UDATE: August, 2006:
We first discovered Lake Hughes in 1998, and the story
that follows is a reminiscence of that visit. After a
brief stint as "Harley's Rock Inn," this historic
establishment is back to being called The Rock Inn
and Lake Hughes Trading Post. Current information,
including address, telephone number, hours, and some great
photos, is online here.
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Lake
Hughes is hidden in the hills between Santa Clarita and Antelope
Valley, only about two hours from Hollywood. Its location
made it a popular hideaway for movie stars as early as the
1920's, and the Lake Hughes Trading Post & Rock Inn were
destinations of choice for many a celebrity.
Thanks
to Linda and Larry Martin, longtime Lake Hughes residents,
the Lake Hughes Trading Post and Inn are still welcoming guests
for meals and lodging. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available
in the bar, and if you want the total experience, you can
stay in one of the six charming rooms upstairs. A penthouse,
complete with kitchen, fireplace and enormous Jacuzzi tub,
is also available. "We call it our 'adult pleasure palace,'"
says Larry.
We
had an early dinner at the Trading Post, and in the time it
took Mark to eat a hamburger and me to finish off an plate
of fish and chips, we had no doubt that the Martins' establishment
is the nerve center of Lake Hughes. A steady stream of visitors
brought local news, and even a dachshund named Marvin stopped
by.
Lake
Hughes is not on the way to anywhere except itself, but it's
not far off major north-south corridors. If you find yourself
heading north from Los Angeles on either Interstate 5 or Highway
14, remember that a bit of old California is within your reach.
The Lake Hughes Trading Post & Rock Inn are worth a detour.
