145 miles with 10,200 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Seal Beach - Dawson Saddle - Seal Beach - Counties Visited:
Orange County and Los Angeles County
Seal Beach - Dawson Saddle - Seal Beach - Cities/Towns Visited:
Seal Beach, Lakewood, Bellflower, Norwalk, Downey, Pico Rivera, El Monte, Baldwin Park, and Azusa
Seal Beach - Dawson Saddle - Seal Beach - Climbs:
Mile 38 (cat. 4), 41 (cat. 4), 47 (cat. 1), and 63 (cat. 2)
Seal Beach - Dawson Saddle - Seal Beach - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 61 (Crystal Lake Recreational Area) and 114 (San Gabriel River Bike Trail)
Seal Beach - Dawson Saddle - Seal Beach - Description:
This ride starts in Seal Beach and follows San Gabriel River bike trail for 38 miles (until the end), passing Whittier Narrows Dam and crossing Santa Fe Dam.
After exiting the trail, San Gabriel Canyon Road (Highway 39) and Angeles Crest Highway lead up to Dawson Saddle. Above 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).
The ride back follows the same route. While it is mostly downhill and flat, headwinds may be encountered.
See also Dawson Saddle.
Seal Beach - Dawson Saddle - Seal Beach - Pictures:
[San Gabriel River Bike Trail]
[Whittier Narrows Dam]
[Santa Fe Dam]
[San Gabriel Canyon Road]
[Crystal Lake Recreational Area]
[San Gabriel Canyon Road]
[Angeles Crest Highway (Islip Saddle)]
[Dawson Saddle]
[Seal Beach]
Seal Beach - Dawson Saddle - Seal Beach - Personal Notes:
Several years ago safety was a concern on the San Gabriel River bike trail, but I have heard that law enforcement has cleaned up the area, and I have not encountered any issues.
The climb to Dawson Saddle leads through remote territory with virtually no phone signal and people. Recently the road to Crystal Lake re-opened, which makes the area a little more accessible and allows to refill water.
I completed this ride solo, it was an adventure.
Seal Beach - Dawson Saddle - Seal Beach - Current Weather:
See also Top Bike Climbs in California and Top Bike Climbs in the United States.