Part 58: Champions of Angeles Crest Highway – Stories from the Racetrack in the San Gabriel Mountains

December 31, 2013

By Zachary Ellison, Independent Journalist

Where will I be on the last night of 2023? On Angeles Crest Highway of course, but I won’t be there alone, and the Highway I travel is both the source of consternation to many and as I discovered in interviewing three champions of ACH there are many questions about the future. Earlier this year, Fodor’s Travel magazine put the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument on their “No List 2024” citing “Trash Production” declaring that a “lack of oversight and environmental awareness has led to the deterioration of what should be a natural oasis for Los Angeles County.”

If you ask most people what they think of Angeles Crest, the 66 mile route built from 1929 to 1956 that forms the backbone of the Monument crossing its highest elevation, they will tell you that it is dangerous. The Monument was established in 2014 by President Barack Obama, and has been essentially overlaid over the Angeles National Forest to give additional protections and distinctions, but without any additional funding or transference. Proposals to further expand the designation have faltered, and yet life goes on at a daily basis with people of all types safely accessing its splendor. I’m not sure about an “oasis” but if you ask me it’s a true paradise.

Link: https://zacharyellison.substack.com/p/part-58-champions-of-angeles-crest

Has anyone here ever used / know much about the Forest Products Permit that is issued by Forest Service? I have an art project in mind that will utilize a large amount of tree branches. Nothing huge. Maybe 1” diameter at the most but I need a couple hundred of them. Does anyone happen to know if this permit would allow me to go collect and or cut that stuff in the forest?

Thanks!

Hoping to hike up to the Windy Gap area from Crystal Lake this week and wanted to ask if anyone has been up recently and has a report on snow and safety?

Anyone know what the hiking/car access conditions of the Mt Waterman trail are? I haven’t been since it burned.

Hey there, wondering if anyone knows if the fire ban is still in place. I know it said till February but we’ve got a couple week of rain upon us and wondering if that will change anything? Thanks.

Does anyone know if there are any road closures planned on highway 2? Specifically going to Wrightwood Canyon. Last year, the road was already closed on Nov. 20. But does anyone know anything about this year?

did anyone else notice some weird flashing lights behind the mountains? around 12am. it wasn’t like a pattern flash it was like random and sometimes it was really bright. Im curious to know what it is

Is there any place open in the Angeles National Forest for hike-in camping? Little Jimmy, Cooper Canyon Trail Camp, and Henninger were all closed for the season when I called recently. Any nearby alternatives? Thank you.

curious if anyone has any ideas on places anywhere near LA that one can get to by public transportation then a relatively short hike and camp? Henninger Flats was my spot for this, taking the train then bus from Hollywood to Eaton Canyonc then the 3 mile hike up, but it is now permanently closed (w/o explanation)...

Millard seems to be another possibility, except with the parking lot so close and so few camping spots, the likelihood of it having availability is brutal to have made that journey for (to have to turn around and return)...

Thanks y’all.

Given there are only 5 campsites and they're all FCFS, is this a place that's full every night?

I'm heading up there with some friends next week and it will be my first time camping there. Does anyone have any particular hikes in that area they like? Is it normally pretty crowded? Any issues with bears? Anything I should know? Thanks!!

I saw Buckhorn was closed and all snowy. Is there anywhere in angeles crest that i can camp right now?

I understand cutting trees in Angeles for Christmas is illegal, but if one were to drive up to Angeles Nat'l Forest to plant their rooting christmas tree deep into the woods and let it thrive, is that frowned upon?

I understand the forest is still "closed" but when it reopens, what are the rules on camping?

I am interested in planning another trip to the forest but would like to camp for a couple days. I don't want to stay in the designated camp sites (the ones with benches and bbq's all set up) like "little jimmy" but would rather find a nice spot away from everyone possibly near the top of Mt. Islip. What are the rules for this? Am I allowed to set up my tent anywhere in the forest for 2 days and just camp out? I believe I am talking about "dispersed" camping, but again, I'm not sure what the rules around this are.

Any help clarifying these rules would be much appreciated.

Is the forest still closed? I want to do my favorite trail in Altadena that hikes into the forest through the foothills, but heard it was closed last time I tried to enter. I know the order banning entry went through yesterday, but haven't heard an updated.

​

Also, occasionally I night hike alone on this trail (which is heavily trafficked during the day, with light traffic during the early evening). Is this unsafe in anyones experience?