SoCal guys... when does Angeles Crest shut down for winter?

[SVTNate]

Or does it at all?

My favorite day ride is riding HWY 2 when I can sneak out on a weekday.  I've done it at least once a month through summer.  What's it like during winter?  Snow, ice, too dangerous to ride?  Does it shut down?  

I only go out there to scrape hard parts in corners, so if the roads are wet/salted/snow/etc. I'm done for the year, but how much more time do I have before that happens?

[GTS_Rider]

I asked the same on local mailing list and nobody really knows for sure. It's been soooo many years since the road is actually open to begin with...

Seems like the highest point is near around 7k feet. I think this would melt off over a week or two, even if they got snow and did not plow, after all this is SoCal...


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Probably M.Brane would be the highest knowledgeable guy here to say if the road just gets shut down for months, or not...

[owrstrich]

we use 3 resources to stay on top the road conditions up there...

this guy has it going on...

la county...

caltrans...

j o

[GTS_Rider]

Wow, cool panorama at the tunnels...

[M.Brane]

 Besides what was already mentioned rocks are year-round especially on the section between Camp Valcrest, and 39. Snow can last for months in the shaded areas this time of year, and black ice is possible from run-off with sub-freezing temps in the early morning hours. Expect cinders on the road after snow, and freezing temps.

 Road closure is subject to conditions. It's not like some of the Sierra passes where they just close 'em because it's too much to try to keep them open for the winter. Unless there is a big slide or hella snow it should be open, but that just means passable not squeaky-clean. You ride the road in winter you takes your chances.

[SVTNate]

I was up there today.  Rode up to Newcomb's Ranch from the 210 exit.

Road is closed at the tunnels.  Cold, yes, road is largely ready to rock still but they recently had ice so in the shady areas it's very cold and some water/gravel on the road.  Trucks have cleaned it up, and the gravel is mostly on the yellow line but BE CAREFUL.  I made mental note going up the mountain where to slow down.  Coming back, I hit some gravel and nearly lost it.  Luckily no oncoming traffic... front wheel got loose coming out of a corner (where I wasn't pushing it at all, since I knew that area was hazardous) and I had to straighten up the bike and go across the yellow line to regain control.  It was a butt pucker moment, but turned out okay.

If you want to head up there soon, just be careful, let it rip if you want, but do so at the lower elevations and watch out for water and gravel once you get near Newcomb's Ranch.  

The worst of it at the moment is... shit, how do I describe it.  Heading up, there are some sweepers, a large paved pull-out on the left (north?) side of the road, and it gets tighter after that.  Be really careful in there.  Best bet is that if you see heavily shaded areas, slow down.

I'm a SoCal native and a pussy when it comes to cold, and only my hands got really cold up there (Alpinestars vented gauntlets on a naked bike) so it's not too cold yet.

That said, after nearly losing the front tire on some gravel I didn't see, in a spot I knew there would be gravel... I'm done for the year.  I live in OC and only make the trek up there (splitting lanes forever on the 5 and 605 no less) to do my most aggressive sport riding.  Seeing as I don't like to ride Ortega anymore, I think my sport riding is done for the year - but if you want to head up there soon, barring any new storm, it's still okay so long as you're not dragging hard parts or knees in the higher elevations.

[vguy]

Wow, cool panorama at the tunnels...

Great high res quality. Even at full screen on my giant monitor.

[Rogue]

There is always Borrego Springs.  But to get there this time of year you may have to deal with run off on in the higher elevations.

[atadaskew]

That said, after nearly losing the front tire on some gravel I didn't see, in a spot I knew there would be gravel... I'm done for the year.

There occasionally is gravel on mountain/canyon roads all year long.
Not just in winter.

[SVTNate]

There occasionally is gravel on mountain/canyon roads all year long.
Not just in winter.

I *was* riding HWY 2 at least once a month since July or so.  Fallen rocks and gravel, sure, but nothing like when I almost dumped the bike.

I haven't even touched my Speed Triple in weeks  I'm hoping to get out in the next couple days, but it's just not a great time of year to be riding the roads I prefer to ride.  Even in SoCal.