WAYS TO BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT ARE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

Byline: Peggy Hager Staff Writer

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST - As the long hot days of summer loom ahead, many places offer families a chance to visit for the day to cool off.

Within a 45-minute drive of most Antelope Valley homes are Littlerock Reservoir, Elizabeth Lake, Lake Hughes and Big Rock Creek.

``It's a great place to get away, escape and just take a little hike,'' said Palmdale resident David Smith, a regular visitor to tree-lined, boulder-strewn Big Rock Creek. ``It's cold, and it's very refreshing.''

When Big Rock is running deep enough, it is stocked with fish by the Department of Fish and Game. Overnight camping is available at Sycamore Flats, South Fork and Big Rock. To get there, take Pearblossom Highway east to Longview turn south, turn east on Avenue W to Valyermo Road and continue south for five miles.

A little closer in is the Littlerock Dam and Recreation area located on Cheseboro Road off Pearblossom Highway. It offers a 150-acre lake with fishing, boating (under 10 horsepower) and picnic areas. The area is open from sunrise to sunset. Gates are closed at night or when the area reaches capacity.

The Dam Store offers row-boat rentals as well as fishing supplies.

There are three picnic areas. Juniper Picnic Area provides 21 tables, restrooms and piped water during summer months. Rocky Point provides three picnic sites with tables, fire rings and grills. Sage provides four sites with fire rings, tables and grills.

Campfires and barbecues are permitted in metal fire rings and standing metal stoves in designated areas only. Liquid or gas fuel portable stoves may be used as long as proper clearance is maintained. Rock ring campfires are not allowed. Fishing and swimming are allowed in the reservoir.

There are no lifeguards on duty, so extra caution must be used when swimming, as the reservoir has numerous underwater hazards such as steep drop-offs, submerged vegetation and rocks.

Approximately 10 miles to the west of Palmdale on Elizabeth Lake Road, Elizabeth Lake offers fishing and boating for sailboats, nonmotorized water craft and boats with 10 hp. engines or less. Jet skis and engines over 10 hp are prohibited. Swimming and water play is permitted, and a picnic area is provided. No camping is allowed.

It is located next to Lake Hughes, which does offer camping along with fishing and hiking at the Hughes Lake Shore Park. Space is available for motor homes, tents and trailers. Although there are no hookups, there are picnic tables, bathrooms, showers and barbecue pits. The park also rents row boats. For camping fees and rental prices, call [phone].

To reach the Lake Shore Park, take Palmdale Boulevard west to Elizabeth Lake Road, continuing west to Trail K. Turn left, and the park is at the end of the street.

Apollo Park is located on the north end of the valley at 4555 W. Ave. G. Opened in 1972, it features a 56-acre park with three man-made lakes named after the Apollo 11 astronauts - Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins.

No swimming is allowed in the lakes - which are filled with reclaimed water from Lancaster's sewage treatment plant - but fishing is available all summer long.

Fishing licenses are required at all of the locations, and an Adventure Pass is required for vehicles parked in the Angeles National Forest, which includes Big Rock Creek, Elizabeth Lake and Littlerock Reservoir. Fees are $5 for day use or $30 for an annual pass. For 2003, the last Saturday of each month is considered a ``free'' day and passes are not needed on these days.

The 2003 Annual and Secondary Adventure Passes have been extended for three months to compensate users for the period of time that forest closures were in effect due to extreme fire danger. This extension will automatically add 3 months to every qualifying pass.

Adventure passes can be purchased at the following stores:

--Lake Hughes Papa's Country Store, 17518 Elizabeth Lake Road, Lake Hughes, [phone]

--Leona Valley Ranchers Market, 9001 Elizabeth Lake Road, Leona Valley, [phone]

--Littlerock Home N. Ranch Center, 8010 Pearblossom Hwy., Littlerock, [phone]

--Littlerock Liquor & Jr. Market, 8062 Pearblossom Hwy., Littlerock, [phone]

--Sherkat 76 Gas, 8314 Pearblossom Hwy., Littlerock [phone]

--Pearblossom Town & Country Market, 13012 Pearblossom Hwy., Pearblossom, [phone]

--Hi Way Market, 13114 Highway 138, Pearblossom, [phone]

--Valyermo Mile High Cafe, 20033 Big Pines Hwy., Valyermo [phone].

Call the Forest Service at [phone] for more information.

Fishing Licenses may be purchased directly from the State Department of Fish and Game by calling [phone]. For detailed stocking information, call the State Department of Fish and Game at [phone], or check the Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/dfghome.html.

The Department of Fish and Game also offers two free days to fish that don't require a license. The next free day will be Sept. 27.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Sunbathers drift along on the surface of Littlerock Dam Reservoir, above.

(2) Families frolic along the shore of the reservoir to escape the heat.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer