Exploring California's Highway 39 - Closed For Over 40 Years

California State Route 39 as it heads into the mountains north of Azusa has been called California's Forbidden Highway or California's Forgotten Highway, as the last four and a half miles of it have been closed since 1978, preventing it from connecting with State Route 2. Because of the closure and dead end, the road sees very little traffic, despite being only miles from the second largest city in the United States.
In this video, we drive up the road through the Angeles National Forest (the same road part of Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift was filmed on) and check out what there is to see along the way. We then explore the section of road that has been closed for over 40 years, a road that was once considered one of the most scenic in California.
For another look at Highway 39, check out this video on the road by Roaming Benji: • California's Forgotten...
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[@simmadpaul2880]

I'm from the UK and due to my health I spend a lot of time having to lie down in a darkened room. Your videos allow me to go on adventures to places I'll never get to visit. Many thanks

[@mradventurer8104]

eating plenty of local green veggies helps with many diseases. In any case, good to see you enjoy the videos like many of us!

[@AStageForTheKingdom]

I hope your health improves! I've been in that situation myself, so I can relate.

[@MissBree5353]

Hello from Alaska! peace from miss Bree

[@fieonshakespearenut]

Hello from Southern California! I'll think of you next time I pass the Huy Fong Sriracha plant when I'm near Azusa enjoying a view of these mountains. Mmm....Sriracha....

[@TruthBeTold-mp7rd]

Thank you for sharing this! So it wasn't L.A.s MnDot ? Just a freak question Lol...My father worked for Minnesota's MnDot 43 years,than retired in 2001...Before our I- 35 Bridge collapsed..😮

[@conanbeagle9251]

Hello I'm from this area and have driven on this closed off road. I was camping in Crystal lake when a fire broke out somewhere near the HOV area before East Fork so no one could get back down highway 39. We were being smoked out so they had no choice but to open the closed road for the first time in like 50 years I think they said. We went like 3 cars at a time slowly. It was amazing it was so up high the view was beautiful and there were boulders the size of ambulances you had to swerve around on the road and a huge section of the road was missing.. one lane had fallen in a rock slide so it was nerve racking driving on the side that was still holding up. We made it through and it connected to Los Angeles Crest Highway 2, near snow crest. Definitely glad I got to experience that. Oh and I'll never forget a young woman who drove up to my car to ask what was going on in a panic. She said she was from Virginia on vacation.. I told her casually to follow the road that they were going to open. She was the first one to go on the road. 😅

[@coloneldroid-homeofatconyo4672]

Awesome story, thanks for sharing!

[@SteveSmith-eb6ze]

The most amazing thing is someone went to California on vacation? With all of the illegals and crime one would figure intelligent people would stay away from that sh!!-hole!

[@larrybarnett5799]

WOW!!!!! cool story

[@SpiceyKy]

Amazing story!

[@wirechick57]

Cool story

[@TheWombat2012]

As an Australian who has only visited the USA once, I have to say that watching that drive up to Crystal Lake makes me want to start planning another trip.

[@tonybino01]

We, Americans are jealous. While we only get two weeks holiday, Aussies and Brits get a whole month off! Lucky blokes! LOL

[@TruthBeTold-mp7rd]

@@tonybino01 🇺🇲SERIOUSLY?? I'm in the wrong DAMM country!

[@Teddingtin]

If you come here again, avoid California entirely.

[@jessicafb5398]

Come to LA! There are so many beautiful places to see in SoCal.

[@everettkincaid3388]

California is one of the most beautiful States, I've been to all of them, except Alaska. A lot to see here. National parks, beaches, deserts, forests with redwoods, and so on. I've been to Australia a few times and New Zealand. Great place.

[@leighdee2084]

I rode my motorcycle through a snowstorm on that road in 1977. Epic. Great video

[@lasttimeigaveafuck]

😍

[@Anitasemp]

Thank you for your video. What kind of drone were you flying?

[@SCHARKBAIT11]

@@lasttimeigaveafuckuser name checks out. lol comment doesnt hahaha

[@lasttimeigaveafuck]

@@SCHARKBAIT11 hahahw

[@biglug9364]

Hey Steve, just for your info I work for the company that rebuilt all of the rockslide damage to the road back in the mid-2000s after 9/11 Homeland security mandated that the road must be open for emergency egress from the LA county in case of an emergency situation a company I work for at the time we spent nearly a year installing poured-in-place pile to shore up the slides that have closed the roads many years prior

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Oh wow, that's pretty cool to know.

[@John-uo1qf]

It did appear there was very little rock slide damage given the many years the road has been closed. Now it makes sense that it was maintained somewhat since it was "closed"

[@orangelion03]

Fascinating!! Explains the condition and makes a lot of sense that they would do that. I knew that forest agencies use parts of it for training and fire fighting ops. Thank you for that information.

[@jeffbaloga4376]

Very cool!

[@davidfairless1028]

Not long after it was closed my friends and I from Orange County went as far as you can go up the road; there is a section where the whole thing fell off the side of the mountain. We were told back then that they brought engineers from Switzerland to survey the damage and their statement was, "how did you build it in the first place?!"

[@johnbrennan744]

I grew up in Arcadia during the 50s and 60s. My Dad would take us up to Crystal lake on several lazy Saturdays. This section of Hwy 39 allowed us to make the loop up from Azusa and down The Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2) through Altadena and home to Arcadia. When I started driving I drove this stretch of 39 many times. Thanks for the memories!

[@sgtForgione]

I grew up in Arcadia! 99-2022

[@blondti480]

I camped there during that time as well. The roads throughout the campground had names.....I remember we stayed on Chipmunk Hollow a lot.

[@markmoreno7295]

Me too. I also remember it being closed several times due to rock slides, partial road wipeout, etc., but they always fixed it. I think I had coffee at Crystsl lake in a small resort shop. It was not a spooky place back then, though after the last closure many wondered if it had anything to do with Jason. More often I came up from La Crescenta and drove hwy 2 all the way until hwy 39 which I used to return back home. After the last closure I would drive to Wrightwood and come home via hwy 15.

