Travel Guide Cajon Pass

Cajon Pass is a pass located at an elevation of 5,000 feet (1,151 m) between the San Gabriel Mountains (north of Los Angeles) and the San Bernardino Mountains (northeast of San Bernardino), about 20 miles north of San Bernardino. The name Cajon Pass is frequently given to the entire area covered by Interstate 15, from Exit 138 (Cajon Summit) to Exit 131 (Cajun Junction). Note that the exit signs from the highway are Oakhill Road for Exit 138, and Palmdale-Silverwood Lake-Highway 138 for Exit 131.First crossed by Indians and then by settlers, the pass was also crossed by Route 66. The latter is no longer usable between Victorville and the descent to San Bernardino (exit 129 - Cleghorn Road), even if some sections are still visible. Interstate 15, built in 1969, took over some parts of the original Route 66. In many places, you can see or follow the railroad lines of the Union Pacific Railroad and the BNSF Railway, which were first laid out in the 1880s.Note that driving, walking and parking in the off-road areas of Cajon Pass are subject to the purchase of a $30 pass (the Southern California Annual Forest Adventure Pass), available, for example, at gas stations on I-15 or Highway 138.Cajon SummitExit 138 off I-15 (Oakhill Road). This is the location of the Summit Inn, a famous Route 66 restaurant. You can have a drink here before taking a walking tour of the area. Mariposa Road, which was part of the old Route 66 route, extends south for 0.5 mile before giving way to a network of trails impassable without an off-road vehicle. Old Route 66 extended west across theinterstate to the truck stop south of Exit 138. This portion of Route 66, still paved but inaccessible from both sides, is perfectly visible from the air. From Exit 138, take theinterstate to Exit 131.Cajun JunctionExit 131 from I-15 (Palmdale-Silverwood Lake-Highway 138). This exit is located at the intersection of Interstate 15 and Highway 138. To see a portion of the old Route 66 that is still paved, cross the bridge to Silverwood Lake and immediately turn right along theinterstate onto Wagon Train Road. Beware: only a 0.6 mile stretch is passable. At the end, a memorial was erected in 1917 to honor the pioneers who crossed the pass in 1849 via the Santa Fe & Salt Lake Trail (No. 576 Santa Fe And Salt Lake Trail Monument). Returning to the freeway access, at the junction with Highway 138, is the Santa Fe Road, a dirt trail that runs along theinterstate and is subject to the purchase of the Southern California Forest Adventure Pass, mentioned earlier.