Is there a way around the cajon pass?

[ONE-A-DAY]

All of the construction is making it a real bitch, especially northbound now that they eliminated the truck lane and the slow trucks are mixed in with the normal traffic.

Isn't there the old road down in the valley that you can see from the 15 an option?

 

[McRib]

[Q UOTE=ONE-A-DAY;1804378]All of the construction is making it a real bitch, especially northbound now that they eliminated the truck lane and the slow trucks are mixed in with the normal traffic.

Isn't there the old road down in the valley that you can see from the 15 an option?[/QUOTE]

The old road only runs from Kenwood to Cleghorn which is all south of the construction. The only way around the construction is on the 138 in either direction. West on the 138 into the back side of Phelan then north to the 395 to the top of the hill. Or you go west through the twisty turns toward Silverwood and you will eventually pop out in the east side of Victorville/apple valley. Either way adds A LOT of extra time. It's better to just suck it up in the construction traffic. That is the only way around the pass unless you change your route completely to different freeways.

 

[Uncle Dave]

I just take pear blossom while cajon is under construction and eat the miles.

Unce Dave

 

[whiteworks]

If you get off at Sierra you can go up through Lytle creek ridge trail and it will spit you out in lone pine canyon, from thee you can make your way to the 138 and out through phelan. So yes it is possible to avoid the cajon pass, but it is not a paved road and I'd only advise it if the pass is 100% closed or you just want to explore. Higher clearance vehicle is advised and if the trail gets tight you missed the turn off to wrightwood and need to go back a bit. Super cool camp sites back up in that canyon, bring a weapon if camping:thumbup:

 

[Joepump]

138 towards Silverwood...Left at Summit Valley... Left at Main...it's fast...a bit tight if your towing...I towed.my 2750 Lavey that way(sketchy)

 

[boatnam2]

This wont help you since its a little out of the way but a good secret if cajun is closed, i use to live in hesperia by the airport and sometimes i would go the back way home, up the pass to 138 exit east go 5-6 miles to silverwood store make left on dirt road roll on that for 6 miles and it dumps you out at hesperia airport, it use to be a blast when it was snowing in my toyota corolla pinned for 6 miles. I also used this when the cajun was closed for snow and everyone was sitting on freeway waiting for it to be plowed, i would be down the hill and on my way why they just sit there all morning.

 

[Rvrluvr]

If you guys think any of these routes are faster than just sitting thru the construction then your crazy. The lane closure is in a bad spot. Part of the pass you just cant quickly avoid . Trying to go around adds tons of time. If you live in the I.E. Your screwed unless you take the 10.

There is a reason its called the Winnebego 500

 

[ductape1000]

They call it a "pass" for a reason.

 

[whiteworks]

If you guys think any of these routes are faster than just sitting thru the construction then your crazy. The lane closure is in a bad spot. Part of the pass you just cant quickly avoid . Trying to go around adds tons of time. If you live in the I.E. Your screwed unless you take the 10.

There is a reason its called the Winnebego 500

My way is faster when there is 100% closure also possible to completely avoid the pass

 

[McRib]

None of these routes make sense unless the pass is closed and gonna be closed for a long period of time. The last time I was out fucking off the way whiteworks said the road was washed out in 2 sections. Passable only by a lifted vehicle. No way any other route will be faster unless the pass is closed.

 

[whiteworks]

There are a few other ways out of the valley, but they require a gate key and in depth knowledge of the fire roads

 

[throttle]

The 10 to 177/62 to 95. Not my preferred route but... An option that I may select depending upon the days and times I travel back and forth.

 

[Rvrluvr]

My way is faster when there is 100% closure also possible to completely avoid the pass

I drove a slightly overloaded dump truck thru there once to avoid the scales......ONCE!!

 

[boatsntoys]

If you're going to Havasu. The 10 then through Parker is only about 10 miles farther. If you're going to bullhead/ laughing stick it out on cajon

 

[Kachina26]

This wont help you since its a little out of the way but a good secret if cajun is closed, i use to live in hesperia by the airport and sometimes i would go the back way home, up the pass to 138 exit east go 5-6 miles to silverwood store make left on dirt road roll on that for 6 miles and it dumps you out at hesperia airport, it use to be a blast when it was snowing in my toyota corolla pinned for 6 miles. I also used this when the cajun was closed for snow and everyone was sitting on freeway waiting for it to be plowed, i would be down the hill and on my way why they just sit there all morning.

It's all paved now and it's not a secret anymore, lol. I won't save you a lot of time because then you have to make your way back to the freeway through hesperia.

I used to go to work that way every day, and still do when on afternoon shift. But, I've been using Ranchero road lately.

