Signed County Route G1

In December of 2016 I visited Signed County Route G1 and Fremont Peak State Park in San Benito County.

Signed County Route 1 is a 5.42 mile long highway traveling south from California State 156 in San Juan Bautista. CR G1 is routed along the San Juan Grade/Salinas Road (the original alignment of US 101 incidentally) to San Juan Canyon Road. CR G1 follows San Juan Canyon Road to the boundary of Fremont Peak State Park in the Gabilan Range. While CR G1 technically terminates San Juan Canyon Road continues south to the foot of Fremont Peak. Given the vista of the downhill grade leading out of Fremont Peak was absolutely massive I decided to take my photo album heading northbound.

CAhighways.org on Signed County Route G1

Fremont Peak is the high point of the Gabilan Range at 3,455 feet above sea level. Fremont Peak was surveyed by John C. Fremont in 1846 to access its military value. Fremont Peak has a massive overlook of Monterey Bay which served a strategic importance overlooking a potential beach head.

San Juan Canyon Road begins at the parking lot below Fremont Peak.

San Juan Canyon Road carries the a San Benito County Road designation of "2" on it's Postmiles.

I couldn't find anything in regards to the grades on G1 but the first five miles north have be above 10% pretty handily. The road is most dicey on the ascent since you're on the western slopes of the mountains which are pretty sheer. The steep grades roughly are from 2,700 feet to 1,100 where most of the houses begin to appear.

The next five miles along San Juan Canyon Road are through shaded canyons which were frosted over on the ascent.

CR G1 makes a quick dip over to Salinas Road/San Juan Grade where the only northbound shield is located.

CR G1 northbound ends at CA 156.

Comments

Former US Route 50 and the Pioneer Route Lincoln Highway on Johnson's Pass Road

Johnson's Pass Road is one of the oldest highway corridors in California. Johnson's Pass was part of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road as it was completed during 1856 over the Sierra Nevada. The pass would later be incorporated into the Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway in 1913 and US Route 50 in 1926. Johnson's Pass Road would be bypassed by a new alignment of US Route 50 over Echo Summit in 1938. A replacement of the Meyers Grade east of Johnson's Pass would be opened to traffic in 1947. Johnson's Pass Road remains accessible to traffic and is still signed by the Lincoln Highway Association. Pictured as the blog cover is the view from the top of Johnson's Pass Road overlooking modern US Route 50 and Lake Tahoe. Part 1; the history of Johnson's Pass Much of the history of what become the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road is discussed in the September 1950 California Highways & Public Works during its Centennial Edition. The or...

Former US Route 50 and the South Lincoln Highway from Folsom east to Placerville

The corridor of Folsom of Sacramento County east to Placerville of El Dorado County has been a long established corridor of overland travel dating back to the California Gold Rush. The Folsom-Placerville corridor was once part of the path of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road which became the first California State Highway and later the South Lincoln Highway. In time the South Lincoln Highway's surface alignment was inherited by US Route 50. The Folsom-Placerville corridor also includes the communities of; Clarksville, Shingle Springs and El Dorado. Part 1; the history of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road, South Lincoln Highway and US Route 50 through Folsom-Placerville Folsom is located on the American River/Lake Natoma of eastern Sacramento County. That lands now occupied by the City of Folsom were part of Rancho Rio de los Americanos prior to the finding of gold at Sutter's Mill during 1848. During the California Gold Rush the lands of Rancho Rio de los Americanos were p...

Old NC 10 - The Central Highway: Old Fort to Black Mountain through the Royal Gorge

A unique way of tracing the remnants of the Central Highway is through the mountainous terrain of Eastern Buncombe and Western McDowell Counties. From the east on US 70, you reach the base of Blue Ridge Mountains at the town of Old Fort. Old Fort is a tiny rail town that the old Central Highway and now US 70 goes through. The Central Highway can be followed via a right onto Mill Creek Road from US 70. Follow the highway as it takes you closer to the mountains. When Mill Creek Road bears right to head towards Andrews Geyser stay straight until the road ends at a gate. The nearby Piney Grove Church can be used for parking. At this point, the old Central Highway began a 3.5 mile climb of the mountain to Swannanoa Gap. NC 10 and later US 70 travelers followed this road for over 30 years until a new and modern four lane US 70 was built to the south. This same four lane road would eventually become Interstate 40. The Centra...

Gribblenation

Search This Blog