Angeles Crest Highway to Newcomb Ranch

Angeles Crest is not a road for small-bore bikes. It climbs from about 800 feet to over 7,900 feet in less than 50 miles. The road consists of mostly mid to high-speed sweepers with very few surprises. The road traverses the side of cliffs quite a bit, so this is a very good thing. Even so, there are quite a few bikes that have been launched off the side of a cliff never to be seen again. Not for the faint-hearted if you wish to ride it fast. Nevertheless, the scenery is so astonishing, a slow ride can be very rewarding. Strictly a summer ride, although I've been to Mt Wilson in late November (there was scattered snow on the roadside).
Here's a map of the area 

The San Gabriel Mountains
It is located in the San Gabriel mountains, which can be seen to the north of Los Angeles from practically anywhere in the city. This is why Mount Wilson (a brief detour off the highway) is the location for the television transmission towers for Los Angeles.

Newcomb Ranch is a restrauant/bar that is about 27 miles from the bottom of the hill (La Caņada Flintridge) and can be reached from LA by various routes, depending on your starting point. Basically, get to the intersection of the 2 (Glendale) and the 210 (Foothill) freeways, and just east of this interchange is the Angeles Crest Highway exit off the 210 (route 2). Don't forget to get gas at the off-ramp, as Angeles Crest Highway goes through the Angeles National Forest, and they have no gas stations anywhere in the forest reserve (that I know of). Although it can only be about a 60 mile round trip from here, it's a drag to forget (although you get great gas mileage on the way down with the motor off! <grin>). If you take the Mount Wilson turn-off about 15 miles up, you'll get an amazing view of Los Angeles and Catalina Island (if the air is clear!) and you may see the hang-gliders that use Mount Wilson as a launching area.

The intersection of Angeles Crest Highway and Angeles Forest Highway
There are several really cool roads that can be taken off Angeles Crest, I have not taken them all yet. My favorite so far is to take the Angeles Forest Highway on the way down and a few miles later, turn left onto Upper Big Tujunga Road and take this road down to Sunland. Turn right at the t-junction at the end of Upper Big Tujunga Road to get back to the 210 freeway.

If you have more time, you can stay on Angeles Forest Highway and then turn left onto Aliso Canyon Road a few miles later and you'll end up in Soledad Canyon. Turn left onto Soledad Canyon road and you'll get to the 14 (Antelope Valley) freeway which, if you go west will get you to the 5 and then back into LA.

Another variation is to stay on Angeles Crest and continue up from Newcomb Ranch all the way to Wrightwood, past the snow-skiing areas. The altitude will go to about 8,000 feet, and even if it's over 100 degrees down in LA, it can still be a little chilly at this altitude, so dress accordingly! This will take you about 70 miles from LA.

Once you get to Wrightwood, you can stop here for refreshments.

Yodler Inn in Wrightwood

Last modified: 12/24/98