railfanning cajon and tehachapi pass

[Anonymous]

I am planning a trip to cajon and tehachapi in september and was wondering where the best places to stay at are....also where to railfan at without getting chased out by railroad police.

[Anonymous]

Finding a place to stay should be no problems at all. For Cajon, San Bernardino is full of cheap (somewhat shady) places. The Motel 6 is a great steal and is 200 yards from the BNSF main (the old-SP is about another 200 yards past that). Techachapi is a bit harder, there are few places in the city of Techachapi (most notably a best western). Mojave and Bakersfield have alot of cheap chains.

As for the pictures, its hard to go wrong. Cajon is in a nation forest. If you get a day pass, which you can buy at one of the store at the Cajon Summit exits on I-15, you are free to do as you please. The only off limits part is the Cajon Summit, which is surrounded by wires and spot lights, but you can still take shots from the bluff over looking it. I pretty sure Sullivan's Cruve is open again. Most of the famous places are just off the main roads and very easy to find.

Techachapi is even easier, almost all the famous places are right off main roads. Railroad land is clearly marked, as is most other private land, so just stay clear. If your a first timer, there are more than enough shots right from the roads to keep up busy for a week.

As for the UP and BNSF cops, most are either 1) never around and 2) very nice if your not doing anything wrong. In fact, the only time I was questioned by a UP cop, after some explaining he told me were I could get a good angle.

Cajon and Techachapi are great spots (maybe even no. 1 and 2 in the world). I've been a couple times and never get bored, have a great time.

-John Ireland

[spbed]

Sorry have to disagree with you about the Cajon summit. Please check out my web site to see all the pix I have taken from there. Just check out my signature for the site. You take I15 to 138 east to just past the general store hang a left there go up over the hill & slow down you will see a dirt road that will take you directly to the triple tracked mainline at that spot. As for Tehachapi I prefer Caliente as you can get up close & personal with the trains as well as watch them navigate a horseshoe curve. As for the train going over itself there are signs on the hwy where to exit once you reach there you have to hike over uneven ground about 1 mile to view the loop/loop

 

 

Finding a place to stay should be no problems at all. For Cajon, San Bernardino is full of cheap (somewhat shady) places. The Motel 6 is a great steal and is 200 yards from the BNSF main (the old-SP is about another 200 yards past that). Techachapi is a bit harder, there are few places in the city of Techachapi (most notably a best western). Mojave and Bakersfield have alot of cheap chains. As for the pictures, its hard to go wrong. Cajon is in a nation forest. If you get a day pass, which you can buy at one of the store at the Cajon Summit exits on I-15, you are free to do as you please. The only off limits part is the Cajon Summit, which is surrounded by wires and spot lights, but you can still take shots from the bluff over looking it. I pretty sure Sullivan's Cruve is open again. Most of the famous places are just off the main roads and very easy to find. Techachapi is even easier, almost all the famous places are right off main roads. Railroad land is clearly marked, as is most other private land, so just stay clear. If your a first timer, there are more than enough shots right from the roads to keep up busy for a week. As for the UP and BNSF cops, most are either 1) never around and 2) very nice if your not doing anything wrong. In fact, the only time I was questioned by a UP cop, after some explaining he told me were I could get a good angle. Cajon and Techachapi are great spots (maybe even no. 1 and 2 in the world). I've been a couple times and never get bored, have a great time. -John Ireland

[spbed]

Oh yes I am going to be there last week Sept so if you are going at that time we could connect

 

I am planning a trip to cajon and tehachapi in september and was wondering where the best places to stay at are....also where to railfan at without getting chased out by railroad police.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, you can drive up to Cajon summit, but isn't it all it coated in no tresspassing signs. I guess you could disregard the signs if you really wanted too, but I rather wouldn't spend the night in jail or have my name taken by the BNSF police on a vactions. I heard they're really touchy at the summit after the crash that killed that Santa Fe crew years back. I've never taken the risk.

[zgardner18]

All I can say is you better hope that September is a little cooler than right now.  I was just up at the Cajon Pass on Saturday and boy was it hot.  There is a lake just east of Summit called Lake Siverwood where the family and I spent the day.  We had thunder storms all around so the Humidity was unbarible.  Then to top things off just pass the 138 a fire broke out.  I think that it is still burning.  Actually the fire was a good thing for us railfanners for the hill was loaded with Northbounds sitting waiting to move through.  Have a great time.  You'll enjoy every minute of our Southern California railroading.

[chad thomas]

Yeah, you can drive up to Cajon summit, but isn't it all it coated in no tresspassing signs. I guess you could disregard the signs if you really wanted too, but I rather wouldn't spend the night in jail or have my name taken by the BNSF police on a vactions. I heard they're really touchy at the summit after the crash that killed that Santa Fe crew years back. I've never taken the risk.

You can drive up to Summit but the BNSF crossing is gated. If you tresspass you will know it. If you are confronted by security just be cool they will be nice (unlike the jerks they had in the late 90s). Also you no longer need a wilderness permit in the Cajon pass area.

[fyrefyter]

Ah, my faverite areas. Tehachipi loop is now off limiits. No tresspassing signs.WAS great camping and veiwing are till the signs went up.I now go to Caliente and and sround the loop area roads and find a spot. Tehachipi motels are around $40.00 and run down.Great town as a base for the loop area,and good New resturants for food. Some days are busy and somme days slow.A scanner is a must since you find out what is happening. Channel 160.32 is the best but bring a channel book if possible.Weather can be hot and the loop is 10 miles from town.Come and enjoy.

[ndbprr]

If you visit Sullivans Curve it is best to be there early in the morning through about 11AM for the best lighting in my opinion.  You can get off the interstate at Devore and take the old highway along the tracks up through Blue Canyon.  Sullivans Curve is west of the Cajon exit where it all comes back together again.