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Angeles Crest Hwy Question...

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:25 pm
by MCGusto
Anyone know if Angeles Crest Highway (out of La Canada) is open to bikes?

Anyone been up there after the rain we had last week?

I was thinking it would be pretty cool to take a little road/mountain bike trip up there considering the road is closed to cars.

Thanks,

Gusto

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:58 pm
by fatdad
I asked the same question on a similar thread and didn't get a definitive answer. To be honest, the only real way to find out is to call the ANF, but they'll probably tell you "no" as a matter of course, even if it isn't.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:23 pm
by SpiderSavage
I don't have first hand information but a friend of mine has gone for a run up around the Brown Mountain fire road. If you know where this is I believe you can ride up that way without trouble.

Park at the parking area near the JPL parking lot and follow the road into the Arroyo Seco. Once into the canyon follow the right turn fire road up one mile to the Brown Mt Road, go right about 5 miles into the great void that was once the Arroyo Seco.

According to the ANF web site the area is closed. I hear signs are posted. But I've also heard nothing of people getting in trouble for violations.

If you study your maps there are other fire roads and places to enter.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:37 pm
by MCGusto
SpiderSavage wrote:I don't have first hand information but a friend of mine has gone for a run up around the Brown Mountain fire road. If you know where this is I believe you can ride up that way without trouble.

Park at the parking area near the JPL parking lot and follow the road into the Arroyo Seco. Once into the canyon follow the right turn fire road up one mile to the Brown Mt Road, go right about 5 miles into the great void that was once the Arroyo Seco.

According to the ANF web site the area is closed. I hear signs are posted. But I've also heard nothing of people getting in trouble for violations.

If you study your maps there are other fire roads and places to enter.


Yeah, I know this area very well, including the Ken Burton Trail that drops off the backside of Brown Mtn down into the Arroyo. I was hoping the road would be open so I might be able to ride up from La Canada to Switzer Camp and do a big loop back down through the arroyo, or possibly just a bike ride up to Red Box to see how the area has been effected.

I might just have to bring my bike up there and see...

Gusto

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:42 pm
by fatdad
Give us an update on how that goes. I've been itching at the prospect of riding all that sweet pavement without having to worry about cars.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:33 pm
by Tom Kenney
Gary Schenk wrote:http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi
According to the cop who gave me a ticket a few years ago, bicycles are the same as cars when it comes to traffic laws. So that means the highway is closed to bikes as well as cars. So it is probably ticketable, if they see you.


Got the same 'wink-and-nod' from a CalTrans guy on Great Western Divide Hwy (near Dome Rock) a few years back. CA-2, however, I would not attempt. Since they are actively working on the highway, they are also probably actively patrolling.

If you want to do the Arroyo, maybe link Sam Merrill->Mt. Lowe Railway->Valley Forge Tr->West Fork Rd->Red Box->Gabrielino->Arroyo. It would be a big day, but would avoid most or all of the patrolled areas. Also, not sure Sam Merrill is technically open, as I've heard that El Prieto and Sunset Trails are still closed.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:35 pm
by MCGusto
Gary Schenk wrote:http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi

SR 2 IS CLOSED FROM 2.1 MI EAST OF THE EAST JCT OF I 210
/IN LA CANADA-FLINTRIDGE/ TO ISLIP SADDLE (LOS ANGELES CO) - DUE TO
FIRE DAMAGE REPAIRS - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

SR 2 IS CLOSED FROM ISLIP SADDLE TO 6.5 MI WEST OF BIG PINES (LOS ANGELES CO)
- DUE TO ROCK & MUD SLIDES - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

According to the cop who gave me a ticket a few years ago, bicycles are the same as cars when it comes to traffic laws. So that means the highway is closed to bikes as well as cars. So it is probably ticketable, if they see you.


It's interesting bicyclists are included in "motorists." I remember when the area beyond Vincent Gap was closed, and I would always hear about people riding the length of Angeles Crest Highway from La Canada to Wrightwood (using a car shuttle). Sure would be nice to ride the highway without cars...

Gusto

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:56 pm
by Luciano136
MCGusto wrote:
Gary Schenk wrote:http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi

SR 2 IS CLOSED FROM 2.1 MI EAST OF THE EAST JCT OF I 210
/IN LA CANADA-FLINTRIDGE/ TO ISLIP SADDLE (LOS ANGELES CO) - DUE TO
FIRE DAMAGE REPAIRS - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

SR 2 IS CLOSED FROM ISLIP SADDLE TO 6.5 MI WEST OF BIG PINES (LOS ANGELES CO)
- DUE TO ROCK & MUD SLIDES - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

According to the cop who gave me a ticket a few years ago, bicycles are the same as cars when it comes to traffic laws. So that means the highway is closed to bikes as well as cars. So it is probably ticketable, if they see you.


It's interesting bicyclists are included in "motorists." I remember when the area beyond Vincent Gap was closed, and I would always hear about people riding the length of Angeles Crest Highway from La Canada to Wrightwood (using a car shuttle). Sure would be nice to ride the highway without cars...

Gusto


Interestingly enough I biked (and then snowshoed) past the closed gate at Islip saddle; the cops were right there and I actually talked to them a bit about hwy 39. Maybe this is different because it was just a seasonal closure and no repair works were being done?