Yermo Community Services District
W W W . Y E R M O C S D . O R G

1) In front of you is Barstow-Daggett Airport. Established in 1942 as a Army reserve airfield and still used today by the Army at Ft. Irwin National Training Center for helicopter operations support.

2) Turn left onto Famous Route 66 and note the mountain in the distance on the right horizon. Known locally as Elephant Mountain for it's distinctive shape. Notice the view in all directions from this area and you will see why the Mojave Desert is popular with residents and tourists alike.

3) As you get closer to Daggett, on your right you will see the Solar and Electrical Plants of Southern California Edison and it's partners in power exploration.

4) As you arrive in Daggett, the Union Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads converge to a multi-line track into southern California. Over 200 trains a day utilize these tracks for bringing your consumer goods by rail from all points east and west. Many train spotters use this location for photo opportunities daily.

5) At the intersection of Route 66 and Daggett -Yermo Rd., across the intersection to the left, you will see the steep sloped roof of the Alpine House. Famous for years as a tourist and information center, it is now a private residence.

6) Turning right at the intersection, and just across the railroad tracks, you can turn right on Santa Fe Rd. to visit Daggett and the historic Stone Hotel. Visit the Daggett Museum on the left at the park.

7) As you return to Daggett -Yermo Rd., and turn right, you begin to leave Daggett. You will pass over the Daggett-Minneola Ditch. This 3 mile long concrete and stone waterway was the only way to get water delivery from the Mojave River for agriculture and development until the 1920's.

8) Crossing over the Mojave River, note that this is one of the few rivers in the continental United States that flow North and is mostly an underground river. Traveling from it’s source at Silverwood Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, the river flows above ground through the Victor Valley to Silver Lakes in Helendale just south of Barstow. The river drops below ground at that point and resurfaces occasionally, during periods of heavy rains, until it reaches it's terminus in the scenic Afton Canyon 30 miles East of Barstow.

9) Looking North, you will see the famous Calico Mountains.

10) As you pass over the Mojave River Bridge, on your left you will see the original mining operations camp of at the base of Elephant Mountain. Note the stone ramps and lumber stands still visible from the roadway. Millions of tons of silver and copper ore from the Calico Mountain Mines were processed here for railroad delivery until the turn of the century.

11) The next point of interest is the starting point for the Yermo tour.

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