California Route 39 is closed due to persistent landslides

California Route 39 is closed due to persistent landslides

Usa, north-america

Length

80.495 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up for a wild ride on California State Route 39! This epic stretch of road straddles Orange and Los Angeles counties, carving its way through the stunning San Gabriel Mountains. Think steep climbs, hairpin turns, and views that'll make your jaw drop.

Clocking in at around 50 miles (80 km), you can cruise from the Pacific Coast Highway (SR 1) all the way up to Islip Saddle on the Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2). Keep an eye out for familiar scenery, Route 39 made a cameo in *Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift*.

Now for the twist: the northern part, famously known as San Gabriel Canyon Road, has been off-limits since a massive mudslide back in '78. This means the last 6 miles (9.65km) or so are a no-go for cars. We're talking rockslides, erosion, and enough dirt to make your off-roader blush. Budget a cool $100 million to get it back in shape.

While it's technically closed, you might spot hikers or bikers braving the washed-out sections, especially on the west side of Mount Islip. Just be warned: Mother Nature throws some serious curveballs here. We're talking snow, avalanches, and landslides galore. Emergency vehicles can still squeeze through, but those "roads" get pretty narrow and gnarly!

Despite the challenges, this forgotten highway is a trip back in time. You can practically feel the ghosts of California's past as you explore the remnants of this once-bustling route. So, if you're up for an adventure and a dose of history, Route 39 is calling your name!

Where is it?

California Route 39 is closed due to persistent landslides is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 37.0182, -96.5966

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
80.495 km
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
37.0182, -96.5966

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