Post Storm damage ride in SoCal

[NormanPCN]

Tony and I went for a joy ride on Feb 5. With all of the storm damage many/most of the local mountain/canyon roads are out. We worked our way around this. We met at the Sunland McDonalds and then headed towards Little Tujunga canyon. When we turned up that there was an electronic sign, with about 60% of the blubs out, that said road closed. We continued on and would turn around if necessary. It was not necessary. Lots of carefull riding due to the light brown color of the pavement. On the other side of the mountain we went up Sand Canyon to Sierra Highway and then to Vasquez Canyon. At Bouquet Canyon the road was closed (both ways). We knew this but we were just riding all we could. Back to Sierra Hwy and up to Davenport and over to Agua Dulce. Then down to Soledad Canyon and towards Angeles Forest Hwy. The temps were in the 50'sF. From there we went on My Emma road, Fort Tejon, Valleyremo and Big Pines road. Nice view of the snow capped mountains from the desert side. Started climbing the mountains and ended up stopping at Jackson lake. This would be our turn around point and the attached picture was taken there. The temp was 43F. I was wondering if Tony was wondering if I was going to go all the way to Wrightwood. I was looking at the clock to determine our turn around point to go back for lunch. I saw the sign for Jackson lake and figured that would be nice and it was as can be seen in the picture. Clean snow, partially frozen over lake. We went back down the mountain to the desert and ate lunch at La Cabana on Soledad Canyon road. Another group of sport bike riders parked at La Cabana showed that we were not the only ones with similar plans. After lunch we then headed up over Angeles Forest road and then down Big Tujunga canyon road. We stopped at the Big Tujunga dam overlook to see how much water was in it compared to last summer. Quite a bit more and lots of floating debris. Tony had a ominous discussion at the Dam about doing a Saddlesore 1000, just to say we tried/did it. On down Big Tujunga and came across a washed away part of the road near the bottom of the canyon. Big Tujunga will have a new corner :) as the washed away part was a straight section. I assume they will just pave the graded dirt detour swerving around the washout. Tony and I parted ways at the Freeway.

The photo. Yes, I am wearing a mesh jacket in 40's temps. No I am not part Husky, but I did have the windblocker liner and light flanel shirt and my Widder electric vest (with thermostat). I am going to start wearing this often, even for 50's temp rides with my mesh jacket/windblocker liner. The vest is lightweight and not bulky, same for the mesh jacket/windblocker. It is just nicer being toasty warm rather than, "not cold", "cool" or "a little chilly".

[NormanPCN]

I forgot to mention that Tony and I had a number of small water crossings that still remain from water drainage. One big crossing somewhere on Mt Emma->Valeyremo. A car on the opposite direction was nice to me by stopping and waiting for me to cross, otherwise he would have splashed me good.