Driving California's Forbidden Highway 39 - Closed for 45 Years
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Date: 2024-01-12
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Comments and reviews: 23
scotts5308
The bridge at 21: 00 holds fond memories of a fall I took when I and 2 friends hiked under it. I was carrying an ice chest full of beer and slipped on the steep trail and landed on my back on a rock on the slope. I must have drove that canyon a hundred times. As a child I was a passenger all the way to highway 2 before the road was closed. Once around 1982 at night the 2 friends and I took a new Toyota small truck up to the top where the road is closed. Then we parked and hiked about 1/4 mile past and had a campfire in the closed road. At one point we heard a lot of hollering and smashing / breaking glass and realized the truck was being vandalized. We ran back to find a small fire lit on seat and windows broke out. We put the fire out and took off after them. After going for a few seconds the headlights went out as they were also smashed. Had to spend a cold night on that mountain. Good times!
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The bridge at 21: 00 holds fond memories of a fall I took when I and 2 friends hiked under it. I was carrying an ice chest full of beer and slipped on the steep trail and landed on my back on a rock on the slope. I must have drove that canyon a hundred times. As a child I was a passenger all the way to highway 2 before the road was closed. Once around 1982 at night the 2 friends and I took a new Toyota small truck up to the top where the road is closed. Then we parked and hiked about 1/4 mile past and had a campfire in the closed road. At one point we heard a lot of hollering and smashing / breaking glass and realized the truck was being vandalized. We ran back to find a small fire lit on seat and windows broke out. We put the fire out and took off after them. After going for a few seconds the headlights went out as they were also smashed. Had to spend a cold night on that mountain. Good times!
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stevenkaiser6253
Having grown up in SoCal (West Covina, this is the road we used to take to go "up to the snow" in winter. We would only get rain in the LA Basin, but these mountains could get quite a bit of snow. One time my aunt drove us and my cousins up there in her blue Ambassador that had a luggage rack on the roof. We loaded the rack with snow, but on the way down, as the temps warmed, the snow began to melt and water started dripping inside the car. I also remember just wearing gym shoes to play in the snow. Socks would get soaked and your feet would be freezing. Good memories from the 70s.
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Having grown up in SoCal (West Covina, this is the road we used to take to go "up to the snow" in winter. We would only get rain in the LA Basin, but these mountains could get quite a bit of snow. One time my aunt drove us and my cousins up there in her blue Ambassador that had a luggage rack on the roof. We loaded the rack with snow, but on the way down, as the temps warmed, the snow began to melt and water started dripping inside the car. I also remember just wearing gym shoes to play in the snow. Socks would get soaked and your feet would be freezing. Good memories from the 70s.
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MarkusEicher70
Thanks! You do a great job and your videos are a source of relaxation for me. It's not much, but just a little sign of appreciation. I'm dreaming to visit the States for some road trips since a long time and it does not look like I will make it any time soon. Riding with you in your videos is just the next best thing to that. Keep up your good work. Looking forward to many more rides. May you have always safe travels and take care. Greetings from Switzerland.
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Thanks! You do a great job and your videos are a source of relaxation for me. It's not much, but just a little sign of appreciation. I'm dreaming to visit the States for some road trips since a long time and it does not look like I will make it any time soon. Riding with you in your videos is just the next best thing to that. Keep up your good work. Looking forward to many more rides. May you have always safe travels and take care. Greetings from Switzerland.
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sansinTrv
What is the right way to drive on these canyon roads with lot of ups and downs, without damaging engine or transmission Is engine breaking safe, if done repeatedly over long rides, or is it better to just wear out the brakes since they are cheap to replace
Hybrid vehicles are best for these roads though, since regenerative braking can be used to slow down the vehicle while capturing the energy.
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What is the right way to drive on these canyon roads with lot of ups and downs, without damaging engine or transmission Is engine breaking safe, if done repeatedly over long rides, or is it better to just wear out the brakes since they are cheap to replace
Hybrid vehicles are best for these roads though, since regenerative braking can be used to slow down the vehicle while capturing the energy.
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spankroy
The Forest Service has ordered the state to either repair the road or remove it completely and let nature take over. The state is trying to figure out a way to get out of doing either currently. There are Federally protected BigHorn sheep that live up there, which means the planning must take in account their presence.
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The Forest Service has ordered the state to either repair the road or remove it completely and let nature take over. The state is trying to figure out a way to get out of doing either currently. There are Federally protected BigHorn sheep that live up there, which means the planning must take in account their presence.
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roadsexplore
Beautiful mountain area very close to LA. Hopefully they will manage to open the highway sometime, it is definetely a great drive, until CA 2 highway. Would love to drive there too, maybe they will open it until my next road trip in The USA. Thanks a lot, greetings from a road-tripper from Germany!
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Beautiful mountain area very close to LA. Hopefully they will manage to open the highway sometime, it is definetely a great drive, until CA 2 highway. Would love to drive there too, maybe they will open it until my next road trip in The USA. Thanks a lot, greetings from a road-tripper from Germany!
