This genuine CalTrans highway sign is located at the intersection of SR-178 and the Old Kern Canyon Road and faces west down the canyon. Contributor Alison Sheehey reports that the original sign was installed to warn motorists that cows could fall onto the road from the hills above. "The hillside slopes are free-range grazed and some are quite steep. After rains they get really slick as well. I know of one cow falling directly onto a car, and I have heard of it happening two other times. The more frequent occurrence is when cows slip off the hillside and fall onto the road injuring themselves, and cars run into them." According to Sheehey, the original sign was stolen almost immediately, and someone has placed cow stickers on the replacement sign.

Alison Sheehey runs one of the best natural history Web sites we've seen for Kern County and central California -- be sure to look at her wildflower field reports.

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Photographed by Alison Sheehey
May 7, 2002
Posted on RoadTrip America 12/18/05