Mt Lowe fire road closure

[El Presidente]

Order No. 01-09-02
Mt. LOWE TRUCK TRAIL CLOSURE
OCCUPANCY AND USE
ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(b), and to protect natural resources and provide for public safety, the
following act is prohibited within the Los Angeles River Ranger District of the Angeles National
Forest. This Order is effective from June 9, 2009 through June 8, 2010.
Being on Mt. Lowe Truck Trail (Forest Trail No. 2N50) from its intersection with Eaton
Saddle then continuing west 1/2 mile to its intersection with Markham Saddle, as shown in
Exhibit A. 36 CFR 261.55(a).
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise
prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting
force in the performance of an official duty.
This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions contained in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.
Done at Arcadia, California, this eight day of June, 2009.

JODY NOIRON
Forest Supervisor
Angeles National Forest
A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or
$10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both,
16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559,3571, and 3581.

 

[DISCO]

bout time, whole damn thing would go in a good rain.

 

[El Presidente]

As an alternate you can ride up to Mount Disappointment and drop down the trail to Markham Saddle. This is only an option for XC riders because you have to climb a few miles to the single track. No good options for the shuttlers to access the Merrill's. They will have to take the Gab down.

 

[dstepper]

Hans thank you for posting this. I guess the short version is that the tunnel is closed. Going to put that much more use on the Red Box to JPL shuttle.

Dean

 

[JoeTruth]

Thanks, Hans. I'm actually surprised it took this long to close Mueller Tunnel. It's an accident waiting to happen and a liability to US Forestry. As you said, use the mt. disappointment up and down or climb it from bottom up. Either way, significant climbing involved. I hope the over flow of riders hitting the Gab are careful going through Switzer and other parts of the Gab. It has a lot more hikers on it on any given weekend.

 

[Sailor Ripley]

Bummer...many,many years ago, I used to ride that 2-3 times a month when I lived nearby. I was hoping to ride up there within the next few weeks and was planning to head all the way up to Wilson. Now I'll have to cut the ride short.
There's always the Toll road, but I enjoyed the Lowe road more.

 

[dstepper]

There's always the Toll road

Is the construction on Wilson Toll Road complete...is it open yet?

Dean

 

[JoeTruth]

I believe the toll road is scheduled to open in August.

 

[Rossage]

I just went down the 'Gabe from Red Box to Switser's last weekend and I was extremely dissapointed to see that the "waterfall" had been sanitized. We rode through and exclaimed,
"Was that the waterfall?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah I'm sure...."

The "waterfall" has had some rock re-arrangement. There is also an illegal switchback cut just before the drop in to the "waterfall".

Overall, I think the Gabe between Red Box and Switser's has been sanitized for the pleasure of shuttle-happy riders.
The wall rides, the shortcuts, and the braking ruts into the switchbacks just give more fuel, rightfully so, to the people who want to keep us off these trails.
I wish I had a full-face helmet, and body armor to ease my body down those obstacles, but you know what?-I've done them for years! Without my FS bike, without a shuttle....
You guys are killing us and our access to the Forests, the access that we need.
If you can't do it on a 6" bike , full armor, and a shuttle, stay home!

 

[Piranha]

Is the construction on Wilson Toll Road complete...is it open yet?

Dean

Dean, here's an article about it. Plus a link to some photos from one of the OTB guys, CaptMitch who lives at the base of Eaton Canyon.

 

[Pain Freak]

Considering how short it is from Red Box to Switzers, I don't think we'll see that much in shuttle traffic.Considering what the riding is like after Switzers I don't think the shuttling crew will find it much to their liking. To many big rocks to port over and so many stream crossings that they won't be able to ride through. Some will try but there's to much effort involved.

 

[eruizela]

God help them if they actually have to pedal a bike.

Considering how short it is from Red Box to Switzers, I don't think we'll see that much in shuttle traffic.Considering what the riding is like after Switzers I don't think the shuttling crew will find it much to their liking. To many big rocks to port over and so many stream crossings that they won't be able to ride through. Some will try but there's to much effort involved.

 

[dstepper]

I just went down the 'Gabe from Red Box to Switser's last weekend and I was extremely dissapointed to see that the "waterfall" had been sanitized. We rode through and exclaimed,
"Was that the waterfall?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah I'm sure...."

The "waterfall" has had some rock re-arrangement. There is also an illegal switchback cut just before the drop in to the "waterfall".

Overall, I think the Gabe between Red Box and Switser's has been sanitized for the pleasure of shuttle-happy riders.
The wall rides, the shortcuts, and the braking ruts into the switchbacks just give more fuel, rightfully so, to the people who want to keep us off these trails.
I wish I had a full-face helmet, and body armor to ease my body down those obstacles, but you know what?-I've done them for years! Without my FS bike, without a shuttle....
You guys are killing us and our access to the Forests, the access that we need.
If you can't do it on a 6" bike , full armor, and a shuttle, stay home!

We all should not complain, it was us that have been expounding on the greatness of the San Gabriel Trails. It seems like they are more popular than ever. Maybe it is a good thing that the tunnel is closed and let the mountain get back to its XC roots.

Dean

 

[Rossage]

Sorry, PainFreak but I have run into Red Box-Switzer's shuttler's just last week. You can find the shuttle drivers waiting for them at Switzer's, usually about 20 min. after they drop them off at Red Box.

 

[Rossage]

I agree that it is "greatness of the San Gabriels" that is drawing people to the trails I love but come on, with long-travel bikes, full armor and a lift to the top...do you really need to sanitize the trail?
I would hate to see the Gabe become another SJT, but I think it wis inevitable

 

[Pain Freak]

Yeah, but I think they'll get bored of their less then 20 minute runs down the Gab. Plus it doesn't have the same technical attributes like the Merrills.

 

[kanga]

Sorry, PainFreak but I have run into Red Box-Switzer's shuttler's just last week. You can find the shuttle drivers waiting for them at Switzer's, usually about 20 min. after they drop them off at Red Box.

I've seen many people doing the quick shuttle, doing several runs over a few hours on the Red Box - Switzer's section. We've also had riders in our group hit by downhillers while climbing it more than once.

 

[Tedroy]

Old School Grumpy Here...

... These trails were built back in the 30's for hikers. They should remain in that condition. If we modern cyclists want to keep using them we need to respect the original concept. If we screw the pooch here we pretty much foul it for everyone everywhere.

IE: Don't bring your DH rig to the San Gabes, and don't scare hikers trying to enjoy the mountain. Climb it or go home.

 

[mtb_prodigy]

Thanks, Hans. I'm actually surprised it took this long to close Mueller Tunnel. It's an accident waiting to happen and a liability to US Forestry. As you said, use the mt. disappointment up and down or climb it from bottom up. Either way, significant climbing involved. I hope the over flow of riders hitting the Gab are careful going through Switzer and other parts of the Gab. It has a lot more hikers on it on any given weekend.

I think Joes just happy the downhillers dont get to ride there anymore since he doesnt like them :lol::lol::lol:

 

[KBL]

I believe the toll road is scheduled to open in August.

Climbing the Toll Road on a hot August day or a poke in the eye with a sharp stick...decisions, decisions.

Actually, a late-afternoon-into-the-night ride involving the Toll Road could be a lot of fun. The city lights from up there are a beautiful sight. Toll Road to Idlehour to Inspiration Point, then down Middle Merrill or the open section of the railroad route. Extra batteries and familiarity with the trails a must!