CA-39 - No More Rock Debris!
#1
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CA-39 - No More Rock Debris!
Best I've seen it in a long time:
For comparison, just a month ago:
More photos of 39 conditions as of today
For comparison, just a month ago:
More photos of 39 conditions as of today
#2
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Was wondering when someone was going to post having been up 39 to Dawson. Looks like you had a nice day for it. Might have to give it a try one afternoon this coming week. Great pics as usual.
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I came down that road to Crystal Lake from Angeles Crest last weekend and it wasn't too bad. Some debris to dodge, but rideable.
I did see a group of 4 big horn sheep scale a cliffside there, which was pretty amazing to see. They were just flying around on these tiny little ledges. According to the folks at Crystal Lake Cafe, they're keeping the road closed because these animals are hanging around the road quite a bit, so I recommend checking it out!
I did see a group of 4 big horn sheep scale a cliffside there, which was pretty amazing to see. They were just flying around on these tiny little ledges. According to the folks at Crystal Lake Cafe, they're keeping the road closed because these animals are hanging around the road quite a bit, so I recommend checking it out!
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I did see a group of 4 big horn sheep scale a cliffside there, which was pretty amazing to see. They were just flying around on these tiny little ledges. According to the folks at Crystal Lake Cafe, they're keeping the road closed because these animals are hanging around the road quite a bit, so I recommend checking it out!
#7
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I've never seen any of those sheep but I look for them every time. Maybe they see me coming and skedaddle out of there! I did come around a corner on the closed section of 39 (once) to find a big bear sitting in the road.
Fortunately I scared him (or her), so no worries!
Rick / OCRR
Fortunately I scared him (or her), so no worries!
Rick / OCRR
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Alright I'm gonna have to go check this stretch of road out.
I wonder how much bonus climbing you can get from doing that section from Crystal lake to angels crest?
I wonder how much bonus climbing you can get from doing that section from Crystal lake to angels crest?
#9
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Is that the stretch of hwy 39 between Angeles Crest Hwy and the gate just past Crystal lake Rd.?
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^Yes
I am going to do it but I think I will wait for temperatures to cool off a bit.
I am going to do it but I think I will wait for temperatures to cool off a bit.
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I'd like to try GMR->GRR->Baldy Ski Lifts->GRR->East Fork->39->Crystal Lake->Angels Crest->East Fork->GMR.
Ride with GPS is giving ridiculous numbers for it, but I bet its near 113mi / 15,000 ft climbing. Would have plenty of water opportunities for self supported rides, and food at Baldy and Crystal lake. Could make for a nice self supported epic.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/1187925
112.7 miles, +17974 feet
Ride with GPS is giving ridiculous numbers for it, but I bet its near 113mi / 15,000 ft climbing. Would have plenty of water opportunities for self supported rides, and food at Baldy and Crystal lake. Could make for a nice self supported epic.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/1187925
112.7 miles, +17974 feet
Last edited by jmX; 05-17-12 at 07:21 PM.
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I did GMR-GRR-Ski Lifts-GRR-East Fork- Crystal Lake a while bike, it was pretty tough, but we went really slow and took tons of breaks.
https://app.strava.com/rides/5675976
Got 100 miles and ~13,000k ft climbing
Climbing east fork at the end would have been really tough.
https://app.strava.com/rides/5675976
Got 100 miles and ~13,000k ft climbing
Climbing east fork at the end would have been really tough.
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I did GMR-GRR-Ski Lifts-GRR-East Fork- Crystal Lake a while bike, it was pretty tough, but we went really slow and took tons of breaks.
https://app.strava.com/rides/5675976
Got 100 miles and ~13,000k ft climbing
Climbing east fork at the end would have been really tough.
https://app.strava.com/rides/5675976
Got 100 miles and ~13,000k ft climbing
Climbing east fork at the end would have been really tough.
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On Saturday, I rode from West Fork to the Crystal Lake Cafe then on to Dawson Saddle via the closed section of CA 39. It is still quite clear of debris. Started at 6:45 am and the weather was perfect. Met up at the cafe with a buddy of mine who is doing the Death Ride next weekend; he started at Santa Fe Dam for extra miles and climbing. That closed section of 39 is spectacularly beautiful. I hope Caltrans reconsiders and keeps working on it. The large majority of the roadbed has been rebuilt. I think there was only one small section that was one lane. There was also one small section with water on the road that needs improved drainage. But other than that, it just needs some fresh black top.
My computer crapped out for a while, but based on my buddies garmin I put in about 48 miles and about 7000 feet of climbing (all of which was in the first 26 miles). What a ride. I'll be doing that one at least once a month until the snow flies.
