Southern California - Newcomb's Ranch Saturday 3/20

We are heading up to Newcomb's this Saturday leaving from the Rec Center 11075 Foothill Blvd. 91342 at 8am. Giong up Big T to Angeles forest to Upper Big T and finally Angeles Crest

Who's we?

Who's we? Laura, Vance ,maybe Gene. You?

You know me, last minute decision.

The ladies from the last ride are out, but I'll probably do it. Is Newcomb's actually open? Looks like Keith has invited some others, too.

Is there any facility for water at the Hidden Springs site now that the cafe is gone??

Is there any facility for water at the Hidden Springs site now that the cafe is gone??

There is water at the fire station just up the road from there.

As far as I know Newcomb's is open. That's what my friends who rode up there last Saturday said. They had lunch there. As far as water goes, no, nothing at Hidden Springs and in November when I drove past the Monte Cristo Fire Station it was all baracaded off with a big sign saying DO NOT TOUCH THE WATER FAUCET. So I doubt if there is anything available there now. Everything but the station itself was lost in the fire. The residence bldgs etc were burned up. http://newcombsranch.com/home_iframe.htm

Is there any facility for water at the Hidden Springs site now that the cafe is gone??

Did you end up doing this?

Did you end up doing this?

It was awesome. Cross-post:

We're on a roll here in Socal. The weather has been spectacular, and perfect for VB's Angeles Forest playground. As advertised, Big-T, Upper Big-T, Newcomb's, and back. I ended with 80mi and about 7500ft. Parts of AF have recovered quite nicely, with lush layers of green coming in under the charred trees. Large sections we saw today, however, were still completely barren. A bit baffling with all the rain we had earlier in the year.



http://tinyurl.com/yzpesc9

It was awesome. Cross-post:

We're on a roll here in Socal. The weather has been spectacular, and perfect for VB's Angeles Forest playground. As advertised, Big-T, Upper Big-T, Newcomb's, and back. I ended with 80mi and about 7500ft. Parts of AF have recovered quite nicely, with lush layers of green coming in under the charred trees. Large sections we saw today, however, were still completely barren. A bit baffling with all the rain we had earlier in the year.

Was Newcomb's open? Also, was AF from Big T to AC still closed?

Was Newcomb's open? Also, was AF from Big T to AC still closed? Yes and yes

Did you end up doing this?

JustMe was a no-show, but there were 9 of us. A bit chilly in the a.m., but as soon as the first climb started it was short sleeves and shorts all day. The wind was, at times, interesting. The head on crash between the Corrola and the Chevy truck on the way back was a surprise. Oh, and Danny has improved his endurance quite a bit.

Gene called me in the AM said he couldn't make it. Where was the crash? Anyone hurt?

The car crash was below the dam, where it starts to get twisty. There was a flagman stopping traffic and a bunch of dumptrucks, so I thought it was from the dirt movers. When they let us go, we came around the corner and saw the wrecked cars blocking most of the road. I didn't have time to look for the victims, just tried to pick my way through and get out of there.

hey, is big tujunga open during the week? looking to ride up it monday morning.

hey, is big tujunga open during the week? looking to ride up it monday morning.

I don't think they close it during the week, although there might be construction delays.

hey, is big tujunga open during the week? looking to ride up it monday morning.

Yeah, there is construction at the bottom where the road was washed out years ago and there could be delays there. Further up there are lots of dumptrucks moving dirt around, but all the drivers were cool. Remember there is no place to get water unless you go to Newcomb's.

does anybody know if the road is open up to Cloud Burst Summit? I believe there is water there and a bathroom.

does anybody know if the road is open up to Cloud Burst Summit? I believe there is water there and a bathroom.

Yes, you can go to Cloudburst and all the way to Islip if you want. There is no water at Cloudburst. There used to be water at Buckhorn Campground but I don't know if that's true now. If you're up there just get water at Newcomb's if they're open. I think they're only open FSS.

does anybody know if the road is open up to Cloud Burst Summit? I believe there is water there and a bathroom.

