Locals always miss their mountains when they leave
Locals always miss their mountains when they leave
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Posted by editor Mon Mar 3, 2008 12:11:54 PST
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While I’ve never moved out of Tehachapi and have no intention of ever leaving, I have many friends who left and later returned because they found themselves homesick for life in the embrace of the Tehachapi Mountains. “I missed seeing the mountains” is a common sentiment expressed by the returnees. I start feeling that way if I’m gone for two days consecutively.
No matter which of our four main valleys you grow up in — Tehachapi, Brite Cummings or Bear — you are surrounded by mountains on all sides. Unlike long V-shaped valleys that are open at the ends, or huge valleys like the San Joaquin that are so big that their mountainous margins can be hard to see, all of our valleys are nestled into their immediate surroundings.
The mountains that appear largest are those south of the town of Tehachapi, and they are in fact the highest points in the Tehachapis: the tallest is Tehachapi Peak at 7,988 feet, while nearby Double Mountain is 7,974 feet and Cummings Mountain to the west is 7,741 feet. Our view is of the more shaded, north-facing side of these mountains, where snow accumulates deepest and remains the longest.
The photo above was taken from a vantage point overlooking Highway 58, and of course looks directly south. Starting from the left in the background you can see the deep notch that is Antelope Canyon, owned by the Wyman family’s Summit Lime Company. Light patches on the hillside just east of Antelope Canyon mark the location of the old limestone quarry.
Continuing towards the center of the photo, the highest point is Tehachapi Peak, which can be reached by a relatively short but steep hike from Tehachapi Mountain Park. A metal can at the summit holds paper for hikers to write comments, and campers from the Burbank YMCA’s old Camp Earlanna in Paradise Valley would sometimes refer to this as “Woody’s Peak” after a camp counselor by that name, but that peculiar nickname wasn’t recognized or used by anyone else.
Just right of center is the smooth yellow grassy hill almost devoid of trees known as China Hill after a nearby gold mining operation in the late 1880s that employed Chinese laborers. Water Canyon is visible as a deeply-shadowed notch just behind and to the right of China Hill.
Continuing west (right) is the round summit and long sloping incline of Cummings Mountain, which dominates the south side of Cummings Valley and often bears snow for weeks or months after the last snowstorm.
In the left foreground of the photo is the lawn and stately Italian Cypress trees that mark the Tehachapi Eastside Cemetery, formerly known as the Catholic Cemetery. Tucker Road is of course the roadway visible in the center of the picture.
Epic vantage points that overlook the Tehachapi area are mesmerizing to me, because there are so many landmarks to look for and discern — peaks, canyons, hills, roads, creeks, homesteads, ranches, the railroad, water tanks, distinctive trees....all are part of the changing tapestry of our beloved area.
I’ve taken a similar photo following a big snowstorm to capture Tehachapi when it is clothed in winter white, and the landscape is as beautiful as it is in each of our four seasons.
If you’ve ever lived in Tehachapi and loved this place, then I’ll make a prediction for you: if you move away, you’ll miss the mountains.
And hopefully at least some of the people, because some of the finest humans anywhere live in the 93561 zip code.
Have a good week.
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After rasing my children in Tehachapi for 17 years, I moved away. I have been gone for 3 and a half years and to my surprise I never have a day go by without missing Tehachapi. I spent my summers there as a child growing up and knew that's where I wanted to raise my children. Atfer my children were raised I decided to move to Kooskia, Idaho, eaiser winters then that of what I had in Mt. Park. Oh but how my heart will always be in Tehachapi. I have been back every year to see the amazing changes and growth. I miss the land, people, living up on the top of the mountain at Tehachapi Mountain Park, and life I had in Tehachapi. I also miss your soft and sweet voice with so much knowledge of Pen In Hand, Jon Hammond . Hope you don't go hitching any more rides on the train- Jon. Peace be in Tehachapi
