Near Fort Bidwell in Modoc County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Applegate Trail - Fandango Pass Descent

— California Trail —

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 18, 2016

1. Applegate Trail - Fandango Pass Descent Marker

Inscription. "Passing over the summit, which is a very narrow ridge, a broad,deep valley ... presented itself to our view, far below us ... We immediately descended the mountain, which on this side, is fearfully steep" - Amos Batchelder, Sep 25, 1849

Erected 2009 by Trails West Inc. (Marker Number A-28B.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Applegate Trail, the California Trail, and the Trails West Inc. series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 25, 1849.

Location. 41° 48.098′ N, 120° 12.379′ W. Marker is near Fort Bidwell, California, in Modoc County. It is on Fandango Pass Road 3.8 miles north of Surprise Valley Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Bidwell CA 96112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Modoc Plateau

and in the Shasta Cascade.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Applegate Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Applegate-Lassen Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Applegate Trail - Fandango Pass Ascent (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Bidwell Military Post (approx. 4.8 miles away); Applegate Trail - Through the Forest

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(approx. 5.3 miles away); Applegate Trail - Descent to Lassen Creek (approx. 6.9 miles away); Applegate Trail - Descent to Goose Lake (approx. 8.3 miles away); Applegate Trail - New Road to Yreka (approx. 9.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Bidwell.

Remnants of the Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 18, 2016

2. Remnants of the Trail

Fandango Pass Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 18, 2016

3. Fandango Pass Road

Fandango Pass Road (County Road 9) is a well-maintained, graded-gravel road suitable for low clearance vehicles in dry weather.

It is even more suitable for motorcycles.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2020, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on March 31, 2020, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2020, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. 3. submitted on April 10, 2020, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?