Angeles Crest Dr. is closed approximately 39 miles from the 215 Freeway in La Canada-Flintridge. The current plan is to have the road re-opened by the summer of 2006, but another winter of heavy rain or budget problems could cause even more delays. See map at right for location.

Most Southern Californians know about this road. A great days drive with plenty of curves, altitude change, straights, and some good views. However, the cops don't like you playing on this one, so make sure you have your radar detector. I have read that they have a zero tolerance policy on this road, 56 mph can get you a ticket.

This road is closed during the winter, so check online for road conditions before you leave. There are many closure points along this route and Caltrans will progressively close a longer stretches as the weather gets worse. Lots of shadows means that ice and snow can last well into spring, so be careful.

Heading from west to east, Angeles Crest breakes into 3 sections. The first section (green on map) is climbing up the mountain out of La Canada - Flitridge and just past Angeles Forest Hwy. to the turnoff for Mt. Wilson Observatory. This section is mostly uphill switchbacks, with a speed limit of 45mph. This also seems to be the secion with the most traffic, both from people coming and going on Angelest Forest as well as sightseers headed to Mt. Wilson.

The second section (red on map) is the longest of the three. There is not a lot of overall elevation change in this section, but there is still plenty of up and down to go along with the curves. This portion varies from very tight and curvy to several areas that are a little straighter and more relaxed. This area has a 55mph speed limit, but, like the 1st uphill section, is a double fine zone, so watch out.

The last section (blue on map) headed east drops you down into Wrightwood. This section roughly starts after you pass the turnoff for San Gabriel Cyn., which is unfortunately closed and will probably never be reopened. This would make an awesome loop if that road were drivable. The double fine zone ends here so you can open it up a little more without too much fear. This section is also quite technical with a lot of switchbacks and corners and almost no straights or places to pass.

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