[@Turbobuttes]

In a suprise to absolutely no one besides those unaware of just how much wear and tear traffic generates, roads do hold up for 50 years or more if you don't have heavy vehicles barreling down them a million times a year. Highway 39 definitely does look like it would quickly become one of my favorite bicycle climbs if I lived in the area.

[@michaelmichaelagnew8503]

Yep its the 18 wheelers that destroy our roads. Then again the roads now a days are cheaply made using asphalt so they break really quick. Concrete roads just were allot better and far more durable.

[@dvsmike]

Pretty heavily trafficked on the weekends, not as pristine as it sounds. The scenic drive is awesome but im always fearful of the cyclists that share the road with little space for error

[@xTobsecretx]

Looks amazing - would be great for skating, too! Just a shame that it’s so far and out of the way.

[@MrTeff999]

Heavy vehicles are definitely a problem. But I read that asphalt roads deteriorate faster if they have zero traffic. I assume it's because tires rolling over the pavement closes cracks that form due to expansion and contraction caused by fluctuations in temperature and soil expansion.

[@fneeley8125]

Try Oh My God Road outside of Idaho Springs sometime, or maybe Red Mountain Pass in wintertime hahaha!

[@jamesklinckman2363]

Us natives from California appreciate the work you have done . It’s a chaparral in the San Gabriel mountains that are unique of a place anywhere in the world.

[@jakebunker8874]

I grew up in Northern California and videos like this make me so homesick for the time I spent with my parents back in the 80’s when life was so much easier. Those who didn’t have a childhood in California just don’t understand the love appeal it had.

[@jahearme4259]

Every person in America grew up in California or New York tv made it so

[@vahgeuvje10]

It was like living in a dream world, Pasadena in the 80s.

[@stephensarkany3577]

The SanJoquin delta area was wonderful to grow up around.

[@soulshine8531]

I can only imagine! I only recently made it to California a couple times as an adult .. started learning alot about the mountains and ecosystems. It’s such a profoundly gorgeous, rich and complex land. I love the mountains. I’d still love to live there if i could. ✌🏼

[@shanerobert2032]

Key word "Had"

[@boboneill4828]

I lived in Glendora for 28 years and worked for Verizon, so spent a lot of time up Hwy 39 providing service to the new tracts they built right before getting into the mountainous areas, also service to the residents at the dam and the Crystal lake campground, especially after fires. I loved going up there, you’re instantly out of the city with beautiful views! Thanks for the memories!

[@RickiLanders]

Are you a tower climber or an RF engineer?

[@jesseweikel]

10:59 10:59 10:59 10:5-😅 10:59

[@kennethmcdonald5278]

Spent a lot of time at crystal lake in the 60's

[@jcee2259]

@@RickiLanders Probably a maintenance person to renew high surfaces is my guess. Few built works never require any

[@fractal9720]

Same over here, brings me good memories especially when I listen to Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull

[@igbatious]

Been up there multiple times on motorcycle and always wondered when the heck the road was going to be finished, but turns out it's been out forever already. Thanks for the history lesson.

[@MissMichSan]

I bet you're from azusa lol people from azusa or surrounding area are so dense.

[@SgtCandy]

A fascinating case-study on how modern roadwork lasts without maintenance, at least for a mostly dry Mediterranean style climate

[@ckirvine137]

Thank you for showing another beautiful mountain area of LA my home town

[@p5ychojoe138]

Not only no maintenance, but also extremely rare traffic. One of the reasons most roads seem to deteriorate so quickly is the traffic, I'm also willing to be there might be something to do with modern techniques as well.

[@michaelsanfilippo7433]

Wow Steve, memories. I'm 65 and a local and I remember driving my old VW Bus up and down that road a few times from 1976-77. Even back then with the road intact, it was always a bit sketchy. The drop-off from the side of the road was crazy. Thanks for this posting.

[@Ericxnugz]

❤

[@kendrickkelly2336]

"I'm 65 and a local and I remember driving my old VW Bus up and down that road a few times from 1976-77." I can't imagine a T1/T2 VW Bus' air cooled four banger being very happy climbing that grade!

[@robertquint4150]

Yep. Lived in Hacienda heights when the portion that goes through there and La Habra was still called hwy 39. Used to drive my 67’ Bug to the top of Azusa canyon when the Santa Ana’s would blow and the wind speeds would hit 80 mph +! ( Youthful indiscretion for sure). The views were tremendous to say the least. but of course nowadays even if the road was open, it would be closed due to fire danger, but not back then.

[@matthewhelm7690]

Do you remember diamond jans. ?

[@smbozant]

I swear that highway was reopened for a brief time in the mid 80s, i remember driving it from my grandmothers house in whittier to our home in wrightwood. But only the one time.

[@lagodifuoco313]

Thank you for doing this video. I grew up in Cucamonga (Rancho Cucamonga) from age 10 (1977) and spent every chance up in the Mt. Baldy/Cucamonga Wilderness area. Back in the spring of 2010, my wife and I, with our 4 year old son, camped at Crystal Lake for a week. We had a three room tent and were the only ones in that HUGE campground. They had just reopened a week before because of the big fire in the area four years prior. I saw it online as open, and we headed up. The store was open, and the owners (a sweet older couple) were so excited!!! It was an awesome hidden gem. A few nights had two other campers and a few day users, but most nights, we were alone. It was surreal. The big trees and the isolated ambiance were something else. It is a fond memory of my son's toddler years and his mother in her good time. Would love to go back. We live in the Midwest now so...

[@thomassherer5962]

I was a desert rat for 30 yrs (No Bermuda Dunes), then returned to Midwest Corn country. I'm trying to put together a Crystal Creek kinda place where 2 rivers run through. Thanks for your remembrance. It breathes more life into my plan.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

I know what you mean about the change. After living near the coast most of my life I miss it. But we're in the gorgeous Appalachians now.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

you are Blessed

[@jeffreybailey175]

I almost died there, 3rd turn from the top of baldy going downhill, my gas pedal stuck wide open on my 68 csmero, around the time you lived there..loved that place.

