Revisiting The Road To Nowhere

CrazyHermit · Post by **CrazyHermit** » Tue Apr 24, 2018 10:02 am

Not to be confused with the Bridge To Nowhere, the road is in the same neck of the woods, high above the western flank of the East Fork. Also known as the Tunnels to Nowhere, this dirt road was built during the Cold War days with the U.S.S.R. when he U.S. government decided that Los Angeles needed an escape route to the desert in the event of a nuclear strike.

The real name is Shoemaker Road, an offshoot of East Fork Road on the way to the East Fork trailhead. Normally it's a pretty boring hike, except for the tunnels, but the second time I visited, on a rainy day, it took on a whole new dimension. The road is about 2.5 miles each way, and dead ends shortly after the second tunnel. Construction began in the 1950s, but it was abandoned back in the 1960s due to cost overruns, rockslides and environmental concerns.

The first tunnel ....

This doesn't exist anymore. It was one of two old bee farms ....

Inside the first tunnel ...

Setting to mood for your dark tunnel adventure ....

More caveman art for your viewing pleasure ...

Still more nightmarish creations on the way through the tunnels ...

Back view of the second tunnel ...

An old water tank perched near the side of the road....

Beneath the road there are a series of drainage tunnels. This road was built well and meant to last ...

Inside the tunnel above. Because it was raining I opted not to explore it, yet ...

Post by **Sean** » Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:05 pm

I think it would be hilarious to mount one of those motion-activated singing fish inside the tunnel. I'd wait for someone to set it off and then wave my flashlight around. Then I'd yell, "Tunnel Dance Party!" and start bopping around like a maniac.

CrazyHermit · Post by **CrazyHermit** » Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:16 pm

Or a malfunctioning Lincoln robot.

Post by **Sean** » Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:36 pm

Ha, ha, Limbo Dance Party! President Lincoln wins.

headsizeburrito · Post by **headsizeburrito** » Tue Apr 24, 2018 9:23 pm

Jefferson Davis agrees.

Hayduke · Post by **Hayduke** » Sun Apr 29, 2018 9:50 am

Fun photos - thanks for sharing

CrazyHermit · Post by **CrazyHermit** » Sat Sep 11, 2021 7:45 am

Just put up a YouTube video on the road along with some hidden places most people miss.

Gene · Post by **Gene** » Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:34 am

Another excellent video!

CrazyHermit · Post by **CrazyHermit** » Sat Sep 11, 2021 10:11 am

Thanks Gene

Post by **Sean** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 9:11 pm

Great job! I love the clips of old films. And that music for Tunnel One is exactly how I feel when I walk through it.

Post by **Taco** » Tue Sep 14, 2021 9:41 am

That was an excellent video, thanks for sharing.

walker · Post by **walker** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 12:14 am

Who knows what evil lurks in the depths of tunnels?

Brings back memories. Used to go to nighttime drum circle parties in the first tunnel - good vibes until the witchcraft/animal sacrifice folks started to show up and use the spot for their ceremonies as well.

Cool spooky murals. Looks like the taggers went wild on everything in sight up there since last time I was there.

Thanks again for another awesome history lesson and outstanding video voyage.

CrazyHermit · Post by **CrazyHermit** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 5:11 am

It must be difficult spray painting those murals in the pitch blackness. Every inch of the walls have now been tagged, but at least they're restricting their "artwork" to the inside of the tunnels.