Does anyone know if the Angeles Crest Highway is rideable all the way from La Canada/Flintridge to Big Pines/Wrightwood?
you’re really on a tear aren’t you? haven’t done it lately, but i think the issue is where hwy 2 meets hwy 39, and the 7 or 8 miles that is east of that. i think it’s generally one of those things where it’s passable, but not necessarily legally.
I think it may be.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/sr2
On separate days in July, I rode from Rancho Cucamonga to Wrightwood, going up I-15, and from Glendale to a few miles past Newcomb’s Ranch.
I think it may be.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/sr2
On separate days in July, I rode from Rancho Cucamonga to Wrightwood, going up I-15, and from Glendale to a few miles past Newcomb’s Ranch.
well, there is confirmation that it’s indeed closed just past the junction of 39. last i heard there were no current plans to work on it, and the north side of the highway slid away for a short section, but it’s certainly rideable by bike last time i was up.
techincally it’s not, but it sounds like it’s probably passable if you’re not opposed to a little civil disobedience.
from the angeles national forest website… Endangered Species Closure to Take Effect
ARCADIA, CA: December 23, 2005
In order to protect critical habitat of the mountain yellow-legged frog, the U.S. Forest Service will temporarily limit access to approximately 1,000 acres in the area north of the Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2) in the vicinity of Cooper Canyon beginning Tuesday, December 27, 2005. This includes Williamson Rock, an area frequented by rock climbers.
At the request of the Angeles National Forest, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will lock the gate at Cedar Springs (near milepost 62 on SR 2), east of the turn-off to Buckhorn Campground and west of the tunnels. Access to Eagles Roost Picnic Area will be walk-in only.
This effort allows the U.S. Forest Service to follow the guidelines for protecting the habitat of the mountain yellow-legged frog, an endangered species. Specifically, a Biological Assessment will be undertaken to analyze the effects of human activities (including recreation) within the area which is proposed to be designated as critical habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service per the Endangered Species Act.
The Angeles Crest Highway, which is administered by Caltrans, has been closed to through traffic (connecting Wrightwood) since the fall of 2004, due to storm damage. By assisting the Forest Service with restricting use of the highway, an additional mile and a half of the road will be added to the normal seasonal closure.
A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail lies within the impacted area. Hikers can take a detour around the area by departing the trail (northbound) at Eagles Roost and taking the highway to Cloudburst Summit, a distance of 4.5 miles. The U.S. Forest Service has also been meeting with members of the rock climbing community to work on a proposal that may allow climbing to eventually continue at Williamson Rock.
“We look forward to working with these groups,” said Angeles National Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron. “Hopefully, we can arrive at a solution that can allow the recreational activities to continue while conserving the frog habitat. Both are part of our mission.” The Angeles National Forest is located northeast of Los Angeles. It is approximately 655,000 acres in size and includes the San Gabriel Mountains.
For more information, please contact District Ranger Cid Morgan, at 661-296-9710 or visit the Angeles National Forest Website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/projects.
<< and from Glendale to a few miles past Newcomb’s Ranch.
so that is about half the route, what about from Newcomb’s Ranch to Wrightwood? Even if it is legally closed, it is relatively safe for me to ride most of it? Will they have officers out there to arrest me if I try to ride it?
Back when Kenny and PT rode to and from Slowman’s compound, is the route they took?
it’s closed from islip saddle (#39) to vincent gap. it is closed because the highway is gone in certain sections, due to the repeated undermining of the road caused by the storms of 2 winters ago. the road is scheduled to open right about a year from now this month. but that’s hard to imagine.
of course this does not stop us from hopping the closure and riding it. but there’s a short section where you’ve got about 2 feet of road max over which to ride your bike. probably best to ride THAT stretch of road on the weekend, when the caltrans crews don’t work.
I’m going to be in LC/Flintridge in a few weeks. Where should I ride?
I lived there as a kid and rode up AC Highway to Mt Wilson every now and then, but did mostly Rose Bowl laps. Any better (lower traffic, etc) routes in the 60 mile range?