[@andreaflores577]

I was born and raised in CA and moved to the midwest in 2020. I miss it and my family

[@nickbro_mero]

I'm one of the few lucky people to have been able to drive on this road myself. I'm 24, and at the time of January 1st, 2019, the gates on both ends had been opened, and that same boulder that he walked by has been there all these years! So many cars were driving up and down this road enjoying the beautiful scenery of the New Years Day, and there was even snow on the road too, making it more memorable! Sadly, it was closed again the day after as some workers who had been using the road to get over to Highway 2 had left the gates open for the long weekend, but it was an experience like no other!

[@SanDiegoPsychology]

I grew up near Beach Blvd. (Hwy. 39) in Orange County and never knew it went all the way up into the mountains like this. This was a fascinating video! After 72 years I'm still learning about the place where I've always lived. Thanks!😊

[@bobbylengua8771]

Hi Steve, great video. I grew up in Azusa, spent alot of years in that canyon. Before that road closed, my older brother Ritchie ran track for AHS. He was up there in the mountain's, someone he knew was snake bit, rattle snake. My brother ran, and ran and ran to finally see a ranger for help. That day Ritchie saved a life, made the papers, and made my parents so proud. I miss those mountains..

[@19993gt]

Great story. I’d read more about Ritchie!

[@WarrenShafor]

That's so awesome what a good story to share

[@TheOpenSociety777]

Liar

[@paxhumana2015]

@@TheOpenSociety777 , ironically says one that is yourself, and the only thing that you have ever accomplished is being an embarrassment to humankind, King Nothing.

[@polystictus]

@@TheOpenSociety777 Huh?

[@ef_danielsan]

Thank you for making this video. I went up the mountain for the first time yesterday 6/4/23 and it was beautiful. I've driven around the base of the mountain many times, but never drove all the way up. The drive is great and the views even better. The road is around 20 miles long and it takes a little more than 30 minutes from the base to the top, give or take a few. I found this video after my drive and loved the fact you covered the history about the road and what's been done since.

[@whichfilmisit]

*Cool* , is it safety -ridding- there?

[@renobronson9033]

OH! California's San Gabriel Mountains...one of my favorites places on Planet Earth. Once you've seen them from Colima Road during a very active Pacific storm season (as I did in Winter 2004-2005) your life will never be the same.

[@stevendriskell3646]

I got to drive on the closed section back in 09 while working for the forest service. It was pretty rad. We even got to see a pack of Big Horn sheep while we creeped along towards Angeles Crest Highway

[@johnnyquick7128]

So many great memories. I use to go up there all the time when I was a teenager. My little brother and I hiked it back in the late 80s/early 90s. We hiked it almost all the way up to Highway 2, which was open at the time. There is even more of the road closed off now than I remember. You are right about the rock slides. There were sections of the road that were completely washed out, that we had to climb around. I highly recommend hiking it.

[@imlistening1137]

You’re a great videographer. I enjoy the pace of your shots- for lack of a better term. Your shots are smooth and are long enough to really appreciate what you are pointing out. No choppiness or too-fast pans. Really pleasant!

[@sydneybriannataaffe1026]

I totally agree!

[@california_company]

​@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ You should put this comment on those videos of people abusing animals that KZbin seems to not care about. Or maybe those videos of gangbangers beating up kids, or committing crimes. Put this comment on videos where it makes sense.

[@TechieTard]

This is one of my weekend motorcycle rides. I was considering getting a street legal dirt bike to go through that last 4 miles that were cut off. It is one of the most beautiful views you will ever see if you're into mountain wilderness. When I'd go up there I used to buy my snacks at that same store. Haven't been up there since my buddy had a bike accident, be safe everyone.

[@dre4534]

How’s your buddy doing?

[@polystictus]

Having traveled into that area since the late 60's, I appreciate that area. Just behind you in the beginning of the video, that gate is a relatively new one as another is up about 1 more mile that was the closing point at another very wide spot in the road...not sure why they decided to stop people closer to the turn off to Crystal Lake. More than 10 years ago, I did witness,from a distance with binoculars, many trucks going back and forth on that road at the damaged area. I concluded that it was being repaired. Just a few months later, I drove to the junction of the 2 and 39...I walked down the 39 to where I had years before witnessed the big landslide that had closed the road. I found that there was major terracing down from the road to stabilize it. The road was complete and paved but a bit narrow with no yellow line and no guardrails. No only that, a major fire had just erupted further down the canyon that I could see as a narrow plume of smoke. As I walked two trucks filled with firefighters passed by me...further convincing me that the road was completed and done for emergency vehicles only as I later learned. Don't know what the road is like now but I suspect they keep enough big rocks out of the road in do enough maintenance to allow emergency vehicles to pass. For many years, Hwy 2 continuing east from the 2 and 39 junction was closed to through traffic. Now, as you said it is also closed now to the west before the tunnels and this junction. Yet I believe the emergency vehicles can get through. The West Fork, that you mentioned, was a 7 mile paved road to Cogswell Dam that was very popular and spectacular. This canyon was a destination for fly fishermen at one time and was stocked with trout. Unfortunately is suffered to being the origin of the Bob Cat Fire and subsequent major floods and washouts. Something similar happened in 1969 and it took years to recover. It is now closed but you could walk it but someone might yell at you.... 😐

[@dgonz26868]

I never knew this road existed. Great job with the camera! You clearly show why this road was so popular among site seers and bicyclists.

[@dgonz26868]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ I have, I am, I'm not and I won't be (discouraged). And I owe it all to him.

[@jackalopewright5343]

About 15 years ago I went to the lookout at the end of the road (4:52) and saw a California condor. Just below the parking area there were some telephone poles installed on the slope in such a way that the top of the pole was near eye level. At first I just thought it was a huge vulture, but while sitting there it spread its wings as if to show off to us. It also had a tag on it, something I think normal vultures don’t get.

[@purplefishmonkeybutt]

I once read that vultures and condors spread their wings in order to allow the sun's UV rays to kill the bacteria on their wings and body. Smart creatures if true.

[@misguidedangel6550]

California condor is cool

[@michaelr.williams8176]

Now people are. Fleeing calf. Liberals. Has. Destroyed it

[@janohare916]

I think the California Condor is actually the largest New World vulture. I can't imagine how awesome it must have been to see one close up!

