Shoemaker Canyon Road in California is the Armageddon Highway
Located in Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, Shoemaker Canyon Road is an abandoned road. Built in the early days of the Cold War (1950s and 60s) with convict labor, the road was intended as an escape route in case Los Angeles was attacked with nuclear weapons.
Where is Shoemaker Canyon Road?
The abandoned road is situated within the Angeles National Forest, above the city of Azusa, in the southern part of California.
How long is Shoemaker Canyon Road in California?
Starting at East Fork Road, the road is 7.08 km (4.4 miles) long. Nicknamed the "Road to Nowhere," "Armageddon Highway," and "Convict Road," it features two abandoned long tunnels, chaparral, and nice canyon views. The dead-end road was the first phase of a projected 23-year effort to build a 2-lane highway up the steep East Fork San Gabriel River canyon to Angeles Crest Highway. Cold War-era leaders believed Los Angeles residents needed an escape route through the San Gabriel Mountains in case of a nuclear attack.
When was Shoemaker Canyon Road in California built?
Construction began in 1956 (by inmates from Sheriff’s Department detention camps), but only four miles were finished, and work officially stopped in 1969. The project was scrapped due to budget cuts, leading to the road's abandonment. This well-graded dirt road with a moderate grade penetrates several miles up the East Fork and then ends abruptly.
Can you drive Shoemaker Canyon Road in California?
Set high in the San Gabriel Mountains, today you can drive the first 1.8 miles of Shoemaker Canyon Road on pavement; then walk or mountain-bike the remaining graded-dirt section, going steadily uphill, to reach a pair of tunnels: 1.8 and 2.6 miles north of the closed gate. In the middle, the tunnels are quite dark, and some people might find it a little unnerving. Don't do this in the hot midday sun, as there is virtually no shade except for the tunnel passages. Make sure someone knows you’re hiking here and to call rescue if you do not return in time. The extreme weather of the area is a risk: heat in summers and winter storms. The road and its tunnels are featured on the Science Channel's Mysteries of the Abandoned series.
Pic: Kevin Childree