101 miles with 13,100 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Dawson Saddle - Counties Visited:
Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County
Dawson Saddle - Cities/Towns Visited:
Azusa and Wrightwood
Dawson Saddle - Climbs:
Mile 3 (cat. 4), 6 (cat. 4), 12 (HC), 39 (cat. 3), 48 (cat. 3), 57 (cat. 3), and 74 (cat. 3)
Dawson Saddle - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 48 (Wrightwood) and 77 (Crystal Lake)
Dawson Saddle - Description:
Dawson Saddle is the number one climb in California in terms of elevation gain. San Gabriel Canyon Road (Highway 39) and Angeles Crest Highway lead up to the saddle. After Crystal Lake turnoff Highway 39 is closed due to landslides, but it is in rideable condition (with a few short gravel sections).
Starting in Azusa, the ascent can be broken into different sections: Morris Reservoir (short descent here), San Gabriel Reservoir (short descent here), East Fork turnoff (1,500 feet), Crystal Lake turnoff (5,000 feet), Islip Saddle (6,600 feet), and Dawson Saddle (7,900 feet).
After Dawson Saddle, the route leads down to Vincent Gulch Divide, then it ascends to Blue Ridge (Inspiraton Point), and then it descends again to Wrightwood, passing Big Pines. The way back is the same, with an optional out-and-back climb to Crystal Lake.
Dawson Saddle - Pictures:
[Morris Dam]
[San Gabriel Dam]
[San Gabriel Canyon Road - Bottom]
[San Gabriel Canyon Road - Top]
[Angeles Crest Highway (Islip Saddle)]
[Dawson Saddle]
More pictures
Dawson Saddle - Personal Notes:
Bob N., John U., and I wanted to ride Azusa - Wrightwood - Azusa, climbing Dawson Saddle from both sides.
However, when we turned onto Angeles Crest Highway, we hit a seasonal road closure. Not wanting to turn back, we started walking in the snow until we reached Dawson Saddle. It took us 5 hours to cover 10 miles.
I came back in summer to complete the entire route.
Dawson Saddle - Current Weather:
See also Top Bike Climbs in California and Top Bike Climbs in the United States.