FS3N17 AKA Santa Clara Divide Road
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 12:17 am
So last week I mountain biked the FS3N17 AKA Santa Clara Divide Road across the Angeles National Forest. Started at Three Points (Horse Flats) off of Angeles Crest Highway and ended at Bear Divide, Little Tujunga Canyon in the Western San Gabriel Mtns. (45 miles, 5300+ ft gain) It was quite an epic adventure. Got to see the the terrain unfold from mountain to mountain which most don't usually see. (FS3N17 has been closed to vehicles since 2009)
Three points at 6 in the Morn’
Started off with some pavement passing Rosenita Saddle, Horse Flats Campground, Bandido Campground, etc (maybe not in the order).
We descended until we hit a closed off gate where the pavement turned into dirt, and already our first climb.
It was a long climb
Guess what peak?
Generally the road was smooth/a bit rocky, but I can see how this is for off-road vehicles. It really hurt my bum tho after 45 miles, in a hard-tail bike, and not having ridden in about a year lol.
Crossing the spur rd that takes you to Pacifico Campground. Just hiked up to the mountain a few weeks back, SO BEAUTIFUL!
But this time I continued on and kept on climbing, and then started descending into Mill Creek Summit.
Passing the turnout that says Mill Creek Helliport and Rabbit Peak
Crossed Big Tujunga Rd. Im sure that Antonio, the construction-traffic-controller is sick of seeing me here haha
I crossed Big Tujunga rd where the Santa Clara Divide rd continues. Here its better known as Gleason Rd. Its a very steep pavement climb to camp 16/and Mt. Gleason.
Fixing Flat 1 out of 2
Approaching the memorial for the two firefighters, Arnie Quinones and Tall Hall, who were killed during the 2009 Station Fire. 8/30/09.
When we were paying our respects, two firemen arrived with two truck loads of women inmates. I guess they were showing them around Camp 16. We were fortunate enough to get to listen to a first-hand account with what happened here during the Station Fire.
The canyon in which the two firefighters during the station fire passed away. I believe they backed up their truck
BTW- the five year anniversary of the 2009 Station Fire is coming up. The end of August. Its a possibility that they will open up Gleason Rd for the friends/family members who want to come up to the memorial 8/30/14.
Quite eerie to pass through Camp 16. Very crazy how everything that was burnt in there was never removed. I wonder if they are ever gonna remove everything…..
These helicopters were bringing in stuff. Man those pilots are skilled!
After camp 16, there was even MORE climbing to get Mt. Gleason. You follow an abandoned rd to get up there and the grade was stupid steep.
You follow another path to get to Gleason summit
Some weird stuff up here
Earth Scope Project- a GPS monitoring station that collects data for info on earthquakes/volcanic activity.
The old Cabin
Heading back to the road, we hit miles and miles of quick descending on sandy and rocky terrain.
Passing the famous Messenger Flats and Lightning Campgrounds (both still closed)
Ending up at North Fork, an old Firestation/Ranger Station. Some private resident lives there now who works with the Forest Service. Said we still had about 14 miles and 2000+/- ft to go.I was dead at the point.
This resident was kind enough to leave some fresh tasting water out. I guess he knows if your ended up up here, you’ve been going for awhile
Desperately charging our devices at North Fork with these old school computers. LOL!
We continued the Climb on, passing Magic Mtn
Dont look back! Oh no yes you did
Finally the last easy 7 miles descending pavement to the car that was left at Bear Divide.
A very unique experience that would be much tougher on foot. Loved experiencing higher country to low terrain and having many nice experiences in the way.
Strava
Three points at 6 in the Morn’
Started off with some pavement passing Rosenita Saddle, Horse Flats Campground, Bandido Campground, etc (maybe not in the order).
We descended until we hit a closed off gate where the pavement turned into dirt, and already our first climb.
It was a long climb
Guess what peak?
Generally the road was smooth/a bit rocky, but I can see how this is for off-road vehicles. It really hurt my bum tho after 45 miles, in a hard-tail bike, and not having ridden in about a year lol.
Crossing the spur rd that takes you to Pacifico Campground. Just hiked up to the mountain a few weeks back, SO BEAUTIFUL!
But this time I continued on and kept on climbing, and then started descending into Mill Creek Summit.
Passing the turnout that says Mill Creek Helliport and Rabbit Peak
Crossed Big Tujunga Rd. Im sure that Antonio, the construction-traffic-controller is sick of seeing me here haha
I crossed Big Tujunga rd where the Santa Clara Divide rd continues. Here its better known as Gleason Rd. Its a very steep pavement climb to camp 16/and Mt. Gleason.
Fixing Flat 1 out of 2
Approaching the memorial for the two firefighters, Arnie Quinones and Tall Hall, who were killed during the 2009 Station Fire. 8/30/09.
When we were paying our respects, two firemen arrived with two truck loads of women inmates. I guess they were showing them around Camp 16. We were fortunate enough to get to listen to a first-hand account with what happened here during the Station Fire.
The canyon in which the two firefighters during the station fire passed away. I believe they backed up their truck
BTW- the five year anniversary of the 2009 Station Fire is coming up. The end of August. Its a possibility that they will open up Gleason Rd for the friends/family members who want to come up to the memorial 8/30/14.
Quite eerie to pass through Camp 16. Very crazy how everything that was burnt in there was never removed. I wonder if they are ever gonna remove everything…..
These helicopters were bringing in stuff. Man those pilots are skilled!
After camp 16, there was even MORE climbing to get Mt. Gleason. You follow an abandoned rd to get up there and the grade was stupid steep.
You follow another path to get to Gleason summit
Some weird stuff up here
Earth Scope Project- a GPS monitoring station that collects data for info on earthquakes/volcanic activity.
The old Cabin
Heading back to the road, we hit miles and miles of quick descending on sandy and rocky terrain.
Passing the famous Messenger Flats and Lightning Campgrounds (both still closed)
Ending up at North Fork, an old Firestation/Ranger Station. Some private resident lives there now who works with the Forest Service. Said we still had about 14 miles and 2000+/- ft to go.I was dead at the point.
This resident was kind enough to leave some fresh tasting water out. I guess he knows if your ended up up here, you’ve been going for awhile
Desperately charging our devices at North Fork with these old school computers. LOL!
We continued the Climb on, passing Magic Mtn
Dont look back! Oh no yes you did
Finally the last easy 7 miles descending pavement to the car that was left at Bear Divide.
A very unique experience that would be much tougher on foot. Loved experiencing higher country to low terrain and having many nice experiences in the way.
Strava
