Early Mountain Car
In Fawnskin Valley we passed a little cabin of native logs, and then started the lonesome 55 miles through the pine forests, over the hazardous snow slide grade to the next sign of civilization, the Tillots, at Green Valley. Stumps on the trail had to be negotiated the same as boulders into the Santa Ana Canyon. Trees were so close to the trail that we scratched paint off the roadster getting through them, and finally arrived late in the day at Green Valley to the immense surprise of the startled Tillots, who couldn’t believe their eyes at beholding an automobile in their wilderness.
At that time, Green Valley was a nursery for the forest service, and thousands of baby pine trees were growing there to be set out in the mountains where the Brookings Company had logged off mature trees.
The road this far had been one nightmare after another, but we took no chances and drove slowly but surely toward our goal. As we passed Green Valley we were about exhausted and it was almost sundown. We came to Deep Creek, and again faced nothing but trouble, for there were no bridges or paved highways then. We lay down on a sand bar, ate our last sandwich, lit a Bull Durham cigarette and relaxed. The car was still in fine shape, and we had enough gas for 40 miles or so.
Pinecrest Lodge
Opie figured we could make Pinecrest and the old Baylis resort about 15 miles ahead in time to get a swell feed and maybe communicate with the valley over his magneto telephone line he had boasted of. We only had 22 miles more of mountain driving along the rim, and then we would be on our way down hill, after which we would drift back to San Bernardino and be able to parade up and down before all the saloons and hotels and pool rooms where the boys were waiting to collect their wagers on the trip.
After a good rest at Deep Creek we steamed up and hit the trail again, stopping for a few minutes at Heaps Ranch, which was the only sign of habitation between Green Valley and Pinecrest. Finally we lit our carbine lights and drove under the arch to Pinecrest, where we were given a welcome fit for a king. It did not take them long to wind the old wall magneto phone to San Bernardino and announce our safe arrival at Pinecrest. But the diehards still wouldn’t concede it could be done, and started placing bets that we would not be able to get down the steep, rocky switch-backs into Waterman Canyon.
But after a real feed, we set off to complete the history-making trip. On the entire journey so far we had met only three vehicles, all horse drawn: one horse and buggy on Clarke’s Grade, a ranch wagon in Santa Ana, and another rig near Waterman Canyon toll gate.
Early store on Rim of the World
We took things slow and easy down that 10-mile steep grade. Our brakes, little rear cast-iron shoes now almost worn out to paper thickness, did not hold the car at all times. It was necessary to put the steam engine in reverse many times to hold the car back. Our headlights flashed all over the mountain-side and could be seen glaring through the darkness on the Rim of the World.
Our return to San Bernardino from this trail-blazing expedition really set the pace for mountain travel, and within the next three years in anticipation of more automobile travel, roads were improved, and in recent years the engineering of fine high-gear roads has opened up this wonderful mountain playground to millions of vacationers who make the trip in an hour, thanks to the foresight of a handful of pioneer-spirited men willing to risk lie and limb in 1908 to pioneer mountain travel by automobile.
A few weeks prior to this “Rim of the World” trip, Mr. Heyser startled all of Southern California by driving the same White Steamer to the top of Strawberry Peak. This spectacular trip was made to prove the ability of the car before attempting the longer route through Big Bear Valley.
Lake Arrowhead to Big Bear CA