[@misguidedangel6550]

@@janohare916 I think the California condor gets mistaken for the pterodactyl sighting reports quite often

[@wewi3101]

My brother when he was 15 in the early 60s invented cookie soup at Crystal lake. Thats a story for another time. Great to see a highway i traveled many times. The ranger station above the upper lake was where i was taken when i had had been hit in the head by boulder as i was climbing down the rocky bank about a mile above the station. I had been deer hunting and took a short cut back down to the highway when the rock fell on me. Thank Jesus i survived as i received 16 stitches from it. Any way awesome to see the area again after 60+ years.

[@deviationblue]

Another great state route closure is the backside of CA-173 from Lake Arrowhead to Hesperia. It’s still commonly used as an offroad track and it’s real easy to skirt the gates - and to my knowledge it’s gravel and not grated nor actively maintained, but still remains somewhat functional as a fire evacuation route off the mountains. I’ve never traversed it myself - i keep meaning to as my in-laws live very close to the southern terminus of the closed route - but the views should make for great content.

[@KarlBeeThree]

Back in the late 60's and early 70's when I lived in Azusa my wife and I loved to drive up to Crystal Lake on the weekends. The views from highway 39, as you described, were spectacular. And at the northern end of Azusa where the road starts up into the mountains was a small dairy farm where they had several buffalo you could stop and see. Great video. Thanks. Brought back old memories.

[@bobl4451]

I remember that dairy farm too, and the East fork.

[@zyzzx2012]

Driftwood Dairy, used to buy milk for my family there.

[@jeffreybailey175]

Yes and rent a horse you could go 4x4 for free, it's pay to play now, I haven't been there for 40 years lol I sank my 79 Jimmy up there took 3 trucks to pull me out, west fork trail is amazing you can make it to the dam.

[@petuniasevan]

I grew up just a few miles from there. When I was a kid rt 39 was still open through San Gabriel Canyon; my parents would take us up on the Angeles Crest as a scenic route out to Baldy. Then the road was closed... and never opened again. We moved away in 1979 when I was in high school, but I've never forgotten and still miss it.

[@jeffreybailey175]

In Azusa, did you ever meet Randy, the boy, that they did the elephant boy movie about.? He lived down the street from me.

[@petuniasevan]

@@jeffreybailey175 I remember seeing a VERY strange-looking boy from a distance when I was riding my bike. This would have been about 1973 or 1974. I asked my parents later about what I'd seen but they had no idea what i was talking about. I did read up on the boy (never saw the movie) and it's astounding he survived birth much less live to age 16.

[@smugdoug4924]

I instantly recognized the image of that gate in the thumbnail; been going to Crystal Lake and San Gabriel valley all my life. My dad's a jeeper, and every once in a while we'd go offroading to the canyon. We haven't been offroading in a long time, but we still visit Crystal Lake. Good memories of family and friends up there. Awesome vid, always wondered what lied beyond that final gate.

[@marktwain368]

If you drive the incredibly scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway just north of Vancouver Canada, you see rockfalls and standing water, black ice in winter, but they keep it maintained and open since it leads to the legendary Whistler Mountain Ski Resort, and to some local towns. Worth a look, buddy!

[@kiddcisco]

it sure was a real gem in the 80's and early 90's before it underwent its upgrade. Enjoyed it very much on 2 wheels, still do but today overly congested as is everything, so early rides are the way to go hitting it at 5am returning home by 1030/11 and having balance of day to enjoy

[@oak8728]

@@kiddcisco do you have kids Cisco?

[@KatzenjammerKid61]

In 1992 or so I read about Tyax Lake Resort Lodge in "Best Places to Kiss in the Pacific Northwest" . I lived in Seattle at the time so I booked a surprise weekend for my wife. When I called for directions I was told to go through Whistler "until the pavement runs out - then follow the orange signs that say "Tyex". There was no mention that the gravel road was essentially fire roads leading up into the mountains for miles. We would drive 5 miles or so and start to get worried when we saw that the "orange signs" were just spray painted stumps with an arrow. The drive back via Lillooet and the Fraser valley was the scariest I've ever been on. Back country at it's best.

[@megatrollificus]

@@KatzenjammerKid61 Arrows spray painted on stumps? Dang if that don't just scream "back country".

[@jls169]

Funny how they think this is a difficult road to maintain when we have days worth of roads going though worse terrain in the Mountains of Western Canada .

[@juststeve7665]

I walked and mountain biked this many times... now I live very far away and this is one of the places I really miss. I used to hike up Mt Islip right nest to this also. Thanks for the nostalgia! This section of Hwy 39 was how my father used to drive up to get to Angeles Crest Highway... I have memories of riding in the camper on the back of the truck with my own panoramic window in the over-the-cab bed. We also went to Azusa Canyon a lot and I've hiked and camped there many times. I read that camping is not allowed in Azusa Canyon any more... thats a shame... it's beautiful... especially after you pass the Bridge to Nowhere... It seemed a lot more peaceful in the 1960s 70s and 80s. I stopped camping there in the mid 90s because of damage to my vehicle/vandalism and stereo theft while we were camping far up the canyon for several days. Was also accosted by gang bangers at the first part of the hike several times and that wasn't all that fun either.... that combination of negatives made me prefer Big Bear area. At the top of the road right before the gate (where the gate used to be?) there is a big turnout that overlooks So Cal... We sat up there most of the night to see Comet Hale Bopp in 1997. It was spectacular!

[@warlordgonagy143]

Camping is absolutely still allowed, my gf and I head up there any chance we get. There's realistically three main campgrounds; West Fork, Coldbrook, and Crystal Lake. West Fork is always full, and gets kinda dirty and ugly, By comparison, Coldbrook is very quiet and incredibly peaceful with it rarely ever being full. They do sometimes restrict fires, but on the whole it's great if you just forget about West Fork and keep driving to Coldbrook and Crystal Lake.

