Soledad Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Soledad Pass |
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A view looking south from Highway 14.
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| Elevation | 3,209 ft (978 m) |
| Traversed by |  SR 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) CR N3 Metrolink: Antelope Valley CHSR (future)Union Pacific Railroad |
| Location | Los Angeles County, California, U.S. |
| Range | Sierra Pelona Mountains/ San Gabriel Mountains |
| Coordinates | 34°30′24″N 118°06′44″W / 34.50667°N 118.11222°W |
| Topo map | USGS Palmdale |
Soledad Pass is a mountain pass in northern Los Angeles County, California. It sits at an elevation of 3,209 feet (978 meters) above sea level.
This pass is the highest point along Soledad Canyon. The canyon winds between two mountain ranges: the Sierra Pelona Mountains to the northwest and the San Gabriel Mountains to the southeast. Soledad Pass connects the Santa Clara River area with the Antelope Valley, which is part of the western Mojave Desert.
It is also special because it's the lowest place to cross the Great Basin Divide between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the San Bernardino Mountains. The Great Basin Divide separates rivers that flow to the Pacific Ocean from those that flow into the Great Basin, a large area where water doesn't reach the ocean.
How People Travel Through Soledad Pass
Soledad Pass is an important route for transportation. It has one railroad line and three highways that cross it.
Railroad Lines
The railroad line through the pass is owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. This line used to be a main route for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Even today, many freight trains use this pass.
The Metrolink commuter train also uses this route. Its Antelope Valley Line helps people travel between Los Angeles and the Antelope Valley. The Vincent Grade/Acton station is just south of the pass. There are also plans for the future California High-Speed Rail system to use this pass.
Highways and Roads
Three main roads go through Soledad Pass:
- The Antelope Valley Freeway (SR 14)
- The Sierra Highway (SR 14U)
- The Angeles Forest Highway (CR N3)
These roads help people and goods move easily between different parts of California.
