Where does California State Route 39 start and end?
Usa, north-america
80.495 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along State Route 39 (SR 39), straddling the line between Orange and Los Angeles counties in California. This isn't just any road trip; it's a mountain adventure in the San Gabriel range, with switchbacks that'll keep you on your toes!
Starting from the Pacific Coast Highway (SR 1), this fully paved path winds for about 50 miles up to Islip Saddle on the Angeles Crest Highway. Now, here's the twist: the northern part, famously known as San Gabriel Canyon Road, has been closed since '78. Yep, you heard that right – closed!
Back in the day, SR 39 was meant to connect the coast with the mountains, even playing a role in "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift." But Mother Nature had other plans. Rockslides, mudslides, and plain ol' wear and tear led to parts of the highway being abandoned. A big rockslide in 2005 pretty much sealed the deal, shutting it down to regular traffic indefinitely.
So, can you drive it? Well, it's a mixed bag. Some sections are dirt, others eroded. You can hike or bike it, but be warned: major parts are washed out, especially on the west side of Mount Islip. And let's not forget the extreme snow, avalanches, and rockslides that can hit seasonally. It's passable for emergency vehicles, but those narrow dirt sections near the rockslide areas? Not exactly passenger-car friendly.
Despite all that, remnants of this once-busy road are still there, whispering stories of California's past. If you're up for a bit of exploration and a touch of history, this "Forbidden Highway" offers a unique, if slightly rugged, experience.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 80.495 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
easyWhere is Cottonwood Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Cottonwood Pass in Colorado! This high-altitude beauty straddles Chaffee and Gunnison counties in central Colorado. We're talking serious elevation here – a whopping 12,126 feet! It's one of the highest paved roads you'll find in the state. The backstory? The Forest Service needed a timber route back in '55, and voila, a dirt road was born by '58. Fast forward to 2019, and now it's all smooth asphalt, baby! The 31.7-mile stretch is a shortcut from Buena Vista to County Road 742, near Taylor Park Reservoir. You'll cruise east on Chaffee County Road 306, which magically morphs into Gunnison County Road 209 near the top as you head west. Expect some seriously tight switchbacks near the summit. We're talking a 15 mph speed limit! The road gets steep in sections (up to a 10% gradient), so if you're towing an RV or piloting a massive motorhome, be prepared for a bit of a challenge. Open seasonally (usually from May to October), this route gifts you with panoramic views of the Sawatch Range in your standard car. Just a heads-up: mountain weather can be unpredictable, so aim for an early visit to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Altitude sickness and hypothermia are real concerns, so respect the mountains! Snow at the summit is a strong possibility year-round. Keep an eye out for mudslides during heavy rains, just in case! Budget about an hour for the drive. The fall colors are epic. The parking area at the top offers insane views. And on the way down, don't miss the overlooks. Trust me, this drive is worth every second!
moderateWhere is Cascade Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, fellow adventurers, let me tell you about Cascade Lake in Wyoming! This alpine beauty sits way up high in Carbon County, nestled within the Medicine Bow National Forest, not too far from Laramie and the Colorado border. Now, getting there is part of the adventure. The road? Let's just say it's "unimproved." Think bumpy, gravelly, and definitely not for your low-rider. You'll want a high-clearance, narrow, four-wheel drive beast to tackle this one. But trust me, the views are worth it! The road snakes its way through breathtaking meadows and opens up access to a ton of awesome hiking and camping spots in the area. Just be prepared for about of slow-and-steady driving. Heads up: this road is typically impassable during the winter months. Even in the warmer seasons, Wyoming weather can be totally unpredictable, so keep an eye on the forecast before you go. If you're looking for a truly off-the-beaten-path experience, Cascade Lake is calling your name!
extremeWhere is Vail Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Vail Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,251m (10,666ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the steepest paved mountain passes in Colorado The pass is located on the boundary between Summit and Eagle counties, in the central part of Colorado. Why is it named Vail Pass? The pass is named for Charles Vail, a highway engineer. How long is the road to Vail Pass? The road to the summit is 32km (20.4 miles) long, running from Vail to . The first paved highway over the pass was completed in 1940. In the 1970s, the route was upgraded to Interstate 70. Is Vail Pass dangerous? The road to the summit is paved and called Interstate 70 (I-70). The highway is extremely steep on both sides (eastbound or westbound) and has at least a 7 to 8 percent grade at one point or another. Much like , its windy nature features hairpin turns and brutal winter weather. The pass crests at 10,660 feet above sea level, and two runaway truck ramps exist on the westbound side for victims of brake failure. The steep sides provide drivers with little room for error. These slippery mountain stretches are notoriously dangerous in the winter and are prone to multi-car accidents because it’s easy for drivers to lose control of their autos. Set high in the Rocky Mountains, access to the pass is typically open all year round, with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. Vail Pass is the most dangerous section of the highway on the route from during the Winter. It is frequently closed by local authorities during severe snowstorms, as conditions become undrivable. Travelers should be prepared for changing conditions and near-zero visibility in winters. The breathtaking road to Red Cone Pass in Colorado Driving the scenic Saddle Road in Hawaii Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateCan you drive through Lytton to Lillooet?
🇨🇦 Canada
Lytton-Lillooet Highway is a very scenic winding road located in British Columbia, Canada, running along the east bank of the Fraser River. Can you drive through Lytton to Lillooet? The road follows the east bank of the Fraser River. It’s a single lane road but paved all the way. The road, also known as British Columbia Highway 12, has many avalanche prone cliffs on one side, and drop offs into ‘abysses’ on the other. There are some bumps or pot holes but the scenery well makes up for it. The road tops out at 474m (1,555ft) above sea level. How long is the road from Lytton to Lillooet? The road is 66.2 km (39 miles) long, running south-north from Lytton, known for being “Canada’s Hot Spot” at the confluence of the Thompson River and Fraser River on the east side of the Fraser to Lillooet, formerly Cayoosh Flat, a community on the Fraser River. Lytton on June 29, 2021 became the hottest place in Canada when it recorded 49.6°C (121.3°F). How long does it take to drive through Lytton to Lillooet? To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 1 and 1.5 hours. The road was built in 1953 and features sweeping views, running through rugged landscape with stunning views of mountains. Driving the scenic Klondike Highway from Alaska to the Yukon Bow Pass is the highest road in Canada’s national parks Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.