Carpenter Summit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carpenter Summit |
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|---|---|
| Elevation | East bound 4,052 feet (1,235 m) and West bound at 4,078 feet (1,243 m) |
| Location | San Diego County, California |
| Range | Cuyamaca Mountains |
Carpenter Summit is a name proposed for a mountain pass in San Diego County, California. It's still waiting for official approval from the United States Geological Survey. This pass was created when Interstate 8 (I-8) was built in this area between 1972 and 1974. Unlike three other nearby mountain passes, this one was never officially named during its construction. The name "Carpenter Summit" was suggested in late 2019 and is currently going through the approval process.
This highway pass is the first of four important high points along Interstate 8 as it crosses the Cuyamaca Mountains. When you drive east on I-8, the summit is at about 4,052 feet (1,235 m) high. If you're driving west, it's a bit higher at about 4,078 feet (1,243 m). The freeway actually splits here, going around a ridge that reaches about 4,120 feet (1,260 m).
Other major highway summits to the east of San Diego include Laguna Summit, Crestwood Summit, and the Tecate Divide.
Building Interstate 8
How the Road Was Made
The construction of Interstate 8 through this area was a big project. The road was carefully planned to go through places like Alpine and the Viejas Indian Reservation. It mostly followed an older road called US 80 as it entered the Laguna Mountains and the Cleveland National Forest.
By August 1970, money was set aside to finish building the freeway in this region. One part, from Japatul Valley Road to Laguna Junction, was a very large and expensive project.
The plan was to finish this section of I-8 by mid-1975. At the beginning of 1974, there were still about 22 miles (35 km) of two-lane highway left to build. A new bridge over Pine Valley Creek and the road section from Japatul Valley Road to Pine Valley were opened on November 24, 1974. This left only about 8 miles (13 km) of freeway to be built. The very last part of I-8 in California, from Sunrise Highway to La Posta Road, was completed in May 1975.
More Information
- Google Street view of I-8 East bound 4,000 foot elevation sign.
- Google Street view of I-8 West bound 4,000 foot elevation sign.
