Southern California - Route from Wrigthwood down to San Berdo?

I live in Riverside and have had the thought of taking Metrolink to Union Station then the Gold Line to Pasedena and riding up Angeles Crest to Wrightwood and then back down the hill into San Bernardino and home to Riverside. By the train schedule it looks like I could get within a few miles of AC by 9:30am.

A little bit of investigation looks like it may be impossible to safely get back down through the pass. One of the mentions has a short trip on Highway 15 between surface roads:eek:

Does anyone have any ideas on this?

You'll have to do the 15 or go through Arrowhead. Or dirt road.

I live in Riverside and have had the thought of taking Metrolink to Union Station then the Gold Line to Pasedena and riding up Angeles Crest to Wrightwood and then back down the hill into San Bernardino and home to Riverside. By the train schedule it looks like I could get within a few miles of AC by 9:30am.

A little bit of investigation looks like it may be impossible to safely get back down through the pass. One of the mentions has a short trip on Highway 15 between surface roads:eek:

Does anyone have any ideas on this?

Yes, there is a short-trip on Hwy. 15, but it's not too bad. Your best bet is to take Lone Pine Canyon Rd., from Wrightwood to the 138 and jump on the 15 S. Then you'll ride the shoulder of the 15 Fwy. from the 138 to the very next exit (Cleghorn?), where you'll get on a 2 lane road (old route 66) which parallels the freeway all the way into to San Berdoo.

The stretch on the freeway really isn't that bad, it's just disconcerting 'cause of how loud the traffic is. Dunno the exact distance travelled on the 15, but I'm pretty certain it's less than a mile, or not much over. The shoulder is actually pretty wide, if a bit dirty.

Or you could just follow 138 up to Crestline, and take the 18 back down to San Berdoo. That way involves just a *bit* more climbing. ;)

Yes, there is a short-trip on Hwy. 15, but it's not too bad. Your best bet is to take Lone Pine Canyon Rd., from Wrightwood to the 138 and jump on the 15 S. Then you'll ride the shoulder of the 15 Fwy. from the 138 to the very next exit (Cleghorn?), where you'll get on a 2 lane road (old route 66) which parallels the freeway all the way into to San Berdoo.

The stretch on the freeway really isn't that bad, it's just disconcerting 'cause of how loud the traffic is. Dunno the exact distance travelled on the 15, but I'm pretty certain it's less than a mile, or not much over. The shoulder is actually pretty wide, if a bit dirty.

Or you could just follow 138 up to Crestline, and take the 18 back down to San Berdoo. That way involves just a *bit* more climbing. ;)

You'd either need to go through the truck scales or merge over through the trucks entrance to them.

You'd either need to go through the truck scales or merge over through the trucks entrance to them.

It's really not that bad. The truck scales are going north. Going south I don't think you have to worry about the scales. I've done it both ways, more recently going north. You are on the freeway for a really short time.

It's really not that bad. The truck scales are going north. Going south I don't think you have to worry about the scales. I've done it both ways, more recently going north. You are on the freeway for a really short time.

I haven't been up there in a couple years, but there used to be scales South of 138 that the entrance to the freeway went straight into and if you got on southbound you'd have to cross over that lane. Has it changed?

Devore - Glen Helen Parkway - Glen Helen road - w. Forest lane :D

As you go down the old 66 road you need to make an uphill/left just as you get near Devore. Flat for a short while then steep right/downhill to Glen Helen Parkway. GHP was the best way I found to get back home to Orange County. The Glen Helen Road and W. Forest lane only takes you to a sun bathers club.

I've done a similar thing, here's my ride from the Glendale train station to Wrightwood: http://www.briandesousa.com/bicycling/road/hwy2.htm

And here's the ride from Wrightwood to Orange County: http://www.briandesousa.com/bicycling/road/cajontooc.htm

The stretch on I-15 is only a 1/2 mile, legally open to bikes, and it's all downhill, so as long as you're careful, there should be no problem crossing the ramps to the truck scales.

By the way, they just finished construction and reopened 138 (widening and shoulders) last week between 2 and I-15, so from Wrightwood you could go 2 to 138 to I-15. Even so, my preference is still Lone Pine Canyon to 138 to I-15, even though there is little bit of a climb on the way out of town. I only mention all this because when 138 was closed, all of the traffic was going through Lone Pine Canyon. By now I'm sure all the drivers will figure out that 138 is open, leaving Lone Pine Canyon a back way for the locals again.

As you go down the old 66 road you need to make an uphill/left just as you get near Devore. Flat for a short while then steep right/downhill to Glen Helen Parkway. GHP was the best way I found to get back home to Orange County. The Glen Helen Road and W. Forest lane only takes you to a sun bathers club.

BTW, the part of Glen Helen Parkway between where you cross I-15 and Sierra has been closed for a while for construction. That left no alternative but to use the I-15 shoulder one exit from Glen Helen to Sierra when I last rode this section - technically illegal, but what else was I supposed to do? I think it's still closed, but the OP won't have to worry about that if he's going back through San Berdoo.

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice. Its always great to get some real feedback on a route. Now all I have to do is set a date. Can't wait.

I haven't been up there in a couple years, but there used to be scales South of 138 that the entrance to the freeway went straight into and if you got on southbound you'd have to cross over that lane. Has it changed?


I guess you're probably right, I just never really noticed them. Scary thing is I've got on the 15 from that entrance in a car and on a bike.

I guess you're probably right, I just never really noticed them. Scary thing is I've got on the 15 from that entrance in a car and on a bike.

You were probably so busy looking back for traffic, by the time you looked forward again you already passed the scales! :D

I live in Wrightwood and the previous posts all have good, accurate info. I was just wondering if you are aware that Hwy 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) is closed from Islap Saddle to Vincent Gap for repair work (going on 2 years now). You can still get around the gates and ride this section - in fact, most of it was recently repaved with smooth blacktop. There are a couple of short sections that you may have walk, but not more than 20 yards of so. The biggest hazard you'll need to watch out for are rocks on the road and they come in all different sizes just waiting to cut up your tires. But, it's worth it as this is probably the most spectacular section of the ACH, and my favorite ride up here. And, to top it off, you won't have to dear with cars. Have a good ride!