My computer crapped out for a while, but based on my buddies garmin I put in about 48 miles and about 7000 feet of climbing (all of which was in the first 26 miles). What a ride. I'll be doing that one at least once a month until the snow flies.
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We rode down 39 today and it was spotless on the closed part. Wish I could say the same below. Once we got the the West Fork is was jamed with people, diapers, and trash. Such a shame what people do.
#18
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On Saturday, I rode from West Fork to the Crystal Lake Cafe then on to Dawson Saddle via the closed section of CA 39. It is still quite clear of debris. Started at 6:45 am and the weather was perfect. Met up at the cafe with a buddy of mine who is doing the Death Ride next weekend; he started at Santa Fe Dam for extra miles and climbing. That closed section of 39 is spectacularly beautiful. I hope Caltrans reconsiders and keeps working on it. The large majority of the roadbed has been rebuilt. I think there was only one small section that was one lane. There was also one small section with water on the road that needs improved drainage. But other than that, it just needs some fresh black top.
My computer crapped out for a while, but based on my buddies garmin I put in about 48 miles and about 7000 feet of climbing (all of which was in the first 26 miles). What a ride. I'll be doing that one at least once a month until the snow flies.
My computer crapped out for a while, but based on my buddies garmin I put in about 48 miles and about 7000 feet of climbing (all of which was in the first 26 miles). What a ride. I'll be doing that one at least once a month until the snow flies.
i don't mind it being our little high-altitude bike path unofficially. when relatively clear of rockfall, the road is in decent shape. could it use repaving? of course but i feel the caltrans 'rockplows' are enough of a luxury considering the road is closed.
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frankly...and i don't think i'm alone in this assessment...i pray caltrans never reopens it to automobile traffic but keeps it relatively clear of debris officially for the usfs and fire trucks.
i don't mind it being our little high-altitude bike path unofficially. when relatively clear of rockfall, the road is in decent shape. could it use repaving? of course but i feel the caltrans 'rockplows' are enough of a luxury considering the road is closed.
i don't mind it being our little high-altitude bike path unofficially. when relatively clear of rockfall, the road is in decent shape. could it use repaving? of course but i feel the caltrans 'rockplows' are enough of a luxury considering the road is closed.
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frankly...and i don't think i'm alone in this assessment...i pray caltrans never reopens it to automobile traffic but keeps it relatively clear of debris officially for the usfs and fire trucks.
i don't mind it being our little high-altitude bike path unofficially. when relatively clear of rockfall, the road is in decent shape. could it use repaving? of course but i feel the caltrans 'rockplows' are enough of a luxury considering the road is closed.
i don't mind it being our little high-altitude bike path unofficially. when relatively clear of rockfall, the road is in decent shape. could it use repaving? of course but i feel the caltrans 'rockplows' are enough of a luxury considering the road is closed.
I would rather have the road open to traffic than falling into disrepair.
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The Crystal Lake Cafe has a petition to keep Hwy. 39 open. I hope everyone that rides up to the cafe will sign the petition.
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While that is a nice thought, that is not going to happen. Caltrans wants to abandon Hwy. 39 entirely. Neither the city of Azusa nor the County of Los Angeles can afford to take over the road. IIRC the US Forest Service has also declined to take over the road. That means no maintenance for any purpose and the road above East Fork will be closed. For a few years it will be rideable, but it won't take very many winters before it becomes impassable.
I would rather have the road open to traffic than falling into disrepair.
I would rather have the road open to traffic than falling into disrepair.
yah cdp8, you are correct. vehicular traffic is preferable to no traffic, including ours. i suppose our rallying cry should be to ride this stretch as much as possible now before it gets shut down for good. the amount of rockfall in the san gabes is ridiculous and i think one winter and subsequent spring/summer of thawing/cracking/melting/sliding would be enough to render the majority of the road all but unrideable.
#23
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Epic San Gabriels variation that I did last summer:
https://app.strava.com/rides/1044865
https://app.strava.com/rides/1044865
#24
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Epic San Gabriels variation that I did last summer:
https://app.strava.com/rides/1044865
https://app.strava.com/rides/1044865
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39 is a big political football. Been closed since the 70's I think above Crystal Lake; though still an official road. Around 2005 or so CalTrans put out the proposal to reopen it. $39 million or something. Lot's of opposition to that. Not gonna happen. They'd like to abandon it to the locals now.
USFS says if it's abandoned, then it has to be restored to original condition - take out the road etc. The $ for that isn't there either.
No other jurisdiction wants to own it and have to maintain it.
Who knows what will happen.
USFS says if it's abandoned, then it has to be restored to original condition - take out the road etc. The $ for that isn't there either.
No other jurisdiction wants to own it and have to maintain it.
Who knows what will happen.