[@juststeve7665]

@@warlordgonagy143 I was referring to camping in San Gabriel Canyon where there are no designated "camp sites" but many places where people have camped for decades. Sure people can camp at Crystal Lake and I have camped there but didn't enjoy it much... I preferred Little Jimmy Campground as a staging point to hike up Mt Islip but I hiiked it from several different starting points over the years. My favorite place to camp in the canyon was just above the Bridge to Nowhere.. a small spot big enough for a couple of small dome tents. Did you know that at the Bridge to Nowhere the tunnel on the far side was dug but the face at the bridge was never blasted out? There is a complete tunnel in that hill complete with concrete curbs but no paving. It was hard to find the opening to get in to it and probably now long covered over with rock and rubble. I explored many parts of that canyon that are now obscured by time, old mines etc.

[@tommanion5504]

Was on leave from the Air Force, in the spring of 1973, to our new "full time" home in Wrightwood. Wanted to visit some friends down in Covina, so decided to take CA-39. Fired up the ole Honda 175 and off we went. Beautiful ride down that hill, pleasantly surprised by the lakes (I didn't know they existed). Had a very pleasant evening "down below" until it was time to go home. Besides the extreme cold (one of the hazards of having a motorcycle as your primary transportation), I had to dodge many, many rocks on the upper highway, so many that i have always wondered if there had been an earthquake. Once again, you have brought up another, long ago, memory. Thanx.

[@gaius_enceladus]

Great video! Looks like beautiful scenery all along that road - I just love seeing people exploring little-traveled places like this!

[@jpotter2086]

There is a perfectly straight and flat 1.5 mile section of highway near my house that was bypassed. It runs under an local highway. It looks like driving over a runway. Pretty strange. When closed, concrete barriers were dropped in place. The next day, those were unofficially moved and the area had a new drag strip.

[@Thornbloom]

Did you ever do your own mythbusting there?

[@dorothythorpe6183]

We took the southern section of Highway 39 to the beach ALL the time. I never knew about the northern half, so thanks for the drive/hike. Very nice!

[@AslanKyoya1776]

Same here, grew up in La Habra and all you had to do was drive down Beach Blvd. for about 40 minutes (with light traffic) until you hit Huntington Beach. Personally, I always made the trek down PCH to Newport for the more scenic beaches. But if you're after a classic boardwalk beach experience and endless miles of open sand, then Huntington Beach is a good fit.

[@dorothythorpe6183]

@@AslanKyoya1776 I'm from La Mirada, and Imperial Hwy will take one to Manhattan Beach and a lot of fun but almost always we went to Huntington Beach. We had a lot of fun back then, didn't we!

[@robertcunningham1944]

In the early 80s, I hiked that road from both ends, but then you could not go through, because part of the road had slid down the canyon, leaving only the guardrail, hanging like garland on a Christmas tree. Also, south of the main break, there was at least one boulder in the road that was almost six feet high. I know this because I still have the photo of it, including a family member for perspective. Thanks for this great video!

[@JonFairhurst]

I remember that. The whole roadbed was completely gone. No way to get past it without climbing gear - if you could even find something solid to secure it to.

[@robertcunningham1944]

@@JonFairhurst Absolutely! The road looked like something from a disaster film.

[@boywonder8114]

That would be great Footage to see the big boulders Considering it was before my time And me being native to Los Angeles

[@hk2read]

I had the privilege of driving on that closed section from Crystal Lake to La Canada back in 2016. There was a fire in azusa canyon and we were at Crystal Lake. The forestry service unlocked the gate and let us drive through on it unescorted. Beautiful scenery and scary steep cliffs.

[@Pirojok92]

Amazing video! Found your channel via youtube recommendations and didn't regret a single minute spent while watching this video. It's so relaxing and chill. The scenery is also great! Thank you for sharing it with us! :)

[@scottnielsen1553]

Maybe 25 years ago, a friend and I rode bikes up from where you began. We got to the spot where the road had completely washed away. We thought we could get off our bikes and carry them across the washed out part, but it was so precarious we left our bikes and walked the rest of the way up to the Angeles Crest Hwy. What was so amazing was the metal guard rail had held on both ends. It hung in the air ( still with the wood posts still attached ) like if you held a string of pearls with both hands. Despite the washout, the guard rail and posts hung at a great height over the giant chasm. I was back there sometime later and they actually repaired that portion of the road. I guess they don't want it opened is because it is such a high maintenance road which they feel they don't really need.

[@nelsonovalles1762]

By any chance do you have the coordinates where the Highway is closed? Trying to do that hike

[@justaguy6100]

I was wondering why HE didn't bring a bike, or even an E-bike. I'd really enjoy exploring it.

[@waggsish]

@@justaguy6100 E-bike yes

[@skootr924]

Thanks Steve! Nice look back at how beautiful the parts of California truly are. Spent plenty of time up in those mountains along Angeles Crest Hwy on my Harley. Hope you are holding up well out there,

[@cheapers1952]

Add 25 years ago it was totally closed off Way way way before were you got no one was allowed up there at the first break at the first camp down there on 39 it was closed off to everyone Big signs no one beyond this point yet guys in her bicycles they thought they were above the law and they constantly would go by there riding in groups with their spandex on nothing against bike riders I ride one myself but they were reasons why they weren't supposed to be going on the other side I guess when you're in big numbers forestry fishing game and the sheriff's department aren't going to stop you😂😂😂😂

[@Twinkus]

Your videos are so fluid with no shaky camera views. Keep up the good work! 😃

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

(maybe a video stabilizer -- great technology)

[@paulcarmi8130]

“No shaky camera views” either a zoomer or a boomer, no in between.

[@MrPanetela]

i am just glad you didn't end up on a cougar's menu... they are all up and down there, you are very lucky. Next time, bear spray or hand gun. Remember humans run away slower than mountain goats

[@robertruedasjr247]

Was on in shady oaks campground on the east fork when this happened. Our friends ran the concession stand at Crystal lake. It was our short cut to hwy 2.

[@lauraaguilar502]

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful video, I was raised in Pasadena CA, in 1978 I was 15 years old,, I remembered my relatives talking about that road but never had a chance to walk that stretch of the road. Thank you for bringing beautiful memories 😊

[@jjnich4915]

I am actually incredibly amazed that road is still in such good condition after having no service and baking in the heat for 40 years! I've been on way worse roads with service!

[@h8GW]

You bastard Californians and your lack of a freeze-thaw cycle...

