Historical Tour of old US 99

- Violin Summit / Big Oak Flat
Summit Elevation : 2591 ft.

Old alignment of US 99 just below Violin Summit. It was bypassed when I-5 was constructed.

Violin Summit was a false summit. The real summit along this segment of highway was at Whitaker Summit. Big Oak Flat must have been a great sight after climbing the steep Five Mile Grade. This segment of US 99 was originally opened in 1933 as a three lane highway and widened in 1949 to four lanes.

Looking north from Violin Summit.

Looking north towards Whitaker Summit.

Old US 99 continues on as Golden State Highway from here. This section is not continuous, but the tour follows right under Pyramid Lake.

Go North on US 99 to Bakersfield

Go South on US 99 to Los Angeles

Return to US 99 Introduction Page