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ricklarry4212
Beautiful canyon, you picked a perfect day for the drive. The clouds over the mountaintops added an extra atmosphere to the area. Towards the last part before the road closure, you could see the crumbling rocks just waiting to fall. I think Big Sur suffers a similar fate. Thanks for sharing.
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Beautiful canyon, you picked a perfect day for the drive. The clouds over the mountaintops added an extra atmosphere to the area. Towards the last part before the road closure, you could see the crumbling rocks just waiting to fall. I think Big Sur suffers a similar fate. Thanks for sharing.
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beastrealmwolf7693
I used to park at the walmart down in Duarte every night then go up on the east fork to pan for gold, you have done an excellent job showing the beauty that lies right outside of LA. Im from the bay area originally and I plan on doing my retirement as a beach/mountain bum until I pass.
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I used to park at the walmart down in Duarte every night then go up on the east fork to pan for gold, you have done an excellent job showing the beauty that lies right outside of LA. Im from the bay area originally and I plan on doing my retirement as a beach/mountain bum until I pass.
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sharonewidow6027
Absolutely beautiful. Couple of questions. How long will the road be open and do you know where the Mountains sit in relation to the San Andreas Frequent land slides can be a sign of movement under the mountains. Would love to study the geology there and figure out why so many slides. :D
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Absolutely beautiful. Couple of questions. How long will the road be open and do you know where the Mountains sit in relation to the San Andreas Frequent land slides can be a sign of movement under the mountains. Would love to study the geology there and figure out why so many slides. :D
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usa-by-car
22: 00 minutes You drive past the San Gabriel Mountain Off Highway Vehicle Area on the right of the screen, A. K. A. Azusa Canyon. I spent many many Sundays down in the off road area having tons of fun watching people get stuck in the mud and wrecking their brand new trucks.
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22: 00 minutes You drive past the San Gabriel Mountain Off Highway Vehicle Area on the right of the screen, A. K. A. Azusa Canyon. I spent many many Sundays down in the off road area having tons of fun watching people get stuck in the mud and wrecking their brand new trucks.
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secretariat-13
Another phenomenal drive, I don’t know how you find such great drives but I’m glad you’re showing us how magnificent and beautiful our country is, thank you.
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Another phenomenal drive, I don’t know how you find such great drives but I’m glad you’re showing us how magnificent and beautiful our country is, thank you.
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jbmbryant
I wish that I could give this a bazillion likes. I miss backpacking the East Fork, but don't regret leaving Calif for one second.
Thank you for uploading this!
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I wish that I could give this a bazillion likes. I miss backpacking the East Fork, but don't regret leaving Calif for one second.
Thank you for uploading this!
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BirdTalk13
Your car must be very comfortable for you to drive so many places. I’m in the market for a new vehicle and am just wondering what you drive. Thank you
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Your car must be very comfortable for you to drive so many places. I’m in the market for a new vehicle and am just wondering what you drive. Thank you
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benjaminperez1149
I walk the closed section of Old Highway 80 in San Diego County. We took this road to the mountains. I’m always amazed at how narrow it is.
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I walk the closed section of Old Highway 80 in San Diego County. We took this road to the mountains. I’m always amazed at how narrow it is.
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DaRkHoRsE-_-
I am native to there but gone for quite a few years. Most likely not returning. Azusa canyon was s great little getaway. Great drive! Thanks
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I am native to there but gone for quite a few years. Most likely not returning. Azusa canyon was s great little getaway. Great drive! Thanks
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karenweaver134
Why can’t we ease up on the speed It’s not a freeway for damn sake! Not to mention all the wild life we put in danger!
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Why can’t we ease up on the speed It’s not a freeway for damn sake! Not to mention all the wild life we put in danger!
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ge2623
Why build a road through the mountains and then close it because of rock slides There's FAR worse roads in the US they keep open.
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Why build a road through the mountains and then close it because of rock slides There's FAR worse roads in the US they keep open.
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hermanprez
As a SoCal kid (Whittier) in the 50s, Hwy. 39 was the "mountains" in one direction and the beach (Huntington) in the other.
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As a SoCal kid (Whittier) in the 50s, Hwy. 39 was the "mountains" in one direction and the beach (Huntington) in the other.
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77hodag
Didn’t watch every minute but I’m surprised you didn’t see any cyclists - that’s a popular ride for us SoCal locals.
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Didn’t watch every minute but I’m surprised you didn’t see any cyclists - that’s a popular ride for us SoCal locals.
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usa-by-car
I've always thought it was interesting how Azusa got its name. It's a town that "Has everything from A to Z in the USA"!
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I've always thought it was interesting how Azusa got its name. It's a town that "Has everything from A to Z in the USA"!
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somedayistodayrv
Wonderful road video and it is a fantastic road for sure. Thanks for sharing and take care.
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Wonderful road video and it is a fantastic road for sure. Thanks for sharing and take care.
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clarkmadrosen1780
Beautiful drive and highway.
Thank you. .Look forward to your next drive. Be safe.
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Beautiful drive and highway.
Thank you. .Look forward to your next drive. Be safe.
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mrroutes
Thanks I used to stay Down that route, I drove up the mountains every time I needed serenity
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Thanks I used to stay Down that route, I drove up the mountains every time I needed serenity
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