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Jarod's Tracks LbNA #42059

Owner:Columbine
Plant date:Jul 17, 2008
Location: Huntington Lake Road
City:Lakeshore
County:Fresno
State:California
Boxes:1
Found by: Not yet found!
Last found:N/A
Last edited:Jun 29, 2017
Jarod is a train fanatic who loves Huntington Lake. Every summer he explores the area, especially the old railroad sites. Jarod loves the story of the SJ&E (San Joaquin and Eastern) railroad. It was built starting in 1912 primarily to support the construction of hydroelectric projects in the area, including Huntington Lake. Jarod found it amusing that because it has been called the crookedest railroad ever built, many dubbed the SJ&E the Slow, Jerky and Expensive. Follow Jarod’s “tracks” and you will be treated to great views, a bit of history and his special letterbox. About 2 miles round trip on a flat dirt road.

Huntington Lake is in the Sierra Nevada National Forest between Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks, east of Fresno. Take Highway 168 East out of Fresno to the east end of Huntington Lake. Turn left at Huntington Lake Road and follow it to the far end of the lake Proceed down the hill past the dam. This is called dam #3. After a few twists and turns there will be a split in the road, head up hill (left) toward Camp Keola and Lakeview Cottages. Follow the road (staying left) until it ends at a locked gate just before dam #2. Park here. Walk back along the road in the direction you just drove. At the fork stay left on the dirt road which heads south-southwest away from the lake. (It is possible to drive down this dirt road about 1/3 mile and park at a wide spot near some dumpsters). Continue along the dirt road and you will come to another locked gate. You can walk around the gate and continue on the flat road. The road is actually the old railroad tread.

As you walk along the old rail bed look for some of the original railroad ties. Eventually you see about 3 of the ties. After you see the old ties look down into the canyon on your left as you walk. Here you will see a pipe, which takes the water out of Huntington Lake at dam #1 and sends it to the penstocks.

Continue until you reach the end of the road. Here you will see the vents for 4 penstocks. A penstock is a high pressure pipeline which delivers water down the hill to Big Creek Powerhouse #1to generate electricity.

Stand next to the second vent from the left (east). Now turn 180º so your back is to the vent. Look to your left through the “V” between the two Jeffery Pines and you will see a double telephone pole. Walk over to the poles. These power and phone lines approximate the course of the incline railroad. Look down the hill to the town below. This is the town of Big Creek. It was previously known as Cascada, which means Waterfall. This incline railroad carried supplies up over 2000 feet and up to a maximum grade of 80º. The supplies were then hauled along the road (old rail bed) you just walked. They were transported to the basin area where they were used in construction of the dams, which now form Huntington Lake.

Return to the second penstock vent. Once again with your back to the vent look straight ahead about 100 feet and slightly to the right (1 o’clock) to a large piece of abandoned cable shaped like a rainbow near the ground. Just in front of the cable you will find an old road heading west and up hill. Follow the road up and to the right until you come to the old hoist house for the incline railroad. How many window panes are in the window? (The windows have long since been broken). With your back to the window, walk the number of adult paces equal to the number of window panes times 5 toward the double telephone pole you were at earlier. At this point look southeast (slightly left) to a grouping of multi-trunked oak trees. These are the only oak trees in this area. Walk ½ the number of paces you just walked toward the oak trees. Ahead you will find a boulder and what you are seeking.

Although the railroad was abandoned in 1933, Jarod enjoys searching for clues of its’ existence. He hopes you did too. Return to your car the same way.

Note: The roads in this area are not plowed in winter. This is our first letterbox and our first handcarved stamp.


If you are interested in more information about the history of this area:

The Railroad That Lighted Southern California by Hank Johnston.

The Story of Big Creek by David Redinger.



Hike length: 1-2 miles