I used to truck Petrochemicals on the old 99 late sixties, early 70s and in took 5 hrs to get to Bakersfield. Back the they were blowing the footing for the dam. I got drafted and when I got back in 73, I-5 had just opened and the lake filling. The trip to bakersfield was cut to 2 1/2hrs. I remember that at the I-5 and US 99split there was a sign saying "NO SERVICES FOR 350 MILES."
Excellent video! Starting in Ventura, recall driving through Santa Paula and Filmore at the start and end of the trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Possible stops at Gorman. Stops on the way at an A&W root beer stand and having Orange Julius drink. Epic family vacations in 1960s. PS - never thought about it but the Piru creek must feed Piru dam which is part of the water system of Ventura County.
i remember passing frenchman flat in 1951-53 and envying the families camping and fishing there,+as we drove north. also the beautiful oak forest around lebec and still there today, though deminished. thanks alot for the video.
I remember driving up through there in the very early 60’s with my dad and brother going hunting. We were more interested in looking at the trucks climbing the grade. At night their exhaust stacks were glowing red! Good memories.
1961, I was 8 years old, and my dad took us and the family over the old 4 lane. In his 1955 Chevrolet Nomad. He remembered the 3 lane road. The middle lane was often referred to as the "suicide passing lane. " This is because both directions could pass at any time. I grew up in Bakersfield and remembered hearing about run away trucks. Bill
Blown away by this! Are the roads and bridge still there under the water? How far below the water depths (generally speaking) is the highway? Are there any photos/videos of the filling of the lake?
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I used to truck Petrochemicals on the old 99 late sixties, early 70s and in took 5 hrs to get to Bakersfield. Back the they were blowing the footing for the dam. I got drafted and when I got back in 73, I-5 had just opened and the lake filling. The trip to bakersfield was cut to 2 1/2hrs. I remember that at the I-5 and US 99split there was a sign saying "NO SERVICES FOR 350 MILES."
Excellent video! Starting in Ventura, recall driving through Santa Paula and Filmore at the start and end of the trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Possible stops at Gorman. Stops on the way at an A&W root beer stand and having Orange Julius drink. Epic family vacations in 1960s.
PS - never thought about it but the Piru creek must feed Piru dam which is part of the water system of Ventura County.
Thanks for the great historical video. I wish I could go back in time and drive 99 North prior to Pyramid Lake.
Glad you enjoyed it. The tech for at least doing a virtual drive is already there, just a matter of inputting the data.
I can’t believe more people have not viewed this. Thanks for the great information
i remember passing frenchman flat in 1951-53 and envying the families camping and fishing there,+as we drove north. also the beautiful oak forest around lebec and still there today, though deminished. thanks alot for the video.
Thank you so much, this was interesting 👍
Nice work been there and done that as I drive the ridge route many times each year, you got it right. Thank You
I remember driving up through there in the very early 60’s with my dad and brother going hunting. We were more interested in looking at the trucks climbing the grade. At night their exhaust stacks were glowing red! Good memories.
Good informative video, thank you for this.
1961, I was 8 years old, and my dad took us and the family over the old 4 lane. In his 1955 Chevrolet Nomad. He remembered the 3 lane road. The middle lane was often referred to as the "suicide passing lane. " This is because both directions could pass at any time. I grew up in Bakersfield and remembered hearing about run away trucks. Bill
Oh yea the runaway trucks, how could you forget those. thanks for the memories.
Thank you, nice video👍, really enjoyed it.
In the 40s and 50s we would make an annual trip from Burbank to Fresno. Lots of memories on US99.
So cool!!!! Thanks!!!
I have always heard that the original ridge route was chosen specifically because even in the 1910’s there was talks of building Pyramid Lake.
There were talks, though a different version altogether. That one would have been an upstream version of modern Lake Piru.
Blown away by this! Are the roads and bridge still there under the water? How far below the water depths (generally speaking) is the highway? Are there any photos/videos of the filling of the lake?
Pretty cool
good infor