OIL/DIESEL on Angeles Forest and 9 Mile

[Slaughter]

Tonight we took Angeles Forest from Palmdale, Upper Big Tujunga to the Crest to Newcombs.

It looked like a big diesel truck left the cover off of its fuel tank and fuel-oiled the road.

On the Southbound Angeles Forest, about half way from Palmdale to UBT, there was a SPLASH in the middle of the road and a constant heavy spill on the right side (about where a car tire would be) - every turn, it was as if the fuel sloshed and then there'd be a big splash/spot on the road and then it'd stream again off to the right

The ONLY SAFE SPOT to ride for about 5-6 miles on Angeles Forest just before UBT was hugging the double yellow.

Turning left onto UBT, there was another HUGE SPLASH and there was a pretty constant dribble and flow and every once in a while another SPLASH. The oil trail went all the way up UBT and turned in to the Fire Station just below the top and it stopped there.

Downhill was clear.

I don't know if it'll be clear but if you are going from Palmdale to UBT and uphill at UBT - keep toward the double yellow - and keep your eyes open. You could see it today - it was fresh and shining. Not sure what it'll be like in a couple days.

I called CHP/Cal Trans - they are aware of it... but be careful out there.

I do think it was NOT sabotage or deliberate oiling of the road - it was TOO much and for TOO MANY MILES.

[BTLines]

Thanks for the warning, Steve...I was thinking about doing that route tomorrow, at least I won't be surprised if I do.

[JV711]

Thanks for the warning, Steve...I was thinking about doing that route tomorrow, at least I won't be surprised if I do.

+2 I was just about to head out that way after lunch

[luciano136]

I heard on the radio this morning they actually closed off a portion of ACH to all traffic to clean it up...

[rwalterk]

It's AFH that's closed off. LADPW site says it should reopen today sometime.


http://www.ladpw.org/rmd/roadclosure/results.cfm

Note: Estimated road opening dates are subject to change without notice. Please check this site periodically before finalizing any travel plans.
There are currently 11 road closures and 2 planned road closures:

CURRENT ROAD CLOSURES
Street - From / To
ANGELES FOREST HY from ANGELES CREST HY to SIERRA HY

Status
ROAD CLOSED

Reason Closed
DIESEL FUEL SPILL

On
06-13-2008

Estimated Reopening
06-13-2008

[Slaughter]

Hope nobody went down.

One of the guys I was going to meet at Newcomb's got completely sideways just turning left onto Upper Big Tujunga - saw the glop just as he hit the edge... maybe just barely 10 mph and said he was totally out of control and kinda dirt tracked it with his foot down. Kinda scared the snot outta him doing a sliding 180. Kinda tweaked his knee but he kept rubber down.

Hope hope HOPE nobody else rode through there. FORTUNATELY, most mid-week traffic is coming UP from Glendale area on the Crest - so fortunately most would have missed it.

[Slaughter]

Reports say Angeles Forest Hwy is opened - no mention of Upper Big Tujunga ever having been closed. There were large splotches on UBT so just WATCH it.

Downhill on UBT was completely clear... just the uphill was the problem.

If there was a cleanup, there is likely to be a little bit of absorbent left so just do some tippy-toeing until there has been some traffic through there to clean up the road surfaces a bit.

Gotta run - it's race weekend and I'm a PIT BITCH.

[NukleoN]

Thanks for the heads-up Slaughter! We're planning on a Sunday ride, but thankfully I saw yer post and that ACH was due to re-open Fri.

[Slaughter]

Just went down Angeles Forest last night and there are some spots that didn't get totally cleaned up. Just keep it close to the double yellow and you'll miss them. Upper Big Tujunga got cleaned up pretty well but there's still the residue left over from the absorbent - so if you're going UPHILL on 9 mile, just take it easy until you hit the fire station.

At least they're dark enough that you can't miss seeing them.

Most have been sanded and swept up.

[SportyV]

Thanks for the update. I'll keep an eye out when I ride tomorrow. :)

[dogcatcher]

I went up to the closure on 7/1-2 and didn't see any spill. Perhaps it has worn away or been cleaned up.

[SportyV]

Yeah, it wasn't much of an issue the past two weekends when I rode up there. You could see where the spill was and it was good advice to stay closer to the double yellow.

[SportyV]

Evan and I rode up there this morning.

On Upper Big T, just before AFH, there is a diesel spill on the southbound side. If you stay near the double yellow, you'll be fine.

Looks like someone wants to discourage riding fast up there because that spill wasn't there when I went two weeks ago.

[jonkull]

Wans't there yesterday...or last weekend either.

[SportyV]

Hmmm. It must have happened later on after you were on there yesterday because we were up there early (headed up at 6) and no one was out yet. I highly doubt it occurred this morning.