I haven’t been past islip, but I know some who hop the barrier. I plan to do that soon. Going up 39 to the Crest and down to La Canada is also a good ride, as is the reverse.
Mike,
If you can wait until October there will be a group of us doing the annual ACAR ride that includes Angeles Crest. We’ll start in Duarte, head to La Canada, up Angeles Crest, down 39, over East Fork, along Baldy Ridge Road to the ski lifts, descend to Baseline and back to Duarte - Approx 140 miles and 14000 feet of climbing. See Strauss’ site for details.
Mike
What date do you have in mind for ACAR. I couldn’t do it last year. I’ll try to coax Thierrry into it, too.
I don’t live in So Cal, but I have a similar question: I was recently in Big Bear, and riding SR 38 from Redlands to Big Bear would be insanely cool. Has anyone ever done that/is it legal? Or is it suicide? Same for SR330?
heck, I think driving that route is suicide, at least during ski season. For that reason alone if I go skiing local I go to Mountain High, just as close without getting seasick on the drive.
Reply to: heck, I think driving that route is suicide, at least during ski season. For that reason alone if I go skiing local I go to Mountain High, just as close without getting seasick on the drive.
(Route 330) I was thinking the same thing. Another thing people forget FALLING ROCKS! That section from Snow Valley to the dam… crazy. Route 38 from Redlands is not as bad. But I still would not want to ride my bike on it. Unless it’s closed to traffic that would be fun.
In the past 3 weeks I rode the loop once, and Paul Thomas rode it twice. If you go on the weekend, then you can go either direction, no work crews. During the week you have to go counter clockwise, because the crews are at the east end, about a mile from the gate. They will stop you, and you just tell them that you are going to Wrightwood where your car is. They won’t send you back the other way because it’s too far… The worst section is about a mile after the gate from the Wrightwood side, and it is about 2 ft. wide for just about 10 ft. No big deal, just don’t look down. I cannot ever see them opening that road again. Besides that spot, there are many others where water has gotten into cracks in the road, and it is just a matter of time before they plunge into the abyss. As it stands now, they would have to sink pilons and build some bridges, or blast a bunch more of the mountain. Doesn’t seem cost effective for a road that is only open for a few months a year anyway, and is basically a scenic route with two alternate routes to go east and west bookending it… But the way county governments waste money, who knows??? Great ride, just bring plenty of fluids and spares…
I don’t live in So Cal, but I have a similar question: I was recently in Big Bear, and riding SR 38 from Redlands to Big Bear would be insanely cool. Has anyone ever done that/is it legal? Or is it suicide? Same for SR330?
38 is pretty sweet. About 30 miles and 7000’ from the bottom ranger station. It doesn’t feel unsafe at all right now and it’s gonna be at least an hour and a half climb if you are flying and up to as much as 3 hours if you are dawdling. Once I recover from my crash on HWY18 yesterday, the south side of Onyx Summit on the 38 will see me much more than in the recent past.
With 5000ish feet of gain over 12ish miles, the 330 is incredible, if you are totally oblivious to the fact there is no shoulder, it’s one lane each way, cars often race up it, and there are many blind turns. I’ve ridden up it twice, but likely never again outside of the race around the bear (local race).
The main climb on the west side of 18 nets almost 4000’ of gain, is safter than the 330 (results may vary), but not as good as 38.
I’ve not done the east side of the 18 yet, but I hear it’s about a 4000’ climb like it’s sister, only the grade is much more variable.
The 138 climb from Silverwood Lake to Crestline is pretty short, like a 1000’ or so, but it’s got some seriously steep sections on it where some people would certainly not be able to turn the cranks.
I think that wraps up fairly well my neck of the woods.
Thanks for the info. If I’m ever feeling up for a crazy climbing tour, I’ll have to consider that area.
mike’s looking to go big at Palomar!
<< mike’s looking to go big at Palomar!
Palomar? I almost forgot about that 
Check back in a bit, I’m about to post pictures from todays ride up GMR. Took the girlfriend up there for her first ever mountain ride. It was a tough day, temps in the high 90’s.
I believe they are looking at Oct 21, but watch the thread on the Crucible Fitness site for updates.
Mike