VALLEY DWELLERS HEAD FOR THE PEAKS; SNOW CREATES A WINTERY WONDERLAND.Byline: KAREN THACKER / Community Columnist Winter is definitely here and great opportunities for sledding surround the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley . There's good sledding at Frazier Park and Tehachapi to the north and several 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 routes to the south. Snow abounds at Mount Pinos Mount Pinos is a mountain peak located in the Los Padres National Forest, on the boundary between the California counties of Ventura and Kern. It is the highest point in Ventura county at 8,831 ft (2,692 m). Its latitude and longitude are 34.8128°N and 119.1444°W. in Frazier Park. From the Antelope Valley take Highway 138 to Interstate 5. Exit at Frazier Park and take the main road, Cuddy cud·dy 1 n. pl. cud·dies 1. Nautical A small cabin or the cook's galley on a ship. 2. A small room, cupboard, or closet. [Origin unknown. Valley Road, which goes straight into Las Padres National Forest. It's 14 miles to the top. Locals definitely recommend chains. Those without their own sleds or other equipment can rent them at Mount Pinos Winter Sports along the road leading to the forest. The drive is about 75 minutes from west Lancaster. Closer to Palmdale, Angeles National Forest has several spots frequented by sledders. One can head to the Big Pine area through Valyermo and find spots off the Big Pine Highway and Highway 2 that connects with it. Also the Angeles Forest Highway The Angeles Forest Highway traverses the Angeles National Forest and connects the Los Angeles basin to the Antelope Valley by going up and over the San Gabriel Mountains. The highway is variously known as County Road N-3 or FH-59 or the Palmdale cutoff. It is about 25 miles long. into Millcreek Summit has places to pull off and enjoy the snow. This is the first winter season, however, when the U.S. Forest Service is requiring a National Forest Adventure Pass The National Forest Adventure Pass is a parking permit issued by the United States Forest Service that permits bearers in the four National Forests in Southern California to park their cars for the purpose of recreation. for $5 per car per visit or $30 for one year. The money is to cover shrinking Forest Service budgets and is part of a test project to collect and use the fees locally, said Dianne Cahir, spokeswoman for the Angeles National Forest. People need an adventure pass whenever they are parked in the national forests for recreational purposes, including sledding, she said. Passes are available at all Sport Chalets and various other places, such as Town and Country Market in Pearblossom. For more information, call the Angeles National Forest at (801) 574-5200, or the Los Padres National Forest Los Padres National Forest is a forest located in southern and central California, which includes most of the mountainous land along the California coast from Ventura to Monterey, extending inland. Elevations range from sea level to 8,831 feet. at (805) 683-6711. Tehachapi Mountain Park is on a north mountain face and often provides good sledding opportunities off the main road up around the campground areas. There are no fees at the park, operated by Kern County. Take Highway 58 to Tehachapi, exit at Monolith and take Tehachapi Boulevard into town, about three miles. Go left on Tucker, right on Highline Road and left again on Water Canyon Road. A sign will indicate you're in Tehachapi Mountain Park. Drive until you find snow. Travel time is about 50 minutes from Lancaster. Call the park for weather conditions from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at (805) 822-4632, or call the area chamber of commerce at (805) 822-4180. The biggest tip for snow enthusiasts: ``Just come prepared,'' Cahir advised. FOREST SERVICE TIPS Always let someone know where you are going and what time you are expected to arrive home. To avoid traffic conditions and to find good snow conditions, visitors should arrive early. Carry chains, a first aid kit, food and water. People should dress in layers and wear boots or proper shoes. Carry extra socks and shoes to prevent frostbite frostbite (chilblains), injury to the tissue caused by exposure to cold, usually affecting the extremities of the body, such as the hands, feet, ears, or nose. Extreme cold causes the small blood vessels in the extremities to constrict. . Visitors should leave the mountains early before moisture on the roads starts to freeze and become ice. CAPTION(S): 4 Photos, Box PHOTO (1--Color) Snow caps the San Gabriel Mountains San Gabriel Mountains, S Calif., E and NE of Los Angeles, running c.50 mi (80 km) westward from Cajon Pass. San Antonio Peak (10,080 ft/3,072 m) is the highest of the range. Citrus fruits are raised on the southern foothills. in the Angeles National Forest. There are plenty of snowy recreation areas off highways in the area. (2--Color) Jason Karbelk, 10, takes a solitary walk down a mountain in glistening glis·ten intr.v. glis·tened, glis·ten·ing, glis·tens To shine by reflection with a sparkling luster. See Synonyms at flash. n. A sparkling, lustrous shine. snow off Big Pine Highway. (3) Mike Carter plays snowball target for his birthday-boy son Andrew, turning 7, and daughter Alicia, 5. (4) Motorists put on tire chains, required in snow country. Jeff Goldwater/Daily News BOX: FOREST SERVICE TIPS (see text) |
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