Cajon Pass

The Cajon Pass (elevation 4,190 ft/1,277 m) is a mountain pass crossing the San Bernardino 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.

Related Topics:
Mountain pass - San Bernardino Mountains - California - United States - San Andreas Fault - Los Angeles Basin - Victor Valley - Mojave Desert

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In 1851, a band of Mormon settlers led by Amasa Lymand and Charles 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.

Related Topics:
1851 - Mormon - Amasa Lymand - Charles Rich - Salt Lake City - Sullivan's Curve

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The Santa Fe Railway was the first railroad to use the Cajon Pass as a route into the Los Angeles area. Today, the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway (the successor to the Santa Fe) use this pass. 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.

Related Topics:
Santa Fe Railway - Union Pacific Railroad - BNSF Railway - Railfan

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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 parallel to the old Route 66, which is now Cajon Boulevard.

Related Topics:
Mojave Freeway - Interstate 15 - Los Angeles - Las Vegas - Route 66

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

Related Topics:
2003 - Wildfires - Landsides

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