Mile High Motoring  ·  Route Intelligence
The
Approach
Destination  The Ranch
Location  Valyermo, CA
Elevation  2,750 ft
Routes Verified  4
All routes field-verified  ·  SR-2 closed Newcomb's Ranch to Big Pines — all approaches route around closure  ·  Current as of March 2026
Route 01
Angeles Crest &
Forest Highway
72 mi  ·  1:45 hr
La Cañada → Newcomb's → Valyermo
The Mountain Approach
Route 02
I-15 Through
Cajon Pass
88 mi  ·  1:30 hr
Downtown → Cajon → SR-138 → Valyermo
The Desert Approach
Route 03
SR-14 to
SR-138 West
95 mi  ·  1:45 hr
Santa Clarita → SR-14 → Palmdale → Valyermo
The High Desert Sweep
Route 04
Angeles Forest
Highway Direct
55 mi  ·  1:20 hr
Sylmar → N3 → Valyermo
The Back Road
01
The Mountain Approach
Angeles Crest & Angeles Forest Highway
Total Distance
72
miles
Drive Time
1:45
hours
Max Elevation
5,500
feet
Elevation Gain
3,500
feet
Origin
Pasadena
La Cañada Exit
The preferred approach. SR-2 climbs out of La Cañada with continuous switchbacks through chaparral and into the national monument. At Newcomb's Ranch — mile 20, elevation 4,700 ft — turn left onto Angeles Forest Highway. The road descends through pine and oak before the desert opens. SR-2 is closed east of Newcomb's. This route avoids the closure entirely.
Road Name Distance Elevation Character Notes
I-210 East Foothill Freeway 9 mi 864 → 1,200 ft Fast approach Last fuel in La Cañada. JPL visible north approaching exit.
SR-2 North Angeles Crest Highway 20 mi 1,200 → 4,700 ft The climb Sustained 6–8% grade. Narrow sections. Canyon west. Newcomb's Ranch at mile 20 — junction, turn left. SR-2 closed east of here.
Closure: SR-2 east of Newcomb's
N3 South Angeles Forest Highway 9.9 mi 4,700 → 3,000 ft The descent Broader than SR-2. Descending 4–6%. Pine to oak to desert edge. Antelope Valley opens as tree cover breaks.
Mt. Emma Rd Mount Emma Road 1 mi 2,800 ft Transition Turn right. Woodland gives way to high desert scrub. Sage replaces pine.
87th St E 87th Street East 13 mi 2,700 ft High desert Straight, flat, open. 10+ mile sight lines. San Gabriel wall runs the full southern horizon. 15–20°F cooler than the LA basin.
SR-138 West Pearblossom Highway 6.2 mi 2,700 ft Desert highway Turn left. Road largely unchanged since the 1940s. Largo Vista Road on the right — easy to miss at speed.
Largo Vista Rd Largo Vista Road 500 ft 2,750 ft Entry Turn right. Five hundred feet. The property opens ahead.
Destination
02
The Desert Approach
I-15 Through Cajon Pass
Total Distance
88
miles
Drive Time
1:30
hours
Max Elevation
4,260
feet
Character
Open
Freeway + Desert Hwy
Origin
Downtown
San Bernardino origin
Preferred from the east side, Inland Empire, or when SR-2 conditions warrant a freeway alternative. I-15 runs fast through Cajon Pass. SR-138 west from Phelan carries you across the high desert floor toward Valyermo. No technical driving — the mountain is already behind you when you arrive from this side.
Road Name Distance Elevation Character Notes
I-15 North Cajon Pass 42 mi 800 → 4,260 ft Open freeway Historic rail and highway corridor. San Bernardino range to the west. Cajon Summit at 4,260 ft. Fast but not technical.
SR-138 West Phelan Road to Big Pines Hwy 38 mi 4,260 → 2,750 ft High desert Through Phelan and Pearblossom. Long, gradual descent across the Antelope Valley foothills. San Gabriels visible to the south throughout.
Largo Vista Rd Largo Vista Road 500 ft 2,750 ft Entry Turn south off SR-138. Five hundred feet.
Destination
03
The High Desert Sweep
SR-14 to SR-138 West
Total Distance
95
miles
Drive Time
1:45
hours
Max Elevation
3,400
feet
Character
Desert
Freeway + Highway
Origin
SFV
Santa Clarita / 405 North
The cleanest route from the San Fernando Valley and points north. SR-14 runs through Soledad Canyon and opens into the Antelope Valley without traffic. The junction at SR-138 is straightforward — west toward Valyermo. Longer in miles but often faster than SR-2 on busy weekends.
Road Name Distance Elevation Character Notes
SR-14 North Antelope Valley Freeway 52 mi 900 → 3,400 ft Open freeway Climbs through Soledad Canyon. Sierra Pelona and San Gabriel ranges visible. Little traffic past Acton. Descends into Palmdale.
SR-138 West Pearblossom Highway 35 mi 2,700 ft Desert highway From Palmdale west through Littlerock and Pearblossom. Road unchanged since mid-century. San Gabriel wall to the south. Watch for Largo Vista Road.
Largo Vista Rd Largo Vista Road 500 ft 2,750 ft Entry Turn south. Five hundred feet.
Destination
04
The Back Road
Angeles Forest Highway Direct
Total Distance
55
miles
Drive Time
1:20
hours
Max Elevation
3,800
feet
Character
Mountain
Highway + Forest Road
Origin
Sylmar
I-210 / Foothill
The shortest route. Accesses Angeles Forest Highway (N3) directly from the north side at Sylmar. Climbs through the national forest without using SR-2 at all. Narrower, less trafficked, and avoids the SR-2 closure entirely by design. Preferred by those who know. Forest service road conditions should be confirmed before departure.
Road Name Distance Elevation Character Notes
I-210 / I-5 Foothill to Sylmar 18 mi 800 ft Freeway North on I-5 or I-210 to Sylmar. Exit at Foothill Blvd / Polk Street.
N3 South Angeles Forest Highway 25 mi 800 → 3,800 → 2,700 ft Mountain road County Route N3. 25 miles over the range. No SR-2 traffic — a different road entirely. Verified Open
87th St E 87th Street East 6 mi 2,700 ft High desert Brief desert crossing east toward SR-138.
SR-138 West Pearblossom Highway 6.2 mi 2,700 ft Desert highway West toward Valyermo. Watch for Largo Vista Road on the right.
Largo Vista Rd Largo Vista Road 500 ft 2,750 ft Entry Turn south. Five hundred feet.
Destination
The Destination
The Ranch.
You're up.
70 acres in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
Solar powered. Well water. Fully self-reliant.
Single story, long and low — black steel, warm wood, river rock,
floor to ceiling glass. The mountains visible from every position on the property.
Address
20033 Big Pines Hwy
Valyermo, CA 93563
Property
70
Acres
Elevation
2,750
Feet
Monument
SGMNM
National Monument