TRAILS REOPENED TO OFF-ROAD VEHICLES RESTORED ROUTES SURVIVE RECENT ONSLAUGHT OF RAIN.Byline: Eugene Tong tong 1 tr.v. tonged, tong·ing, tongs To seize, hold, or manipulate with tongs. [Back-formation from tongs. Staff Writer ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST The Angeles National Forest (ANF) was established by executive order on December 20, 1892 as the San Gabriel Timberland Reserve. It covers over 2,600 km² (650,000 acres) and is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, just north of the metropolitan area of Los - Off-road vehicle off-road vehicle off n → véhicule m tout-terrain trails in Bouquet and San Francisquito canyons closed for nearly a year due to storm damage have reopened, U.S. Forest Service officials said, just in time to weather another storm. The three routes - Drinkwater Canyon Road, Course Gold Road and Quarry Road - opened to off-highway vehicles such as dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles all-ter·rain vehicle n. Abbr. ATV A small, open motor vehicle having one seat and three or more wheels fitted with large tires. It is designed chiefly for recreational use over roadless, rugged terrain. last week, officials said. The roads, which connect to the Rowher Flat OHV OHV Off Highway Vehicle OHV Overhead Valve OHV Overhead Hoist Vehicle OHV over Head Valve Area, have been closed since February following last year's torrential rains. ``Repairs have now been made, and we're glad to be able to reopen re·o·pen tr. & intr.v. re·o·pened, re·o·pen·ing, re·o·pens 1. To open or be opened again: Officials reopened the airport after the snow was cleared. Schools reopen in September. this popular area for the public,'' said Cid Morgan, ranger for the forest's Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers district. The roadways north of Saugus appeared to have survived last weekend's downpour, which dropped between one-half to nearly 4 inches of rain on the Angeles National Forest, and up to 5 inches of snow in the mountains. ``If we get heavy rains, we'll go back and assess further,'' said Diane McCombs, the district's recreation officer. ``But so far, it's open.'' Rocks and debris covered some forest roads, including one leading into the Switzers Picnic Area at the Angeles Crest Highway The Angeles Crest Highway is a two-lane (one lane of travel in each direction) segment of California State Route 2 in the United States. The road is 66 miles in length, with its western terminus at the intersection at Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge and its eastern , but there were no confirmed reports of serious damage. ``It's a very steep road with lots of switchbacks,'' Florea said. ``It's covered with rocks and debris when we get heavy rains. But it's nothing on the level of a year ago.'' A report that Maxwell fire road near Lake Hughes was washed away was being investigated, Florea said. The rainstorm likely reduced fire danger levels in the 650,000-acre forest - it has been set at ``very high'' due to high winds, Florea said. The forest service will likely wait a few days to assess the storm's effects, and for the water to circulate through the plants. ``After there's rainfall, the moisture level doesn't go up immediately,'' he said. ``But likely, that's going to change.'' Meantime, Angeles National Forest has dispatched three fire support personnel to Texas, where grass fires have charred more than 200,000 acres, destroyed 250 homes and killed three people. ``We could be sending more depending on what happens in the situation,'' Florea said. ``They're still seeing quite a bit of activity.'' Eugene Tong, (661) 257-5253 eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com |
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