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The Angeles Crest Highway, Or California Highway 2, has always been a Southern California favorite for sport bikes, cruisers, bicyclists, and exotic sports cars. Winding across the top of the Angeles National Forest, from Wrightwood to La Canada Flintridge, the road covers 66 miles of mountain-rural two lane road.

Angeles Crest has seen more than it’s share of difficulties. Shut down most of the time since 2004 due to landslides and fires, this local favorite amongst bikers has been sorely missed. But the good news is that it has recently been reopened. Brand new black top stretches across nearly the entire stretch, and Newcomb’s Ranch is open and operating!

Martin and I set out for a Sunday ride before he relocates to Texas on a multi-year contract. When the question came up of where to ride, the answer was not a hard one to find.

We set out from the 15 Freeway at the 138. But instead of following the 138 west, we quickly turned out into the Lone Pine Highway. I have always enjoyed this stretch of road through the canyons of Lone Pie. Most people miss the turn, so it truly is “the road less traveled”.

We made our way to Wrightwood, for our obligatory stop at the Grizzly Cafe. The Grizz is a log cabin type building with an outdoor patio, good food and great service!

Breakfast done, Martin and I saddled up and started up the 2. Wow, what a beautiful Southern California morning for a ride in the mountains, too. Sorry, East Coast. I know your season is coming to an abrupt end.

The sun shone through the tall standing pines as we wound our way up to the 7900 foot summit, casting varied shadows across the highway as we rolled back on our throttles and let our Harley’s run. Strangely, it seemed that the word of the Angels Crest being open must not be widely known. A gorgeous and warm Sunday afternoon, and traffic was practically non-existent. The other item missing was the police, in the past a constant as sports bikes raced across the Crest.

Martin and I were in no hurry, as we stopped often to take in the various views from the road. It had been a long time since both of us had been up here, and it was a reuniting of old friends as we both said hello to the Angeles Crest.

We made our way to the famed tunnels of the Angles Crest, and then continued on to a really cool campground that seemed to drop off the side from the highway. As we rounded a bend, there was a road that seemed to wind down into the canyon before reappearing again at the highway. This was too neat not to investigate.

Re rolled down the winding road into the campground, and chose ourselves a great little spot next to a stream, complete with a picnic table and surrounded by tall pine trees. What a great spot to sit for a spell and enjoy a good cigar.

Stogies completed, we restarted our engines and listened to the thunder from our Harley’s across the canyons. It was cool er up here on the summit, but still in the mid 60′s.

We continued on our trek towards Newcomb’s Ranch. Newcomb’s Ranch is one of the very few structures on the Angeles Crest Hwy. I had thought it was burned down in the last Station Fire in 2009, but here it stood, serving beer and food the the riders of the varied bikes and sports cars that lined the parking lot.

A quick beer, and we once again made our way west along the Crest. The temperatures were warming now as we dropped quickly in altitude.

We passed through much of the last fire damage. Burned and fire damaged trees lined the road, with new growth just visible as mother nature once again renews herself. It was obvious the size and destructive power of that fire.

We finished our run of the Angeles Crest Highway, and said our goodbye’s to the Grey Lady, but our ride was not over yet. How better to finish a great ride on a revered mountain road, than with a few beers and great entertainment, enjoyed by a bunch of other bikers? Onward to the Buffalo Inn in Upland.

We jumped on the 210 freeway and were there in no time. Kim Martin was playing, and she always leaves the crowd wanting more. We took our places on the open patio where the entertainment was, and promptly ordered up. Warm temps, cold beer, great music and friends. All in late October! Yeah, southern Californians are a little bit spoiled!!

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