Los Angeles, CA: Mill Creek Summit

Los Angeles, CA: Mill Creek Summit

Leave Los Angeles behind on this 57-mile ride that climbs soaring canyon roads across the San Gabriel Mountains.

Author:	Team Bearclaw
Date:	14 Feb 2008 4:08:08 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	California (CA)
Distance:	56.88 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 11748 ft Total Loss: 11747 ft Net Change: 1 ft
Difficulty:	8 / 10
Tags:	California, San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles, Montrose
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Start from the Rose Bowl and use the first 5 miles to warm up -- climbing begins in earnest on the first mile of the Angeles Crest Highway (the steepest of the whole ride). After the first bend on the Crest, the San Gabriel Mountains envelope the road, making L.A. feel like it’s a universe away. A little over 12 miles into the climb, you’ll crest Clear Creek and be treated to spectacular views of Red Box Canyon to the east and the Grapevine Mountains to the northwest. After a deserved descent on Angeles Forest Highway, you’ll encounter roughly 8 miles of rolling terrain before the final 8-mile challenge to the summit.

-Mapped by Team Bearclaw.

TO TRAILHEAD: This ride starts from the Rosebowl in Pasadena.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Dist: 56.88 mi	Points: 2564	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	Head north on West Dr.	Then go 0.49 mi
0.49 mi	Bear Left	Salvia Canyon Rd.	Then go 0.34 mi
0.84 mi	Turn Right	Linda Vista Ave./Rt. 159	Then go 1.26 mi
2.10 mi	Straight	Continue on Highland Dr.	Then go 0.32 mi
2.41 mi	Bear Right	Berkshire Ave.	Then go 0.98 mi
3.39 mi	Turn Right	Oakwood Ave.	Then go 1.15 mi
4.54 mi	Bear Left	Continue on Lynnhaven Ln.	Then go 0.50 mi
5.05 mi	Turn Left	Green Ln.	Then go 0.08 mi
5.12 mi	Turn Right	Angeles Crest Hwy./Hwy. 2	Then go 8.73 mi
13.85 mi	Turn Left	Angeles Forest Hwy.	Then go 14.59 mi
28.44 mi	U-Turn	Back to the start	Then go 14.61 mi
43.05 mi	Turn Right	Angeles Crest Hwy./Hwy. 2	Then go 8.68 mi
51.74 mi	Turn Left	Green Ln.	Then go 0.08 mi
51.81 mi	Turn Right	Princess Anne Rd.	Then go 1.66 mi
53.47 mi	Turn Left	Berkshire Ave.	Then go 0.95 mi
54.42 mi	Straight	Onto Highland Dr.	Then go 1.62 mi
56.04 mi	Bear Left	Salvia Canyon Rd.	Then go 0.32 mi
56.35 mi	Bear Right	West Dr.	Then go 0.53 mi
56.88 mi	Stop	Parking lot

Points of Interest

Photo 4

Location: Unknown
Clear Creek

Rose Bowl

Location: 34.155568°, -118.175812°
The Rose Bowl

Photo 8

Location: Unknown
A steady climb

Photo 0

Location: Unknown

Rose Bowl

Location: 34.155568°, -118.175812°
Team Bearclaw gathers at the Rose Bowl

Montrose Bike Shop

Location: 34.207703°, -118.233554°
A possible pit-stop on the way out of town.

The climb begins

Location: 34.223140°, -118.190103°
The first mile of climbing on Angeles Crest Highway is perhaps the steepest of the ride.

Road tunnel before Hidden Springs

Location: 34.313795°, -118.135718°
After this tunnel, 8 miles of climbing remain. The first five average about 4 percent, while the last three kick up to a 6 to 7 percent grade.

Hidden Springs Cafe

Location: 34.328597°, -118.121293°
Hidden Springs Cafe: A small diner-style cafe run by some true mountain folk. Good burgers.

Approaching Mill Creek

Location: 34.335144°, -118.112254°
The top of the Mill Creek climb is visible from well below the summit, which can make this climb feel long one at times.

Mill Creek Summit

Location: 34.391790°, -118.081269°
Mill Creek Summit The weather is likely to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler at the 4,900-foot summit; depending on the time of year, extra layers for the descent are a good idea.