California Highway 18 Photographs
Left - Reflectorized "button copy" freeway guide sign marking the upcoming Hwy 18 Interchange on the Foothill Freeway (Hwy 210) in San Bernardino
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Centre - Facing east along the Foothill Freeway (Hwy 210) approaching the Hwy 18 Interchange in San Bernardino. The snow-capped peaks of the San Bernardino Mountains can be seen in the distance. Hwy 18 crosses over these mountains to Lucerne Valley in the Mojave Desert.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Right - Hwy 18 quickly climbs out of San Bernardino on an awe-inspiring route that leads up to the mountain resort towns of Crestline, Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake. After crossing the San Bernardino Mountains, Hwy 18 slowly winds its way back across the Mojave Desert to join Interstate 15 at Victorville. Hwy 18 is an undivided four-lane arterial highway between San Bernardino and the Hwy 138 Interchange near Crestline. However, the remainder of the highway's 114-mile journey is predominantly a two-lane route. About half of Hwy 18's total mileage consists of the various mountain passes crossing over the San Bernardino Mountains.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Left - Many sections of Hwy 18 had to be built on mountainside viaducts due to the steep slope of the San Bernardino Mountains
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Centre - Also known as Rim of the World Drive, the first leg of Hwy 18 offers visitors with spectacular views of the Los Angeles Basin from several roadside lookout points. The first few miles of this highway are particularly breathtaking, like this overlook which showcases Hwy 18's dizzying 3,500-foot initial ascent into the mountains from nearby San Bernardino. The highway actually climbs much higher, reaching its maximum elevation at a summit near Big Bear Lake.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Right - The otherwise impressive mountainside interchange of Hwy 18 and Hwy 138 near Crestline is trumped by the dramatic snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains in the distance. Despite the warm climate of Los Angeles itself, some of the mountain highways in the adjacent San Gabriel Range are snowbound for most of the winter. However, mountain highways in the San Bernardino Range are normally kept open during the winter.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Left - Facing south along Hwy 18 towards the Hwy 138 Interchange near the mountain resort community of Crestline
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Centre - The winding route of Hwy 18 is definitely not a good route for inexperienced drivers. North of the Hwy 138 Interchange, Hwy 18 becomes quite narrow with many sharp curves and steep grades.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Right - Due to space limitations, many sections of Hwy 18 through the San Bernardino Mountains do not have any shoulders. However, turnouts are provided at regular intervals to provide places for vehicles to stop safely.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Left - This sharp reverse curve clings to the mountainside a short distance north of the Hwy 138 Interchange. It is one of many sharp curves located on Hwy 18 between the Hwy 138 Interchange and Crest Summit.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Centre - This spectacular section of Hwy 18 was notched out of the mountainside near the Hwy 138 Interchange. Drivers who are intimidated by narrow mountain roads, or those who are afraid of heights should stay off this highway. However, drivers who are looking for a fun but moderately challenging mountain drive will enjoy this highway tremendously!
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Right - As seen in this photo, the San Bernardino Mountains receive significant snowfall accumulations during the winter months. Be mindful of the road surface conditions while driving this highway in winter, since snow accumulation and ice on the pavement can make the road extremely slippery - definitely not something you want to discover as you are rounding a hairpin curve.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Left - Hwy 18 is quite busy in the winter months, when the mountain ski resorts are open
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Centre - Crossing Cushenbury Grade Summit (Elevation 6,892 feet) on Hwy 18 north of Big Bear Lake. From here, Hwy 18 drops into the Lucerne Valley, which marks the western limits of the Mojave Desert. The sign warning drivers to watch their downhill speed should not be ignored, as the highway has several sharp curves ahead.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Right - One of the many sharp curves on Hwy 18 lying north of Cushenbury Grade Summit
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Left - You do not want to miss this curve on Hwy 18. It is a long way down!
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Centre - From this scenic lookout, Hwy 18 can be seen crossing Cactus Flat on its journey north towards the Hwy 247 Junction at Lucerne Valley. What makes this shallow valley particularly interesting is that the alpine trees quickly give way to desert vegetation over the course of only a few miles.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Right - Hairpin curve on Hwy 18 between Cushenbury Grade Summit and Cactus Flat. The evergreen mountain forests suddenly disappear beyond this point.
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Left - Heading north along Hwy 18 towards the arid desert mountains beyond Cactus Flat
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Centre - Hwy 18 descends from the San Bernardino Mountains through Cushenbury Canyon
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Right - A sharp curve on Hwy 18 at Cushenbury Canyon, between Big Bear Lake and Lucerne Valley
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
Above - Entering the Lucerne Valley and the Mojave Desert on Hwy 18 from Cushenbury Canyon
(Photograph taken on February 22, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)
