Walker Pass

Infobox_nrhp2 | name =Walker Pass
nhl=yes


caption =
nearest_city= Bakersfield, California
locmapin = California
lat_degrees = 35
lat_minutes = 39
lat_seconds = 47
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 118
long_minutes = 1
long_seconds = 37
long_direction = W
area =
built =1834
architect=
architecture=
added = October 15, 1966
designated_nhl = July 4, 1961 [http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceID=116&resourceType=Structure NHL Summary] ]
governing_body = Bureau of Land Management
refnum=66000210cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] Infobox Mountain Pass
Name = Walker Pass
Photo =
Caption =
Elevation = 5,250 ft. / 1,600 m.
Location = California, USA
Range = Sierra Nevada
Coordinates =
Topographic

Traversed by = State Route 178

Walker Pass (el. 5,250 ft. / 1,600 m.) is a mountain pass in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. It is located in northeastern Kern County, approximately 53 mi (85 km) ENE of Bakersfield and 10 mi (16 km) WNW of Ridgecrest. The pass provides a route between the San Joaquin Valley on the west and the Mojave Desert on the east.

Walker Pass is a National Historic Landmark, and is under the stewardship of the Bureau of Land Management.

History

It was charted as route through the Sierra in 1834 by Joseph Reddford Walker, a member of the Bonneville Expedition who learned of it from Native Americans. Walker returned through the pass in 1843, leading the first immigrant wagon train into California. In 1845 the military surveying expedition of John C. Fremont used the pass. He suggested it be named after Walker [ [http://www.nr.nps.gov/writeups/66000210.nl.pdf NHL Writeup] ]

Description

It is the highest point on State Route 178. Aside from the paved road, the pass is essentially unaltered since Walker mapped it in 1834. [ [http://www.nr.nps.gov/Red%20Books/66000210.red.pdf NPS Red Book] ]

Between Walker Pass and Tioga Pass, several hours drive to the north, there is only one paved road for automobiles to cross over the Sierra Nevada mountains (Sherman Pass Road). All roads between Walker Pass and Carson Pass (State Route 88), over 200 miles in distance, are subject to extended closure by winter snowfall. Walker Pass is sometimes closed due to snowfall, but due to its lower elevation these closures are for brief periods.

Walker Pass can also be closed, especially during winter, due to rock falls. Road conditions are reported by Caltrans or local radio stations. Rock slides and falling rocks are a danger, and care should be taken at all times of the year. Highway 178 is a narrow, twisting two lane road for most its entire length through the Sierras. For this reason, most east-west traffic utilizes the much lower, six lane Tehachapi Pass, located about one hour's drive to the south.

Tourists visiting Death Valley, and the Kern River Resort areas often enjoy the drive through Walker Pass.

References

See also

*Tehachapi Pass
*Sherman Pass (California)
*Tioga Pass

External links

* [http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/planning/rmpcontents/chapt12_walker_pass.html BLM management plan for Walker Pass National Historic Landmark]