It was the Sunday before President’s Day and I had hoped to arrive mid-afternoon with plenty of time to find a nice spot to set-up camp. I know that I am getting older because I just don’t do things as fast as I once did - especially when it comes to physical chores such as prepping the camper and the truck for a trip. I left later than I wanted so I had to adapt my plans accordingly. My destination was the Union Pacific’s Cima Subdivision. In particular, I was targetting the area around Cima itself. By my calculations, if I hustled, and drove straight through, I might be able to catch some good light at the Kelso Depot. I headed out in haste.
As it worked out I made it to Baker with just enough time to top off the tank and get some soda for my pending foray into the desolate Mojave National Preserve. I did just that and then headed south on Kelbaker Road.
I always enjoy driving on such roads, especially after the grind of the run from Ontario to Baker on Interstate 15, which is an insanely busy freeway these days. However, my journey was not as bad as those folks headed into Los Angeles though. I kid you not, there was a 24-mile long traffic jam on the southbound I-15, from Afton Road all the way to the agriculture inspection point! Note to self - don’t take the 15 home!
Eventually I rounded a curve that afforded me a beautiful view of the Ivanpah Valley with Kelso nestled near the base of the cloud-shrouded Providence Mountains and, unfortunately, a setting sun. I found a safe spot to pull onto the shoulder and set up my camera to capture the scene. I captured the panorama shot scene at the top of this post. It came out nice but it’s size (120 MB) preclude me from posting here. Once I felt I had the shots I needed to compose the panorama, I raced down the road towards Kelso.
I arrived at the depot with the setting sun already underway. Oh well, win some, lose some. I was able to capture some nice shots of the tracks and the surrounding area. Here are a few of them:
Looking West at Kelso, CA - A view, looking west, of Union Pacific’s Cima Subdivision from the Kelbaker Road grade crossing at Kelso, CA.
[2/20/2011 - Cima Subdivision] Copyright © 2011 Joe Perry. All rights reserved.
Kelso Depot circa 2011 - A view, looking east, of the Kelso Depot and Union Pacific’s Cima Subdivision from the Kelbaker Road grade crossing at Kelso, CA.
[2/20/2011 - Cima Subdivision] Copyright © 2011 Joe Perry. All rights reserved.
Kelso Post Office - The former Kelso, CA post office.
[2/20/2011 - Cima Subdivision] Copyright © 2011 Joe Perry. All rights reserved.
In part two of this excursion I will cover my shooting of the depot proper in the waning light.