[@Welgeldiguniekalias]

It's the traffic that kills the road, not the elements. If you look at how small the contact area on an HGV's tyres really is, and how much the vehicle weighs, you can imagine how immense the pressure is going to be in that tiny area supporting all that weight. Take that off the road, and it basically lasts forever.

[@metatechnologist]

Seriously though I was thinking their road department are a bunch of wusses. We have canyon roads in Utah that have far worse rockfalls streams and all sorts of blockages but the road department keeps them all open! We just had a winter with massive avalanches and the road department kept them open!

[@jjnich4915]

@@Welgeldiguniekalias The elements destroy roads. The sun will absolutely destroy roads. Any temperature spikes above 95 F will damage any weak asphalt you can google that if you don't believe me. Add rain to that and asphalt will deteriorate. I am an inspector in this world and all it takes is one good crack to destroy a road. I have seen trees grow in cracks in old roads and start growing through it bursting and destroying all the asphalt. I know there is hardly anyone who drives on this road but the fact that you could still drive most of that road if you really wanted after 40 years is pretty incredible including the fact that there has probably been hundreds of rockslides on the road, heavy rain and extreme temperatures...40 years is a long time! Considering the average high temperature in July can be 84 F it certainly is at a point where this road would buckle from rain and heat. I have explored some abandoned roads in Canada and because vegetation was left uncut it essentially overtook the road and plants started growing through it. Unless you had a chainsaw and a lot of free time, the road was simply impossible to continue down and I had to turn back. It would be even worse if the road was made out of tarmac. Anything on tarmac at temperature above 90 F in the sun it will literally start to sink into the tarmac. I know this because I had to chisel my kickstand on my motorcycle out of a road in Northern Ontario because it was sunk 5 or 6 inches in the tarmac and after it cooled off my bike was literally stuck in the road. Great times... Up North in British Columbia on the Stewart Cassiar Highway you can see the channels in the tire tracks that logging trucks have made over decades. They can be a death trap to an unsuspecting motorcyclist! Have a good day.

[@MountainFisher]

I remember going up there with my telescope and the police stopped by to ask me what I was doing. I simply pointed at the scope and said I was waiting for the dark. They asked if they could look after dark and I said happy too.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I wonder what they thought you might be doing.

[@MountainFisher]

@@SidetrackAdventures Scope was still in back of station wagon. Remember those?

[@rustytaylor7708]

@@SidetrackAdventures body dump.

[@RealMTBAddict]

"Happy too." What?

[@J-P88]

​@@RealMTBAddict charge them $300 per minute...

[@mariposa1112]

Great video. Thanks for providing a very nice description and pointing out the natural benefit of keeping the road closed.

[@rachelcosgrove2048]

An awesome little adventure. I'm a San Diego native currently living half way across the States ..... this video was a joy to watch. Thank You!!!

[@Britcarjunkie]

Actually, it was torpedos the Navy tested there, not missiles. There used to be a large steel rack system that they were launched from, that kinda resembled a ski jump. I forget when it was removed, probably the early 2000's.

[@johnknapp952]

Well torpedos are kind of "underwater missiles" 😁. In the 60's we use to drive up that hwy and pass that lake going on boy scout trips. On the way back we would stop in Azuza at a A&W stand.

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

…and the torpedos tested there were never armed with explosives. They just tested the propulsion systems on them.

[@whackadoodle1]

8:17 that’s Abraham Lincoln in that rock. I wonder what he is trying to say!

[@georgeperkins4171]

​@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ take it somewhere else "padre".

[@georgeperkins4171]

That makes more sense.

[@kenogster3059]

I lived at the end of 39/Beach Blvd. In HB and use to go all the way up where you were many many times. I love that whole area for camping, hiking fishing and panning for gold. I'm glad that section is closed off otherwise the traffic going up and down from Hwy 2 would ruin that whole area. Thanks for the memories, I hope to be back there some day.

[@bcampbelnd]

Thanks for sharing. I like how your allow for the scenery to speak for itself without excessive commentary or cuts.

[@maniyan_wanagi]

Thanks for taking us along!

[@cyberherbalist]

I was puzzled at first about Hi 39 being closed, because I grew up in Orange County, and 39 was a major arterial. I drove it myself many times. But this was the southern half, and I had never heard there was a northern part! Interesting to know more!

[@edwardhanson3664]

I drove this road before it closed. It was a magnificent drive. So sad that it never reopened. The view to the north across the desert is even better. Doesn't look like you made it that far.

[@kevinwhitescarver8369]

I too have been through there before it was closed because of rock slides. It is a shame it never reopened. A short cut to Wrightwood.

[@zalix512]

I grew up near HWY 33, it goes all the way from Coast to inner valley areas.

[@cessealbeach]

I have visited this area countless times in the last 15 years, yes have hiked along, Couple of years ago i ran into a caltran engineer while hiking, according to him it would cost today more than a $150 Million to fix this stretch of road, they need rock guards all the way around, because all those rock hills are very unstable at this part o the road ,

[@Petethefed]

I used to drive this section of road before it was closed in 1978. A wonderful drive. Crystal Lake is a pretty good place to hike and bird.

[@blondti480]

I spent many days at Crystal Lake Campground growing up. that was over 50 years ago. I used to buy candy at the store there. It's been 20 years since I was last up there. There is an outdoor amphitheater that was built in the 40's I think it was from stone and concrete. I used to love attending the shows the forest service put on at night and sometimes Smokey the Bear would show up. I was devastated to see what had happened to the amphitheater. The entirety of the seats were covered with graffiti. I literally cried at the sight. There were barriers at the entrance that were closed at night to prevent entrance. Speaking to the rangers was heart wrenching as they told me of the vandalism that they were up against. They do not have the funds to eradicate the damage. Some of my happiest childhood memories are there and I developed a deep and lasting love of nature and the outdoors during that time. So glad I found your video.

[@aeropilot4419]

Lack of funding by Congress resulted in many of the programs and facilities decaying or being dropped. Lobby your Representatives and Senators to increase Forest Service funding ... lets bring back the joy of being in the mountains!

[@jetsons101]

you were so close to the "Bridge To Nowhere." Take the East Fork Road to the end and hike up to the bridge. Great watch.

