N2: Pine Canyon & Elizabeth Lake
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Elizabeth Lake Rd:
Elizabeth Lake Rd rates 0 out of
5
We don't rate Elizabeth Lake Rd east of Lake Hughes Rd. Much of Elizabeth Lake Rd would otherwise be triple digit speeds incompatible with the low density roadside ranch style domiciles. Elizabeth Lake Road is just too fast, and too highly populated. We leave this road to bicyclists, horse trailers, pick-up trucks, and rural pedestrians. West of Lake Hughes Road, however, is quite remote.
Pine Canyon Road: Pine Canyon Rates 4.5 on our 5 scale
Blindingly fast, on the 9.5 mile east segment; 8.0 miles of fresh asphalt on the segment going west from Three Points.
Going west of Lake Hughes Road begins the east segment of Pine Canyon Road, a fast 9.5 mile continuation of Elizabeth Lake Rd that descends from 4,140 feet following the San Andreas Fault to the 3,520 ft elevation at Three Points. Pine Canyon drives best from east to west during Indian Summer. Takes considerable snow in winter. If you're going to bang yourself up in the canyons, then the greatest likelihood you'll do so is on the eastern Pine Canyon segment between Lake Hughes Rd and Three Points. No cattle bars; no Botz Dotts. Poor to good visability. Many opportunites for first degree passing. It's fast. It takes practice to get this one right. First time you go through there, you won't know whether your cresting a flat out, 5th gear blind rise, or a happening upon a third gear kink. If you're going down to second gear on this road, then something's wrong. This segment of Pine Canyon is fast. The turns are short; they last one to two seconds at most. You'll go well into triple digits on the east segment.
The 8.0 mile west segment of Pine Canyon is freshly paved, and rises from 3,520 ft. elevation at three points to 3,900 feet in just 3.7 miles. No cattle bars; no Botz Dotts. Marginal visability. It consists of an assorted battery of second and first gear turns that dip throught the countryside, connecting Three Points Junction to Old Ridge Route. You'll not hit your termminal velocity on the west segment of Pine Canyon Rd; the few opportunities that exist to hit triple digits are subsequently rewarded by tight hairpins that sneak up on you abruptly, with no warning. Prior to 22 July, 01, the apexes were characteristically sanded and dusty. Fresh pavement will be a welcome, but short lived improvement this summer, as we expect that this west segment will subsequently revert to its dusty, dirty state after the winter months. Enjoy it while you can. Much slower than it's easter counterpart, it's a beautiful drive. Most people bypass the west segment, because, going east to west, it's a very sharp right hand, second gear turn at Three Points that most people will wisk by in 5th gear without taking much notice. Before they know it, they're sitting at Hwy 138 and Three Points Rd, wondering what happened to the west segment.
After driving Pine Canyon, we commonly head north several miles up Interstate 5, exiting Frazier Park for the run across the incomparable Cerro Noroeste.
ADVISORY: If you want to do the west segment of Pine Canyon, then be extremely careful making the westbound transition on Highway 138. At the time of this writing there's a sign blocking your line of sight when you attempt to make the hairpin left turn onto the westbound 138 from Pine Canyon. We've had some minor mishaps making that left hand turn.
~ Harley's Rock Inn: A rustic bed & breakfast your best gal will not likely forget!
~ Three Points General Store: Established 1914, this old stage stop is still in business. Must see.
~ Conditions at Bouquet Reservior
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