Preview: A sixty-six-mile-long highway that climbs from La Canada to the lofty, forested crest of the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. The Angeles Crest Highway is simply breathtaking. It’s one of southern California’s best scenic drives. The two-lane, paved road ascends to the twisting crest of the San Gabriel Mountains north of the Los Angeles Basin. The spectacular road, far removed from the hustle, smog, and traffic of nearby cities, accesses startling landscapes that seem out of character with the usual conceptions of southern California. A rare peace is found atop these mountains. The wind, sweeping off the ocean, whispers through ancient limber pines at timberline; long views of other snowcapped ranges, dusty desert basins, and distant city streets stretch out beyond abrupt ridges; and the elemental earth seems unchanging and almost unmarked by the passage of man. The mountains are chaotic, shaped and changed by faults, uplifts, and earthquakes. Its ecosystems include dense chaparral-covered hillsides, windy boreal forests, and woody glades filled with wildflowers and ferns. Special attractions: Angeles National Forest, Pacific Crest Trail, Mount Wilson Observatory, San Gabriel Wilderness Area, Sheep Mountain Wilderness Area, San Andreas Rift Zone, Mount Wilson Viewpoint, Devil’s Canyon Overlook, skiing, camping, hiking, scenic views, cool summer temperatures. This chapter is a complete description of a scenic drive with a route map and information on the best travel seasons, interesting sites, recreation opportunities, camping locations, and much more.
© Copyright Stewart M. Green published by Falcon Publishing all rights reserved.
Best Time to Go: May through October
This travel guide comes from:
Scenic Driving California Guide Book
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Date of Trip: 3/18/2004
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In one day, in as little as one long afternoon, you will travel from views of the ocean to views of the desert, from scrub brush and yucca to tall pines, from haze and coastal fog to pristine blue skies and snow. With campgrounds aplenty, with over forty hiking trails, the Mount Wilson Observatory, Big Pines visitor station, a nature center, two restaraunts, tunnels, switchbacks, mountain saddles, you name it, there's something for everyone. Nothing surpasses the tranquility of the hills and glades along it's roadside. The town of Wrightwood anchors the eastern section of the route. Here you'll find a quaint mountain village with fine food and pleasant shops. There's even two ski areas along the route. My personal favorite is the Dawson Saddle trail. The trailhead is about five miles west of Big Pine Station, beginning at 7800 foot elevation. The view to the north is endless. Upon reaching the saddle (another 800 feet higher up and two miles on the shady north slope), you join the Pacific Crest Trail and the spectacular views of the Coastal Plain and Santa Ana mountains to the south. The Angeles Crest highway in the Angels National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains is truely a treasure. It affords a plethora of attractions, points of interest, overlooks, and trailheads. Though one can speed through the entire route in under four hours, it's best to dedicate a few days. One caution: don't let the natives push you along. The best speed for this road is 35 to 40 miles per hour, even though the official speed limit on most of the highway is 55. And take advantage of the turnouts and overlooks - the views are worth the time.
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