Went for a drive

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
05/04/2018 at 20:08 • Filed to: None

While I intended on just doing a short drive on Glendora Mountain Road and then doing a long hike up Mt Baldy to complete my day, I ended up running a marathon of driving instead. I left home around 930am and made pretty good time in getting to the beginning of GMR. The weather was bright and sunny, not too hot yet, and no wind at all. After getting to the top of GMR, I ended up on Glendora Ridge road which had no centerline and thankfully nobody oncoming either. It was sketchy since I was pretty sure it was a two way road so I kept things pretty relaxed. By the time I got to Mt Baldy for my hike starting at 6k feet, I realized that I didnt have a forest adventure pass to park and that no places were open to go get a pass nearby. So with that, my hike was torpedoed due to there not being enough time left in the day to go all the way into town and back and still complete my hike. Being in love with pulling plans out of my ass last minute, I decided I would go on a giant drive completing the entire Angeles Crest Highway in a roundabout way of getting home.

The Cajon pass was absolutely beautiful with all of the nice green coverage of Spring. With the 80+ degree weather and sun shining, I had a wonderful top down drive just taking it all in. Heading way up into elevation past Wrightwood, there was some wonderful scenery at every turn. Google maps tried to take me down a dirt road but I felt like keeping my tires hole-free so I did not listen for too long after the pavement ended. At least it led to a fun encounter with a multi-mile long train and a nice spot for some lunch and a photo op. Here is my collection of photos from the drive:

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Quite the fun day, although the 6 hours of driving while baking in the sun definitely took some energy out of me for sure! Surprisingly, the AC actually worked when I ran it at some of the hotter times. Sure it mostly just blows away since there is no roof, but its kind of nice to have cool air blowing to offset some of the heat beaming down on me. It was nice and cool up in the mountains, but by the time I made it back to the freeway it had reached nearly 90F. Anyways, glad to know the Miata is still up for adventures and I am still enjoying every minute of it.

Also, added a new part to the Miata in order to bring me up to compliance for my first track day next saturday. Front tow hook! It was an easy bolt on part from Flyin Miata so now I have that real track car setup. Too bad I couldn’t overnight it from japan, but “arrived in a few days from Colorado” works for me.

DISCUSSION (11)

Chariotoflove > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
05/04/2018 at 20:17

I do like those wheels.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
05/04/2018 at 20:18

They still do that forest pass thing? That is so dumb. Awesome area for roads, you need to do the roads up to big bear one of these days.

daender > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
05/04/2018 at 21:27

Since you have a legit roll bar, have you thought about making your own bikini top out of one that has a bad plastic window? I’d probably help you and your head against the sun will still keeping the open-air feeling that a convertible should allow. I heard it looks like the ND Spyder concept when done correctly. http://clubphillyb.net/viewtopic.php?t=311

Kinja'd!!!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > daender
05/04/2018 at 23:02

I’ve never really liked the bikini top look. Plus it is helpful having an actual roof occasionally. I don’t really mind the heat, having a floppy/safari hat helps tons. I was lathered in sun block and it was nice and cool up above 6k feet. I do kind of wish my rear window was zippered though, that would add an interesting layout for the really hot days.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/04/2018 at 23:04

Yeah its annoying and you can’t buy an annual pass outside of like jan-mar, even though they are valid 365 days from when you purchase it. I just wish they sold them right at the trails more often. I hate planning ahead lol. And yup, big bear is on the list now that the snow has melted. It’s a bit further out but I certainly could have went there today if I planned on it from the get go.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Chariotoflove
05/04/2018 at 23:07

Thanks. Cheapo wheels from discount tire direct. I think they are the Rage R10 or something like that. Something around 15lbs and $89 a piece which was a good deal for street wheels. They are supposed to be silver but the brake dust always turns them gray.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
05/04/2018 at 23:21

I got our work Jeep stuck in the snow on a forest service road between Angles Oaks and Forest Falls off of HWY 38. It was quite an adventure. I had to leave it there overnight in the snowbank. So I hung my forest pass on the mirror.

Chariotoflove > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
05/05/2018 at 15:16

Cheap makes them better.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
05/08/2018 at 13:35

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CaptDale - is secretly British
05/08/2018 at 20:34

I plan on doing it soooon. Still need to order a carb legal cat. Just haven’t felt like dropping $400 on that right away.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
05/09/2018 at 11:29

Dude... I feel that. So much