Storm Prompts Weekend Road Closures in Angeles National Forest

| Photo: tomspixels/Flickr/Creative Commons License

Hiking and other outdoor activities in parts of the Angeles National Forest could be disrupted this weekend with predicted snowfall. The National Weather Service says a winter storm could begin late Friday evening, continuing through Saturday afternoon, and bring the snow level down to as low as 3,000 feet with up to six inches of powder in higher elevations.

The forecast has prompted the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works to announce plans to close portions of roads they maintain in the San Gabriel Mountains beginning at 1 a.m. Saturday, December 7.

Angeles Forest Highway will be closed between Aliso Canyon Road and Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road and Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road between Angeles Crest Highway and Angeles Forest Highway.

Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2), which is maintained by by the state, will not be closed until roadway conditions are deemed unsafe, according to Maria Raptis, a Caltrans spokesperson. Agency employees are housed at Chilao in the forest and monitor conditions during events.

Snow may also impact other mountain arteries in Southern California, including Interstate 5 in the Grapevine, Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County through San Marcos Pass, and various roads in the San Bernardino Mountains leading toward Big Bear.