[@jesseharris1737]

Thank you for posting this!!! My wife and children visited this area a couple of years ago when staying in Pasadena! Being from Florida and not seeing much geographical change we rented a Jeep and decided to take the kids exploring. We came across this and wandered on foot past the gate but did not get more than a mile before the kids wanted to go to the beach! Again thanks for posting. I always wondered what the damage looked like!

[@rollingthunder1751]

Lived my entire life off the southern part of HWY 39 (Beach Blvd). Huge difference, think I might just go check it out, looks awesome. Thanks for the video!

[@nosurrender4824]

Looks beautiful there!

[@mmeckes27]

Thanks for exploring this area! I'm an LA resident and have hiked quite a bit in the San Gabriels and at Crystal Lake. I once parked where you did and took a short walk up the road, but didn't go far. I always thought it would be fun to take my bike up that closed section, but never did. I'm older now and don't hike as much, but I hope to get an ebike one of these days, so I'll make sure to explore then!

[@espritmike]

Marla, I grew up around here too and consider riding my ebike up there. I assume they allow that.

[@michaeljimenez1203]

Before moving to the Palm Springs area over 25 years ago, I used to live in Duarte. There's some interesting stuff, up in the San Gabriel's.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I saw a few people on bikes up there.

[@boblatkey7160]

Same with me, and I spent good money on a really good quality E bike and it is the funnest damn toy I have ever had in my life! Be careful if you test ride one because you may be coming home with it and explaining to your wife why you just dropped $5000 on your credit card! It will give you a new lease on your youth!

[@brianmccarthy5557]

In other words, we paid for a road they won't open. Gotta love the government.

[@ronnieb8382]

I lived in SoCal from 2006 to 2012. I had a Miata and would drive Rte 2 from LA Canada all the way to Islips Saddle. For about an 8 month stretch, they had finished making improvements to 2 and I drove it all the way to Rte 138. What an amazing drive! A forest fire and subsequent mud and rock slides took out the newly repaired stretch and I was never able to drive it again.

[@txrojas]

I’ve been living in Azusa for 60 years now and seen many changes to Highway 39. The highway from Azusa to the closed road is filled with trash and graffiti. Lots of homeless people have found there way into the canyon and leave filth everywhere. The best part of the highway is after the closed gates, it’s clean and no graffiti as you see in your video. Thanks, for the video it was fun to watch.

[@user-eh4kp2mh6w]

Awesome work man keep it up

[@FuzzyPyrate]

As a long time L.A. resident, I am glad to see hwy 39 getting some great coverage here...but at the same time, it pains me to see that we live in all that smoggy haze in the distance. We often drive up Interstate 2 towards the Mt. Waterman ski lifts to get out of the smoggy city air and into the fresh mountain air. It's especially nice sometimes when we get rain in late winter because there is also snow up there if the weather was cold enough, without the need to go all the way up to Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead. But like you mentioned, a huge chunk of interstate 2 is closed near the connection to the 39 now, and I do miss being able to drive up that far.

[@kevinsallee7487]

J

[@tomtdh4903]

Electric cars and trucks just around the corner. Cleaner air quality over the next decade.

[@henryrollins9177]

​@@tomtdh4903 😂😂😂 Oil moves whats left of the US industry. Forget about it.

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

​@@henryrollins9177 fuh-get about it!

[@soutakanaka463]

Interstate 2 is in South Texas, you mean CA State Route 2

[@kathleenesparza6495]

Am I the only one who saw that boulder in road as the head of a man with a grimacing expression on it's face? Furrowed brow, straightened lips, high cheekbones, the ear on side & what looks like a pompadour hair style. This is an amazing video, beautiful views and wonderful history of my beloved California - thank you for taking up along with to see more of the beauty of California. I'm born, raised and never leaving this paradise. My teens & early 20s in the 1980's were some of the best years of my life. Now retired we left the hub bub of SF Bay Area (San Jose) after 53 yrs and relocated to the smaller town of Tracy, CA with it's abundant almond groves. In the last 7 yrs it's grown exponentially with Bay Area transplants such as us - but it's still a peaceful place to live & come home to after those Bay Area visits.

[@lisas6986]

I thought the Boulder was a Transformer! Definatley saw the man :)

[@johnjames6980]

Yes, I saw the man too. Looked like a native American to me.

[@RUN_RGB]

I’m getting Huell Howser vibes. Good work 👍 This is amazing!

[@frank0american18]

this was back in 2003 and loved it like you said. lots to spots to stop and look at the views.

[@davegravel3740]

If I ever make it to California, I definitely need to see that road. That road is in better shape than the street I live on, and better than most roads in Michigan.

[@paulbader-op3kr]

As a teenager, I lived at a dairy, with hundreds cows, 8:23 at the foot of the mountain. Their was a trout farm (Happy Jacks) across the street. An old abandoned cafe a mile or so up was used in a few movies too. Lots of cool history on that mountain road.

[@polystictus]

I remember the trout farm and the horse stables where the new community of homes are now further up.

[@SapphireDragonfly]

Thank you for such a pleasant, informative, and inspiring video :) I love the background music too and you have a great narrative voice. I wish California wasn't all the way across the country. I would visit this road for sure if I was closer!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@loganrosselli7452]

So great to see someone highlighting the amazing things to see in my home state - especially in such an urban area. I hope more people living in the city make the drive to enjoy the national forest

[@californiapoontappa]

Watch huell howser california gold

[@tattooedredheadx]

I stumbled upon one of your videos and instantly subscribed. Keep up the great work, finding the hidden gems of California.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@rjw8316]

When I was much younger I drove this highway many times from Azusa to the Crest Highway before a landslide took out the upper section. It was a beautiful drive and I have always lamented over the failure of California to fix and maintain this scenic highway.

[@Kimberly-te4ct]

Thanks for sharing- I live in Southern California and I never knew about this highway. Gorgeous views.

[@expfighter5112]

Love your videos, you voice is very calming and smooth! Nice job!

[@michaelkarvelas2888]

Hey, “that old forest rode” is actually a service road that leads to the cogswell dam. The dam is about 8 miles down the road and is absolutely spectacular. The whole area is awesome. The road runs right along the San Gabriel river and there’s many spots to fly fish. I highly recommend revisiting!

[@FleagleSangria]

San Gabriel is awesome for fishing! Some salmon there too, right? Its been decades.

[@stanwingert8735]

In 2003, my wife and I went on Highway 2 to the Islip saddle. Had something to eat at the bar on the way and then hiked down 39 if you had come from the other way or finished your hike you would've seen the repaired road. My wife was lucky enough, but didn't realize how lucky she was to see a bighorn sheep from only 7 feet away.

[@williamkinchen]

Thanks for the tour, it was great!

[@allopyaz352]

Thanks for sharing it was my dream to live in USA from 30 years but never been there . Your videos make me as I am traveling in us and living my dream .keep up the good work .

[@GarbageLegs]

I've ridden through this section on my bike dozens of times. I've seen it perfectly spotless and clean of any pebbles and I've seen it with boulders over 10ft in diameter. Seen it with 2" thick of ice in the spring too. Its beautiful and quiet and a treat to ride when connecting Crystal Lake to Highway 2.

[@wraith8323]

You're my hero dude, I've been slowly working my way up biking from duarte. Halfway to the 2 from E Fork is the most I've been able to do

[@bobblue_west]

I drove Route 2 a few years back, West to East. Not far, but far enough to be an amazing place all alone. I remember thinking at the time I cannot believe I am so close to LA and there was nothing but complete silence and blue sky. Not even planes to/from LAX. I sat for almost an hour just being in peace and quiet.

[@TheFieldGuide1]

That was beautiful. Thanks for taking us along.

[@conniewilliams6354]

This was great. Love this kinda thing. Thx!

[@mattban4136]

I used to go up there with my friends in the early 2000s. Camp Crystal Lake was just a spooky abandoned place and it was always fun to drive up late at night and get spooked. Thanks for bringing back fun memories!

[@howardb.6205]

I would ride on the back of my dads motorcycle when I was a child down that road. Trippy! Thanks for making me feel old

[@thetravelingmonkey889]

That was a fantastic video. Really enjoyed it.

[@darkh2o716]

Nice video. I have explored this area a bit so it was a fun watch. Good choice.

[@MikeJohnson-ld9rn]

Steve, although I live in Az., I absolutely love your explorations and explanations of all these areas in my neighboring state. Also, I am aware of the videos that you make in Az and even learn somethings about my own state that I have forgotten about(76 years old), or maybe never even was aware of. Thanks , and keep these vids coming !

[@pkerber]

This geezer (73) also appreciates these videos. Keep this segment of 39 closed to all but pedestrians and bicycles!

[@chrispraz877]

Shoutout from AZ🌵☀️🦂

[@BlazingShackles]

Back in the mid 80s I used to ride my road bike from Glendora, up Glendora Mtn Rd to East Fork Rd and to the 39 south. It was around a 37 mile loop. I was the only one riding a bike on those roads as biking was not a thing back in the 80s.

[@apinanraivo100]

California, such a beautiful state.

[@KingBaldwinIVV]

No it isn’t there homelessness and high cost of living

[@san.4023]

@@KingBaldwinIVVfacts

[@koryryon4177]

Really great video. Well done. Thank you. Your narration / voice is fantastic

[@pags409]

How cool. I used to go up to that area a lot, but didn’t know the history. Just drove up, hung out and then drove down. Winter time is nice too. Thanks for sharing the historical significance.

[@dreadfullradu4726]

I spent many days and many nights on this road and many times parked at the view points with a very special person in my life..... you know who you are. I am grateful and always will be for this road and for Azusa canyon for all that it provided for us at that time. Thank you for making this video..... Takes me back to a truly heartfelt time.

[@zmoney1212]

I can't believe after all these years we reunite on a KZbin comment ❤

[@dreadfullradu4726]

@@zmoney1212 who are you and what do you mean we reunite... do you know me??

[@dreadfullradu4726]

@Boon2000 ithink you're remembering the wrong person....wasnt me at all. My memories are very different about that place.

[@KainsFleshlight]

@Boon2000 hahahaahhaah lmfao

[@Daniel5150You]

I love this video. I grew up swimming there. I used to be dropped off at the top of the mountain and coast home on my bike, to Montebello. I live just down the street in Glendora for the last 25 years and haven't been there yet.

[@frank0american18]

i love what you do and thanks for all you do. it was opened once when I was up at the Lake and a fire started because of lightning so i was able to drive this section once .

[@Special_Sharpie]

I have been binging your videos over the past few days. Such fascinating bits of hidden history! I love learning about things that were lost to time and only leave their story behind! ❤ every video is well paced and the footage is beautiful ❤❤❤

[@Rfk1966]

He’s our new Huell Howser!

[@michaeljimenez1203]

@@Rfk1966 I miss Yuell ! But I'm kinda likin this Mr. Sidetrack Adventure Guy !

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@michaeljimenez1203]

Dang ! Sorry Huell !

[@SoCal780]

One thing I truly miss about California is its natural beauty and majestic views, especially up in the mountains. My wife and I got married up in Big Bear Lake back in 1994. I lived in SoCal for 22 years and left in 2011, but I still miss Cali very much. This video really reminded me why.

[@kbanghart]

I live near Sacramento and I know that if I ever move out of California, I'll miss it a lot.

[@SoCal780]

@@kbanghart well I know I sure do but I don’t miss its politics, over population, traffic, and high cost of living.

[@kbanghart]

@@SoCal780 only thing I'll miss is the cost of living, fortunately me and my wife got around that by getting multiple streams of income, and not getting too many toys.... Boats, RV, ATVs, brand new cars, etc. Lots of folks who leave California do so with a nice chunk of cash in their pocket from the equity they were able to build up while in California, but it's funny how they never mention that. My wife and I have friends in their 60s now, he was a doctor and they were probably able to buy a house outright in TN, but it's weird how they never mentioned the good fortune they had to earn that money while in CA.

[@andrewosler9655]

Lovely video Steve, thank you. I used to ride my motorcycles up to the gate when I lived in SoCal until 2018. I never went beyond the gate though so I enjoyed seeing what was up there.

[@audreylavelle8740]

This is a really nicely done video! Your'e a good narrator. Thanks!