CA-38 between Angelus Oaks and Big Bear closed indefinitely

[DTComposer]

https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/highway-popular-california-lake-closes-storm-21065883.php

Caltrans said it was unlikely the road would be open in time for snowboarding season. Alternative routes to Big Bear include Highway 330 through Running Springs and Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley. Repairs began on Tuesday.

Caltrans said it believes that the mudslides were a result of the 2020 El Dorado Fire, which damaged the area's terrain.

"Unfortunately, it was a lot more extensive than we first thought," Caltrans spokesperson Eric Dionne told KABC-TV. "Just from seeing the images on Thursday night, [there's a] complete washout of the road. So a lot of material came down from the El Dorado Fire burn scar."

[Max Rockatansky]

I feel as though this has been happening with 38 every couple years or so lately.  This was one of the last state highway clinches I completely for California.  Pretty highway but it doesn't get a ton of usage.

[pderocco]

Naturally, the SFGate story doesn't bother to tell you where this is, nor does the CalTrans drone video. SFGate says over 30 miles of CA-38 are closed, but CalTrans shows 23.8 miles closed, from Mill Creek Rd, a serviceable dirt road that goes down to Seven Oaks, and Lakewood Rd, on the outskirts of Big Bear City. But that's still a lot of road.

Since it's the result of the El Dorado Fire five years ago, it's probably between Mill Creek Rd and Glass Rd, the paved road that goes down to Seven Oaks. I would guess that Forsee Creek, which runs right next to Camp Cedar Falls, might be the culprit. But that could mean that a lot of damage could have been done in the populated neighborhood where this creek comes into the Santa Ana River.

That said, it may be the case that you could still drive down Mill Creek Rd to the Santa Ana River, and perhaps back up Glass Rd. I did that once to bypass an accident scene that had CA-38 closed temporarily. And it's likely that the the entirety of CA-38 from Glass Rd to Lakewood Rd is just fine, because it's nowhere near the burn area. Why close all that? That denies access to Jenks Lake, the Heart Bar Campground area, the Onyx Peak area, and various other day use areas.

[Quillz]

I don't think I've ever been on 38. I always take 330 or 18. 

[pderocco]

I don't think I've ever been on 38. I always take 330 or 18.

Someday, when it's open again, try it out. It's a nice ride, although the western portion where the slide happened is even more winding than Rim Of The World. Also, 18 out into the desert is nice too, if you haven't done that part.

[Quillz]

I don't think I've ever been on 38. I always take 330 or 18.

Someday, when it's open again, try it out. It's a nice ride, although the western portion where the slide happened is even more winding than Rim Of The World. Also, 18 out into the desert is nice too, if you haven't done that part.

I've driven all of 18. Even did the historic segments that are now mostly signed as 91. My main reason for not doing 38 is it doesn't have much purpose given the direction I come from. At some point I was planning on trekking up San Gorgonio, which is accessed off the route. I might try that some time next year.

[Max Rockatansky]

I don't think I've ever been on 38. I always take 330 or 18.

Someday, when it's open again, try it out. It's a nice ride, although the western portion where the slide happened is even more winding than Rim Of The World. Also, 18 out into the desert is nice too, if you haven't done that part.

I've driven all of 18. Even did the historic segments that are now mostly signed as 91. My main reason for not doing 38 is it doesn't have much purpose given the direction I come from. At some point I was planning on trekking up San Gorgonio, which is accessed off the route. I might try that some time next year.

The only thing 38 lines up with well is 243.  Chaining 74 into it makes for a quality day of driving.

[Quillz]

I do find 38 interesting because it, along with 18, has the "wrong way" orientation along the north side of Big Bear Lake, where you drive west to reach the eastern terminus. Although historically this used to be part of CA-30. To the point I don't know why that was changed, that seemed to make a lot more sense. (Although I guess they didn't want a 18/330 concurrency?)

[pderocco]

CalTrans QuickMap shows that most of the unnecessary closure has been withdrawn. From Big Bear, you can drive all the way to Glass Rd and down into Seven Oaks, and to both ends of Jenks Lake Rd. But it also looks like the west end of the closure has moved further west past Mill Creek Rd, so there's no easy way to bypass the closure entirely. Perhaps Mill Creek Rd suffered some damage too.