Crystal Lake is off state highway 39 that runs through the Angeles National
Forest. Originally it connected to state route 2, the Angeles Crest highway,
but rock slides in 1978 closed the last 4 miles. It is another one of the
wonderful mountain roads in the area I love to ride the motorcycle on. Since
Karen had not been here in over 12 years and did not even remember it .. well
we took the little Miata roadster. We actually got a few sprinkles of rain so
the top was up.
click photo to enlarge
I wanted her to see the visitors center up here and the fact there is a sign
that says run by volunteers. It has been run my volunteers since the 1990s.
The Mt. Baldy visitors center we work at is now only run by volunteers also
and I think it is a good idea that we should do. There is a snack / store /
cafe there for campers. After the Curve fire in 2002 the area was closed.
Caltrans finally completed work on route 39 and reopened the road to Crystal
lake in 2009.
click photo to enlarge
Crystal lake can vary in depth from 30 feet to 150 feet depending on rain
and snow melt. The only means of replenishing the lake are snows and a
spring. In the past, the lake had amenities for picnickers, anglers, and
swimmers. In 1969, a severe rainy season flooded the restrooms on the
shoreline, and the water became contaminated to the point that the swimming
facilities were closed. Subsequent rainy seasons flooded the small cabin
that served as a summer residence for concessionaires who operated a snack
stand from the lower level and by 1990 the facility was
demolished.
