Southern California - Well, we all knew it was coming.

Got the below email last night and was sorry I did. One can always hope it gets postponed, but it will happen sooner or later. Looks like one more week of a closed Highway 39 to cars, then the rat race begins.

"Caltrans says that Highway 39 is expected to re-open on March 21st of this year! That's only 8 days away! There is no telling if the Crystal Lake Recreation Area will open or, if it does, what parking or entry fees might be or whether the usual $5 Adventure Pass can be used, but that's what Caltrans' latest date for re-opening the highway is.

Once the highway opens, that gives vehicle access to a number of hiking trails within and around the Crystal Lake basin, including Cedar Canyon Trail which is one of the most biologically diverse canyons within the region and which provides cool shade along a stream that runs all year around.

I am attempting to find out more information on whether the campgrounds themselves will open, and whether there will be a Grand Opening, whether there will be live music or any other festivities on opening day."


To those that love one of the best climbs in Southern California without cars and crotch rockets flying by at 60 MPH, it looks like you have this week to enjoy it without them, then it is "move over". Maybe if this opening does happen, it will take some pressure off of GMR as far as motorized traffic is concerned. That may be the "Silver Lining" to an otherwise dark cloud. :50:

I just called the Forest Service to find out their side of this, and all they said was the opening was "real close". As far as I know, it's CalTrans call for when it happens, but thought the Forest Service might be in on the loop as far as knowing when.:50:

I went up to Islip yesterday. The road looks like it is ready to be opened to Crystal Lake. There were a few sections of fresh asphalt on the curbs and shoulders. I noticed two Forest Service vehicles leaving Coldbrook as I went by and thought that was odd. I suspected they might be getting ready to open it up. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

Will the road be opened all the way up to the 2?

Will the road be opened all the way up to the 2?

I believe the plan has always been to only open it up to Crystal Lake. They don't seem to want to put the money/effort into retrofitting the upper section for normal use.

I'm glad I got this ride in again on Sunday - I'll be a little sad to see it open.

Also, 39 is cleared of snow all the way to Angeles Crest :thumb:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/TX7m2sGWNnI/AAAAAAAAt6c/nyNssWlIKeg/s800/CIMG4997.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/TX7m9rrzDzI/AAAAAAAAt8Q/YHf-gPyWkMg/s800/CIMG5010.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/TX7m_3MDPuI/AAAAAAAAt9A/m_VU8wlFfuo/s800/CIMG5015.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/TX7nFZcTBdI/AAAAAAAAt-4/uFDYC3RwzNo/s800/CIMG5029.JPG

Angeles Crest still has some snow, so not quite ridable yet:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/TX7nDwt4oCI/AAAAAAAAt-U/flQLRvvNeYg/s800/CIMG5025.JPG

Is it going to be open this weekend??? Was planning to try to go to Crystal on Sunday.

Will the road be opened all the way up to the 2?

The protion of 39 above Crystal Lake was opened in 1960 and closed in 1978. Don't see how there will ever be the funds available to fix it and keep it open. The repair work being done on the upper part is supposed to be to stabilize the road before it completly washes away. That is an important emergency escape route. Saved lives in the 2003 Curve Fire

I've never ridden the 39 and I'm thinking about squeezing it in tomorrow before they open it up. I'm thinking about going up 39 and coming back down the 2 and Big Tujunga (I'll start and finish in Sunland). It sounds like 39 is passable all the way up to the 2, yes? From there, is the 2 passable down to Upper Big T? Not sure if it's closed for snow or anything. Anybody been up that far recently?

ETA: I just saw rallison's picture of AC covered in snow. Is that northbound or southbound from 39 (or should I say east or west)?

ETA: I just saw rallison's picture of AC covered in snow. Is that northbound or southbound from 39 (or should I say east or west)?

That pic is A. C. headed toward Wrightwood, You want to go the other way. It is passable, going out through Big T.:50:

That's a 100 mile ride - Sunland - 39 - 2 - Lower Big T.

I rode to Wilson via lower big T on March 5, and saw signs indicating "Open to hwy 39." (echoing the previous post.)

That's a 100 mile ride - Sunland - 39 - 2 - Lower Big T.

Yup. I'm a little concerned about water, but I'll have four bottles, I'm assuming I can top off at or near Encanto Park, and Newcomb's website says they're open on Wednesdays, so I think I can stretch between the two. I think...

Yeah there is water at Encanto. Also there is a spigot at the ranger shack in the OHV area along the 39, as well as a spring on the side of the road at a cabin about 2 miles below Crystal Lake. Check this thread for water along the 2: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/718690-Angeles-Crest-Water-Avaliability

I ran out of water once below Crystal Lake on a hot day. (I thought I'd be able to refill at the lake - that was a mistake.) That was extremely unpleasant - so I always err on the side of caution when packing water to go all the way up 39. (drinking from the stream isn't for me.)

Well now I see what the fuss is about. I made it up 39 and came down the 2 yesterday. Great ride, and that stretch that's closed is pretty fantastic, even the rough spots. I did see maybe eight cars after the closure, all going south, which mystified me. It's not like they could continue down to Azusa, and I never saw them come back to pass me. I wonder how heavy the traffic will get after the road reopens.

Also my first time to Cloudburst, and I couldn't resist taking the requisite pic with my requisite crappy phone camera...

193963

Sweet!

I did see maybe eight cars after the closure, all going south, which mystified me. It's not like they could continue down to Azusa, and I never saw them come back to pass me. I wonder how heavy the traffic will get after the road reopens.

It is always funny how much traffic there is on that closed road. There are residents up there, but I also think there are a lot of gate keys floating around out there.