March 5, 6 snow capped Mt Wilson Ya Ya's
03-02-11, 04:05 PM
#1
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March 5, 6 snow capped Mt Wilson Ya Ya's
Those of you in the LA area looking for a sweet ride in the snow capped mountains, this weekend is your chance. Both Saturday and Sunday look promising with clear skies and mid to upper 60's temps along the way up (mid-day temps). Forecast suggests some cloud cover rolling in on Sunday, but that may mean later in the day. The last few hundred feet (elevation) of the Mt Wilson Red Box route should have some significant snow cover, as illustrated on the Tower Cam. The roads will be clear, but melting snow will make it wet in places, with some potential for black ice as well.
It'll be in the high 40's up top, but with the sun it'll be perfect. The worst of the descent is along Red Box when riding through shadows. A windbreaker will do wonders for that 5 mile stretch.
I'm shooting for an early (9-10am) Saturday start, heading up Big Tujunga. For me this is a make up ride for an aborted New Year's Day attempt, when I came within 2 miles of Red Box on ACH before being turned around by plow truck drivers.
Anyone else thinking of heading up?
It'll be in the high 40's up top, but with the sun it'll be perfect. The worst of the descent is along Red Box when riding through shadows. A windbreaker will do wonders for that 5 mile stretch.
I'm shooting for an early (9-10am) Saturday start, heading up Big Tujunga. For me this is a make up ride for an aborted New Year's Day attempt, when I came within 2 miles of Red Box on ACH before being turned around by plow truck drivers.
Anyone else thinking of heading up?
Last edited by KiddSisko; 03-02-11 at 04:12 PM.
03-03-11, 12:25 AM
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I really want to go, but I don't think I can do that climb. I am debating on either going to San Bernardino or up toward Crystal Lake(Not all the way there probably).
03-03-11, 01:11 AM
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03-03-11, 09:03 AM
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Jim S is organizing a century up Little T and down Big T if you'd like to join us, Kidd. It has shorter options.
03-03-11, 09:04 AM
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03-03-11, 10:12 AM
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if GRR is closed to snow, wouldnt the road to crystal lake also be closed?
03-03-11, 12:02 PM
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03-03-11, 01:52 PM
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Oh OK i didnt realize CL was that low. I guess all the real climbing starts then?
03-03-11, 02:27 PM
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03-03-11, 02:56 PM
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The climbing starts very early!
Not if you're starting on Big T we won't. Those on our ride who choose to do Wilson will get there long after you leave.
03-03-11, 06:02 PM
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Actually my friend does not like climbing so he wants to go to San Bernardino instead
03-03-11, 07:25 PM
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If you're seeing Mt. Wilson as 20 miles longer, you're starting in the wrong place or taking the wrong route.
03-04-11, 12:05 AM
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20 more miles from my house! I can't get a ride to the bottom of the climb, so I have to bike all the way there.
03-04-11, 12:39 AM
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if anyone plans on driving to start their ride up big T to mt wilson on foothill blvd be very careful for speed traps. i got nabbed there in a ridiculous spot coming down a hill. they were pulling cars over by the minute. big T to wilson is a great ride, scenic, tough as you wanna make or easy as you wanna make it. bring a jacket for the descent though. i went with only warmers in 50 degree weather and it was brutal. at 40 degrees, forget about.
03-04-11, 01:47 PM
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03-04-11, 02:03 PM
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It's gonna be awesome up there Sat and Sunday!
03-04-11, 02:59 PM
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Join us, there are shorter options.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/303127
Last edited by big john; 03-04-11 at 03:02 PM.
03-04-11, 04:52 PM
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03-04-11, 05:03 PM
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I spoke too soon. I thought I was going to get my bike back from the shop today, but just found out I have to wait til tomorrow. I'll catch up with you guys one of these days.
03-05-11, 09:53 PM
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I rode up from Sunland today. Big T - Angeles Forest Hwy to Clear Creek - 2 to Red Box; up and down Mt. Wilson.
If you missed today; ride up tomorrow. Going up with the relatively warm weather, and surrounded by snow is great!
Be advised - the drinking fountain at RedBox is not working. Clear Creek is working.
If you missed today; ride up tomorrow. Going up with the relatively warm weather, and surrounded by snow is great!
