Fandango Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fandango Pass |
|
|---|---|
East side of Fandango Pass above Surprise Valley
|
|
| Elevation | 6,135 ft (1,870 m) |
| Traversed by |  CR 9 |
| Location | Modoc National Forest, Modoc County, California, United States |
| Range | Warner Mountains |
| Coordinates | 41°48′08″N 120°12′25″W / 41.8021136°N 120.206895°W |
 Location in California
|
|
| Official name: Applegate-Lassen Emigrant Trail (Fandango Pass) | |
| Designated: | July 15, 1956 |
| Reference #: | 546 |
The Fandango Pass is a mountain pass located in the Warner Mountains of Modoc County, California, USA. It sits within the Modoc National Forest and is about 6,135 feet (1,870 m) above sea level. This pass is about 5 mi (8.0 km) southwest of Fort Bidwell.
Fandango Pass was very important in history because it was where two major trails met. These trails, the Applegate and the Lassen, were used by pioneer families traveling west between 1846 and 1850. Today, you can drive through the pass on a 10 mi (16 km) gravel road. However, it closes during winter storms.
Contents
History of Fandango Pass Trails
This mountain pass was a meeting point for two important trails: the Applegate Trail and the Lassen Trail. Pioneer families used these trails to travel across the country from 1846 to 1850.
The Applegate Trail
The Applegate Trail was created in 1846 by the Applegate brothers and Levi Scott. They wanted to find a safer way for people to reach the Oregon Territory. This trail went through parts of today's Idaho, Nevada, California, and Oregon.
The Lassen Horn Trail
Two years later, in 1848, Peter Lassen created the Lassen Horn Trail. This trail went south from Goose Lake towards the gold mines and settlements in California. Many people used Fandango Pass from 1848 until 1853. However, its importance lessened after 1869 when a new wagon road, Cedar Pass, opened up.
Journey to the Pass
To reach Fandango Pass, pioneers had to cross or go around Upper Alkali Lake. Then they would reach the Warner Mountains, which are west of the lake. This historic route was part of the California Trail. It involved traveling through Rabbithole Springs and crossing the Black Rock Desert. This desert journey was about 100 miles (160 km) long.
From Surprise Valley, the trail climbed steeply to reach the pass. It gained about 1,600 ft (490 m) in just 2 mi (3.2 km). From the top of the pass, the trail went steeply down into Fandango Valley. This valley is near Goose Lake, on the border of Oregon and California. You can still see parts of the Fandango Pass trail section on the eastern side of the summit.
How Fandango Pass Got Its Name
The pass was first called Lassen's Pass (on a map from 1857) or Lassen Pass (on a map from 1864). It was named after Peter Lassen by gold seekers in 1849. They followed the route he had made the year before.
Why the Name Changed to Fandango
There are a couple of ideas about why the name changed from Lassen to Fandango.
- One story suggests that in the 1850s, a difficult event happened in the area. A large group of pioneers had camped in the valley. They were celebrating with a fandango (a lively Spanish dance) after finding good hunting, grass, and water. During this time, they were attacked.
- Another idea is that a group called the Wolverine Rangers camped in the valley. It was so cold that they burned their wagons for warmth and danced a fandango to stay warm. They named their campsite "Fandango Valley." Later pioneers saw the burned wagons and thought a conflict had happened.
Even though the valley, peak, and pass were named Fandango in the 1870s, a map from 1949 still showed the pass as Lassen Horn.
Fandango Pass as a Landmark
On July 15, 1956, the Fandango Pass part of the Applegate-Lassen Emigrant Trail became California Historical Landmark No. 546. This means it's a special place recognized for its history in California. The marker for this landmark is located about 10.8 mi (17.4 km) east of Highway 395 on Fandango Pass Road (County Road 9). Another marker, placed by Trails West, is also located near the road.
Images for kids
-
California Historical Landmark No. 546 marker for Fandango Pass.
