State Route 2 / Angeles Crest Highway East - Switzer to Cedar Springs

Skipping ahead and now riding along the crest after the intersection with Angeles Forest Highway N-3 (not shown), eastbound California 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) approaches and meets Mt. Wilson Red Box Road. Photo taken by Martin Grahl (05/21/10).

Continue east on California 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) for ski areas. A California 2 east trailblazer assembly is posted here as well. Photo taken by Martin Grahl (05/21/10).

Some distance east along California 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) is this mileage sign for Buckhorn (seven miles), Big Pines (29 miles), and Wrightwood (33 miles). Photo taken by Martin Grahl (05/21/10).

California 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) proceeds east through conifer forests and high-altitude vegetation. The highway has some long stretches of relatively straight and flat pavement, while other highway segments wind and curve through switchbacks and sharp turns. This view is taken near the Devils Canyon trailhead, about midway between Angeles Forest Highway N-3 and California 39.

08/22/09

A small parking area is located near the Devils Canyon trailhead, which provides hiking access into Devils Canyon.

08/22/09

Continuing east, California 2 approaches Islip Saddle. On the left (north) side of the highway is a parking area. On the south side of california 2 is a wide shoulder and a gate that blocks off access from California 2 east to California 39 south. Closed since 1978, California 39 has not been open to motorized traffic due to a series of rock slides and other road damage. Plans call for eventual reopening of the route, but that is not expected until 2015 to 2018 at the ealiest.

08/22/09

A year later, a mileage sign for Big Pines (16 miles) was posted at the past and future intersection with California 39. Photo taken by Martin Grahl (05/21/10).

Eastbound California 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) meets California 39 (San Gabriel Canyon Road) south, although there are no signs to acknowledge this intersection (one has to know what to look for). The next left connects to the Islip Saddle parking area. Ahead, watch for winter closures after the Islip Saddle parking area. During and after winter storms, a barricade is erected just after the California 39 intersection to prevent use of the highway between here and Big Pines/Wrightwood.

08/22/09

An information and regulatory sign for Islip Saddle is posted in the parking lot on the north side of California 2.

08/22/09

This view looks east along California 2 between Islip and Big Pines. Photo taken by Martin Grahl (05/21/10).