Waterman is open weekends for skiing, and like Big John says, the road is open to Islip. No water though at CBS. The campground at Buckhorn is never open this time of year, but there is a stream down off that road if you trust the water. Might still have too much snow to get down there. I wonder if AC is going to be open down at the bottom in time for the T of C stage that is supposed to go up it or if they will have to go the route that one has to take now to get up to Newcombs. The Crest between Islip and Vincent Gap is usually not open by the 20th of May, and there is a fair amount of snow up there still.:50:

Waterman is open weekends for skiing, and like Big John says, the road is open to Islip. No water though at CBS. The campground at Buckhorn is never open this time of year, but there is a stream down off that road if you trust the water. Might still have too much snow to get down there. I wonder if AC is going to be open down at the bottom in time for the T of C stage that is supposed to go up it or if they will have to go the route that one has to take now to get up to Newcombs. The Crest between Islip and Vincent Gap is usually not open by the 20th of May, and there is a fair amount of snow up there still.:50: saw the following message on the San Gabriel Mt's. forum yesterday:

>> Hi Everyone,
>> The state is currently in charge of Angeles Crest Highway between La Canada & Red Box.
>> The road is expected to remain closed for up to 3 months. If the repairs on the road can not be done by back filling the slide areas, then a bridge will have to be built and then ACH will remain closed for up to 3 years between the two locations.
>>
>> As of April 1, 2010 the forest closure in the Angeles will change. ONLY the Arroyo Seco drainage will remain closed. This means that the Arroyo, Bear Canyon, Millard Canyon, Brown Mountain, parts of Lukins & Josephine Peak will remain CLOSED!!! An updated map will be out after April 1st.
>>
>> What this means is, once the forest closure is lifted, all hiking trails outside of the new closure area will be opened to hiking. But there will be signage in place stating that you are hiking in a burn area and you are doing so at your own risk. The Arroyo drainage is to remain closed for an indefinite period of time. There are still slides occurring in there and it has the worst damage from the fire and following rains. I have been told it might not open until next year.
>>
>> All the campgrounds in the Chaleo/Charlton Flats area are scheduled to open April 1st. Red Box picnic area as well as Hidden Springs picnic area will also open then. The Charlton Flats picnic area will not open until further assessments can be done. There are a lot of dead tree's in that area that need to be removed for safety purposes. Buckhorn is still closed because the road is not even plowed that far yet.
>>
>>
>> In regards to the highways in the forest....
>>
>> Currently the only roads in the forest that are open are... Big Tujunga and Upper Big Tujunga to Shortcut on Angeles Crest Highway. Angeles Crest Highway between Red Box & Mt Waterman Ski area. Beyond Waterman and not been plowed and may not be until May. Angeles Forest Highway from Big Tujunga to Palmdale. Angeles Forest Highway from Big Tujunga to Angeles Crest Highway is expected to open in 2 weeks. This opening, AFH between Big T & ACH, will be ONLY for Forest Service personnel working @ Clear Creek as well as others with work credentials.
>>
>> The stretch of Angeles Crest Highway from La Canada to Red Box is expected to remain closed now for possibly up to 3 months. The 4 slides are so big that they require work that might not work. Back filling is what they are trying to do and if it does not work, the highway in one spot will require a bridge to be built and that is expected to take up to 3 years!!! The State is in charge and ONLY Cal-Trans workers are allowed on the highway. The work is being done Monday - Saturday. There was no word on whether or not the washout east of Colby on ACH will be repaired any time soon.
>>
>> From what we are hearing, it looks like the bridge might be the only way to go and that the highway between La Canada & Clear Creek may very well be closed for up to 3 years. Stay tuned and when we hear something new, you'll get it first right here.

Hey Bob, is Big Tujunga getting all the car traffic down to the 210 that AFH and the Crest used to get? Or are more people taking the freeway down out of the desert? Thanks:50:

Hey Bob, is Big Tujunga getting all the car traffic down to the 210 that AFH and the Crest used to get? Or are more people taking the freeway down out of the desert? Thanks:50:

Some of the traffic is now taking Big T. There are guys where I work in Burbank who say it is faster than taking the 14 from Palmdale.

I noticed on Sunday all the old motorcycle traffic and car clubs heading up Big T to Upper Big T and to Newcombs. Beyond Newcombs just one or two cars.