California State Highway 39 Bike Ride (Closed section)

Highway 39 was something of a engineering marvel when it was originally completed in 1960's. However, since 1978, the last 4.5 miles from Crystal Lake to Highway 2 have remained closed due to repeated damage from rockslides and snowmelt.

In December 2022, for the first time in 44 years, Caltrans has held public meetings to discuss the possibility or re-opening the nearly abandoned highway.

This week, I took my BPM Imports F-15 E-Bike up to Crystal Lake via Highway 39, where the road ends and the adventure begins.

I'll travel the entire 4.5 miles from Crystal Lake to Highway 2 and back and find out what kind of condition the road is in as well as how bad the damage really is.

Remarkably, as you'll see, Highway 39 is in great condition for being a 44 year old road. I suppose lack of vehicle traffic helps, and you'll even see Caltrans crews at times removing rocks out of the roadway in early stage preparation for re-opening.

We'll also pass by waterfalls and river water running next to and across the highway as this years record snowfall continues to melt off the higher peaks of the San Gabriel National Monument.

Whether you are curious about this "ghost highway", peddling on a home stationary bike or just need some work/study background noise, come huff it with me as I make the 1,600 feet climb in 4.5 miles.