California 168 - California Travel Information

California 168

California 168 was originally planned as a trans-Sierra Nevada route, beginning in Fresno and heading east through Bishop to the Nevada state line via modern U.S. 6. However, this trans-mountain route was never constructed, and U.S. 6 took over the segment of California 168 between U.S. 395 and the state line. Today, California 168 exists in three segments: from California 99 in Fresno northeast to Lakeshore in the Sierra Nevada Mountains; from a point in the Inyo National Forest northeast to U.S. 395 in Bishop; and from U.S. 395 in Big Pine northeast to California 266 in the Fish Lake Valley.

California 168 East
	Begin Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway on the transition from eastbound California 180. This freeway was opened in the early 2000s. Prior to that, California 168 followed Shaw Avenue through the cities of Fresno and Clovis. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	The first exit on eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway is Exit 1, McKinley Avenue. Between Exits 1 and 3, eastbound California 168 is headed due north rather than east. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	The next exit along eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway is Exit 2, Shields Avenue, one-half mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Shields Avenue is a major east-west arterial in Fresno. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway reaches Exit 2, Shields Avenue. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	The next exit along eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway is Exit 3, Ashlan Avenue, three-quarters of a mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway reaches Exit 3, Ashlan Avenue. The freeway turns northeast between Exits 3 and 7. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	The next exit along eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway is Exit 4, Shaw Avenue (Former California 168), one mile. This exit leads to California State University at Fresno (CSUF), which sits northwest of the California 168 freeway. Photo taken 12/01/02.

Site Navigation

	Angling toward the northeast, California 168/Sierra Freeway approaches Exit 4, Shaw Avenue, one-half mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway reaches Exit 4, Shaw Avenue. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	The next exit along eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway is Exit 6, Bullard Avenue, one mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Still traveling northeast, California 168/Sierra Freeway approaches Exit 6, Bullard Avenue, three-quarters of a mile. This is the final exit to serve the city of Fresno; California 168 will soon enter the city of Clovis. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway reaches Exit 6, Bullard Avenue. This is the first exit for Clovis. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	The next exit along eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway is Exit 7, Herndon Avenue, three-quarters of a mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway approaches Exit 7, Herndon Avenue, next right. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway reaches Exit 7, Herndon Avenue. The freeway narrows from six to four lanes at Exit 7. Photo taken 12/01/02.

California 168 West
	The next exit along eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway is Exit 8, Fowler Avenue, one mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway approaches Exit 8, Fowler Avenue, one-half mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway reaches Exit 8, Fowler Avenue. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	The next exit along eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway is Exit 9, Temperance Avenue, one mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway approaches Exit 9, Temperance Avenue, one-quarter of a mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway reaches Exit 9, Temperance Avenue. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	The final interchange along eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway approaching Exit 10, Tollhouse Road and the end of the freeway, one-half mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	Eastbound California 168/Sierra Freeway approaches Tollhouse Road, one-quarter mile. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	California 168 shifts from the Sierra Freeway onto an expressway alignment at the traffic signal for Tollhouse Road. The divided expressway continues for a short distance, and then the highway reverts to two lanes. Originally, California 168 was routed along Tollhouse Road all the way into downtown Clovis. Photo taken 12/01/02.
	On the other side of the Sierra Nevada, this mileage sign is posted on eastbound California 168 after the U.S. 395 junction in Big Pine. The mileage sign provides the distance to Junction U.S. 95 in Nevada. There are no services at all between Big Pine and Beatty and/or Goldfield. This includes not only Westgaard Pass, but also Deep Springs Valley, Fishlake Valley, and Dyer, Nevada. In addition, since California 168 traverses several mountains and valleys, it can be windy and steep - hence why there's a sign warning motorists here. Photos taken 01/19/02.


	California 168 meets Death Valley Road at this intersection. This turnoff is located just east of Big Pine. Death Valley Road leads south along a paved/gravel road via Saline Valley along the western fringe of the national park. The road ultimately ends at California 190 near Darwin. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	The White Mountains loom as California 168 continues east. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	This turnoff connects California 168 with the Bristlecone Pine Forest. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	Approaching Westgaard Pass, eastbound California 168 will become a one-lane highway. Watch for oncoming cars! Photo taken 01/19/02.
	California 168 crosses Westgaard Pass via this narrow one-lane segment. Although it does not seem like it, this picture was taken mid-morning, not at twilight. The area looks dark because the sunlight did not reach this narrow chasm on this winter morning. Motorists just have to hope no one is coming, based on these blind curves. Photos taken 01/19/02.

	Upon leaving Westgaard Pass, California 168 returns to a full two-lane highway after traveling through the narrow pass. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	Descending from Westgaard Pass, eastbound California 168 enters isolated Deep Springs Valley. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	Here, eastbound California 168 meets the Deep Springs turnoff. This is the only evidence of civilization in this expansive valley located between Westgaard Pass and Gilbert Summit. California 168 meets California 266 in Fishlake Valley, which is the next valley after Gilbert Summit. Photos taken 01/19/02.


	Traveling uphill again, eastbound California 168 approaches Gilbert Summit. The road is rather windy as it approaches the pass. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	California 168 crosses Gilbert Summit, which is the high point between Deep Springs Valley and Fishlake Valley, elevation 6,374 feet. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	Shortly after cresting at Gilbert Summit, eastbound California 168 descends into Fish Lake Valley. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	Eastbound California 168 reaches its junction with California 266 in Fish Lake Valley. At one time (1999), this sign included Nevada 264 and Nevada 266 shields, but they have since been removed (see older picture). To the best of our knowledge, this route has never been signed as "California 264." First photo taken 01/19/02; second photo taken by Joel Windmiller in Summer 1999.

	END California 168 shield and junction California 266 shield in Fish Lake Valley. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	Close-up of the END California 168 shield at Junction California 266 in Fish Lake Valley. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	Close-up of the California 266 shield in Fish Lake Valley at the end of California 168. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	Westbound California 168 mileage sign after the Fish Lake Valley Junction with California 266. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	This California 168 west shield is posted after the Deep Springs cutoff. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	This mileage sign is found along westbound California 168 after the Deep Springs cutoff. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	Westbound California 168 ascends toward Westgaard Pass from Deep Springs Valley. Photo taken 01/19/02.
	Here is a view of the dominating and majestic eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains as seen along westbound California 168 as it approaches Junction U.S. 395 and Big Pine after descending from Westgaard Pass. Photo taken 01/19/02.
Other California 168 Pictures
	California 168 freeway entrance shield assemblies at Shields Avenue. Photos taken by Trevor Carrier, 2002.

Page Updated April 17, 2007.