Be advised - the drinking fountain at RedBox is not working. Clear Creek is working.
03-06-11, 12:35 AM
#21
Has coddling tendencies.
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Incredible day!
Heading up Big Tujunga at 10am in near 70 degree temps.
Clear Creek station finally got remodeled (repaired burnt fence, repainted parking lot), courtesy of a local scout troop. Be forewarned: While on a bike ride in the mountains, if you roll up to a bunch of boy scouts and their parents, be prepared for questions.
As promised, there was plenty of snow beginning at Red Box road.
What San Gabriel mountain ride would be complete without a rock slide?
A funny thing happened at the top near the Observatory gate. As I approached on my bike simply to peer down the road, the gate began to open. A cyclist on the other side said I'd be able to leave through the one way door to the side. I rolled up to the Cosmic Cafe parking lot, where a group of hikers and mountain bikers had collected. Further up a snow covered walkway, a group of hikers were enjoying the cafe deck view. Not wanting to pass up an opportunity to explore, I scaled the slushy snow covered walkway, carrying my bike with one hand, the other hand gripping the railing. I filled my water bottle with water from melted snow draining off the roof.
Near 60 degrees in the shade at the top. Perfect.
One more perfect day tomorrow! I wish I had the legs to do it all again!
Heading up Big Tujunga at 10am in near 70 degree temps.
Clear Creek station finally got remodeled (repaired burnt fence, repainted parking lot), courtesy of a local scout troop. Be forewarned: While on a bike ride in the mountains, if you roll up to a bunch of boy scouts and their parents, be prepared for questions.
As promised, there was plenty of snow beginning at Red Box road.
What San Gabriel mountain ride would be complete without a rock slide?
A funny thing happened at the top near the Observatory gate. As I approached on my bike simply to peer down the road, the gate began to open. A cyclist on the other side said I'd be able to leave through the one way door to the side. I rolled up to the Cosmic Cafe parking lot, where a group of hikers and mountain bikers had collected. Further up a snow covered walkway, a group of hikers were enjoying the cafe deck view. Not wanting to pass up an opportunity to explore, I scaled the slushy snow covered walkway, carrying my bike with one hand, the other hand gripping the railing. I filled my water bottle with water from melted snow draining off the roof.
Near 60 degrees in the shade at the top. Perfect.
One more perfect day tomorrow! I wish I had the legs to do it all again!
03-06-11, 10:46 PM
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great report, love the pictures, do you have a route slip?
03-06-11, 11:51 PM
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For whatever it's worth, Glendora Ridge Road looked nearly the same on saturday. Nice mid 60's temps and snow.
03-06-11, 11:59 PM
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Must be scary going downhill with wet roads!
Me and two friends went to San Bernardino instead of going up in the mountains. Unfortunately one of them get tired and we had to turn back after 35 miles
.
I was kind of angry because I hate not reaching goals I set
, but i didn't want to leave him behind. And I absolutely loved the views of the snowcapped mountains 
Me and two friends went to San Bernardino instead of going up in the mountains. Unfortunately one of them get tired and we had to turn back after 35 miles
.I was kind of angry because I hate not reaching goals I set
, but i didn't want to leave him behind. And I absolutely loved the views of the snowcapped mountains
03-07-11, 01:32 AM
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Good idea Mr. Sisko. I couldn't make it up on Saturday (sadly, as it looks like the weather was perfect), but made it up today. And, despite all the climbing I have done, this was actually my first ascent of Mt. Wilson.
A few photos along the way...
News trucks, police, LA coroner, burnt out vehicle along Big Tujunga...
What happened?? Turns out it was filming for Law & Order Los Angeles.
Big Tujunga - one of my favorite views:
Angeles Forest Highway:
Scenery along the way:
More Angeles Forest:
Angeles Crest - the clouds were starting to get much thicker:
After this point, I didn't get much direct sun.
Mt. Wilson Red Box:
A few photos along the way...
News trucks, police, LA coroner, burnt out vehicle along Big Tujunga...
What happened?? Turns out it was filming for Law & Order Los Angeles.
Big Tujunga - one of my favorite views:
Angeles Forest Highway:
Scenery along the way:
More Angeles Forest:
Angeles Crest - the clouds were starting to get much thicker:
After this point, I didn't get much direct sun.
Mt. Wilson Red Box:
