January Epic S240 in the Angeles National Forest

First bike overnight of the new year and it was...

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

an early spirited ride to the train and this adventure had me travelling North a relatively short distance toward  the Antelope Valley and the Vincent Grade/Acton Metrolink Station, along the way we picked up the Coconut.

The Coconut AKA Evan Spacht
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Deposited at a specious facsimile of a western town; it was time to ready our selves for a day of climbing. Strangely, it was brisk and completely different from the weather we'd experienced the past two weeks as Southern California had been having unseasonably warm days. Surprised by the morning chill I  immediately donned layers. With quick carbohydrate loading we were on the bikes and pedaling up the Angeles Forest Springs Hwy with a Northeast head/side wind buffeting us. We ascended through a high desert terrain littered with sage. There were moments we sought refuge in engineered alcoves cut into the sedimentary rock allowing us respite from the winds and a chance to survey our progress.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

 Last minute prep
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

After 2200' and 19 miles we reached Mill Creek Summit and  Fire Station #18  I checked in with Captain Linda Winkler a great source of information who assured us that the severe fire warning had been lifted and we were cleared to have a fire, she also informed me the two campgrounds Lighting Point and Messenger Flats were closed to motorized vehicles since 2009 (jackpot!) but no water! Captain Winkler thought there was water at North Fork, prepared for no water we were both carrying four liters each in addition to our three water bottles.

Mill Creek Fire Station 500' behind this sign and to the left
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Fire Station #18 is a brand new facility built after the original burned in the 2009 Station Fire there is potable water so we filled up our depleted bottles and took advantage of the picnic area and long stark views to brew coffee & tea. Nourished we departed the comfort of the Station and headed toward the summit of Mount Gleason and beyond to our camp for the evening Messenger Flats.

View looking North from Fire Station 18 picnic area.
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

We conveyed our selves up Mount Gleason Road a steep well worn seldom used since 2009 road winding it's way around and up the top part of Beartrap canyon with remnants, burnt pine tree husks a reminder of the fires swath. The further we climbed the more dramatic the vista's, waves of brown smooth peaks sprinkled with varying shades of green and hints of purple. Though initially brisk we welcomed the overcast skies with all the climbing we were doing. Geographically in the distance we could see Aliso Canyon and further yet in the distance Soledad Canyon.

On we climbed...

View from Mount Gleason Road above Beartrap Canyon.
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A lively down hill section and once again greeted with another big climb. At twenty six miles in we arrived at Camp 16. The burned structure located on a ridge with 360 degree views was a Los Angeles County run men's low security fire camp... a memorial for the two fire fighters who perished in the arson set fire is near by. We lingered awhile soaking in the views amid the ghost town like structure then made our way on the last final climb of the day with a significant pitch happy to have a granny gear.

Camp 16 memorial
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

We arrived at Messenger Flats with enough daylight to make camp and have a roaring fire, dinner was eaten, stout drunk and good conversation around a roaring fire, later we retired me to my tent and the Coconut to his trusty hammock.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Evening Camp
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Morning Coffe & Tea
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Saturday morning brought brisk temperatures and sunshine...the fire was reconstituted the essentials tea & coffee brewed and we consumed enough carbohydrates for the ride to come.

Saturday morning
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

With camp broke and the bikes loaded (the second day pack job always seems better) we headed off on Santa Clara Divide Road a snaky back country road that offers mixed terrain with sweeping down hill sections and amazing vista's

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

SCDR
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

There were opportunities to soak in the vastness of this remote terrain and survey where we were headed. With an elevated vantage point we spotted our next stop North Fork Saddle home of Todd resident caretaker and Forest Service sign maker.

North Fork
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

View North from North Fork
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Todd a wealth of information and an amiable fellow made it easy to linger, the views and serenity helped too. We had noticed a sign at Camp 16 regarding asbestos and he told us that they used a paper sprayed product to encase the asbestos fibers. We replenished (Todd keeps a five gallon bottle of water out for the PCTers which parallels SCDR at certain intervals) our water and continued on Santa Clara Divide Rd pausing often to marvel at the arid desert vista's.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Camera battery died right after this image
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Twenty two miles and unknown elevation gain loss we arrived at Bear Divide and Sand Canyon Road, with a short down hill distance we were climbing once again up to Dillion Divide and the beginning of Little Tujunga Canyon Road, another six miles down hill to Foothill Boulevard at dusk we arrived at the Ranch Side Cafe filling up on burgers & pie. After dinner we rode four miles back to my home concluding an epic bike overnight.
66 miles awesome fire roads and amazing scenery over two days made this an epic ride by all accounts.

Next up in February? Perhaps a little less epic and a bit more rambling.

More Socalpedalpusher Flickr images here and the Coconuts are here.

Thanks for reading and keep the rubber side down.