Corral Hollow Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corral Hollow Pass |
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Portezuela de Buenos Ayres | |
Elevation | 1600 ft |
Traversed by | ![]() |
Location | Alameda County, California |
Range | Diablo Range |
Coordinates | 37°38′57″N 121°36′34″W / 37.64917°N 121.60944°W |
Topo map | Midway, CA |
Corral Hollow Pass is a low mountain pass in California. It is located in the Diablo Range, southeast of Livermore. This pass is about 1600 feet (488 meters) high.
It was once known as Portezuela de Buenos Ayres, which means "Pass of Good Winds" in Spanish. This pass was an important part of an old road called El Camino Viejo. This road went over the mountains and down into a deep canyon. Today, County Highway J2 (Tesla Road/Corral Hollow Road) follows this historic route. It is a popular way to avoid traffic on Interstate 580.
What is Corral Hollow Pass?
A mountain pass is like a natural gap or low point in a mountain range. It makes it easier to travel from one side of the mountains to the other. Corral Hollow Pass helped travelers cross the Diablo Range. It connected the Livermore Valley to the San Joaquin Valley.
How Was It Used in the Past?
In the past, the pass was a key part of El Camino Viejo. This was an important route for people traveling through California. It helped them move between different areas. The road went from the Arroyo Seco area. Then it dropped into a canyon near a former mining town called Tesla. From there, it continued along Corral Hollow Creek to the San Joaquin Valley.
The Name's History
The original name, Portezuela de Buenos Ayres, appeared on an old map. This map was for a ranch called Rancho Las Positas. In Spanish, "Portezuela" means "small door." In Mexico, it can also mean a pass between hills. By 1873, the name had changed. It was shown as Corral Hollow Pass on a California State Geological Survey map.