County to Request State, Federal
Funds for East Slope Mountain Road

By JOSEPH P. McCARTHY
Sun Telegraph Staff Writer

A resolution asking state and federal forestry officials to provide the estimated $2 million for the construction of Pioneer Loop Road between Big Bear and Yucca Valley was approved yesterday by the Board of Supervisors.

Supervisor Ross Dana, who introduced the resolution, said the county would never be able to finance the cost of the road and that the forestry agencies are the ones most likely to be interested in the development of the road.

He pointed out that if developed, the road would open to the public a vast amount of “scenic and historic” lands and would help satisfy an increasing demand for recreation areas.

The road now is a twisting, treacherous narrow dirt road that winds down the eastern slope of the San Bernadino Mountains.

The present condition of the road is approximately the same as it was when the covered wagon-borne pioneers used it to cross the mountains.

A group of Yucca Valley residents began campaigning for improvement of the road several years ago. They claim it will be an important tourist attraction which will bring more money to the mountains and high desert areas.

The resolution also asked that the road be included in the State Highway System as well as the Master Plan for Scenic Highways.

County Engineer M. A. Nicholas said the road would have to be incorporated into both plans before funds could be provided for development.