Hi Archie,
If the overhead view will do for you you can just drive up on highway 70/89 to the view point already mentioned. However, if you want closer views you can turn off of the highway onto Keddie Resort Rd. This will take you across Spanish Creek to old resort cabins. Some of the cabins are now private residences so watch for traffic on the one lane bridge. Follow the road up the hill on the other side of Spanish Creek and you'll come to gate to the UP's facilities near the wye. The gates are usually open. If there's someone at the building you can ask to look around and take some photos.
Here are some shots I got in 2007. This first view is looking back where you can enter.
This one is from the same location looking towards the wye.
Here's the approach to wye from the other side of the tunnel.
I got lucky while I was there and caught a westbound train crossing the wye.
You'll note the construction of the two trestles is quite different.
You can also scale down the hillside from the highway and reach the tunnel portal where the two trestles meet. There are a lot of neat details there that can be modeled. Originally tunnel #32's portal was flanked by two triangular retaining walls. One of the walls is now missing but it's foundation remains. The native rock behind the wall is now exposed. Loose material near the portal is held back with a smaller wall assembled from native rock and mortar. The portal has been notched for double stacks. A small alcove has been cut into the tunnel lining to make room for a switch actuator. The ends of points are actually inside the tunnel portal and the frog is just barely off the trestles.
I hope you have a good trip. Keddie is fun place to tromp around.
Here is one view from the overlook. A less obstructed view, viewing the bridge more from the side, is 100 to 200 feet to the right.
Mark
There is a small overlook-parking area on the north side of the parallel road (parallels the old WP route) that's almost directly above the west switch. AFAIK there's no restriction on photographing from there - and literally hundreds of published and internet pictures have been shot from that location.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I am planning a trip to California this summer and would like to know if there is someone I need to contact to take pictures of the wye or is it like The Loop and you just drive to it and take your pictures and leave. Thank you to all who answer.
Archie