Southern California - 39 between the gate and Crystal Lake close to bikes?

I rode up 39 to the gate where the road is closed today. (on the way to Crystal Lake.)

I noticed that, just past the gate, a sign has been posted that prohibits "pedestrians, bicycles, and motor-driven cycles." (The same sign that appears on freeway on-ramps.)

Does anyone know what the deal is here?

Yes, it's closed to all of those, but that doesn't stop some rebels.

Here's one of those crazy youngsters caught in the act.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk178/obie549/392024.jpg

That sign has been placed at various gate closings for many years. I hate that sign:( Once in a while an over zealous ranger will try to enforce it but usually they look the other way. My experience has been to not dally at the gate but hurry around the corner and out of sight and what they see can't hurt them. It's very ambiguous especially since there is no sign at the other end up at AC and the ANF web site says that roads closed to traffic are open to bikes.

Why is that road closed at all? I am getting in shape to hopefully do the full ride up Hwy 39 to Angeles Crest Hwy. I hope to do it in a few months. (I know it's going to get hot!!)

There was a fire caused by lightning a few days ago. Maybe it was in that area. With the weird weather we've been experienced lately, they could have decided caution was better for public safety. Nothing is really in detail/explained at any of the official websites.

I thought it was a new sign - I never noticed it before (although that doesn't mean it hasn't always been there.). Several months ago, a half-dozen or so rangers were on the road with some horses. Even though it was 4 miles or so past the gate, they didn't so much as look at me.

In 2003 the massive "Curve" fire started near Crystal Lake and burned up past Dawson Saddle and down to the East Fork , where it merged with another fire that burned through GMR and almost to Baldy village. During the record rains of 2005 several sections of hwy 39 washed out as a result of the bare mountainsides. While Caltrans rebuilt the washout areas I don't think they really built them back to state hwy standards as it was a colassal job to do what they did. 1 washout was 100 ft deep and they compacted it back up from the stream bed. The upper portion of 39 from Crystal Lake to AC was build in 1960 and closed in 1978. It was just too much bad geology to constantly rebuild the road. They do however keep it passable to bikes and emergency vehicles but rebuilding it would take millions that the state does not have. The LA Wheelmens GT trainer this Saturday starts in Duarte and goes up AC and down 39. Come ride it and you can get a first hand look.

Saturday, June 13 - 8:00 a.m. ANGELES CREST– SAN GABRIEL CANYON (87 mi - 8300 ft.) I don’t like to repeat my ride descriptions year after year, but I can’t improve on this one, so here it is from last year: As far as I’m concerned, this is the crown jewel of the training season. A day spent almost entirely in the mountains climbing to just about the highest point on Angeles Crest. 30 miles of downhill to complete the day caps off a great ride. Make no mistake, it’s a difficult ride. Over 8000 feet of climbing and close to 90 miles That’s a lot. But, take it one step at a time and you’ll get there. Step 1: Duarte to the base of Angeles Crest - not bad. Step 2: up to Clear Creek - the biggest stretch of climbing on the ride. Step 3: up to Red Box - tough but only 5 miles. Step 4: to Lunch at Newcomb’s Ranch - Up and Down. Step 5: up to Cloud Burst Summit - the hardest 6 miles. Step 6: to Hwy 39 - Rollies. Step 7: To finish - 30 miles of mostly downhill. You really won’t want to miss this one. The scenery, the mountain air, the mountain goats, etc. You won’t believe it. It is our most popular trainer. START: Encanto Park in Duarte. Take 605 Frwy north to end, off and R (east) on Huntington / Foothill Blvd 0.6 mile, L Encanto Parkway (before crossing river) to park on Left.
www.lawheelmen.org