| Desert View Tower
|
 |
 |
The Desert View Tower looks over the vast desert horizon from its perch above Interstate 8 and the In-Ko-pah Gorge. Built between 1922 and 1928 by Bert Vaughn (who at that time owned the nearby town of Jacumba), the Desert View Tower is a well-known landmark for travelers along Historic U.S. 80, the Boulevard of America. The tower is open for visitors for a nominal fee. Photos taken 01/15/07.
|
 |
Built between 1922 and 1928 by Bert Vaughn (who at that time owned the nearby town of Jacumba), the Desert View Tower is a well-known landmark for travelers along Historic U.S. 80, the Boulevard of America. The tower was built to honor the railroad and highway builders who opened this area for travelers. Nearby rock sculptures were carved by W.T. Ratcliffe, an engineer, during the 1930s. Photo taken 01/15/07.
|
 |
The wind was howling on this day, after a winter storm passed through the area. This resulted in clean air and stellar views of the Imperial Valley. Photo taken 01/15/07.
|
 |
 |
Looking east from the Desert View Tower, the alignments of Interstate 8 east and west split after the Mountain Springs Road interchange (Exit 80). In the distance is the Salton Sea. Photo taken 01/15/07.
|
 |
Now looking north from the Desert View Tower, Interstate 8 west climbs uphill to In-Ko-Pah Park Road, while the eastbound lanes descend toward Mountain Springs. Photo taken 01/15/07.
|
 |
This is a close-up of the Mountain Springs Road interchange (Exit 80) as seen from the Desert View Tower overlook. Old alignments of U.S. 80 (single and twin slab concrete) can be found at this interchange, but not all of it runs on public land. Photo taken 01/15/07.
|
| Imperial (Algodones) Sand Dunes
|
 |
 |
 |
These pictures show the Imperial Sand Dunes, which are located along Interstate 8 near Gray's Well. The dunes are popular with sports enthusiasts and off-road riders. A campground is located near the base of dunes, and it is not uncommon to spot riders of all-terrain vehicles up at daybreak taking their four-wheelers into the dune sea. Photos taken 11/00.
|
| Pine Valley Creek Bridge
|
 |
 |
The Pine Valley Creek Bridge is 42 miles east of the Interstate 5/8 interchange, and it is between Exits 40 and 45. This suite of pictures shows various pictures of the approach to the bridge along eastbound. The bridge itself is rumored to be among the highest bridges of its type anywhere on the national Interstate Highway System. Closed occasionally by strong winter and summer Santa Ana winds, Pine Valley Creek Bridge rises high above a deep valley carved by the relatively small Pine Valley Creek. Snow had fallen on Interstate 8 on the day before these pictures were taken. All photos taken 01/19/01.
|
 |
 |
| 
| These views of the Pine Valley Creek Bridge are taken from the eastbound lanes looking west. Pictures taken 01/19/01.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| This series of pictures shows the Pine Valley Creek Bridge as seen from various vantage points above, below, and on-grade with the bridge. The pillars that support the bridge rise from the floor of the valley, then separate into a "Y" shape to support the dual carriageways of Interstate 8 over the valley below. Prior to the construction of this bridge, plans had called for Interstate 8 to enter Pine Valley itself via what is now California 79 and Historic U.S. 80. Those plans changed when this bridge was conceived and determined to be feasible for construction. All photos taken 01/19/01.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| All American Canal Bridge near Milepost 153
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
This suite of photos provides views of the All-American Canal Bridge near Milepost 153 just east of Grays Well Road. This bridge features a unique steel superstructure that is only visible to those on foot or using the canal service road. Without water, the Imperial Valley would not be able to produce one-seventh of the nation's table vegetables. The All-American Canal carries water from the Colorado River west into the valley, providing farmers with the resources they need to grow a wide variety of crops in the hot desert. Pictures taken 01/19/01.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Abandoned Rest Area near Milepost 79
|
 |
 |
An abandoned rest area is located along Interstate 8 eastbound near this callbox at Milepost 79. The rest area has been closed, but it may be accessed by parking on the shoulder of the road (not recommended) and hiking along an abandoned on-ramp. There even is an old freeway entrance sign that has since been relegated to target practice. There were no facilities to this rest stop, but it has an outstanding view of the In-Ko-Pah Gorge. Photos taken 11/00.
|
 |
 |
Page Updated May 20, 2007.
|
