
Driving the lovely Glendora Mountain Road in Southern California
Usa, north-america
34.76 km
1,383 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Glendora Mountain Road, or GMR as the locals call it, is calling your name. Tucked away in the Angeles National Forest, a stone's throw from the buzz of Los Angeles, this isn't just a drive; it's an experience.
Spanning just over 21 miles from Glendora to Mount Baldy, crossing both San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, this fully paved beauty is a winding ribbon of smooth asphalt. Think perfect conditions, minimal potholes, and enough elevation to keep the snow away most of the year.
Prepare for some serious gradients, though! You'll hit some ramps with up to a 10% incline, enough to make it interesting. And those blind turns? They'll keep you honest, so stay sharp and avoid hugging the center line โ you never know what's coming around the bend.
Trust me, you'll want to pull over and soak in the views. This is Southern California at its finest, with mountain panoramas that will knock your socks off. Allot an hour to savor the journey, and take advantage of the plentiful turnouts.
Word to the wise: weekends can get crazy with motorcycles and cyclists, so if you want a more relaxed experience, aim for a weekday morning. You might even encounter the occasional speed demon, so keep your wits about you.
The road crests at a cool 4,537 feet, guaranteeing breathtaking views year-round. What are you waiting for? Get out there and experience the GMR!
Where is it?
Driving the lovely Glendora Mountain Road in Southern California is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.0289, -99.8024
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 34.76 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,383 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 40.0289, -99.8024
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