The Historic Truckhaven Trail: A Glimpse into Borego Valley’s Past

Nestled in the heart of Southern California’s desert landscape, the Truckhaven Trail holds a significant place in the history of Borrego Valley. This rugged trail was crucial for the development of the region’s agriculture and tourism, connecting Borego Valley with the Coachella Valley. A remarkable group of individuals, including Doc Beaty, Gilbert Rock, and the DuVall brothers, Eddie and Glenn, made this ambitious project a reality in the late 1920s. In this blog post, we will explore the origins of Truckhaven Trail, its construction, and the key players involved in its development.

By the 1920s, it became clear that Borego Valley’s future relied on two primary sectors: agriculture and tourism. However, these potentials could not be realized without adequate automobile access to the valley. Doc Beaty, a well-known Borrego pioneer, and other homesteaders pushed for a road linking Borego with the Coachella Valley. Beaty spearheaded the drive to collect funds and build a one-lane road from Truckhaven, a gas station and café on Highway 86, to Borrego.

In 1929, Doc Beaty, Gilbert Rock, Eddie DuVall, Glenn DuVall, and other local residents began work on the Truckhaven Trail. Doc provided teams of horses and Fresno scrapers to level the road, while the wives of the homesteaders cooked for the crew and followed them as the road progressed. Groceries were brought in from Julian, and perishables were stored in a cave near the point where the road descended from Arroyo Salado. This cave became known as Beaty’s Icebox, but flooding eventually caused it to disappear.

The Truckhaven Trail was completed in 1930. However, maintaining the road was a challenge due to summertime flash floods that often washed out the road. When the road was open, it allowed the two-ton produce trucks of the time to access Borrego Valley.

Despite the incredible achievement of constructing the thirty-mile Truckhaven Trail, it was not in use for long. In 1933, State Highway 78 from Julian to Kane Spring was opened, and Borrego’s inhabitants preferred this route to Truckhaven. Today, the Borrego-Salton Seaway, opened in 1968, essentially follows the track of the old Truckhaven Trail.

Doc Beaty (1870-1949) was a well-known Borego pioneer who arrived in the valley in 1912. He homesteaded at the mouth of Coyote Canyon and across from the airport, building an irrigation system for his canyon ranch and growing various crops. Beaty was also a school trustee in 1931.

Gilbert Rock (1890-1980) was a Los Angeles fireman who filed for 160 acres in the Borego area in 1929. He was the uncle of the DuVall brothers, Eddie and Glenn. Rock built a house in Clark Valley in 1929 and moved back full-time around 1936.

Eddie DuVall (1905-1973) was a storekeeper and postmaster in Borego Valley. He was also a deputy sheriff for 14 years. His wife, Alta DuVall (1896-1974), taught at Bret Harte Junior College in Los Angeles.

Glenn DuVall (1908-1985) was Eddie’s brother and also a postmaster in Borego Valley. He built a house in Clark Valley in 1929 and drove the school bus between 1931 and 1932.

Though the Truckhaven Trail had a relatively short lifespan as a primary route, its construction represents a pivotal moment in Borrego Valley’s history. Doc Beaty, Gilbert Rock, and the DuVall brothers, along with other local residents, demonstrated determination, hard work, and community spirit as they took on the challenge of building a road to connect the valley to the outside world.

Today, visitors to the Borrego Valley can appreciate the dedication of these early pioneers as they traverse the modern Borrego-Salton Seaway, which follows the path of the original Truckhaven Trail. The rich history of the trail and the people who built it serves as a reminder of the importance of community and perseverance in the face of adversity.

The Truckhaven Trail stands as a testament to the strength and spirit of the early settlers of Borrego Valley. Doc Beaty, Gilbert Rock, and the DuVall brothers, along with the support of the local community, overcame the challenges of the harsh desert landscape to build a road that would pave the way for Borrego Valley’s agricultural and tourism potential. Though the Truckhaven Trail is no longer the primary route for accessing the valley, its legacy lives on through the modern Borrego-Salton Seaway and the stories of those who made it possible.