A Railfan’s Day Guide to Beaumont Hill

Railfan Chris Jones has provided us with two fantastic guides to railfanning in Southern California. The first, around Beaumont Hill, includes some excellent photography and tips for finding the best spots in this area.

Words and photos by Chris Jones.

Growing up in Southern California, there is certainly enough train traffic to keep any rail fan occupied. From the dual-railroading action of Cajon Pass to the famed loop on Tehachapi and the scenic views of the Coast Line, there certainly is no shortage of railfanning opportunities in this corner of the United States. But one location that tends to get overlooked, likely due to it being in the shadow of nearby Cajon Pass, is San Gorgonio Pass between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley. Better known to railfans as Beaumont Hill, this is part of Union Pacific’s (formerly Southern Pacific’s) Sunset Route between Southern California and New Orleans. While it may not see the same daily levels as Cajon, UP’s Yuma Sub does have its fair share of intermodal and mixed traffic, seeing around ten to fifteen trains per day. Union Pacific 7304, with at least two other locomotives behind.

The part of the Yuma Sub between the outskirts of West Colton and Whitewater has plenty to offer in terms of scenery and photographic potential. The sweeping curves found in San Timoteo Canyon make for great shots of trains winding their way up or down grade, as do the giant panoramas offered from a hilltop near Cabazon overlooking the tracks that stretch on for over a mile in either direction. Not to mention the massive snow-capped Mount San Jacinto, rising over 10,800 feet above the valley, providing a dramatic backdrop for any train photo or video, along with the dozens of wind generators which offer another unique backdrop. This stretch also provides plenty of amenities between the towns of Beaumont, Banning and Cabazon. Accessibility is good too, as Interstate 10 parallels the tracks all the way from Beaumont to the Highway 111 overpass near Whitewater, and San Timoteo Canyon Road follows them from the outskirts of Redlands to Beaumont.

Beaumont Hill, much like the other great railfan locations around Southern California, is an easy day trip from Los Angeles or Orange County. Taking one of several freeways east towards San Bernardino, you will end up on Interstate 10 in Colton where you can either make a detour to West Colton Yard or head straight to San Timoteo Canyon. If you choose the latter, get off the freeway at California Street and make a left on to Barton Avenue then the second right on to San Timoteo Canyon Road. The road parallels the tracks to Beaumont and provides multiple great places to photograph trains. Train traffic usually starts up around 7:30AM, so it is good to get an early start so you can maximize your time out here. There are a few trains in the morning originating out of West Colton, with more going both directions in the afternoon so, as is always the case with railfanning, patience is key. Time between trains allows you to scout out a good vantage point and set up your camera to get that perfect shot. Union Pacific 9090 and 4910, with a third locomotive behind.

Following the tracks east it is easy to follow a train through the canyon, racing to get in front of it as it slowly winds its way up toward the summit in Beaumont (less so when it is heading downhill) to set up your tripod and camera. San Timoteo Canyon Road crosses the tracks twice, and through the canyon is south of the tracks. There are areas where the road and tracks diverge, and where it does one can turn off and follow a connecting road to the tracks, but it is better sticking to the road unless you know a train is near since waiting for one takes away time you could be spending scouting out a better location. On the other side of the canyon the road and tracks parallel each other in a straight shot towards Beaumont. Racing a train along this stretch can be a lot of fun, albeit within the speed limit.

There is a great spot on the outskirts of town that provides a great view looking back towards the exit of the canyon. The tracks turn southeast through a shallow S-curve as they pass through town, and just before the I-10 onramp turn right onto Desert Lawn Drive to reach a great vantage point which puts you eye-level with the engineer. It makes for a great shot, especially with a meet. This spot makes a great end to viewing San Timoteo Canyon and leads you to the town of Beaumont. Four Union Pacific locomotives head this consist, with 8103 and 8459 leading.

Beaumont sits at the summit of San Gorgonio Pass and provides plenty of facilities for the railfan. You will have to hop on I-10 here, taking the exit into downtown where you will find a Denny’s, perfect for lunch after a morning in the canyon, as well as a gas station and other amenities. The Denny’s sits right near the tracks, and one can even view trains out some of the windows. Leaving Beaumont, I-10 follows the tracks east, passing through Banning in a straight line before they begin going through a large sweeping curve as both wind their way down towards the Coachella Valley. There are not many photo opportunities in Banning, so it is better to bypass it and head to Cabazon.

Cabazon is home to the Morongo Casino and Resort, a towering edifice that can be seen long before you reach it. It is also home to a large quarry, out of which runs a rock train which provides a unique photo opportunity if you chance to catch it. Like Beaumont, the tracks wind their way around the edge of town. The first exit leads to Johnson Lane which follows the tracks back west and can be used to photograph trains coming around the bend as they head towards or away from town. This road is cut off from town, so if you get off here you will have to get back on I-10 and get off at the second exit onto Main Street. The street follows the tracks through town and gives the first grand view of Mount San Jacinto which makes for a great backdrop. At the end of Main Street keep right to stay on the I-10 alternative road and follow it to the next onramp near Whitewater. What looks like the same consist as the second image in this piece is seen here again headed by 9090 and 4910.

This is by far the best stretch to catch trains outside of San Timoteo Canyon, as the track passes through several sweeping curves with the San Jacinto Mountains as the backdrop. It is easy to pull off to the side of the road to photograph a train going by, especially a westbound one as it slowly works its way uphill. At the end of the road is another great vantage point looking either direction as the road sits above the tracks, providing a unique view of a train coming from a long way away and through the curve here. From this point the tracks and road split until Palm Springs, and good photo opportunities are few and far between. As such, this makes for a good turnaround point. If you want to go a bit further, hop on the eastbound Interstate here and keep right to take Highway 111 east, crossing over the tracks and following them to Tipton Road on the left, which comes up quick. Follow Tipton Road to Wendy Road, which terminates on top of a small hill looking back towards the Highway 111 overpass. This area provides another great view of Mount San Jacinto and makes for a unique photo of trains coming out from under the overpass. Another Union Pacific train headed this time by 8760.

There are basically two ways to railfan. One is to sit at the same spot for a few hours and wait for trains to pass by, hoping to get that perfect shot. The other is to photograph a train at one spot, then race it to another location to photograph it there and keep doing that until you see a train going the other way, then photograph that train and race it to other locations and repeat. For those who choose the latter, a good plan is to spend the morning around San Timoteo Canyon and Beaumont and the afternoon between Cabazon and Highway 111. As the day begins winding down, you can then either make your way back the way you came via the I-10 alternative road through Cabazon or hop on I-10 and fast-track back to Beaumont to follow and photograph one more train through the canyon before the fading light ends your chances for good pictures. Doing this puts you back on the LA Basin side of the pass by nightfall, and heading back home with a multitude of photos, videos, and memories from a good day of railfanning.

After spending a day chasing trains through its beautiful scenery, you too will see that Beaumont Hill is truly a hidden gem among Southern California rail fan sites and one that should not be overlooked.

Do you have any railfan tips of your own, or want to share spots from your own area? Submit content to us via the submission form or get in touch via: contact 'at' wearerailfans.com