organization:
Another wildfire has started at the south end of the Ridge Route in Marple Canyon along the 5. This fire, known as the Route Fire, has so far burned 250 acres and is not contained. The fire has burned across the old Ridge Route at the Callahan Line Change location, about 2 miles north of Castaic. Evacuations are underway as far north as Templin Highway. The fire has burned as far north as Martin’s, south of Templin Highway. It is not known if the structure survived.
At this time, I-5 is closed from State 138 to Castaic. The Ridge Route is also closed to through travel from Castaic to State 138 as the gates are closed. Do not use any portion of the Ridge Route as a bypass for I-5 at any time as it is not built for heavy traffic. Big rigs have attempted this in the past and got stuck, blocking others in.
For further information regarding road closures and detours, we strongly recommend Caltrans Quickmap at https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ which has detailed information and updated traffic conditions.
We will post updates, as needed, if the Ridge Route itself or historic structures are damaged or in danger. After the fire is out and things have settled down, we will assess any damage to the roadway and post a report.