California 138 forms the route of the proposed Metropolitan Bypass, paralleling the San Andreas Fault from Interstate 5 near Gorman south east to California 18 near Crestline, with connections to California 14/Antelope Valley Freeway, California 2/Angeles Crest Highway, and Interstate 15.
California 138 East
After passing Interstate 15, California 138 leaves the path of the proposed Metropolitan Bypass and begins to ascend to Cajon Pass as a much less traveled highway than the congested highway west of here. Photo taken 04/18/04.
East of Interstate 15, California 138 is windier and narrower than it is west of Interstate 15. Photo taken 04/18/04.
California 138 remains in the desert foothills here, but it will ascend to Cajon Pass and ultimately Enchanted Forest and Crestline, where trees will replace the sagebrush. Photo taken 04/18/04.
A rarity along a non-national park service roadway, California 138 has red pavement for a distance east of Interstate 15. Photo taken 04/18/04.
View of power lines as California 138 continues east. Photo taken 04/18/04.
Again, California 138 passes under the power lines for a distance as it approaches Cajon Pass. Photo taken 04/18/04.
Cajon Pass, not to be confused with Cajon Summit, is located along California 138 east of Interstate 15. While the freeway passes over Cajon Summit, California 138 takes a winding route to reach the Cajon Pass summit. Photo taken 04/18/04.
Eastbound California 138 view after cresting Cajon Pass. This view encompasses the railroad, which snakes its way up Cajon Pass to this point, then flattens out en route to Barstow. Photo taken 04/18/04.
Sweeping view of the high country along California 138 after Summit Valley Road. Photo taken 04/18/04.
This unusual mileage sign along eastbound is a new reflective sign that surprisingly still includes the English and metric distances to Silverwood Lake, Crestline, and Hesperia. It is likely that this sign was replaced as a result of the Old Fire. Photo taken 04/18/04.
Eastbound California 138 approaching California 173 east to Mojave River Forks Regional Park and Hesperia. There is a dirt road that connects this section of California 173 with the section of California 173 near Lake Arrowhead, but it is signed as closed and is generally not a recommended through route. Photo taken 04/18/04.
This East California 138 shield is located immediately after the California 173 intersection. Note the fire damage on the hillside behind the sign. Photo taken 04/18/04.
Immediately after the California 173 intersection, California 138 east enters San Bernardino National Forest. Photo taken 04/18/04.
At the time this photo was taken, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area and Cleghorn Road were closed due to fire damage. Note that California 138 remains a "Super Two" as it passes through the interchange with Cleghorn Road. Photo taken 04/18/04.
California 138 remains two lanes after passing through the Cleghorn Road interchange. Photo taken 04/18/04.
As California 138 passes to the south of the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, it maintains a fairly straight route primarily due to the bridges such as the Burnt Mill Canyon Bridge which is photographed here. Photo taken 04/18/04.
Eastbound California 138 at Miller Canyon Road west to Silverwood Lake. Miller Canyon Road is the old alignment of California 138. Due to destruction related to the Old Fire of October 2003, this road was closed. Photo taken 04/18/04.
View of the Enchanted Forest along eastbound. This area was largely spared from the Old Fire of October 2003. Photo taken 04/18/04.
View of California 138 as it ascends a grade along the windy highway in the Enchanted Forest. Photo taken 04/18/04.
Now emerging from the Enchanted Forest, California 138 passes through the Valley of Enchantment. Photo taken 04/18/04.
Eastbound California 138 enters Crestline, with a population of 8,600 people. Photo taken 04/18/04.
The immediate area around Crestline was spared from the Old Fire of October 2003. However, many dead and dying trees remain visible among the green, lush trees of the forest as California 138 passes through the outskirts of Crestline. Photo taken 04/18/04.
This fork in the road, along eastbound just prior to reaching downtown Crestline, splits California 138 east and Lake Gregory Drive. The left turn leads to Lake Gregory, then meets California 18 east of Twin Peaks. Continuing to the right follows California 138 to Crestline and California 18 south to San Bernardino. Photo taken 04/18/04.
Now in downtown Crestline, California 138 reaches an unusual three-way stop where eastbound traffic does not stop but the other directions must stop. Ahead, California 138 prepares for its end at California 18, which winds it way down the mountain to the city of San Bernardino. Photo taken 04/18/04.