 

[CLdrinker]

Walt I drive the pass mon- thurs. If you go through there around 300-330 at the latest it's smooth sailing. If you have to go Friday to your place in havasu take the 10 towards Palm Springs jump up to the 40 by taking amboy rd or take rice rd. If you just want to get through the high desert on a Friday leave early is the only way.

 

[boatnam2]

It's all paved now and it's not a secret anymore, lol. I won't save you a lot of time because then you have to make your way back to the freeway through hesperia.

I used to go to work that way every day, and still do when on afternoon shift. But, I've been using Ranchero road lately.

Yea that was 24 years ago lol, figured it had changed. I use to drive home from a 12 hour graveyard shift 80 miles one way and that was my highlight blasting down that dirt road sideways in my corolla at 6am

 

[blackbart]

This wont help you since its a little out of the way but a good secret if cajun is closed, i use to live in hesperia by the airport and sometimes i would go the back way home, up the pass to 138 exit east go 5-6 miles to silverwood store make left on dirt road roll on that for 6 miles and it dumps you out at hesperia airport, it use to be a blast when it was snowing in my toyota corolla pinned for 6 miles. I also used this when the cajun was closed for snow and everyone was sitting on freeway waiting for it to be plowed, i would be down the hill and on my way why they just sit there all morning.

the dirt is paved now not a bad route

 

[Kachina26]

Yea that was 24 years ago lol, figured it had changed. I use to drive home from a 12 hour graveyard shift 80 miles one way and that was my highlight blasting down that dirt road sideways in my corolla at 6am

It's just as dangerous at 6am now. Mostly because of commuters with normal hours passing on blind curves coming right at you. That's why I take Ranchero home when I'm coming off of midnights.

 

[Rvrluvr]

It's all paved now and it's not a secret anymore, lol. I won't save you a lot of time because then you have to make your way back to the freeway through hesperia.

I used to go to work that way every day, and still do when on afternoon shift. But, I've been using Ranchero road lately.

If u go that way to river... Instead of heading back to 15, go to lucern valley & make a left at the stop sign (hwy 242 [not sure of #]). Takes you right to barstow, turn right onto 15N and 40e is right there

 

[boatnam2]

It's just as dangerous at 6am now. Mostly because of commuters with normal hours passing on blind curves coming right at you. That's why I take Ranchero home when I'm coming off of midnights.

Back then i never passed a car one time it was sweet.

 

[Kachina26]

If u go that way to river... Instead of heading back to 15, go to lucern valley & make a left at the stop sign (hwy 242 [not sure of #]). Takes you right to barstow, turn right onto 15N and 40e is right there

Been that way a few times, seems to take forever. Especially when the monsoons have washed everything out.

 

[TCHB]

Yes live in Havasu and delete the drive back to the city.

 

[Abc123]

Yes there is and you'll bypass most of the 40 too. Pretty easy if you're coming from OC. I take it a few times year to avoid traffic to/from the river.

Take the 10 east, to the 62 (Twentynine Palms Hwy), left on Godwin RD, right on on Amboy Rd, right onto Old Rte 66. Keep on going and you'll hit the 40 right before it drops down into Needles.

It's a pretty chill drive. I've done it at night in heavy rain and it wasn't flooded. There's hardly any other cars on the road and I've yet to see a cop. It's a lil windy of a road when you get to 66, but I've hauled ass through it with a boat no problem.

 

[CampbellCarl]

Yes there is and you'll bypass most of the 40 too. Pretty easy if you're coming from OC. I take it a few times year to avoid traffic to/from the river.

Take the 10 east, to the 62 (Twentynine Palms Hwy), left on Godwin RD, right on on Amboy Rd, right onto Old Rte 66. Keep on going and you'll hit the 40 right before it drops down into Needles.

It's a pretty chill drive. I've done it at night in heavy rain and it wasn't flooded. There's hardly any other cars on the road and I've yet to see a cop. It's a lil windy of a road when you get to 66, but I've hauled ass through it with a boat no problem.

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Yeah, what Eddie said. Joins the 40 at Mountain Springs Rd. I use that way sometimes to break the boredom of the 40-15 route. Very cool route for a Harley ride to/from the river.

 

[Abc123]

Yeah, what Eddie said. Joins the 40 at Mountain Springs Rd. I use that way sometimes to break the boredom of the 40-15 route. Very cool route for a Harley ride to/from the river.

Yea it is a nice break from the usual way. It's nice not having to climb all the grades too. It's doesn't seem to take any more time to get there.

 

[Bobby V]

Yea it is a nice break from the usual way. It's nice not having to climb all the grades too. It's doesn't seem to take any more time to get there.

To Havasu or Willow Valley.?