Earlier this year, I described a bike route from Foothill Blvd. in Sunland to Tujunga Valley by way of Little Tujunga Canyon Road, also known as “Little T.” Although an arduous climb, Little T is well worth the effort due to pretty views and roads with less traffic than the busy streets of Los Angeles.
For another excellent, similar bike ride that winds up a remote canyon to Red Box Junction on Angeles Crest Highway is Big Tujunga Canyon Road, known as “Big T.” There are many variations on this route through that canyon and the ultimate turn-around destination, but the directions I provide here are for a 50-mile loop with approximately 4,500 feet of vertical gain. This is not a ride for beginners, but intermediate to more advanced level cyclists should find this mountainous trek rewarding.
The place to park for the start of the ride is the same as for Little T, Lakeview Terrace Recreation Center, located at 11075 Foothill Blvd. in Lake View Terrace, CA. You will then head east on Foothill Blvd. to Oro Vista Ave. which becomes Big Tujunga Canyon Road. Once on Big T, you face a long, remote climb into the Angeles National Forest. At Angeles Forest Highway, you turn right to climb a bit more before cresting at Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2).
Motorists are present on this canyon, so riding single file and keeping aware of your surroundings is necessary. Please do not ride alone since cell phone reception can be spotty or outright nonexistent at times. Also, be sure to wear a Road ID or carry ID with you.
As for water stops, there are none once you begin the climb up Big T to Angeles Crest Highway, but when you arrive at the top, a bathroom and water fountain can be found directly across Highway 2. After that break, it is a climb up to Red Box, where another water stop is located. Once you’ve reached this point, it is mostly all downhill on Angeles Crest. Please take extra caution descending off the mountain, as you will be riding on a narrow, two-lane highway with cars and motorcycles passing on your left.
Back at Foothill Blvd., you head west to the recreation center. Note, along Foothill there will be significantly more traffic than on the canyon. Please follow all safety rules of the road.
This 50-mile ride is a workout for sure, but it does reward you with a sweet downhill after all the climbing is completed. The views are breathtaking and the air on the mountain is a tad crisper and cleaner than in the valleys below.
Enjoy!
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