Roadside Oddities: Uphill Flume

California has more than its share of roadside oddities. There’s Ostrichland in Solvang, Salvation Mountain in Niland, Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino and several drive-through trees in the redwoods.

Motorists have been lured by roadside billboards designed to entice bored kids and empty parental pocketbooks, since road trips began.  “Can we stop there, dad? Can we!?”

Among the most compelling are those that turn the laws of nature on their head … Trees of Mystery, Mystery Spot and Confusion Hill are my favorites.

So, when Robert Kermen reported he’d just stopped to photograph the “uphill” flume, I had to see it. “Can you send me a picture Bob? Can you!?”

The water in it doesn’t flow uphill; it just looks like it does. And, there are no advertising signs or admission fee. Just stop along Hwy 20 between I-80 and Harmony Ridge when you see it and marvel at why the water appears to flow uphill.

Nearby are Peak golden bigleaf maple, and they’re no optical illusion. Further west on CA-20 is another flume – this one owned by PG&E – and the water in it is running downhill, as expected.

At Bear Valley and Bowman Road, maple, alder and aspen are all peaking and growing in the right direction … upwards. 

• Uphill Flume, CA-20 – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
• Bear Valley, CA-20 – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!